Timchat2

California's Great America, which is apparently not having WinterFest in 2025, makes the distinction that a 2025 Gold Pass applies to the 2024 WinterFest:

Snow in the Grove has a couple walkaround characters like Roly Poly (from the defunct parade) along with the year-round characters like Flit and Flutter, but that doesn't quite compare to the variety and guests interactions Kings Island's Midway Merriment crew. Despite the long-in-the-tooth productions, one of Dollywood's strengths has always been the quality of its shows. This year Kings Island took a major step forward with Yuletide Follies, but that still is somewhat hampered by the usual KI outdoor venue issues (weather, area noise, etc.).

We had similar feelings this year about Dollywood as well. Smoky Mountain Christmas is still a solid event with decor in nearly all corners of the park, an extensive lineup of live entertainment (which could perhaps use a new production or two) and the usual Dollywood warmth/charm, but Kings Island's WinterFest truly feels like "Christmas everywhere you look" (to quote Tinker's Toy Factory and Elf: the Musical) in comparison with lots of lights and detailed decorations all over the park, but perhaps lacking the finesse of Dollywood. In recent years Dollywood seems to have shifted away from covering seemingly every building surface with lights that way Silver Dollar City still does and Kentucky Kingdom is just starting to do with its new holiday event. Instead Dollywood has focused more on area-specific decor to give each sections a unique look like the "candlelight" in Craftsman's Valley. The pre-lit trees placed throughout the landscaping beds appears to be their way of keeping the light count up without attaching lights to every last board like they might have done in the past.

The successful run at Kings Island will likely see Gazillion Bubbles at multiple Six Flags parks in the coming years. Judging by a dancer audition post at the time it appeared that the Brad Ross show almost came to Kings Island in 2020 before everyone's plans for that summer changed.

The 2025 summer show lineup will likely include the return of Country Crossroads and Trailblazers Xtreme, along with potentially a longer run of Gazillion Bubbles at the KI Theater. Presumably the Bandstand will see a new production with RetroSpect having finished the usual two-season run.

Reportedly an email went out to California's Great America season passholders stating that there would be no seasonal events in 2025, meaning no Carnivale at Orleans Place, Tricks & Treats Fall Fest or WinterFest. The current CGA 2025 operating calendar shows hours starting in April until the end of October with none listed in November or December.

It was definitely a great night after an iffy beginning. The parade happened with all show stops and even the 9:30 Yuletide Follies occurred as scheduled with slightly modified blocking to avoid slick spots on the steps.

Yuletide Follies at the International Bandstand is a great addition to the WinterFest lineup. It's pretty ambitious for a Bandstand show with multiple costume changes, strong vocals and an impressive dancing ensemble. The lush old-school musical arrangements feel very similar to shows at Knott's, so I have a feeling the show writer from Phantom Theater Encore was involved. Along with MistleTones, Swingin' Into Christmas and the new WinterFest Way there seems to be a bit of a running theme this year with the 1940s/50s classic holiday vibes.

The Meatball Hoagie at Prancer's Pizza (International Street LaRosa's) is substantial and one of the better dining plan values with five meatballs on a foot-long hoagie roll. Very filling.

We've never been fans of the giant "elf" either. Its tone doesn't really match the vibe of the event and especially now with the new WinterFest Way.

It is pretty surreal. Getting all this new content is a bit of a windfall for a park like Six Flags Over Texas that has been trying to rebuild its live entertainment offerings. It'll be interesting to see if parks with more established live entertainment like Six Flags Fiesta Texas take on any legacy Cedar Fair shows. Back at Kings Island, the parade dress rehearsals have been visible on the webcams. It appears to be the same number of floats and performers as last year.

We just saw it last night at Canada's Wonderland. It's pleasant but I'm not sure how the more obscure Christmas song choices will play for most guests. Knott's Merry Farm is using the same Tree Lighting Ceremony as well. They seem to generally go their own route with holiday entertainment so this might be a chain-wise directive. Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas looks to be the first major integration of Cedar Fair live entertainment into a legacy Six Flags park with Holly Jolly Trolley, Tree Lighting Ceremony, MistleTones, Polar Party and Midway Merriment characters all debuting this season.

Is it the same Tree Lighting Ceremony as Carowinds and Canada's Wonderland this year? The one with "What a Wonderful World" and "Christmas is the Warmest Time of the Year"?

The WinterFest guide has been posted on the official site: https://qr1.be/SX1M The map of locations for the interactive Nutcracker Bubble Wand and Ornament activation points has been posted as well: https://qr1.be/Q6T7 There are specific times for the Tower Gardens and Snow Moments near the front entrance. Will there be special light shows in those areas that interact with the ornament? Also, Songs of the Nativity has shifted its location closer to the entrance of Woodstock Express. The stage can be seen on the webcam:

The Tree Lighting Ceremony at Carowinds has new songs this year and the honorary family lights the tree by hanging a large ornament instead of the traditional big light switch. Will Kings Island see the same changes?