Outdoor Man

eh... love it or hate it.... paramount has spent too much money on this to be a "told you so" lesson. I think too many are expecting them to pick up where they left off 13 years ago. Same idea, but I beg to doubt that most of the supplies from 13 years ago still exist.. therefore, even though it is a "old" event brought back... it's basically starting from scratch. And ANYONE who has seen the pictures on this site (even if you haven't been there yet)- you have to be impressed with the effort being placed forward. I live 90 minutes north of PKI and WHIO TV runs spots of Winterfest at least twice an hour.... Kroger has posters EVERYWHERE.... I think that this year will e the best the they could possibly put together for a first-year run. Maybe next year the park will not be open that first weekend in November to give more prep time... a week would make a big diff.... and the last two years, wasn't it soooo cold anyway that the park shut down early?

wow. very spirited thread. Haven't been there yet, but really from all the looks I think it will be impressive. I do have to agree with titanic a bit; i do think that crowds will be light because they have really priced out the typical family of 4... it will cost minimum of $80 just to get in (and that's if they have discounts)... then there's the food factor. I think they are hindering crowds by not allowing season pass holders in. 1992 and before, my girlfriend and I had passes and even though we lived 90 minutes away would make evenings out of the event and not think a thing to drop $30-50 each visit on various things. The high price pretty much assures that families will visit ONCE. As far as the lights; I can tell from pics that the tower has fewer lights on it than before. And I gotta be honest, I really prefer the tradition single star atop the tree to the "logo." By and large. It is the first time back for the event. i think that Paramount Parks has really done well to make this good for the first time around. As I recall the FIRST ever Winterfest wasn't much either..... and they aren't picking up where they left off. I'm pretty sure that paramount had no intentions of brining this back when they ended it... so even though they are bringing the event back.... they're basically starting over. They've put too much into it for it to be a 1-year event.... I;m sure that next year will be much different/better... and I look for the price to dramatically ease as December goes on (that's just an opinion though).

EXCELLENT VIDEO! really want to make it down there now. Unfortunately, its not real set to be return-visit friendly. back before season pass holders got in... and even without that, admission was only like $6- and we would visit several times a season. Are they charging to park?

does the image have to be published on a site or can it be off a hard drive? Thanks.

ok, fourth time. how do you post images?

any insight on how to insert an image?

From first sight, everything looks REALLY well-done! I really hope to make it down this year.... at what age do they charge the adult admisssion and what is a child's... I don't recall seeing anything on children's prices. The picture of IS on the homepage looks really neat. Are they going to leave the normal lights on the Eiffel Tower? In years past they always had them shut off. In the picture it still looks like the Tower, just with lights around it. Before, at night all you saw was the lights and it really looked like an ENORMOUS tree. How do you post pictures on this site. I have a picture of IS during Winterfest 1986 (i think)- would like to post.

I remember a while ago... Festhaus did a show during the summer called "Fire and Ice"... i actually think it got national attention. can anyone verify or speak to that?

hey, speaking of Festhaus.... I am looking at that picture on the home page... that german couple feasting on the ledge above the entryway.... does anyone remember when they used to clank their mugs up and down until another character came out from the doors to fill the beer mugs... I just thought of that. Heck, it may still do that-- i haven't paid attention in years. If not, when did they stop doing that.

I don't think we'll ever see a "CBS Kings Island"- the only way "paramount" would disappear from the name is throug a complete sale. There is too much marketing potential with the Paramount brand. If the peeps at viacom think that CBS is a better brand to filter the Parks through marketing-wise, then I better go over my resume and SEND. Like many others, I am suprised that Canada's Wonderland didn't jump on the Winterfest ship. Cause, honestly- they are about the only park that is guarenteed snow during December to make it not just "feel" like winter, but look that way as well.

OK, to any KI and/or Bat fan.... that was breakfast, lunhc, supper, birthday cake, and Christmas dinner all rolled into one. EXCELLENT find! I hope that at some point (the now) PKI decides to replace the "Paramount Story" or some other area with a "Coney/KI/PKI story" They could even make an admission attraction and I bet people would pay.... especially those in their 30's and above..... a LOT of memories in that park. I'm sure that any person can come up with at least one story and them with one of the departed attractions.... getting sick on Der Spinning Keggers, whipping around on the Eagles, first driving experience on the antiques, barrel rolling on Flight Commander, the best place to plant a kiss on your date in Phantom theater, etc.... One of these days a moderator from this site is going to work in the marketing and promotions department for PKI and bring about a golden age for the park (or destroy it..... one or the other).

no, honestly the preparations look incredible. Paramount has obviously spent a "lump sum" on this. I wonder how Carowinds will compare. (are they the only other Paramount Park doing this?) wanted to post a winterfest image (or two)... how do you insert images?

Excellent update, two things... 1- I think I would have seriously enjoyed the purchase process.... "go to a christmas store/warehouse...... BUY EVERYTHING!" 2- What the heck is that paramount star thing on top of the tower? Most traditional trees contain a single star (or angel)... not a series of stars that look suspiciously like they are racing behind a mountain at the beginning of a movie. At first glance, it appears that the tower/tree is going to be quite a bit different than the one of a decade-plus ago. but, STILL looking forward to it...

was it? i thought the SF website had the press release date of September 12.

do you think it will be rebuilt with the remnants of Astroworld?

Question. is it possible that Six Flags' decision to close the Houston location interlinked somehow to the fact that most of their New Orleans location will need to be replaced/removed permanently? Convenient that Houston's park is to close and they have all of those rides/coasters to move. But would be great that they are able to take remains of a defunct park (that probably had a limited life in it's current location) to a park that has useful life lef tin it's location but has no recourse to start up again. Just a thought... sorry if it has already been discussed.

you would think that FOF would be open; if for nothing else to help disburse the crowd. It may very well be the first time ever that there would be a 1-hour line for the Carousel (j/k).

I agree with harvest..... I don't know if the "Smaoking Ban" is necessary. i don't like to inhale second hand smoke.. but after all it is outdoors...... but if you're going to have such a rule, ENFORCE IT. The prices on Souvenirs.... they are A LOT BETTER than they used to be. Back in the day, they were outrageously expensive... almost double what they should have been. Now, they still may be overpriced, but not near as bad. i remember walking through a shop and seeing the prices and thinking they didn't seem too bad.... I had to buy a t-shirt and towel after taking in WWC 13 times just before closing back in July. A sit down eatery would be good.... but they would need more than one... like some good "Cincinnati" places (like Graeter's and LaRosa's)... what are some famous local places (other than Montgomery Inn... which is expensive WITHOUT park-induced prices)? I was overall very pleased with all of my visits this year...

just out of curiousity... and most on here may be too young to remember, but in the previous Winterfest events had so much preparation been done and standing during the regular operating season?

coastersrz... you bring up a good point. Where did all the lights/decor come from? I'm guessing that it hasn't been in storage for the last 13 years. This kind of really excites me, because Paramount is really spending on this.... and i think from what I've read and seen it's going to be incredible.

Combat; I agree- paramount has done more good than bad. You do have to admit though that it was a bit of a learning curve for them in the beginning- but I think that the learning curve is past an they are building.... really great premier parks. The park is cleaner than it was in the mid-90's A LOT of money has been spent in investment in the park... sometimes, in my opinion on marginal things that seemed over-priced. But, most times you only know of mistakes after the fact. One only has to visit the Paramount Studio in LA to know the professionlism that exists in Paramount as a whole.... but I do think in the beginning they were trying to be Universal / Disney and manage their own parks to this large conglomerate. And I think they learned. I also agree with the opinions of "woofer"-- sometimes they make decisions and you know there is a reason behind it, but you think "what the...."

Combat.... cool down. I know that "tense" is difficult to read on screen- but I don't think that I would classify what others are saying as "whining." More like stating opinions. now, back to festhaus.... do they ever use the other side of the building anymore?

not to sound too protective, but I heard on the news that some pretty lousy weather in coming through on Sunday... they were using words like..... tornado-type weather, so BE CAREFUL! bty.... where exactly do you go if a tornado warning is issued at the park? I was at EPCOT in florida when a funnel cloud passed directly overhead and thinking.... "my god, there's no place to go and nothing but glass here." just curious.

oddly enough Robert Reed actually did hate the show and didn't care for many of the directors/producers.... and they didn't really care for him either. Sherwood Schwartz contemplated killing off the character (in a family series) for season 7 before the show was canceled. But oddly enough; Reed was back on (enthusiastically) for all Brady reunion shows and the God-forsaken variety shows. kinda funny how life played itself out.

WOW shaggy, you need a hobby. just kidding. enjoyed reading it. can this episode be downloaded anywhere?