Winterfestguy

Two sets of my friends had their vacation plans impacted by the Tuesday/Wednesday closures (only because I let them know). After 4 days of the reservation phone lines being busy every time they tried to call, they finally got through today. They both can now only stay one night at Breakers because they were told by the reservation agent Breakers is sold out for every Friday and Saturday all through the entire month of June. They both felt they were not treated as a valued customer as all this was just shoved down their throats. I did warn them that with CP hotel/cabin sell outs for Friday (and all those automatically have a park reservation), the park will likely be very crowded if they decide to enter the park on Friday morning after checking out. They both said they will never return if this is the way the park wants to run their business always changing days/hours of park operations after being published and not caring about the customer - too difficult to plan a vacation. I don’t blame them.

It does seem obvious that management is a bit scrambled on the closure messages and updating the appropriate sites (likely because IT only works 8-5pm, and the announcement was sent after they went home, which is no excuse - management should be able to coordinate better). And to make matters worse announcing Soak City will open Saturday with an obvious forecast high of 59 (when it likely won’t open at all due to the temperature), just adds to their PR issues. With no fireworks on a Holiday weekend and the postponement of the dance party on June 10 due to the new 8pm closure, people will be very disappointed. People plan their vacations around the published calendar hours and published events. Between KI and CP shrinking their calendars/hours/events, it has definitely been a PR nightmare. Will be interesting to see when Grand Carnival rolls around, what, if any, calendar changes happen. Hopefully, people will vote with their wallets on how acceptable all these changes have been to them.

If you look at the first quarter CF results and comments, management fully expected a record demand and attendance at all parks (So KI just like the CP management knew as they admitted in March that record crowds would flood the gates once parks opened in May). KI knew they were not fully staffed for May weekend openings based on their labor numbers, but went ahead anyway and opened the park to full capacity of everything acting like it was open (which is another issue in itself as it makes lines, especially for the limited food and limited drink refills extremely long). The park was also overcrowded so not sure how adding extra security can help prevent such an incident because they can’t be in every single queue and every place at the exact same time (not to mention rules at KI are never enforced). I am surprised that no official action plan has been made public by now, only casting doubts for some that KI can adequately address their issues in the coming weeks (overcrowding, lack of food/drink, re-entry policy, security, etc.). It’s probably too late now, but KI should go back to reservations on the dry side that matches what the park labor numbers can actually provide for the best day ever experience (which is why Disney World each week slowly increases its reservation amounts based on their labor numbers to staff things). Hopefully, the required reservations are being limited on the wet side to help the overcrowding and incidents such as this, but have my doubts (and will see this weekend how crowded Soak City actually will be).

From a labor seasonal budget perspective, the only way to increase wages is to decrease the hours/days the park is open (which keeps the same amount in the seasonal labor budget), so not too surprised CP appears to be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays for three weeks in June. I do feel sorry for those that had CP expensive hotel reservations like Breakers already booked for the newly closed days (hopefully CP will allow a full refund without penalty or free rebook). For KI fans hopeful for Haunt in addition to the advertised Fall Fest, this should be a “nail in the coffin” that there will not be a Haunt at KI with late night hours as in prior years before the pandemic.

Definitely a front gate nightmare, especially basically checking photo ID for picture and date of birth of whomever the chaperone is. And I am not sure how the front gate will verify the actual age of the child. What’s not clear if this would apply to a family brining their children to the park (was likely intended for those vans that drop off their kids for the day). If families have to do this chaperone verification for their kids, I can see many just skipping KK and heading down to Holiday World. Just like those “no bag lines”, hope they have a “no chaperone line” to speed up entry into the park.

If the early line closure was a CF chain wide policy for all parks, then maybe that is the way it is. However, KI has not been closing lines early, so must be a CP specific policy (probably to save on labor costs). People definitely need to stop by guest services to complain so that the new CP general manager can take notice of all the customer feedback. It is sad that the employees have to take all the criticism from upset paying customers when the lines close early.

Not too sure Haunt will actually occur this year (that site advertising the return of Haunt in 2021 appeared immediately after the 2020 cancellation of Haunt last year, so not sure how current the information on that site really is). When looking at season pass benefit information for 2021, the word “Haunt” is specifically missing (and in all previous years “Haunt” has definitely been listed as a season pass benefit). “Every year, the benefits and value of being a Gold or Platinum Season Passholder keep getting better. Not only do you have unlimited admission to Kings Island, Soak City Water Park, Fall and WinterFest, but you also enjoy exclusive events” With the park conserving cash flow with reduced park hours this season, I believe the poster advertising a Fall Fest instead of Haunt is likely accurate.

Several years ago at Coasterstock it was suggested by several to invite a different local band each week to come perform at Timberwolf (CP is already doing something similar as part of their 150 celebration). This would make good use of the facility, especially during a pandemic using outside for another entertainment option. Maybe KI is cleaning things up in preparation for such idea.

Wonder when CF will implement the new 3 foot social distancing? Interesting development - “In a new study released earlier this week, the University of Central Florida (UCF) and International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) concluded that theme parks could safely lower physical distancing requirements from six feet to three feet.”

https://event.ontaptickets.com/events/hops-roller-coaster-drops-9-11-2021?mc_cid=ce693bc6ad&mc_eid=UNIQID This event with UNLIMITED craft beer samples in September looks fantastic. Wish KI would have thought of being the first to host this one of a kind largest amusement park event. Similar to CP Frontier Festival but with many, many more committed craft breweries attending (the list of craft brewery participants is long).

Sad that at the last minute Ed Hart at KK did not cut the check for this coaster on the day the pandemic hit last March, but glad Silverwood was able to pick up the coaster which was originally destined for KK. Definitely a great addition to Silverwood.

Camp Cedar is not opening until June per the website. Still much to do in the next two months from what I heard, but the warmer dry weather has definitely allowed faster progress.

Keys to the Kingdom 2 will be Sunday June 6 - $5 off advance tickets were offered to people who attended the winter walk through today. Many new surprises will be in the event this year (but no hints were given except six locked padlocks in the presentation). It’s going to be a busy June weekend this year with CP Coastermania on Friday June 4 and Keys to the Kingdom 2 on Sunday June 6. Now just have to wait to see if KI will have Coasterstock this year.

During The Winter Walk-theough today it was mentioned that the RMC Raptor destined for the park this season actually went to Silverwood (branded by Silverwood as Stunt Pilot). Last March Ed Hart was ready to cut the check for the Raptor, but COVID hit and he backed out of the deal at the last minute allowing Silverwood to pick up the coaster plans. This coaster could have fit nicely in KK since the maximum height would have been somewhere between 105-115 feet which would have fit several places in the park given the various air vector height restrictions of the airport across the street. (Rumor location was next to Eye of the Storm.) Most of the changes coming to KK this year are increasing the quality of food - many stands are being renamed and menus being retooled to represent a lot of the Dollywood favorites (yes a bakery is coming with Dollywood’s cinnamon bread, a stand with Nashville hot chicken, and sweet tea will be coming in the park). Alcohol will also be staying in the park with expanded Kentucky bourbon flight tastings and food menu in the renamed beer garden. A incredible promotion will be running this year, Summer Fun Partners, offering two days with free drinks for $29.95 - seems like Herschend wants to really drive up attendance getting many first time visitors, especially those from out of state, to visit the park. (Last season the exact same deal for out of state visitors was $39.95). Another talking point was there definitely was not going to be a pumpkin lights/Halloween event this season, but did strongly hint at a Christmas event could actually occur this Christmas (noted a few buildings and restrooms had heat on the walk through for colder temperatures, and since Christmas decoration orders with China are typically placed in early spring, maybe a Christmas time event could actually happen in the park, just will have to wait and see).

KI has said the exact same thing as Carowinds about fall and winter events. With budgets severely limited this season due to the pandemic last season, my guess is that CF is waiting to see how the early and late summer seasons go. If there are lots of rainy days limiting attendance and closing parks due to inclement weather for the day (and therefore loss of income), fall and winter events my be limited. WOF already has said budget concerns forced their Winterfest cancellation. However, if the weather is super nice/sunny, and everyone has a vaccination that wants one, attendance may sky rocket at the parks this summer (and likely therefore more income to fund having fall and winter events). Fall and Winter operating days and hours will be announced later this year.

A CP two day pre-season ticket special (which also includes Cedar Shores water park, a single day ticket would not) runs $74.99. Add two days of $20/day parking, and you would be around $190 for both. If you would upgrade to Platinum, you would save the $40 total parking fee and a little bit on overall gate price. A Platinum pass upgrade would also get you an hour early entry to CP, but since your friend would have just the two day ticket, the early entry for just you may not be a benefit. If you upgraded to platinum, the $40 parking savings could be used to purchase the all park drink plan to help save costs. If you would stay at a CP hotel for the night (like CP Express Hotel at the causeway entrance which is the cheapest), all CP hotel guest can enter the park early. If you don’t want to upgrade to Platinum, you might also consider one of the CP all inclusive package deals (hotel/early entry/free drinks/free parking) being offered on their website (pricing depends which days and which CP hotel in June that you would be visiting).

Herschend’s plans sound very ambitious but if they extend the season into fall and Christmas seasons (with elaborate decor and festivals as they say), and bring new entertainment and expand thrill/family rides (as they say), the park will definitely draw more people. And if they can come up with a “platinum-like” pass where you can visit some of their other properties like Dollywood or Silver Dollar city, that only will expand their season pass/customer base. The announcement today is a great thing for the future of Kentucky Kingdom. Time will tell how this impacts KI, Holiday World, or on a smaller scale, Indiana Beach, but look for strong marketing from all the parks this season.

Herschend will be good for KK. They will likely keep focus on family entertainment and keep the sea lion and bird shows since they also own the Newport Aquarium. Like the news article says they also want to bring festivals and other seasonal events (Maybe hope for the return of their Halloween event?) which will bring more people to the park. A nice infusion of capital will help pay off the past due bills/lease payment as well as add some new little things to the park. I wonder what (if anything) will be said at the winter walk through in March about the sale.

The calendar is definitely in line with their conference call of “rigorous cost management”. It appears CP shortened their 150 year celebration this season by a few weeks from their originally scheduled start date of early June in 2020 to start later start date in June 2021 (June 26 this year, also likely a cost cutting move). I would expect KI to follow “rigorous cost management” and maybe shorten Grand Carnival time. Instead of the big evening parade, KI or even CP might consider what Universal has done this year due to the on-going pandemic and social distancing requirements. Universal has parked their Mardi Gras floats this year in various areas throughout the park and has allowed guests to interact with them at various times of the day (I found this much more effective and fun when visiting Universal this year rather than everyone bunching up and climbing over each other during their one, elaborate nightly parade). Universal’s approach was very effective for crowd control. It does to remain to be seen what the vaccination rate progress will be by summer, and will likely vary considerably by each state, another big variable for KI (or any Cedar Fair park) 2021 attendance.

Policies are typically “re-visited” when some type of an awkward situation has happened. We don’t know what percentage of the CP workforce is not local AND above 30, but suspect they analyzed the data, and because the percentage was so low, decided not to deal with it instead of coming up with innovative, alternative housing solutions for them. As schools and colleges are starting classes earlier in August (and many others looking for work), it would seem CP would want to welcome those non-locals over 30, especially non-local retirees, to help during the summer and extend the typical season. However, CP typically brings in students from other countries (cheap labor) to fill many positions, but that premise may be risky this season due to the continuing COVID pandemic, Visa, and various individual country travel restrictions. All of this points to “buy a Fast Lane for later in the season” as with less and less workers as the summer goes on, the lines will be much longer than normal (and they were already pretty long this past season) the closer it gets to Labor Day.

Wish KI had a winter walk through event like CP and KK do. It would be a great new charity event for KI to start. I did get our tickets to the KK event before they sold out (KK event sold out in less than 15 min but not as fast as CP winter chill out which sold out in less than 5 min)

Kentucky Kingdom is opening a few weeks later than they did the past few seasons on May 8

Planet Snoopy definitely needs an overhaul if KI has any future hopes of taking back the Golden Ticket award for best kids area. The rides in Planet Snoopy are old and stale in comparison to the new and innovative style kids rides in Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove (which took away the Golden Ticket award for best kids area from KI this last season after many years). KI needs a kids steel coaster like the Dragonflier instead of their typical re-paints, re-themes, and re-names of rides in their kids area.

This coaster has a interesting history including two deaths in 2019 before arrival at Indiana Beach In late 2020, Quimera was reportedly being carefully dismantled for relocation from La Feria. The park's Ratón Loco and several other rides had already been removed from the site some time ago.[8] However, it wasn't until the days leading up to the announcement that individuals with inside knowledge had posted information online regarding Quimera's future, stating that it would find a new home at Indiana Beach in Monticello, Indiana. Rumors promptly began to circulate, but it was only days later, on November 24th, 2020, that until Indiana Beach released a press statement confirming such

Strange as the Carowinds webpage advertises Winterfest returns in 2021 - guess will see if that changes in the next few weeks -