BoddaH1994

They were working up there for a VERY long time... Much longer than you'd think just to remove the curtain and replace it with the backdrop. Hopefully this will be an implication of a revamp for next year... Also, I think they said at the press announcement that Santa's Toy Factory was a ravamp of the previous show.

The magic of Wintefest is something that you just have to find in yourself. No real show or spectacle can just create it for you. Did they use the main stage in the Festhaus at all? I have seen the center stage used a lot, but not the old big one. ..and yes, Illuminations is amazing!

^ That's what I love about these forums... it's 2:30am on a Sunday night and there are still 9 people reading them.

You might be a PKI addict if... ...you've been wrapped up in employee drama and you don't work there. ...you've checked PKIC's forums from the web on your cell phone while at the park. ...you've mistakenly told your parents that you want something for Winterfest instead of asking for something for Christmas. Guilty on all 3.

They've been in the process of a total retrack for years now.

I'm not sure if they scrated the Christmas Caper idea or not, and even if they did, it would still be doubtful that they'd do it for that reason. If it did get scratched, it was probably due to budget or time constraints.

I think you can still get any day tickets for $19.99 if you buy them in advance. To my knowledge, you can buy them at Krogers on the way there and still get the same price. I admit that $25 is a little high, but this is one of those deals where if you play your cards right, you can get a good deal... especially for passholders.

Very few people who were around for the first WF are around for this one, plus all of the old decorations were thrown away or donated, so I agree with Familyman, as far as I'm concerned, this is as close to at 1st year event as you can get. They have been preparing for Winterfest for a very long time. Setup began back during Fearfest. It wouldn't be reasonable for you to assume that they rushed anything. They had a certain timeframe and had to stick with it. I have only gone during media day, and if it's "not finished" as some people claim, I still wouldn't have been mad paying $20 for admission. Winterfest is bigger than it ever was in the 80s and early 90s. I think they're already doing exactly what you're suggesting. Give it a shot! I really enjoyed myself and I intend to go back several times. I'm already looking forward to it. I think the theory is a little far fetched but your 2nd point is very true. If anyone came on here with a negative opinion about anything to do with PKI, they'd get destroyed on the forums. Of course, there is always that handful that you can't please. Being a supporter of the park, it would be irresponsible of me or the rest of the PKIC staff to have headline news that is not in the best interest of PKI. In fact, we don't support everything that goes on at PKI, but rather than badmouth it, we just don't make any kind of fuss or hype about it. I'm actually glad that you have a different opinion than everybody else. It makes it interesting. Unfortunately things get personal on here very quickly. So, aside from pricing, what would you do to improve the event? We really have no idea what attendance they forecasted for the first weekend. Personally I think the marketing of the event was a little jacked up. WAY too many people were asking the employees what Winterfest was when they saw the signs. Plus TV and paper ads should have started a month ago. I don't think the quality of the event affected Let me remind everyone that Winterfest isn't about rides, it's about LIVE SHOWS, so if you don't enjoy live shows and spectacle, it may not be the event for you. Personally, I would invite anyone to at least check it out. Most of you on here are season pass holders, so the price is about the same as a night out anywhere else. A lot of people have put countless hours into this event, so please don't judge it before you get to experience it.

Just wanted to see how you guys enjoyed Winterfest. Please wait to attend the event before judging it.

The park map lists it as SDATHC. I wonder if plans for caper were scratched.

I went to Holiday Fest two years ago and I can tell you that it's a joke in comparison to Winterfest. They're not even in the same league. I'd gladly spend the extra $7 or $10 to go to a real holiday event. Also may I point out that the Beach's Holiday Fest sure seems to have a lot of upcharges. With WF, everything is included except food and skating.

We'll worry about the lodge when there's something to report on it. A concrete foundation isn't really what we here at PKIC consider ground breaking news.

Excellent work, my friends! At least you had the time to pay a little more attention to detail than we did Tuesday.

Add cell phone backround to that.

To see Bill's new Winterfest video, click here.

for some reason, I think that would be a great Idea, The train would never go vertical... it could be done... I'd call it Beast's baby's momma.

Unfortunately, nothing is truely culturally universal so there will always be those who feel like outsiders. Welcome home!

I'm the other way around. I'm bummed out until around Christmas and then start to get better during the later winter months. I guess it has to do with the fact that the days start getting longer or something... plus, that's when we really start to feel and appreciate the coming of opening day.

Use the "IMG" button above the text box and supply a link.

Putz... As in Jeff, the guy that runs pointbuzz, as well as coasterbuzz? If so, I really don't like the guy. Seems like an on the forums at Pointbuzz. Seems okay on Coasterbuzz, but for some reason on pointbuzz, he comes across as an He's not exactly the most social guy in person eather, but hey, Beastbuzz is a good time.

Use NiMh batteries, they'll last you several hundred shots.

I plan to go, I'll be a 3rd timer... this will, seriously be some of the most fun you'll ever have in your life. Putz and PKI's marketing put on quite a show.

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...or we could do it every minute with the time.

It was July 25th, 2005 when PKI gave us a very heartwarming announcement. We were told that the magic of the holiday season will return sparking new family traditions. This Friday that tradition begins! Today, the Winterfest preview brought an early light on that tradition. Here is a breakdown of the magic: International Street: I-Street is LIT UP! It really encompasses the overdone Christmas spirit, from everything to decorative holiday lights to a very beautifully done ice rink on the Royal Fountain. This is of course all topped off by the beautiful Eiffel Tower Christmas Tree! Christmas Parade: Very good presentation! The parade was actually a lot more high-energy than I thought it would be. All of the actors and actresses in the performance really seemed to really enjoy what they were doing and you could see it in their passion. Definitely one of this year's "must sees." Holiday Illuminations: One word... "wow." I walked into this show with high expectations. In fact, I thought I had over hyped it myself, but it was still above and beyond all expectations I had. The choreographed lights with the music made for a magical show that will not be soon forgotten. White Christmas Express: This one is another attraction that you really must do in order to really understand the spirit of Winterfest. The premise is that you are accompanying a lady soldier as she rides a train home for the holidays. I'm not sure who the lady was who played this character tonight, but when she got off the train to surprise her family, you could almost empathetically feel her excitement. Santa's Toy Factory: This show is one of the best shows I have ever seen at an amusement park.. ever. Had I seen this show at Disney or Bush Gardens (as they are known for their shows) I wouldn't have been disappointed. Help Santa's elves recapture the Christmas Spirit as it fuel's Santa's sleigh to get off the ground! All of the elves seem to be happy except one... can the rest of the elves cheer him up and bring back his Christmas Spirit in time? With one of the most beautiful and complex sets that I've ever seen and an incredible attention to detail, this show has definitely set the bar higher for the entertainment department at PKI. The only question remaining is, can the department meet and exceed our expectations in 2006 and beyond? Crystal ball says: YES. Of course, there's much much more, but you'll just have to experience it for yourself! Click here to see our latest Winterfest photos. To see Bill's awesome Winterfest video click here! Happy Thanksgiving, Ryan PKICentral.com -- The seasonal park site where there's never an offseason!