MDMC01

WOW! What a night! I had a fantastic time at both viewings of Tinkers, from getting to sit with all my KIC Peeps, my friends I brought with me, as well as others that I knew who were also enjoyed the show, to getting to finally see Santa after the last show. I even got my picture with him. I also said my goodbyes to Mr. Tannenbaum and Scrooge as well as played a unique air hockey game in the Coney Arcade that was tons of fun! To all of you who busted it so we could all have FUN, thank you for a fantastic Winterfest season (and the rest of the 2017 season obviously!) and Happy New Year!!!

Just heard that Jingle Jazz/Mistletones will be in Festhaus, but not sure what times.

Thanks for the update. Is Plight still showing (only asking as it's technically outdoors, but also is under a covered structure)?

I'll be there! I currently have on long pants, jeans, a long shirt, t-shirt, sweatshirt and I will be weating a coat, plus hat and mittens. However, even with all of this on, my face was still cold when I was shoveling ~15 minutes ago. Dress Warm!

That's the one I was thinking of getting (the white one).

Thanks for the heads up about the sale, @Magenta Lizard! I'm planning to buy a Winterfest T-shirt (when I go Saturday) that I saw last weekend in Trim-a-Tree. Also, there are some really fascinating Nutcrackers and Santas in there that are worth a look (but are also expensive, IIRC).

I will be there Saturday, likely with friends who are there (at Winterfest) for the first time.

I went again last night and had a fantastic time. Saw Cool Yule Christmas and Holly Jolly Trolley for the first time and enjoyed both. Cool Yule reminds me of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade performances while I really enjoyed the hats worn by the HJT performers, what with their feathers and ribbon-things (as well as the music of course!). Also saw my usual favorites: Tinkers, Jingle Jazz, Drummers and Plight. Edit: Also got in night rides on Mystic, Zephyr, and a close-to-Closing ride on Boo Blasters. Edit2: @Magenta Lizard, I paid attention to the light display by Planet Snoopy; it seems to be syncronized (maybe?) to Basshunter's version of Jingle Bells.

Winterfest has been outstanding this year, with so much to see and do. Honestly, my only recommendations for next year are these: 1) If they are going to bring "Everest the Elf" back, at least give him the proper deep ("Al/Haunt) voice! 2) Viking Fury and Shake, Rattle and Roll could possibly be added to the rides lineup and 3) If they are going with the new 4-10 hours, maybe push ahead some of the show times to match this.

Thanks to @BoddaH1994 for posting both of those videos! I like how our current version of Tinkers is a nice blend of the original (80's/90's) Santa's Toy Factory and the mid 2000's version. Of the two, I liked the early version better, but I still loved singing along with both of them while watching. Can't wait to see Tinkers once again tonight!

Ok. I'll have to check that out tonight when I go.

Re: the show timings, I feel like most of the shows end early/start later than regular season shows do to compensate for the timing. For example, I was able to book it from Plight to Drummers one night with some time to spare. On a random note, does anyone on here know what the #homefortheholidays building that was advertised on KI's Twitter is/was supposed to be? I'm not sure where this is in the park at all.

I too, have enjoyed my Winterfest rides on Zephyr, as well as Mystic Timbers. But one thing I'd like to change in the Elf Village... bring back Al! He could even be called Everest the Elf, but bring back the voice! EDIT: To quote him, that high pitched voice needs to "Skidoo!"

That's unfortunate; where was that located?

When I rode last night, the seperator at the entrance ensured I wasn't with a group, which is good that they are monitoring that now. EDIT: Also, as a heads-up: fanny packs ARE allowed to be with you on ride. One of the greeters told me to put it in a locker, and then the other greeter standing there said I was fine.

Went again to Winterfest tonight (surprise, surprise!) and enjoyed riding Mystic Timbers, seeing Tinkers and Plight, and riding Dodgems and Zephyr (the latter of which I got a Zen ride on as it was the last cycle right before close). I also did something new tonight and saw Tana Matz perform as the Holly Holiday String-A-Long "show". It's not so much as show as it is Tana strumming her guitar, talking to the audience and singing. I enjoyed her Christmas covers and her voice reminds me of Dixie Chicks or Dolly Parton (she covered "Rock Candy Christmas" and said she's been a big fan of Dolly's). Also, I must add that it really didn't feel like you were at Kings Island anymore, but at a bar or a coffee house listening to an up-and-coming artist. I love that Winterfest truly has something for everyone, from Broadway style shows (Charlie Brown's Christmas Spectacular), to a dance party, to the variety of singing shows, from acapella to acoustic. They have really hit it out of the park this year with Winterfest; here's to many more. I also got my picture with Scrooge and Mr. Tannenbaum (my two favorite characters) as well as hung out with @Magenta Lizard and @exscream team for a good portion of the night.

I saw this on Twitter and I was like Woo! I never got to ride it as it was closed the day I went. While there, I thought the land near their Dinos would be a great spot for something- hopefully they'll utilize it to put them on the map once again (as Steel Force did for them in 1997).

Good stuff; I really like seeing the lights on that tunnel as well as the lights strung up in Country Fair. I'd love to get back to Carowinds sometime to ride Fury and Nighthawk.

Yeah, I'm loving the crowds (I'm serious!). This means Winterfest has been a roaring success. I went tonight on a whim (was originally planning to do something else tonight, but that didn't happen) and had a blast. Did two (well, three) new things tonight: saw What the Dickens, listned to the piano player at Reds and saw The Mistletones. Dickens was hilarious, I enjoyed the piano player, and while the Mistletones were ok, I thought Jingle Jazz was better. I also got to see the animals at Nativity and got to hear some of that great music that the singers perform every so often. Also got in my usual favorites (Tinkers, Plight Before Christmas, and Drummers) as well as rode Zephyr and the Carousel. Finally, I really enjoyed talking to the people I met and saw along the way.

...and amazingly, it opened today! Had a fantastic ride on The Orange Menace tonight as well as had my best (Winterfest) ride yet on the train (the train at night has creeped me out my past 2 times, but I somewhat enjoyed it this time). Also got to mingle with the characters some (met Tinsel Frost for the first time) and ensured they were keeping warm. Finally, got to see 3 of my favorite shows tonight: Tinkers, Twas the Plight Before Christmas, and Jingle Jazz. It was a cold night, but it was a good night. Thanks to those working the event for braving the cold so that guests can have fun!

Boo lol. Well, at least now we know; safety never takes a holiday, you know. Just out of curiosity, are there any characters outside or is it too cold?

I have heard that while in the park. Also, there are a LOT of people on stage for the Lighting Ceremony/Cool Yule Christmas. Also, @malem, you need to see those 2 shows ASAP! Tinkers is probably my favorite, and Plight and Drummers come in 2nd and 3rd, respectively. My least favorite is Charlie Brown's Christmas Spectacular; it's weird. There is one good part that (intentionally?) pays homage to a past show that took residence in KIT (I won't spoil it for those who haven't see the show).

Hmmm... that explains why I'm seeing a lot of unfamiliar faces in the shows (in addition to some I know, including some people formally from Off The Charts/Monster Rock, the 90's show, and of course, Gator) EDIT: Also, I know Santa (from Tinkers)!

I think Flight of Fear is a no-brainer, however I also agree with those who say we have enough rides open as it's about the entertainment. I didn't ride a single thing on Saturday and still had a blast seeing the shows and interacting with the characters.

Yeah, those Santa-hated ghosts shocked me a little. And then a certain someone shot at it again just to get a rise out of me lol (it was all in good fun!)