MDMC01

I waited 5 minutes for Mystic due to the single rider line. Also, 5-10 minute wait for the train (as it was one of the last trains of the night, I believe).

So, I will be going tonight and I'm super excited. Thanks again @chugh43 for the show schedule/listing; I have my night all planned out lol. Along with 3 shows I'd like to see tonight (Drummers, Tinkers Toy Factory and of course, The Plight Before Christmas), I'd like to do Snow Works, visit Al, ride the Train, and the 5 rides (Mystic, Zephyr, Scrambler, Dodgems and Boo Blasters).

I just looked at the web cam and it looks like Snow Works (the sledding/tubing hill) will be directly in front of Drop Tower. Also, it looks so weird seeing everything dormant in Action Zone. I may end up going Saturday night even though I won't be there for Opening Night. I'm eager to hear people's thoughts on Opening Night. One more day! Also, Happy Thanksgiving all!

Thank you @chugh43; I was considering making one of those myself to keep track of everything! EDIT: Also, I thought that Tinker's Toy Factory would be in KI Theatre (as its 2005 prodecessor was), but I guess not.

I know, right? That really bugged me; it's like they (those news people) want Winterfest to fail or something. Thankfully, that spokesperson for KI fought back with some good info on the unique experiences available only at Winterfest.

That's cool how they found those clips from the past years of Winterfest. Also, I wonder if they are going to take the Haunt facade at the front gate down in time- last time I drove by, the "house" you enter through near the gates for Haunt was still up. Maybe they'll put some lights on it?

While that (us getting Dominator) would have been cool, I like Firehawk and am glad we got one of only 3 (technically 4 if you count the modern version in China) Vekoma Flyers in existence.

Paging @pianoman as I think the last page of posts are relevant to your interest in the fountain.

I get that. To each their own, I suppose. I try to avoid it when the line's long, though.

??? I'm confused lol. And no, I don't think so?

I chose Backlot. It's sort-of a fun ride and the launch is intense, but it's kinda the lowest coaster on the totem pole for me (but apparently, I rode it more than Flying Ace and Invertigo this season (among others), so I'm not sure what that says...). EDIT: Also, why all the fuss about Firehawk? I personally love the ride as well as the history behind it (as those who have ridden it with me know); it was pure joy to see it open on "Closing Day" and I think it should be kept as it's a very unique coaster (only 2 others like it!) and is a relic of the early 2000's, when designers dared to push the limits on thrills. -MDMC, waxing poetic on the great avian of the new millennium

Just to break up the discussion, I read @SonofBaconator's last post in the voice of PC Principal (the guy in his avatar pic) Carry on...

I'm thinking it may be announced close to Christmas (if they want an in-park announcement), or maybe after Christmas (either in-park or not) to reveal "Christmas present(s)" for 2018. Would be cool if they did it on Dec. 30th (this year's actual Closing Day- however, this year's "Closing Day" festivities were pretty memorable )

Thanks for posting, Chris. If I were me, I'd choose the last slot as you can just collapse in your car afterwards (as you'll spend the most energy on the rink, more than, say, walking the park). Also, since you can't leave the ice and come back, I feel like this would be the best time as there is not a lot else going on (the shows will likely be wrapping up towards the end of the session anyway). So, in summery, I feel like the last session makes the most sense as everything is winding down and by not choosing the first session, you wouldn't be blowing all your energy right from the start. Does this make sense? I'm sure there are good arguments for any timeslot.

I say keep Board to Death, but I've never thought of Firehawk photo being used for something! Maybe those could be our new restrooms?

As for ice skating experience, I ice skated when I was younger and enjoyed it, even though I had to use a walker-assist most of the time lol. I think the last time I ice skated was on Fountain Square on my birthday in 2009 (I think?). I may do it again, but the price is steeper than I'd like.

That would be nice to have another coaster open (*cough* The Bat or Adventure Express *cough*), but I think we'll have plenty to do in a few weeks, what with all the shows and sledding and ice skating and stuff like that. Besides, the other coasters need their beauty rest and TLC so they can be all ready for April!

That looks really nice (the Effial Tower, that is)! I saw them testing some lights a while back while passing the park and I'm surprised the lights will be all the way around (as iirc, they were only adorning the front for the other seasons of Winterfest).

It's all good. I gave up on No Limits once found out how hard it was.

I really like Demon's backstory, @SonofBaconator,and I look forward to seeing your updated version.

Other than kids dressing in costume for The Great Pumpkin Festival, I'm not sure that there is a dress-up day. However, I have thought about going to KI wearing nice clothes (like they did back in the day- there are old pictures of people at Disneyland wearing nice clothes*), but have never done it. Here's an article about how people dressed back in the day- http://www.yesterland.com/dressing.html

@Oldschool75:That (just switching the already provided programming to the Winterfest version) makes the most sense. On a related note, I remember hearing something about the park picking a GCI as it can run in colder temperatures, so Winterfest was likely known about at that point and maybe they set a program then. Otherwise, it would be jarring to go from "have a Holly Jolly Christmas" to the ominous Miami River Lumber Company announcement as well as what (as of Closing Day 2017) was in the shed. Whatever happens, there better not be a Krampus or scary Jack Frost (the snowman, not actual Jack Frost- he's a cool dude!)-esque guy in the shed!

Thanks for the heads up, @JubJester! That will be one of the many things I'll be checking out during Winterfest. So, I'm starting to get the feeling one will need to visit multiple nights to see all the Winterfest magic/awesomeness. There is no way one can attend all the shows in the same night (I don't think, at least...), let alone have time for sledding, food, ice skating and Mystic (plus the other 3 non-Snoopy flats).

Woo! The new map is out! Also, anyone notice Santa and his reindeer enjoying Mystic Timbers' first drop (or at least cars made to look like Santa and his reindeer)? We still haven't figured out what will be in the shed though... EDIT: Also, games will be open! Wonder what the prizes will be? I saw this huge abominable snowman for over $200 at Kohl's- that would be really cool if that (or the smaller ones) were available as prizes. Also, looks like Al (the troll) will be joining us for Winterfest (see Coney Elf Village)!!!!!!!!!! EDIT2: Ok, what I thought was Al's hut may be Subway with a wreath on it...

This is true, at least for me. The main reason to go back there this year was to look for (and walk my Buddy) Pokemon!