brenthodge

So true. Or it will be reported by every OTHER site then they can just copy and paste.

When you see that overhead shot you realize what a mess that whole area is. The awful transition along a service fence, the inferior restrooms that are essentially two undersized buildings that should’ve been razed and rebuilt as a really nice family friendly facility, the service area that used to be a relaxing transition vine tunnel “ bypass” of the kids area. If they want to compete with Dollywood and Wildwood grove, they needed to go all in on this refresh and actually improve amenities that enhance the overall family experience

It does need lights and a more controlled (wind) environment. Unfortunately the KI Theatre and Festhaus are the only two venues, and there are a few “bubbles from above” moments that wouldn’t work in a food environment. Wish there was 1 more indoor venue (or finally “semi enclose” Showplace). Would provide more options in summer gear AND Winterfest chill.

Actually Dollywood has (sadly) had it quite a few years now as part of their Summer Celebration.

It really does need to be indoors due to wi d and the need for darkness for lighting/lasers. It’s too big for the Peanuts Showplace and as others have pointed out the bubbles and food wouldn’t mix, so I guess that only gives us what we’ve got. Sucks though. Maybe something great will go in Festhaus and Showplace to make up for it (but why do I doubt that as I type it?)

That could only help that floppy cardboard crap.

Great idea. That’s actually using corporate synergy in a smart way, so it will never happen. This bubble show feels like something at a really impressive trade show. I’ve seen at Dollywood and thought “what a waste of a great theatre” and here we are again. It’s pretty cool, but it just doesn’t need to be in the “main” theatre.

Agree. And maybe by concentrating efforts, we could see a more robust offering than the skimpy event we got last year.

What a waste of a fully capable theatre. I feel the same way about the one at Dollywood as well. It could go in Festhaus and be better in that you can’t really focus on anything in there anyway. I’m feeling like this might be the last year for KI passes for a while. Really not liking the way things are heading.

Love them personally, but re-rideability is bad for story based attractions. At a regional park with a huge regularly revisiting customer base, I think you would see dwindling numbers fast. I don’t think you could make a compelling enough argument (unfortunately) for these types of attractions. Just look at the maintenance on the story-based elements they have for rides. After the first season or two, when most of their core market has “heard the story” they let all of those elements slide into disuse and just focus on the ride.

Cheap, pre printed bulk t shirts are WAY cheaper than labor regardless of what the initial outlay is. Plus it’s not like it’s volatile stock that can’t carry over year to year. Totally get your idea, and I think it’s cool, but I don’t think the metrics would make sense for them.

I love the contortions places will go through to try to work their name or what they are into things. ZOOLunimation is weird to say... but kinda fun!

while it would look cool, they'd get too soggy with rain to really be comfortable for seating - plus by Winterfest, half of them have either rotted, sprouted, or fallen apart into piles of straw.

I try to not be too harsh, but when they are on trees that got new lights, or buildings that had decor changes 2x (haunt and WintefFest) it might not be lazy, but it certainly wasn’t thorough. All in fun anyway.

Heck-there are so many streamers STILL left in the trees that the park was too lazy to remove, if they cancel the event, we can just look up and pretend it’s still happening.

WOW International street sure looked better like that before the clear cutting it went though a few years ago. If they could've kept the cozy street feel, yet done the repaint, and not filled a retail location with a giant Starbucks, I think it would've gone a long way to creating a perfect atmosphere.

I actually was upset as a long time Winterfest attendee. I don’t know if I ever stayed for entire show of any of the things that got cut, but it added to the overall atmosphere that a few years ago (even with sucky lights in the trees) was magical. It’s like they see fixed assets (like additional lights) as more important than entertainment, when that’s one of the main things that sets the event apart. The Zoo still kills it in the “lights on the trees” metric, so lean into what makes you different instead of advertising “we are catching up to the zoo with our light count. woo hoo” If this had been my first year and I was buying a pass based on my experience, I’m not so sure I would. Unfortunately I had already renewed.

I think its an odd cut seeing as with this year's and last's additions, they are clearly NOT only going for a thrill-seeker enthusiast demographic as much as a family, probably 1-2x pr season, spend more on food, bev and merch guest. Thats exactly the type of guest that would be served by this position and as someone else pointed out, might have the most amazing day thanks to them and BECOME the regular pass-holding customer down the road. Could the team be pared back? Maybe. But totally cut out? I think its very short sighted

Thanks for being a logical thinking person in a land of looney passion!

Do you really have nothing better to do than slam people who have an opinion different than yours, and support it with logical reasoning? It is unfortunate that it is closing, but the people that keep trying to “force” it to stay open through boycotts, petitions and squashing logic are just wasting the time they could spend celebrating happier memories.

I dont think there was ever bc a wheel. It’s a mining sluice, not a mill race.

Rivertown is already coasted heavy.

It actually ran all last season. The cattails have gotten very overgrown and makes it harder to see the smoke. Also those water misters need a super good cleaning every now and then as mineral deposits over time reduce the amount of mist they generate.

I think that might be it. It’s also not super descriptive of what the ride is in that it sounds more like something you are running on.

I just wish the new pavers made sense. They have the black “street” the narrowest part with trees in the middle?? Why they didn’t use the cobblestone on both sides with a “fake curb” of a lighter paver with black marking the street never made sense to me it would’ve even given them a great visual line for the parade instead of the stupid spray painted line. While they were at it they could’ve sunk sockets for removable stantion posts to go into to mark the route or the crossings it’s those kind of “missed opportunities” I’m talking about while it was already torn up. They could’ve created additional “patios” that extended over to the fountain with storage underneath for propane tanks for haunt to keep the area cleaner. And no idea WHY they couldn’t have brought back lampposts on the side closest to tgg he r buildings to make it look “street like” again. It’s not terrible, it just seems like they had the opportunity to really make sone infrastructure improvements and instead opted for mostly removal.