brenthodge

My opinion - it was a fun ride that was great for its time, and I wish it would make a comeback in some form, but to act like this was a groundbreaking dark ride that needs to be memorialized with old animatronics in the queue is a bit too much credit. Even when you look at the concept art, a lot of the original ideas were toned down or budget cut. It was a cute story that was in many ways a lower budget copy of Disney's haunted mansion at least in effects and illusions used. With the "museum" in the lobby of the show it made sense and gave a historical reference to the inspiration, but I think at this point it would actually be odd to have a I think with the brewing merger we aren't going to see this come to fruition soon (if ever) and I feel like if it wasn't announced this year after riding on the nostalgia and popularity of the show from the 50th and last year, it ain't happening.

KI better watch their back with all the budget cuts. If there’s one thing Herschend does pretty much better than anyone, it’s Christmas in their parks. Suddenly the white astroturf sledding hill doesn’t looks so great does it? LOL!

Actually, while FUN FIREWORKS 50 was awesome and gave us some wonderful infrastructure, I think it was actually just a tad TOO long. The tag at the end, while great felt a bit tacked on. Maybe it was the nature of the 4th of July segment that SEEMED like a finale, or the fact that I think each season segment was a few seconds too long. I actually really liked At the End of the Day (I refuse to call it Adventure Awaits, as they totally blew that concept) but what they did was nice. I’m actually a bit bummed if they are moving to a different song this year. As to the effects, I think there are plenty-almost too much going on at times. Id settle for less if someone could ACTUALLY program the fountain to really choreograph to the music. As it is, it just “bounces and squirts@ soneohigher, sometimes in synch, but it never really feels FULLY integrated. It would be cool instead of adding more to INT STREET, they actually added a few more “effect zones” like in Area 72 and 1-2 other areas so you could still get “the story” with lighting, projection or lasers in other areas. But since the fireworks are always at closing now with no 11 pm closes, they probably don’t want crowds gathering in other areas on the park.

Probably not

the whole thing seemed cool, but WAY too dependent on live actors, Pretty much knew this had a limited lifespan the day it opened based on the high overhead.

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!