Will Cedar Fair ever invest in a Winter Season?

[SonofBaconator]

Do you think Cedar Fair will ever invest in a Winter Season for their seasonal parks in the near future?

[YoungStud]

Not a chance. Not even KD or carowinds. To much of a risk to gamble on weather.

[rcwizard13]

I, for one, would love if they did and I believe if done right will make them money no matter the weather. Unfortunately, I also don't think they will ever do it.

[upstop]

With Mr. Ouimet saying that he wants the parks to have attractions that families can do together, Winterfest would fit that bill.

[thedevariouseffect]

Off season time is great to catch up on much needed maint, theming, construction, ect. Plus many rides aren't equipped/able to run in weather like this. Snow covered brakes, photo eyes, ect. Besides do you really want to ride a ride in that weather. Just doing a quick windchill factor calculator, if it's 32 degrees outside riding TTD at just 120, it brings it to 8 degrees. Not sure I wanna have that feeling if it were even possible, sorry

[TheCrypt]

They already have.

Knott's Berry Farm is open year round.

[SonofBaconator]

Off season time is great to catch up on much needed maint, theming, construction, ect. Plus many rides aren't equipped/able to run in weather like this. Snow covered brakes, photo eyes, ect. Besides do you really want to ride a ride in that weather. Just doing a quick windchill factor calculator, if it's 32 degrees outside riding TTD at just 120, it brings it to 8 degrees. Not sure I wanna have that feeling if it were even possible, sorry

I don't think they would ever run coasters, or any type of thrill ride, in the snow

[thedevariouseffect]

That's why I said if it were even possible.

It doesn't even have to be a thrill ride, all rides off season are put through NDT, manufacturer and park stated maint. This also allows the majority of work to be done to prepare for the season (gum removal, ride cleaning/painting/construction/ect.). Winter events would greatly interfere with this, also included in this is the enormous cost to run the park with probably a very very lacking attendance. If it doesn't turn a profit, the business isn't going to do it.

[RailRider]

Folks have very fond memories of Winterfest at Ki, but what is forgotten is how winter weather greatly effects the crowds, how cold it is walking around the park that time of year and the cost of running such an event. Sorry folks but after the last effort fizzled out I just don't see Winterfest coming back to Ki. The more southern parks Im unsure of, Carowinds would be the only one I would consider as a possibility and then they are competing with Dolly for winter weekend festivities.

[CP&LERR Fan]

Imagine ridding topthrill dragster below 0 degrees.

[CP&LERR Fan]

Off season time is great to catch up on much needed maint, theming, construction, ect. Plus many rides aren't equipped/able to run in weather like this. Snow covered brakes, photo eyes, ect. Besides do you really want to ride a ride in that weather. Just doing a quick windchill factor calculator, if it's 32 degrees outside riding TTD at just 120, it brings it to 8 degrees. Not sure I wanna have that feeling if it were even possible, sorry

I don't think they would ever run coasters, or any type of thrill ride, in the snow

I don't think so either, possible the train. That would feel good being engineer on a below 0 degrees degress day

[CP&LERR Fan]

They already have.

Knott's Berry Farm is open year round.

That's because knots berry farm is in California.

[SonofBaconator]

Off season time is great to catch up on much needed maint, theming, construction, ect. Plus many rides aren't equipped/able to run in weather like this. Snow covered brakes, photo eyes, ect. Besides do you really want to ride a ride in that weather. Just doing a quick windchill factor calculator, if it's 32 degrees outside riding TTD at just 120, it brings it to 8 degrees. Not sure I wanna have that feeling if it were even possible, sorry

I don't think they would ever run coasters, or any type of thrill ride, in the snow

I don't think so either, possible the train. That would feel good being engineer on a below 0 degrees degress day

Well those cabs do get pretty hot

[thedevariouseffect]

Did no-one see the many rides aren't equipped or able part and the if possible at the end...I think I already covered this lmao

[westcoaster]

1) this may be the year to do it as it brings in cash at Kings Island for Cedar Fair:

2) depends if beach has something this year or not with there new owners.

3) More money earned is a good thing:

4) Look to Knotts as yes that is their only year round park, but have snoopy and the gang in Christmas wear, would rock, I feel KI needs a nice dark ride to operate during the Christmas season.

5) Finally they have to make it affordable, (and where Kings Island is well north of the ZOO, it would be a hit with Dayton, and Westchester areas :

[The Interpreter]

I wonder how I rode Beast in the snow.

Then again, Paramount Parks ran the place then.

[upstop]

It can be done....

But in my original post I wasn't even thinking about rollercoasters being a Winterfest attraction. There are a myriad of things that could operate and bring in money. The zoo operates and it's not that far away from KI.

[CoastersRZ]

One of the things I loved the most about Winterfest was the live entertainment and atmosphere. You didn`t go there so much for the rides, but the entertainment. The train ride was an awesome experience in 2005`s incarnation of Winterfest. Not to mention Santa`s Toy Factory in the now Kings Island Theater.

I think they over priced the event back in 2005. From all accounts I have heard, the original WinterFest that ran from 1982-1992 made the park lots of money. I would think that if done right, it could make Cedar Fair money in the future. Yes, there is always a risk with the weather. But the Cincinnati Zoo, as others have stated does good business with their Festival of Lights. Granted they also have animals as their star attraction during the day. But with as much as Cedar Fair has developed and groomed their Haunt season. I`m surprised they haven`t tried to implement something like Winterfest again.

Yes, there was that awkward weekend at KI when there was Haunt stuff up and there were Christmas decorations up too. But I visited Winterfest I think four times in 2005, and had a blast every single time I visited. I wish it would come back. But then again, I wish the Flying Eagles would come back to Kings Island too...

[SonofBaconator]

I feel KI needs a nice dark ride to operate during the Christmas season.

Um, I think we already have two...

or I think I misread your post

Edited July 17, 2013 by SonofBaconator

[Jr for Birdy]

I have as many great memories during WinterFest in the 80's as a child as I do in the summers at Kings Island. It was fun to ice skate, see the Smurfs, eat pizza, and just laugh with my friends. I remember the park being very busy too and although we all wished the coasters were running we were just thrilled to be at KI during the off season.

[Ride On_17]

I created a thread like this last year on PB, and as cool as I think it would be (haha gotta love puns) as seen in this thread there are many reasons why it would be unlikely to happen.

[The Interpreter]

A peanut butter poll?

It's peanut butter\jelly time!

[Ride On_17]

Haha, I should have known Terpy would've been the one to find some loophole in my wording.

But PB&J sandwiches are actually really good. I haven't had one in a long time so maybe it's time to do something about that.

[medford]

Haven't had a PB & J in a long time, must not have young kids.... which all of a sudden re-introduces you to food you ate in your youth, but have "grown" out of.

As far as winterfest, if the zoo can make money, then certainly KI can. Sure the zoo has the animals as an attraction, but as I learned the 1 time I went, seeing the animals at night, isn't a very good plan. They can't turn up the lights, as to interfer both w/ the natural sleeping patterns of the animals and intrfer with the viewing of the "fesitval of lights", the lines for the elephants was so long, that it wasn't worth it.

So what can KI do? Well they can have live entertainment, as mentioned. They can bring in a petting zoo. They can string up lots and lots of lights, they can open up some of their flats and most of Planet Snoopy (other than the 3 coasters, if you can ride a merry-go-round, you can ride most of the flats in Planet Snoopy, perhaps decorated to a winterfest theme). You can operate the train, you can offer games, perhaps even winter themed games. The biggest challenge, I would think, would be to string up enought lights b/w halloween and thanksgiving to make it worthwhile.

So they can't offer up roller coasters (other than Flight of Fear, but imagine the wait time for that if it were the only coaster open?), don't make it about coasters. Close off all of Action Zone, save maybe some light displays that can only be seen from the tower (wouldn't that be kind of cool?), close down x-base. Close down most of coney mall, save a slice of pathway back to some sort of "christmas w/ the dinos" similar to what they do at halloween time (which is very well done in my opinion, and the only time we go see the dinos), couse all your attention to international street, international theater, festhaus, planet snoop and a slice of decorated/lighted pathways back to dino land. Serve up lots of hot cocco and there would be plenty there for a nice family gathering in the middle of shopping season. December weather is typically not that bad. yeah its too cold for coasters typically, but its not too cold for walking around outside. It may be too warm for ice skating, which was a problem in seasons past, so skip that aspect

[Voicetek]

I, for one, loved Winterfest! I think we need more events like this over the winter/Christmas season around the area. Yeah we have the Festival of Lights, but I think we could do with one more. My fiance and I go to the Festival of Lights once every year, it's kind of become tradition. We don't go for the animals or even the lights necessarily (although that is a nice draw), we go mainly for the atmosphere. Around the holidays there's nothing like getting all bundled up and walking around in the cool winter air, hearing the sounds of the season as Christmas music plays in the background, taking in the sights of all the lights, grabbing a cup of hot chocolate or coffee and having a seat and just being engrossed in the atmosphere of the season. It's just something about the whole experience that makes it feel like the holidays. This is something that, if done right, Kings Island could cash in on and I think it would be great. It would give families another option to add to their list of traditions. I know if KI reinstated Winterfest, we would add that to our yearly trip to the Festival of Lights and those activities would become tradition for us every year.

Also, as many have mentioned, you'd have to have live entertainment. It doesn't matter what, just something Christmas/holiday related. The Festival of Lights usually has a show with the Madcap Puppet Theater. It is a black light puppet show and it is always fun to watch! KI could definitely do something like this, plus if they added some type of musical show then they'd really have a hit on their hands.

I do feel like 2005 was a bad year for them, but I feel like one year wasn't enough of a test. They didn't give it much of a chance. If I remember correctly, that year was one of the worst years for weather in December. I think since they had already invested in creating decorations and all, they should have let it run another year in 2006 to see if it would do any better. If not, then cancel, but don't do one year and call it quits. I feel like Winterfest deserves another chance and hopefully we'll see that happen one day.

[westcoaster]

Cedar Fair can do it at Knotts, they need Kings Island to be Christmas season park on the East Coast!

[faeriewench]

They already have.

Knott's Berry Farm is open year round.

That's because knots berry farm is in California.

Southern (or SoCal) I might add. California's Great America in NoCal doesn't even do a Christmas event either.

[The Interpreter]

And the 2005 Winterfest was not a failure.

It achieved exactly what CBS wanted it to do.

It staged the parks for sale. It demonstrated possibilities.

[SonofBaconator]

Am I the only one who thinks that they could have had the majority of Winterfest in Soak City similar to The Beach?

[BB1]

Uh, no. The slides over at Beach were able to be rode down via potato sacks, ours is a no no. Now I do believe a Christmas event could infact come into play if done properly. Close off points in the park i e AZ, RTfor less expense, but keep interval places like PS, IS, CM & OF open, with the possibility of XB. With those areas you could operate a few flats, and at least 2 coasters, all could be themed to Christmas, i e FoF has Steamroller songs. As well like said as long as you have a few shows, a petting zoo maybe, and good Christmas theme, you're set. The main problem is staffing and revenue. Think about it, most employees are teenagers at KI, Haunt is a stretch, but Christmas?Many would simply turn down that position in my eyes. As well, why do most people come to KI? For coasters, which in that time would be few hence we could see less revenue. That is if the price is over rated and the event isn't a tri state must do. If ran to where it is a must do, and if it is a good price, I think we could see a great success.