flightoffear1996 Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 I thought Winterfest was better than Dollywood even though I never seem to have enough time either event when I am there. I think the ride selection is fine. The parking lot is full and there are plenty of things to do in the park. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_S Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 Ive visited both KI Winterfest and Dollywood's Smokey Mountain Christmas this year and found them both to be outstanding. I wouldn't rate one above the other. The entry into Kings Island just cannot be topped with the Royal Fountain, International Street and the Eiffel Tower Christmas Tree. Its nice Dollywood has all their coasters going but the shows and food are over the top there. Both are outstanding and its great to see Winterfest back at Kings Island. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdawg1998 Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 Posting for the first time in months. Out of my two visits this season to Winterfest, I must say I think the lights were well done, live entertainment was outstanding, and the overall feel and atmosphere of the park was next to none. That being said, I have some small qualms. Winterfest does not have any real light show. Festival of Lights has their show on the lake with lights synchronized to music. I would like to see that at Winterfest. I thought "Winterfest Way" was supposed to be that, but it was really just a bunch of randomly flashing lights. Secondly, I hate the timing of the live entertainment. Most of the shows started at either :00 or :30, so I struggled figuring out what to go see - because once Charlie Brown's Christmas Spectacular was over, I didn't have enough time to get to the next show. I wish more of the shows would alternate (so, half at :15 and half at :30). Not entirely sure if I am speaking logically, I just know there is something I didn't like about it. Other than that, Winterfest was great. I can't wait to see what they have in store for next year. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disco2000 Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 The kid center area by Chick-fil-a has lights synced to music. With some decent sound/bass not heard at the zoo... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creed Bratton Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 1 hour ago, jdawg1998 said: Posting for the first time in months. Out of my two visits this season to Winterfest, I must say I think the lights were well done, live entertainment was outstanding, and the overall feel and atmosphere of the park was next to none. That being said, I have some small qualms. Winterfest does not have any real light show. Festival of Lights has their show on the lake with lights synchronized to music. I would like to see that at Winterfest. I thought "Winterfest Way" was supposed to be that, but it was really just a bunch of randomly flashing lights. Secondly, I hate the timing of the live entertainment. Most of the shows started at either :00 or :30, so I struggled figuring out what to go see - because once Charlie Brown's Christmas Spectacular was over, I didn't have enough time to get to the next show. I wish more of the shows would alternate (so, half at :15 and half at :30). Not entirely sure if I am speaking logically, I just know there is something I didn't like about it. Other than that, Winterfest was great. I can't wait to see what they have in store for next year. I can kind of agree with you on the show timing. While it's nice after a couple of visits to know which shows are at the :00 and :30 times, so I think if they added :15 would make it a little more confusing.... I have hustled from one end the park to the other to get to a show, but it's not necessary the best of interest for everyone to do that. The one thing I wish they would have done was list the times for shows like Holly Jolly Trolley and Blitzen's Brass Band (and general areas for those times you can see them). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperial79 Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Here's a pic from KIEntertainment on Instagram, showing Kings Island WinterFest 2017 from the Eiffel Tower. Looks great! 12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterOhio Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 I took my 50th ride on mystic today! why is it so low? Wasn’t a visitor. Employee instead. I’m still happy with getting 50! In other news, the park installed Anti-rollbacks at the top of the brake run for mystic as valley prevention. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spooky21 Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 6 hours ago, CoasterOhio said: I took my 50th ride on mystic today! why is it so low? Wasn’t a visitor. Employee instead. I’m still happy with getting 50! In other news, the park installed Anti-rollbacks at the top of the brake run for mystic as valley prevention. Awesome! Glad to see them taking care of the ride. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kikid74 Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 On 12/20/2017 at 0:31 AM, mayaman2 said: Well, your wish is being partially fulfilled. The week after Christmas, the park is opening an hour earlier than previously scheduled (at 4 o'clock). Does this mean gates (and international street) open at 3 and parking open before that? We went a few weeks ago when there was a 5 o'clock open, but international street was open at 4pm. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyGuy4KI Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 54 minutes ago, kikid74 said: Does this mean gates (and international street) open at 3 and parking open before that? We went a few weeks ago when there was a 5 o'clock open, but international street was open at 4pm. No everything opens at 4. Turnstiles open at 4 and the full park is open. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kikid74 Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMC01 Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magenta Lizard Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 ^I think it's the synced lights/music on the family care building across from Chick-fil-A 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMC01 Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 Ok. I'll have to check that out tonight when I go. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JubJester Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 Kings Island just posted on Instagram that hours have increased December 26-30 to 4-10 p.m. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMC01 Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivertown Rider Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 I've been very impressed with Winterfest and look forward to seeing what the park does in the future with the event. All of the food from the cinnamon bread to The Beast Hot Chocolate to the little Christmas tree cookies have been outstanding. I actually preferred KI's cinnamon bread to Dollywood's because I didn't feel it was as greasy. One of the things I have enjoyed about Winterfest is just walking around and taking it all in. As we think about the future of the park, I wonder what impact the success of Winterfest has in taking into account future development. I think they should look into building more winter-proof buildings (another indoor show building and more indoor restaurant seating) which would come in handy during those cooler nights of Haunt as well as during Winterfest. I would also like to see them add more flats that can be used year round. I realize it is probably a stretch at this time but I would be thrilled if they announced that they were putting more flats in for next year. One of the benefits of Winterfest has been the love that Zephyr and Scrambler and Dodgem have gotten from the crowds that they normally wouldn't. Adding more flats would also help better disburse the crowds and wouldn't require a lot of extra workers to run them. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upstop Posted December 25, 2017 Share Posted December 25, 2017 Take a look at the webcams! It looks so beautiful in the snow! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harmony29 Posted December 25, 2017 Share Posted December 25, 2017 On 12/20/2017 at 8:01 PM, Rivertown Rider said: Finally tried The Beast Hot Chocolate and it is the real deal. We tried it Sat night, omg it was incredible. I haven't had chocolate in 2 months cause I found out I have diabetes but this drink I had to cheat, thankfully my husband drank most of it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gannersdaddy Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 Is anyone here planning on going this week? It looks to be a cold one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeastFarmer Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 Is anyone here planning on going this week? It looks to be a cold one. I'm very tempted to go mid week.Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeastFarmer Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 We tried it Sat night, omg it was incredible. I haven't had chocolate in 2 months cause I found out I have diabetes but this drink I had to cheat, thankfully my husband drank most of it. I have type one diabetes, and the hot chocolate took me over 400! But for the one time it was worth it. And The Beast mug was my main goal. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malem Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 It will be cold, but I'm looking forward to finally seeing Winterfest with snow on the ground. I hope to be there Saturday for Closing Day, but I may visit earlier in the week instead depending on my schedule. I have yet to try The Beast hot chocolate, but the weather will be perfect for it this week. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magenta Lizard Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 I had been planning to go tonight and at least another weeknight and closing day, but it's supposed to be sooo cold now, I'm not sure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMC01 Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 I will be there Saturday, likely with friends who are there (at Winterfest) for the first time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harveyhaddixfan Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 I had been planning to go tonight and at least another weeknight and closing day, but it's supposed to be sooo cold now, I'm not sure. I’m in the same boat tonight. The more I think about it, the less thrilled I am to get in the car to drive 1:15 just to drink some hot chocolate, eat and catch a few shows all while freezing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spooky21 Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 I'm going tonight, it's unfortunately going to be my only trip to winterfest this year :(. what activities and shows do you guys recommend? Also would Mystic Timbers be up and running in this cold? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harveyhaddixfan Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 I'm going tonight, it's unfortunately going to be my only trip to winterfest this year . what activities and shows do you guys recommend? Also would Mystic Timbers be up and running in this cold? MT will be a no go. Supposed to be 30-32 to run it. That’s above zero, not below. LOL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harveyhaddixfan Posted December 27, 2017 Share Posted December 27, 2017 This was probably the most amazing atmosphere you could have imagined for Winterfest. It’s cold, snow on everything and still snowing. So glad I made the trip tonight. 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldschool75 Posted December 27, 2017 Share Posted December 27, 2017 MT will be a no go. Supposed to be 30-32 to run it. That’s above zero, not below. LOL More than likely MT has given its last rides for the year as temps for the remaining days of WF will not reach the start up temp of 35. Then again, Cincinnati weather is crazy and changes very quickly. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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