RailRider Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Official Today, WinterFest is coming 2017 Gold and Platinum Pass holder get in Free Ice Skating on the Fountains Great Light Displays Tower Tree Local Crafters Corner SnowFlake Lake Reindeer Petting Area Train and Carousel Rides Entertainment Offerings are the big emphasis. Roaming Characters 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VortexBFForever Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I'm so excited! I never had the chance to experience WinterFest in its earlier days, and now I will finally have a chance to see what it's like! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldiesmann Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Lots more coming as well. Full details at https://www.facebook.com/ACESouthernOhio/videos/951010175028426/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRider Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 Official WinterFest Page https://www.visitkingsisland.com/what-s-new/winterfest After a 12-year absence, the long awaited return of WinterFest will provide Gold season passholders and Tristate residents with four seasons of fun at the 364-acre amusement and water park. The focal point of WinterFest will be the world’s largest Christmas tree display with the park’s iconic 314-foot tall Eiffel Tower decorated with thousands of lights which will be seen for miles. Below the Eiffel Tower, International Street will be transformed into a colorful and quaint winter village, featuring the fun of holidays past – outdoor ice skating on the park’s Royal Fountain, Christmas carolers, and homemade crafts. Tasty foods, colorful gifts, live stage shows, fun rides, and of course, Santa’s workshop will all be part of WinterFest’s warmth and excitement. Rides will include the Grand Carousel and a journey through the park’s Rivertown area on an authentic steam train. Operating dates, hours and ticket prices for WinterFest will be announced at a later date. The event will be included free for 2017 Gold and Platinum season passholders. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenageninja Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Free entry for Gold and Platinum passes is going to be the biggest boost to event attendance. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beastfan11 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Awesome news!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRider Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 WCPO Story http://www.wcpo.com/entertainment/local-a-e/kings-island-to-bring-back-holiday-themed-winterfest 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Forsaken Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Although the plans/ideas look good...I'm trying to figure out how in the hell this is considered a "capital investment". KI really has some strange accounting practices. I don't know if it's been mentioned but I hope they offer a good Turkey leg! That and the reindeer have me excited. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Carowinds also announced Winterfest. I agree, that free admission for gold and platinum pass holders is a huge plus. I am sure that will help attendance tremendously, as well as boost spending inside the park. This is likely a capital investment, as they are going to be investing in decorations, and other permanent fixtures needed for Winterfest. It is my understanding that most of the stuff from Winterfest 2005 was rented and not actually bought by the park. (At the time CBS, was trying to market the parks for sale and didn`t want to invest a lot of money into the parks). Admission for pass holders to the 2005 incarnation cost $22 and you had to pay for parking! General admission ran $25. I loved the Santa`s Toy Factory show, which was actually a redo of the same show from the 1992 version of WinterFest. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upstop Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Thank you Santa for giving us the gift we wanted!!! https://youtu.be/0AWFppFOyBI Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrill_Biscuit Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Was the whole "Christmas in July" meant to set the tone for the announcement? Was it supposed to be announced with Mystic Timbers, but pushed back unexpectedly? One wonders. And in 2017, one will "wonder!" 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vortex Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 California`s Great America, Carowinds and Kings Island are all getting Winterfest for 2017. Along with Knott's which has been doing for awhile. Looking forward to going next year. I did not mind to paying to much last time the shows where really good and you have to pay for the zoo parking also if the lot is full Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I hope this means all the light bulbs on top of the International Street Buildings get replaced and illuminated. :-) I experienced Winterfest several times. It was always a good deal of fun, albeit cccccccold. LOL! Actually I think 2005 Winterfest was the last time I ice skated. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurfconemama13 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I used to love going to Winterfest as a kid with my family. We have many pictures of us with Santa (KI Santa was always cooler than mall Santa) and I have memories of ice skating on the Boulder Bumpers (now Joe Cool Dodgem School) rink. Hopefully it will be a big hit and worth the drive and cold! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 It would be awesome if they replaced the lights on the IStreet buildings with LEDs that will not burn out quickly, but also that could change color. Just imagine what they could do for Winterfest, Haunt, and even the fireworks with those lights... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flightoffear1996 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 AFter going to Winterfest in 2005 I think Im not that excited about this at all other than being able to see Mystic Timbers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron88stang Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I thought Christmas in July might have been a clue back then. I am sure of it now. I also believe the vine tunnels installed on the new White Water Canyon walkway might have been a hint at the Mystic Timbers theme. If not, then it is happy coincidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Ding Dong Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 My wife had an employee in NE that invested in some real reindeer as a winter side business. Of course the real ones look nothing like Rudolph, and those antlers are HUGE and dangerous so they were always kept behind a barrier and on a bridle so the kids could still pet them. Taking the boys to see them became a tradition that I miss. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBEASTunchained Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 California`s Great America, Carowinds and Kings Island are all getting Winterfest for 2017. California's Great America's Winterfest event is scheduled for the 2016 holiday season. Kings Island, Carowinds, and Worlds of Fun are scheduled to host WinterFest events for 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeastFarmer Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I figured Winterfest would make a return when I saw the bows were left on the Emporium after Christmas in July! Never been to Winterfest! This may sound dumb, but is it coming this year or next year?? Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryoj Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I'm confused. Is this for this coming Winter or next Winter? If its for next Winter, why are they announcing it now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benny1388 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I'm confused. Is this for this coming Winter or next Winter? If its for next Winter, why are they announcing it now? To boost sales of seasons passes that just went on sale. most likely 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upstop Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 With all of the trees on I Street I'm hoping for a great light display! Maybe there will be textured lighting throughout the park! Someone mentioned earlier an overlay for Boo Blasters... What a fantastic idea! I think it could be done cheaply and easily with Santa hats on the characters and strings of holiday lights. Then the soundtrack could easily be switched over to something festive! I'm so excited about the prospect! And since they have a year to prep, they could be working on additions to come later. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdawg1998 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I guess I misunderstood; I was thinking that Winterfest was coming this season. Now I'm not even excited. Not sure how I feel about waiting an entire calendar year and then some for this...it was just announced so early! Regardless, this will be a great event. I just wish it was happening this December. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 As others have said and I said in other threads, they announced this so early so that they can sell more season passes for next year. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryoj Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 This is borderline fraud by not specifying its for next season. Winter 2017 Starts in January. People are going to buy passes for this thinking its this Winter and be ****ed when they find out it's not. This will actually start in Fall 2017, and sure they will honor passes till December 31st. But will it run into January 2018 and will they honor those 2017 passes then? I don't think it's worth the pass sales this picks up to deal with the PR headaches of explaining that no, this isn't for another 15-16 months, sorry but there are no refunds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benny1388 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 While it's disappointing we won't have Winterfest this coming winter, I think 'fraud' is overly strong assertion. Winter actually starts on December 21. It can be tricky in conversation since it's the only season that spans calendar years. People tend to get confused about 12am and 12pm for reasons not all that different. All along they have said the announcement(s) made this summer were for 2017. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenageninja Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 This is borderline fraud by not specifying its for next season. Winter 2017 Starts in January. People are going to buy passes for this thinking its this Winter and be ****ed when they find out it's not. This will actually start in Fall 2017, and sure they will honor passes till December 31st. But will it run into January 2018 and will they honor those 2017 passes then? I don't think it's worth the pass sales this picks up to deal with the PR headaches of explaining that no, this isn't for another 15-16 months, sorry but there are no refunds. Actually Winter 2016 starts December 21st. Also, fraud? Really. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Ding Dong Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 More precisely from the farmers almanac WINTER SOLSTICE: December 21, 5:44 A.M. EST. I agree KI could have done better being more precise on their website as CF was on at least one other parks site. To be fair "boarder line fraud" is not as strong a term as fraud so I dont mean to pile on. I am sure they will fix the error shortly after they receive tons of phone inquiries. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryoj Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Actually Winter 2016 started in January 2016. Winter 2017 starts in January 2017. They are advertising something for Winter to boost sales, and not specifying that it's not this coming Winter. People will buy passes to go to Winterfest this coming Winter and not find out till after that it's not till next Winter. KI is not going to refund those people's money, and they will be mad. People working customer service will get cussed and yelled at over it. All it takes is them specifying that it's not until the end of the 2017 season, but that aren't doing that. It's being disingenuous to drive sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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