Winterfest 24

[johnjniehaus]

1 hour ago, RedSummit20 said:

There is more to Winterfest than just rides keep that in mind, its not about the rides, its about the experience! 

I enjoy all of winterfest and usually end up going more times than I go to haunt. However, I think the rides are a big factor. If I want to look at Christmas lights, the Cincinnati zoo is much closer to where I live but they don't have any rollercoasters or as many shows. 

I was curious about the temps seeing as I'm really excited about riding The Racer with all the Christmas lights along Coney Mall and was curious if anyone knew at what point they start closing rides because it's just too cold to run them? 

[disco2000]

47 minutes ago, RedSummit20 said:

lol thats just a poll. That proves nothing. Ask @DonHelbig if rides really matter. It "adds" to the experience  Winterfest is about the shows, lights and the atmosphere. Rides are a good addition! 

I bet if rides didn't matter and they ran nothing, Winterfest would disappear.  There is a reason they are adding rides to the lineup....

[robintodd]

2 hours ago, disco2000 said:

I bet if rides didn't matter and they ran nothing, Winterfest would disappear.  There is a reason they are adding rides to the lineup....

I have to point out that I believe the first 2 itterations of Winterfest had no coasters and was still so popular that people wanted it back.  

I believe most people go for the atmoshpere.  Then comes the food with the meal plans.  It will be cold this weekend, but I'm pretty sure it will be crowded.  People gotta eat

[robintodd]

2 hours ago, johnjniehaus said:

I enjoy all of winterfest and usually end up going more times than I go to haunt. However, I think the rides are a big factor. If I want to look at Christmas lights, the Cincinnati zoo is much closer to where I live but they don't have any rollercoasters or as many shows. 

I was curious about the temps seeing as I'm really excited about riding The Racer with all the Christmas lights along Coney Mall and was curious if anyone knew at what point they start closing rides because it's just too cold to run them? 

If memory serves me correctly Flight of Cheer is fine but in the past it had to be above freezing when they started running Mystic Timbers.  It could go below (29 - 26) after it started but the if the temperature was below 32 at park open, it would not run.  I would believe the same would be true for The Racer and soap box racers, but haven't heard anything yet.

[disco2000]

4 minutes ago, robintodd said:

I have to point out that I believe the first 2 itterations of Winterfest had no coasters and was still so popular that people wanted it back.  

I believe most people go for the atmoshpere.  Then comes the food with the meal plans.  It will be cold this weekend, but I'm pretty sure it will be crowded.  People gotta eat

Could the first 2 iterations have lasted longer had there been more rides....

My understanding is the 1st iteration attendance dropped every year to the point it wasn't worth doing. We all know why the 2nd iteration happened...

I totally get the seasonal atmosphere and all that jazz, but people can get that from other places as well.  

Sure people would still want the event and a certain percentage would show up regardless (meal and drink plans LOL), but if next year they announced no rides, watch what happens to attendance.

People think rides with KI.  If rides were not important, they wouldn't be adding rides to the event.

[Tr0y]

Just based off personal experience visiting two competing parks that are only an hour away from each other. The park with the most rides / coasters running had a higher attendance.

Here is a trip report from visiting both KD’s Winterfest and BGW’s Christmas Town:

 

[Orion742]

1 hour ago, robintodd said:

If memory serves me correctly Flight of Cheer is fine but in the past it had to be above freezing when they started running Mystic Timbers.  It could go below (29 - 26) after it started but the if the temperature was below 32 at park open, it would not run.  I would believe the same would be true for The Racer and soap box racers, but haven't heard anything yet.

Big Bear Mountain and Dragonflier at Dollywood both have 36 degree operating temperatures so I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the same for Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers. I also believe it’s on the park for deciding what temperature to run it in because I know Energylandia runs their family boomerang in negative temperatures and snow. The park was also testing Racer in the snow last week so maybe they will run it in colder temperatures.

[Orion-XL200]

On 11/24/2024 at 11:05 PM, Timchat2 said:

We just saw it last night at Canada's Wonderland. It's pleasant but I'm not sure how the more obscure Christmas song choices will play for most guests.

Knott's Merry Farm is using the same Tree Lighting Ceremony as well. They seem to generally go their own route with holiday entertainment so this might be a chain-wise directive.

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas looks to be the first major integration of Cedar Fair live entertainment into a legacy Six Flags park with Holly Jolly Trolley, Tree Lighting Ceremony, MistleTones, Polar Party and Midway Merriment characters all debuting this season.

 

Holly Jolly Trolley without a trolley...that's so odd.

Tree Lighting Ceremony....

Why not use the Oil Derrick for the tree? 

Is it me or is it weird that they use "Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog," as a Christmas song because they tie "Joy To The World" into it? (KI does this as well)

 

Compared to KI and Carowinds (the two events I've been to) this seems to be the most unenthusiastic event that I've seen.

 

Also, I still hate that Carowinds does this:

Such an odd look...what Christmas tree has a flared top vs a flared bottom?

[BeeastFarmer]

44 minutes ago, Orion-XL200 said:

Holly Jolly Trolley without a trolley...that's so odd.

Tree Lighting Ceremony....

Why not use the Oil Derrick for the tree? 

Is it me or is it weird that they use "Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog," as a Christmas song because they tie "Joy To The World" into it? (KI does this as well)

 

Compared to KI and Carowinds (the two events I've been to) this seems to be the most unenthusiastic event that I've seen.

 

Also, I still hate that Carowinds does this:

Such an odd look...what Christmas tree has a flared top vs a flared bottom?

I've always enjoyed the Jeremiah integration.  The same could be said that "raindrops on roses" or "what a wonderful world" as Christmas songs , but they work as well. I would draw the line, though, if they added a themed section to Natakomi plaza

[disco2000]

10 minutes ago, BeeastFarmer said:

I've always enjoyed the Jeremiah integration.  The same could be said that "raindrops on roses" or "what a wonderful world" as Christmas songs , but they work as well. I would draw the line, though, if they added a themed section to Natakomi plaza

[super7]

On 11/27/2024 at 4:06 PM, Tr0y said:

Just based off personal experience visiting two competing parks that are only an hour away from each other. The park with the most rides / coasters running had a higher attendance.

Here is a trip report from visiting both KD’s Winterfest and BGW’s Christmas Town:

 

Christmastown  offers full production shows where KD has the typical high school production Winterfest shows.   Christmastown also typically offers longer operating hours.   Plus it has full family experiences like the train.   Those factor into attendance at Christmastown as well. 
 

The only thing superior at KD Winterfest is the lights.    
 

Even in the regular season, KD only has attractions for thrill riders and little kids.  BGW is a better rounded park that appeals to more people. 
 

That being said, the rides are absolutely necessary at Winterfest given that Six Flags/Cedar Fair only installs attractions for thrill riders and little kiddies.  Those better only two markets of customers, do they have to appeal to them at Winterfest.