Timchat2 Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 https://www.visitkingsisland.com/events Grand Carnivale and Food & Wine Festival are both returning for 2025. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmartCat7162 Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 I forget do they typically announce if they are doing fireworks every night during regular operation at this time as well? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timchat2 Posted March 4 Author Share Posted March 4 Last year the special events and most of the live entertainment were posted on the same day. The entertainment page (which usually includes the fireworks) hasn't been updated yet. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion-XL200 Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 No lie, this is kind of disappointing. Grand Carnivale has ran it's course imo and the Food/Wine Festival did not have stellar reviews. An additional celebration day for 4th of July is good...but other than that, nothing new, nothing real exciting. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperial79 Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 Glad to see both Grand Carnivale and the Food & Wine Festival returning, hopefully they get the word out more about it this year. Also, we can see WinterFest is on the table so that's great to see! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beastfan11 Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 Super hyped for Food and Wine returning. Had a great time last year and looking forward to enjoying it again. Hopefully these events only get better with time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiian Coasters 325 Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 Looks like KI is the only park doing Grand Carnivale this year. Fingers crossed they are able to pour more money into it this year as they have more resources with the other past Carnivale parks not doing it. Please please please KI and Corporate bring back the 2019 version!!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 I’m just happy Winterfest is back! 2025 will be the year to come out and participate in events to make sure they keep coming back. The numbers, at the end of the day, will probably influence the likely hood of future productions. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Losantiville Mining Co. Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 I'm excited to see that Food & Wine, Grand Carnivale, Haunt, and Winterfest are all back this year! If the wealth of resources does get shared around, I think it would make the experience better overall. Hopefully F&W and GC both get more advertising this year (and hopefully something that is not just posts with 25% event details / 75% season pass promo). Maybe the tasting cards will come back as well More details or changes for Tricks and Treats, Halloween Haunt, and Winterfest will probably released closer to August/early September, so I'm curious how those will look now that events and experiences are being shared between parks. This will be the 25th year of Halloween Haunt too, so I'd like to see if the park does something cool for that! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlentless Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 I know the events had already been listed but here is a news story in the Journal-News today. https://www.journal-news.com/lifestyles/kings-island-announces-special-events-coming-to-the-park-this-summer/PU7MNSBWERCQHE5DQ34K6WYDLY/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJSkyFoxx Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 I kind of wish they would do something completely new and different. I agree that Grand Carnivale has run its course. I unfortunately did not get to experience it the first year when it apparently was actually good. The event left a lot to be desired the last two seasons that I have been. Hopefully since they are bringing it back this year they actually devote more resources into making it what it once was. As for the Food and Wine Festival, that's not really my vibe personally. Glad other's enjoyed it though. A refresh of events next season would be nice to see though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiian Coasters 325 Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 I feel Carnivale is here to stay just because it's an International themed festival and KI and KD have International Street. I think Carnivale will return to KD in 26 as just like KI in 22 they're taking a year off to celebrate their 50th. I'd be okay with it as long as they expand on it and keep adding to the event and not cutting back like they've done the last few years. One way to do that is to bring back a Carnivale themed bandstand show (ie Royal Rhythms) and not just have Retrospect as the show. It just didn't have that "International Festival" feel to it. I'm glad they chose to keep Food and Wine as it has a lot of potential to be a staple at the park. It also really works well in that Tower Gardens/Eiffel Tower base area. However, I really wish instead of late May through June, they did it in late April through May. Have it be that springtime early season event instead of Summer. Now my main wish (obviously like we saw with Food and Wine last year where they added it last minute) is we see some type of Soak City event. That's literally where your new capital for 2025 is. Take advantage of it! Do some late ERT on the new attractions as part of like a "glow nite" event like you used to do. It felt like a major missed opportunity to not do some sort of "kids event" in Camp Snoopy last year to help promote Camp Snoopy and no the showing a new "camp snoopy" movie in Beagle Scout Acres doesn't count. I also would keep our eyes on Timberwolf this year. With Skyflyer being removed and Spirit Song mysteriously going silent last year after coming back one year post Covid (2023) with no signs of it coming back as well as no signs of KI hosting anymore concerts after the 2022 concert series flop, I feel like the time to pull the plug on it would be now especially if Congo, Invertigo, Drop Tower, and The Bat are all potentially on the chopping block. That would open up a large plot of land at the front of the park for something massive! Now that's the conversation of another thread lol. As for live shows this year, I'm willing to place a bet that Trailblazers Xtreme and Country Crossroads are returning. I'm about 50/50 on the gazillion bubble show as it looks like KD is potentially getting it, but they show at multiple parks so KI could still get it, but honestly I could also see KI getting Brad Ross as he did a 2 year stint at Carowinds and he was very popular there. The main question is about the bandstand show. Usually KI runs their shows for 2 years. Retrospect has ran for 2 years. However, Off the Charts ran there for several years. However, I really hope they do a live band show there again or at least change up the songs. Finally, not really live entertainment/special event related, but please please please PLEASE NO MORE JAZZ ON I-STREET!!! I know I sound like a broken record here, but the jazz has been playing for 3 seasons now and imo just does not fit International Street. Now, I could get behind the jazz during food/wine fest and Carnivale as it fits those events well, but outside of when those events are going on, I want to see orchestral music playing again! International Street is meant to be grand and revealing not laid back jazzy! 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VortexBFForever Posted March 10 Share Posted March 10 Hopefully this year's return of Grand Carnivale will also bring back the tasting cards. My favorite part of Carnivale 2023 was the tasting card for 10 items, especially since I could use it over multiple visits! I miss Hot Summer Nights/Royal Rhythms from 2019 and 2021, or just having a live band on Bandstand for that matter. Few moments beat getting to join the conga line as they played "Hot Hot Hot"! I agree that I-Street needs the orchestral music back (NOT the covers that played 2020-21). The jazz was cool but my KD visit last April revealed just how much I miss hearing those beautiful orchestral pieces on our I-Street. This is a long shot at this point, but I still have a tiny shred of hope for Eiffel Tower and WindSeeker to be able to stay open for the fireworks again, sometime in the future. I understand the lasers and drones prohibit their operation during recent shows and that would require a significant change, but I dearly miss being able to watch the fireworks from nearly 300 feet up. Not to mention that unique opportunity had set KI's fireworks experience apart from the others. From my personal experience, WindSeeker fireworks rides are a core memory from when Vortex was still here, and I loved still getting to experience them after Vortex left...at least through 2021. Chalk it up to nostalgia, but I really want those fireworks rides back... 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timchat2 Posted March 10 Author Share Posted March 10 Hopefully if there is a new Bandstand show it is more like Royal Rhythms, and of course a live band would be nice. I appreciated the jazz for not being the pop music or orchestral covers but I would certainly welcome a loop like Kings Dominion. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tr0y Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 Special events are nice, but the bigger question is how many special "ticketed events" will there be this season? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion-XL200 Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 On 3/10/2025 at 10:12 PM, VortexBFForever said: Hopefully this year's return of Grand Carnivale will also bring back the tasting cards. My favorite part of Carnivale 2023 was the tasting card for 10 items, especially since I could use it over multiple visits! I miss Hot Summer Nights/Royal Rhythms from 2019 and 2021, or just having a live band on Bandstand for that matter. Few moments beat getting to join the conga line as they played "Hot Hot Hot"! I agree that I-Street needs the orchestral music back (NOT the covers that played 2020-21). The jazz was cool but my KD visit last April revealed just how much I miss hearing those beautiful orchestral pieces on our I-Street. This is a long shot at this point, but I still have a tiny shred of hope for Eiffel Tower and WindSeeker to be able to stay open for the fireworks again, sometime in the future. I understand the lasers and drones prohibit their operation during recent shows and that would require a significant change, but I dearly miss being able to watch the fireworks from nearly 300 feet up. Not to mention that unique opportunity had set KI's fireworks experience apart from the others. From my personal experience, WindSeeker fireworks rides are a core memory from when Vortex was still here, and I loved still getting to experience them after Vortex left...at least through 2021. Chalk it up to nostalgia, but I really want those fireworks rides back... Expand I agree with you on the fireworks. Fireworks rides on WindSeeker were insane! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Losantiville Mining Co. Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 On 3/11/2025 at 1:26 AM, Tr0y said: Special events are nice, but the bigger question is how many special "ticketed events" will there be this season? Expand Ticketed events are nice because they bring in more money for the park and the events, but I think the only ticketed thing the park would introduce would be creating a Haunted Maze Pass like FrightFest has at the branded Six Flags parks. That would cut down on the amount of people going through mazes (especially with their young children), but would also put a price tag on something that has always been included in park admission. I can't recall any other parks in the chain having ticketed events outside of things like Coasterstock, but I could be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoan Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 I really liked GC, but as much as I did like it you can tell they're kind of putting the event into maintenance mode. It doesn't get the fanfare it did previously. I like the idea, but it needs a refresh direly. It kind of feels like the BooBlasters of events. It's getting worn out and needs a bit more than just paint, but they just don't seem to care. As for the more irritable side of me, I would not be surprised if they accounce 4 new festivals all featuring more and more alcohol. Maybe the River town Freestyle could be open more with a Budweiser drink mix machine in the building so you can add cherry+vanilla flavors to your **** water. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeastFarmer Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 On 3/20/2025 at 11:25 PM, Stoan said: As for the more irritable side of me, I would not be surprised if they accounce 4 new festivals all featuring more and more alcohol. Maybe the River town Freestyle could be open more with a Budweiser drink mix machine in the building so you can add cherry+vanilla flavors to your **** water. Expand They may just do another festival... instead of Brews and BBQ, with the direction it's been going, they could do Booze and BBQ! For Rivertown, they could finally build the saloon that @Hawaiian Coasters 325has discussed and do a series...saloon Sunday, Margarita Monday, Tequila Tuesday, Wegovy Wednesday, (Long Island Iced Tea) Thursday, Fireball Friday and Sloshed Saturday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion-XL200 Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Sign me up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Losantiville Mining Co. Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 How much of Grand Carnivale not getting much fanfare is due to the lack of social media presence for it, the shortened event run time, and the lack of tasting card? Hopefully the event gets a refresh now that Kings Island seems to be one of if not the only park doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmartCat7162 Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 On 3/21/2025 at 6:08 PM, Losantiville Mining Co. said: How much of Grand Carnivale not getting much fanfare is due to the lack of social media presence for it, the shortened event run time, and the lack of tasting card? Hopefully the event gets a refresh now that Kings Island seems to be one of if not the only park doing it. Expand My hope is they are testing out a new and improved Carnivale at the park this year, but only time will tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoan Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 On 3/21/2025 at 12:37 AM, BeeastFarmer said: They may just do another festival... instead of Brews and BBQ, with the direction it's been going, they could do Booze and BBQ! For Rivertown, they could finally build the saloon that @Hawaiian Coasters 325has discussed and do a series...saloon Sunday, Margarita Monday, Tequila Tuesday, Wegovy Wednesday, (Long Island Iced Tea) Thursday, Fireball Friday and Sloshed Saturday! Expand BBQ Fest. Booze, Brews and Questions (about alcohol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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