Festhaus Next Year

[Erosarrow05]

Per your request, Im reading it over and over again as Im ordering my 3rd set of winterfest tickets.

(Illustrious Club? Like Christmas lights on Swan Lake)

(( was that you being funny, becuase i couldnt tell if you were beings serious or you didnt know what illustrious means))

[PKI Foodguy]

Now that the park has invested the money in refrigeration for the ice rink at Winterfest, they could bring an ice show back to the Festhaus. The park used the old Winterfest refrigeration for the staged ice shows. They sold the equipment once the ice show in the Paramount Theater went dark.

PKI doesn't own the refrigeration equipment for the fountain, it is owned by a contractor. And I came across the old chiller from the kiddie rink a couple of weeks ago, its in storage, but I don't think it works anymore.

[Legend Rider]

I came across the old chiller from the kiddie rink a couple of weeks ago, its in storage, but I don't think it works anymore.

That would be a neat attraction for kids...

[A_Titanic_Mess]

PKI doesn't own the refrigeration equipment for the fountain, it is owned by a contractor.

Hmmm....they owned the ice making equipment from the original Winterfest, but sounds like they leased for the new event. Certainly makes it easy for them get out of the business quickly if they wanted to. Perhaps this year is indeed a "trial-run" to see if Winterfest works or not.

[Erosarrow05]

It makes more sense to me if they contracted it out. As long as they contract the rink out, they dont have to worry about making the rink or maintaining it. The refrigeration unit itself is somewhat down on the totem pole in the grand scheme of "the whole ice skating rink". What if the machine broke or needed an overhaul, if they contract it out, they arent responsible for those kind of costly repairs. Makes much more sense to me to contract out. But alas, you keep finding things that just might get winterfest to not come back. Afterall 'leased ice machines' could be a telltale sign... lol.

Someone needs to get Human Resources on the line, we have got to get this guy rehired so Kings Island can get it together with how they run things. Winterfest is just falling apart at the seams....

and now, i flick the sarcasm off....

So this is one thing that I am surprised hasnt been discussed. And this would be my main reason to refute all of titanic messes... well, mess of comments.

That would be... The great wolf lodge.

Unlike the park, it will be open all year. Im sure that the pki marketing and GWL marketing folks will be in cahoots to come up with some vacation packages. This water park is more than likely going to draw in quite a few people considering this isnt sandusky where there is one per city block. So I would not be surprised to see GWL and PKI work toghether and both promote holiday mini vacation escapes.

[HomerJay]

Wow...remember the good old days, when this post was about the Festhaus and not about petty arguments with people who worked at the park now and people who worked there in the past?

Listen, Kings Island is still Kings Island. Put your squabling aside and let's stick to what this board is all about...petty speculation and rumor-mongering! :-)

[WooferBearATL]

Actually, not owning a piece of equipment like the ice maker is pretty telling. Using the excuse that it's easier to repair is like saying you should contract to have carnies do your rides.

Essentially, an ice rink is a giant ice machine. Kings Island has an HVAC Department and should be able to handle any maintenance on something like an ice rink.

[CoastersRZ]

But is it really any surprise that they outsourced the ice rink? No. They outsourced Emporium to local crafters to sell their goods instead of the normal merchandise. And don`t forget the fact that PKI has used outside vendors to sell food in the foodstands for years. How is this any different? Granted, they could have bought their own ice making equipment. However, they might not have wanted to be concerned with making ice at above freezing temperature and instead focus on the rest of WinterFest.

You bring up a good point about the Great Wolf Lodge. Next year, they will be able to promote the lodge and WinterFest together. Also, don`t forget the rumor a while back that claimed Great Wolf wanted Kings Island to have an annual holiday event to bring in business to the resort during the off season. While that could be all rumor, it does make for a valid marketing point.

[Erosarrow05]

How is not owning the Ice Maker a telling sign?

I think that if PKI would have outsourced the whole kitty so to speak, then I would definately be inclined to think something fishy was going on.

But the city of dayton has had ice skating at the riverscape park for the past 4 or 5 years and they outsource. As im sure many places do for the main reason that its probably a pain to deal with.

Does anyone know if the beach owns the ice machine it uses.

It just seems to me that if i had two options and they would be

1. Hire someone else to do it and trust that it will be fine

2. Do it yourself, and purchase everything and try to do it in house.

I would want to choose the one I knew would go off without a hitch. As this is probably the first or second most single visible item of winterfest.

Remember, the winterfest "know hows" (you know who you are) are obviously no longer working there so current employees cant use their bat phone and call you up and ask.

And besides that, i remember PKI advertising this new technology that allows the ice to remain useable with temperatures reaching the 60 degree mark or higher (i cant remember) So, maybe that is reason enough to outsource. After all, pki's ice maker would have been 20 years old or so.

And by the way, i have no idea what an ice machine is nor do i care, but i get the idea its not exactly like a string of lights. In fact when i was at the park it looked like they were lining the fountain with this network of coils (which im assuming freeze the water, im so clever) .... Anyway... thats all i have....

[BoddaH1994]

^ Ha.. I have NO idea what you're getting at man. I will however point out that Bill said that they rented their Fearfest stuff the first year too. Must be PKI's way of taking the safe route with these new projects.

[WooferBearATL]

And besides that, i remember PKI advertising this new technology that allows the ice to remain useable with temperatures reaching the 60 degree mark or higher (i cant remember) So, maybe that is reason enough to outsource.

That's not new technology. If you remember the first Winterfest, there was a huge problem with slushy ice. They did not anticipate such warm days during November and December. The following year, equipment was installed that would keep the rink frozen well into the 60 degree temps.

Being someone that loves to skate, I can tell ya it makes all the difference.

[HomerJay]

Yup, I sure do remember when this post was actually about Festhaus...not about some stupid trivial, pointless debate about ice chillers...

Listen, there are chillers at PKI now. What does it matter where they come from? Why is this important? WHO CARES?????!!!! Let's focus on the stuff that matters at the park not where a stupid machine is coming from.

this is getting pretty pointless.

[A_Titanic_Mess]

The point being made about the ice making equipment is that since PKI did not but the ice making euipment, perhaps they are not fully vested in the event for years to come. The ice equipment is probably about a half million dollar investment. Maybe the park did not want to commit to such a large expense before they knew whether the first season would be a success or not. In the long run, it probably is less expensive to own or build the equipment themselves. I do not know this for sure, and the opposite could be that ABC Ice Rink Company approached PKI with a deal that made sense to lease ice instead of owning.

The statement about the park "leasing" out Emporium also is a bit telling. Again, if the event fails, they are not stuck with tons of Winterfest merchandise as they were years ago. If you notice, the front gate shops were the only ones with Winterfest merchandise. I would take a guess that they purchased pretty light, and that what we see in the store is pretty much what they have. I am not saying this is a bad thing, just saying that it would be a wise move in the event they want to get out of this business quickly.

Just some thoughts....

[CoastersRZ]

Well, they may be renting the ice equipment. But what about all the other decorations they have. Some of those may be rented, but others, like the bunting in the Feathuas will remain next spring. Also, I would assume that the new sound system they have in place on the train will remain (at least the speakers on the coaches).

The first season they did FearFest, the park rented all the haunts, because they were not ceratin if they would be doing FearFest in the coming years. After they deemed the first season a success, they went out and bought haunts for the following year`s Fear Fest (2001). I would imagine that they might be doing something similar to that for WinterFest. Although, it seems like they have a lot invested in bringing bak WinterFest for years to come. Personally, I hope it is around indefinantely like FearFest has been!

[BoddaH1994]

The point being made about the ice making equipment is that since PKI did not but the ice making euipment, perhaps they are not fully vested in the event for years to come. The ice equipment is probably about a half million dollar investment.

You're probably right, but in that case, it would be cheapter to rent the equipment for 10 years than to purchase it.

[iamdabozz73]

I worked at the park pre-paramount and after for almost 20 years. I still have 2 family members there that are entertainment managers. From my understanding all decorations do not belong to the park. They have a three year lease with the company that decorated the park. After I left PKI I took a job with The Beach Waterpark. They also rent their chiller for their Ice Rink. It is delivered to them only days before their event opens. I do not believe there will be any entertainment in the Festhaus next year. And from what I understand, Schol of Rock will be returning to Paramount Theatre with new songs. It is also possible that there will not be a show at International Showplace next year. Things usually change from week to week though. We all know that.

[WooferBearATL]

You would be the person to ask then -iamdabozz73

Why is it that Paramount does not seem to value Live Shows?

[Scooby_Doo]

Whats the big deal with Festhaus? I never step a foot inside that place why is it so popular all of a sudden?

[Legend Rider]

Its always been popular... plus, its the only place you can get a Free Salad...

ask Captain Nemo...

[WooferBearATL]

Well, if it's returned to it's former glory during the normal operating season, it will once again be quite the place to sit and just relax for a bit.

[HomerJay]

Here's a rumor: next year this post will actually go back to being about festhaus, not stupid and pointless arguments about chillers

[WooferBearATL]

Here's a rumor: next year this post will actually go back to being about festhaus, not stupid and pointless arguments about chillers

That was Sooooo Yesterday.

Get with it man. We're talking about the Festhaus Today!

[A_Titanic_Mess]

I always thought the Festhaus was great when they had stage shows and you could sit down and have a bite to eat while watching the shows. The performers did not like that though, people chowing down while they are singing (or skating) their hearts out!

The Festhaus was on the chopping block until the ice show was put it. I heard it was a last ditch effort to draw business into the haus, and it worked. Now, even without a regular live show, the Festhaus does tremendous business. I think they set some one-day revenue records at the haus a summer or two back. With the addition of the tray washing system, I think PKI plans to keep the Festhaus around for a while.

[SkootersFan]

...

Paramount On Ice was in the Paramount Theater.

[WooferBearATL]

Prior to the Show in American Herritage Music Hall there was an Ice Show in Festhaus. I think it was called Fire and Ice. (But I'd have to check my info at home.)

[A_Titanic_Mess]

Paramount On Ice was in the Paramount Theater

Hot Ice was in the Festhaus starting in 1986. After 2 or 3 years, it changed to Broadway on Ice. After about 5 years in the Festhaus, the show was moved to the American Heritage theater and named Paramount on Ice.

[WooferBearATL]

I didn't realize it had started in the Festhaus as early as 1986.

Lord, that's the year I graduated from High School. LOL, and Yes, I was working at the park then.

[A_Titanic_Mess]

I didn't realize it had started in the Festhaus as early as 1986.

Hey WooferBearATL, it may have been 1987. I am trying to find some press releases that I had about the ice show. It was 1986 or 1987 for sure. Yeah, the show was around for many years. Several of the ice show (and other PKI stage show) costumes ended up as rentals at Costume Castle of off the I-275 Wards Corner exit. Many of the performers names were still sewn into the costumes.

[WooferBearATL]

I remember distinctly when they put the Ice Show into Festhaus because there was a change in the table and bench set up. I used to run over to Festhaus and grab food as it was always some of the best in the park. (Next to Columbia Palace) Food Supervisors didn't get to eat free at International Restaurant; so I didn't get up there very often.

Back when there was live entertainment in the Festhaus the place was always bustling. There was nothing like working a show rush. (LOL, yeah sick man I must be.) But it was always great to get the initial rush of people through to be seated and then send the patio crew out there for clean up when the show had ended.