Winterfest Saturday Dec.10th

[standbyme]

So, what's better than a trip report by someone to Winterfest? How about a trip report by someone who not only has to drive 3 ½ hours to Kings Island but a person who doesn't really like Christmas! (Sounds like a good combination for a REAL honest appraisal of how good Winterfest really is doesn't it.) First off let me say that I NEVER go to Christmas themed events unless I absolutely have to. (I.E. school programs) If it were not for my devotion to Kings Island, and my desire to see it with snow all around I wouldn't have even considered going to this Christmas/holiday event.

I have been following all of the hype about Winterfest from before it was officially announced here on this forum. Little by little I became more interested, it seemed like it was worth a gamble. Unfortunately I was one of the "fools" who fell for the "Buy your tickets by Nov.6th for the best price" sales pitch. Seeing that they eventually went to the Buy 1 / Get 1 Free price I now feel a little stupid/cheated. (This is the first time that I have ever felt betrayed by Kings Island.) I know that they probably only dropped the price out of desperation, but it still feels like the loyal/dedicated people are the ones who got screwed. Oh well...live and learn.

And now the actual trip report:

I must also mention that I had my expectations set pretty low...so I figured that way I couldn't be too disappointed. Since we bought our tickets in advance we had already picked Dec.10th. It was not too cold...plus we were glad that there was snow on the ground. (It ain't Christmas without snow.) We arrived at the gates at about 5 til 4:00. At this point in time there were only 2 (then 3) gates open at the metal detectors...so the line was backed up pretty good...but it went pretty fast. Walking into the park and hearing Christmas music that is actually "listenable" was nice. (For me, Christmas should either be the classics or nice punk versions by Bad Religion, Pennywise, The Vandals...) The first thing we did (thanks to pointers on this board) was reserve our tickets to see "Santa's Toy Factory". After that we started strolling down international street. It was still fairly light out and you could get a good look at the decorations. I was not "knocked over" by them, but I thought they looked very nice. We decided to do the Carousel first but found out that it was not open yet...so we just killed time looking in the stores. I can't say that I was too impressed with most of the vendors merchandise that was in the Emporium shop...it was kind of like going to a flea market. (And 1 of the vendors we ALMOST bought something from was rude...so they lost a sale.) We walked around outside a bit more, and ran into one of those tall Jester guys...he was very nice and we took a couple of "group shots" with him. We stopped by the Scrooge puppet show for a little bit...but that didn't seem to be that interesting. I can see where this "show" is probably a little more "hit and miss" depending on how good the people he is talking to are. We didn't stay too long for this and headed back to the carousel...it was open and people were already riding. As we stood in line watching the people ride we enjoyed that it was playing Christmas music...but when we rode it was dead silent! I kind of thought the music would be starting up after each round but it never did. That had me puzzled. Do the ride ops have to hit a button to turn on the music?

We got a good spot and waited for the tree-lighting ceremony. The mayor told a couple of "jokes" and then introduced a family to officially pull the switch to light the lights. I really liked the firework trail that made it's way up to the tower...that was impressive.

Next we went to see the Nick Characters in the tree lot. I always like "photo ops" for the kids...and the kids like the characters so it's a win-win situation. My only complaint with this area was that the characters themselves were not dressed in anything holiday. I don't expect much...but even a Santa hat on them would have been nice...not to mention even one of the kids mentioned Dora must be freezing in shorts! The holiday backdrops were nice though and since it was not very busy, the characters seemed to have fun playing around with the kids more than usual.

Next we went to the Swan Lake light show...I would say that this was probably the biggest disappointment for most of us that night. The lights were ok, but nothing "jaw-dropping" good. (That house in Mason DOES have this beat by a mile for being impressive.) I think the "pace" of this should have been faster...it bored the kids and us. I think it was a mistake to "hype" this as a special event. I think it oversold it. I also think that if we just happened to walk by it, glance over, I would probably have thought to myself "Oh, that's kinda nice"...but when we all specifically get there on time to watch it and expect a lot, it was a let-down.

After this, a couple of the people I was with went to try the ice-skating. It was their first time trying it. (They both can roller-skate though.) They picked it up quickly and had a great time, and we enjoyed watching everyone skate.

While they were skating, I went to get a hot chocolate at Skyline...the line did not look that long, but it took about 20 minutes to get thru it...which leads me to: I had a ticket to the 6:30 Santa's Toyshop show. I was about 5 minutes late getting to the show and there was not a seat to be found! I stood in back for about 10 minutes hoping an usher would find me a seat but that didn't happen. What's the point of handing out tickets if it doesn't guarantee you a seat?

We next headed over to the Nick area. We rode Scooby Doo' Haunted Castle but the Hanna Barbera carousel was not open this night. The "crowd" in the park did not seem that big...so maybe they just decided to cut back a little.

We decided to go eat at Feasthaus...I was impressed with how well it was decorated, both inside and out. The entertainment was not bad either. The acts seemed to rotate fairly quickly, so if you didn't like one you didn't have to "endure" it long! It seems to me that they have also lowered the price of the turkey dinner...I thought originally it was $14.99...it was "only" $11.99 that night.

The evening was almost done now...we BARELY made it over to be on the last train ride of the evening. As our group came up to enter the station, around the corner came the actor/soldier greeting us like he was also getting in line for the train. The station was decorated very nice...the old-fashioned luggage carts and old railroad uniforms on the ops was a nice touch. There were only about 8 other people getting on the ride with us. They sat in front of the soldier, we sat behind him. As the ride started we did notice that the new speaker system was great. (Clear & loud.) As they started the play, it didn't appear that the other people on the train wanted to participate...so Bobby pretty much just faced us most of the time...it was like our own private play. He really was good at ad-libbing lines and very friendly. I honestly did not think I would be thrilled with this train ride but we all were...even the kids. Yes, it was hokey...but if you just let yourself get in the mood it was fun.

As we walked back towards the entrance to leave another good thing happened...it started to snow! As we got near the Eiffel Tower there was a nice "big-snowflake" blizzard...it did not last too long...but it did last until we got out of the park. It was a GREAT ending to the evening.

So, to sum up my trip...like a lot of people have said, if you go for the decorations, and not the rides you might just have a good time. I think $16.99 is a bit overpriced...but I can see why Kings Island might have to charge that in order to pay all of the employees...the crowd was not that big. (I think $14.99 is a fair price though.) I do not regret driving so far for it...but I would only do it once a year, but if I lived nearby I would definitely want to do it again!

[WooferBearATL]

I'm thinking that the guy in Mason should be hired to do the lights on Swan Lake. Would that not be a Hoot!

WIZARD IN WINTER HOUSE

[Legend Rider]

Could we not refer more to the Wizard in Winter House?

[BoddaH1994]

I'm glad you had a good time. I mean, if you don't like Christmas events and drove over 3 hrs to get there and still approved of it, they must have done something right.

[WooferBearATL]

I'm glad you had a good time. I mean, if you don't like Christmas events and drove over 3 hrs to get there and still approved of it, they must have done something right.

Or I'm thinking he must have been on medications.

Who drives 3 hours for a Christmas Event and does not even like Christmas?

[kjkjkj]

i think he ment he doesnt like to do a lot of Christmasy type events but he gave winter fest a shot and liked it. im going tomorrow yay!

[Erosarrow05]

You know.... The only comment I have would be....

1. I didnt have enough time to do everything. We got there at 5 oclock and motored around and still didnt have time to do the train ride, santaland, bubba gumps, fest haus, the parade or scrooge.

- God it seems like i didnt do much now lol...

I did take my time though going from store to store, and of course the ever popular glass blower.

So jesus - 4 hours was not enough time.

Thats it - I went on sunday the 11th. There was a fairly good sized crowd. I did blow 56.00 on a winterfest blanket. The nice heavy one.

After walking around the whole time, I think the event was very nicely done and it has something for everyone.

ps... i loved the random wreath on TR:TR

[CoastersRZ]

I was there on Sunday as well. (You spent four hours in the park and missed all those things??) You must have really taken your time in the shops! The park had a modest crowd on Sunday, but still seemed on the light side. It was busier than what opening night had been.

[Outdoor Man]

(Hope you don't mind the double post... but I made my inaugral trip to Winterfest last Saturday as well. This is my post from another thread.)

I believe that the park was truly at it's BEST last night. though I was concerned to be driving up at 5:30 and see no lights on the tower (didn't know that it doesn't light until 6-- years ago, it was always on).

International Restaurant was bustling with people (which was nice to see). the Festhaus has not looked that good in at least a decade (maybe more). The lights on the Intl St. buildings looked good (i hope they carry that into the operating season... now that all the bulbs are changed/work). The souvenirs were all reasonably priced (at least I thought so).

OK, Holiday Junction was a little hokey... but it's a Christmas show.... which ones aren't. And the actors seemed to really enjoy doing it (though I don't think in 32 years I've ever seen the line for the trains that long). the show at the paramount theater was great. Hokey as well.... but lots of enthusiasm and great energy. was also pleased with the amount of times that the upcoming holiday was referred to as christmas.

The thermometer said 32... but my word it seemed like -32. I remember going there in my early 20's and it being in the teens, single digits... didn't care. Now I wonder, "why on earth would anybody with half a brain freeze their a## off like that more than once?"

The ONLY suggestion I would even have unfortunately is with the marquee attraction..... the Eiffel Tower/tree. OK- the schizzo light show was annoying. Sometimes the lights were on; then only half on; then only the corners, then they were off all together..... then they were dim. Made it difficult to take picutres... and actually have the tree in the background. Suggestion.... just leave them on.... and turn the tower lights off.... looks more like a tree that way..... AND- call me a "purest"- but I ditch the paramount logo and go back to the traditional one-star approach.

none of that takes away from the experience though. The park was at it's best last night.... employees and decor. I don't know what festival some harsh critics were at (maybe they were at Carowinds accidentally). if you're disappointed because not enough was open or doesn't match your PKI experience. then you want to go to Kings Island in July.... not Winterfest in December.