Official Press Release About Winterfest

[BoddaH1994]

From the desk of Maureen Kaiser:

NEWS RELEASE

Paramount's Kings Island TM  Cancels WinterFest

for 2006 Season

Company makes business decision to table WinterFest.

Kings Island, Ohio - Paramount's Kings Island announced today that

WinterFest will not take place during the 2006 season.

The business decision comes at a time when the organization is focused

on providing a world-class experience during its core season, which

includes the spring, summer and fall months.

Guests who have pre-purchased WinterFest tickets have automatically been

refunded.

Cedar Fair, L.P. (NYSE: "FUN") is a publicly traded partnership

headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio.  The Partnership, which owns and

operates twelve amusement parks, five outdoor water parks, one indoor

water park and six hotels, is one of the largest regional amusement park

operators in the world.  Its parks are located in Ohio, California,

Toronto, North Carolina, Virginia / District of Columbia, Pennsylvania,

Minnesota, Missouri and Michigan. 

[standbyme]

Yeah, I just got this e-mail:

Paramount's Kings Island has made a business decision to cancel the WinterFest event for the 2006 season. The park will re-focus its resources during the core operating season.

All guests who purchased tickets online through the Paramount's Kings Island web site will automatically be refunded back to the credit card that was provided when they were purchased. This refund transaction will start July 22, 2006 and could take up to 3-5 business days to appear on your account. Please check your credit card statement to verify that the refund has been credited to your account.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and certainly appreciate your interest in our park and our special events. We look forward to providing you with more fun and entertainment in the future. Should you have further questions, feel free to contact our sales and service center at (800) 288-0808.

Sincerely,

Paramount's Kings Island

[Reclaimer]

Shucks. I was really wanting to go this year. Maybe, with enough interest in re-reviving Winterfest next year, CF will allow it to continue.

[TOPGUN1993]

Maby they will have WF every other year ?

[Reclaimer]

That could be interesting...

It could go either way. It could either spell disaster, or drum up interest in the off-years to open the event to a 'full-house' the next year.

[BoddaH1994]

Forgot to mention, if you guys have any questions either email Maureen or let me know and I will direct them in her direction.

[CoastersRZ]

It is kind of ironic that they canned WinterFest almost a year to the day that they announced that it would return. They announced it on July 25, 2005. They canceled it on July 24, 2006.

I`m really not surprised by the decision to cancel it. After last year`s attendance it is not shocking that they probably did not make much money on it.

[Reclaimer]

Probably goes without saying, but Carowinds' Winterfest has also gotten the axe

http://www.carowindsconnection.com/communi...t=0entry18032

[ragerunner]

Let hear it for Cedar Fair, bless their hearts, I am glad they found the need to cut the event instead of trying to make some modifications that might have changed the outcome this year.

[Gordon Bombay]

Could they possibly just be cancelling it this year because theyare going to have their hands full with integrating policies and people into 5 new major parks and possibly making many changes throughout the park, if thats so, maybe winterfest will return in a few more years when they feel they can do it right, but this year its probably just in their way. Another question posed is since the tickets were sold under CBS ownership then the cancelation took place under Cedar Fair ownership, did CBS get the money, and CF have to pay it back?

[Reclaimer]

Combat, that was my thinking as well regarding a possible return of the event in coming years, once the focus is off of rebranding the parks.

[CoastersRZ]

Yes, they worded the release very carefly IMO to only state that the event was cancelled in 2006. While they gave no indication it will continue in coming seasons, I would imagine any changes that they plan on instituting at Kings Island will be done in the off season, and they want to focus their full attention on that, and not on any side distractions such as WinterFest.

I have heard that there have already been some upper management shake ups at KI, with several new vice presidents. Also, there is apparantely a new GM in place replacing Tim Fisher who was the acting GM after Craig Ross went down to Charlotte earlier this year. Tim Fisher was acting GM until the parks were sold and the new owners brought in a new GM.

[PKI_flyer]

I am saddened by the news, although not surprised. I thought winterfest was a great showcase for PKI's potential of being a great theme park. I hope that Cedarfair gives it another chance in the upcoming years. I would bet that Cedarfair looked at the numbers, and looked at the amount of work needed to rebraned the parks this winter and made a fairly easy choice to cancell it for this season.

[Avatar]

Look's like it's time to reconsider our stay at the Great Wolf Lodge, We were really looking forward to Winterfest/Great Wolf Lodge holiday 12/22-12/25/06.

[Reclaimer]

Yeah, I can totally understand not having the even this year, simply because if they plan on getting rid of the "Paramount" in the parks, it'll take some heavy-duty work and they'll need all the time they can get to get rid of logos, spiels, rides, stores, merch, etc that mention the Paramount name. Not to mention anything else they plan on doing.

[Captain Picard]

Canceling for 06 after selling tickets is a good indication it will not continue in coming seasons. IMO

[The Interpreter]

Not to mention that the last thing Cedar Fair wants investors and banks to see right now is another loss from putting on another Winterfest. Yes, loss.

To say the event was not a financial success is being very, very kind.

To say thousands attended is true, if you look at total attendance for the event.

[italianchef]

I personally commend CF's decision to cancel WinterFest. It took courage and was necessary. CF just bought 5 new parks greatly increasing the size of its company.

CF needs time and resources to de-Paramount the five parks and integrate them into the CF corporate culture. WinterFest would have taken at least 2 months and precious resources away from it.

And hey - one never knows if WinterFest comes back in the future.

Have a great day!

Italian Chef

[A_Titanic_Mess]

Winterfest was a huge disappointment for the park. When no one shows up, the park makes no money. The original Winterfest was faltering in it's last few years. I never understood why the park would try it again. I worked with the person who did the preliminary report for Resale back in 2002 as to whether Winterfest should come back (from a Resale perspective). It never worked on paper. So my guess is PKI decided to increase the ticket price to make it work. That was their downfall. Good for Cedar Fair for putting this event out of it's misery! Please concentrate on making the park better during the rest of the season.

[Gordon Bombay]

^Could'nt the lack of strategic marketing also have led to its downfall, no offense to PKI's fantastic marketing team, but the only times I ever saw Winterfest advertised was on a billboard off of I-75 going towards Cincinnati and a small psoter at Kroger's in Fairfield. No radio commericals, and the only thing I saw on tv was a commercial to come in and apply to work at PKI for winterfest, not for the actual event. I think they were too dependent on assuing that those who had come in years passed would all come flocking back.

[A_Titanic_Mess]

CombatStupendous89, I think you raise some valid points. especially the one assuming that those who attended in the past would come back. I also agree that the advertising for the event was underwhelming. IMO, I just think there was a lack of planning, and probably a push to get it open before it was ready. I hope they put that capital towards improvements to the park for the summer season.

[King Bowser]

It is kind of ironic that they canned WinterFest almost a year to the day that they announced that it would return. They announced it on July 25, 2005. They canceled it on July 24, 2006.

I`m really not surprised by the decision to cancel it. After last year`s attendance it is not shocking that they probably did not make much money on it.

Last year everything was waaaayyy to high thats why people didnt go it all adds it to $$$-So whats next a canceled FearFest.

[The Interpreter]

Nope.

Fear Fest will continue. That was even mentioned in the press release.

It's highly successful...and will no doubt continue.

[King Bowser]

Nope.

Fear Fest will continue.  That was even mentioned in the press release.

It's highly successful...and will no doubt continue.

Winterfest would have been better if every thing was cheaper.

Man I feel like I got Screwed...I dont go to FearFest because I can take my kids.

[italianchef]

I must admit that the high cost of WinterFest did keep crowds away. The Beach had a similar event, Holiday Fest for around $10 vs. approximately $25 for WinterFest. That's lots of money to charge for an outdoor event in the cold with few rides operating.

In the future, I hope that WinterFest will come back at a reasonable price that draws crowds in.

I did enjoy it last year - but I got a HUGE discount. If I had to pay full-price, I would have been less jolly.

Best of luck to the staff and fans of Kings Island. Thanks to PKIC and the KI staff - especially Maureen Kaiser - for keeping the enthusiasts informed.

Have a great day!

Italian Chef

[PKIVortex]

Well that sucks, I was looking forward to attending again this year. But I agree with everyone it was way over priced. I'm glad I went last year, and maybe it will return again in a few years.

[BoddaH1994]

I must admit that the high cost of WinterFest did keep crowds away. The Beach had a similar event, Holiday Fest for around $10 vs. approximately $26 for WinterFest. That's lots of money to charge for an outdoor event in the cold with few rides operating.

You hit the nail right on the head and didn't even know it. Not so much with the price, but with that last comment, "...with few rides operating. "

It was a TOTAL demographic issue. PKI is well know as a place for high thrills and family fun. Winterfest was intended for family fun, but more along the lines of enjoying shows, skating, eating Christmas-style foods, and enjoying a Winter Wonder Land. Unfortunately, the people who would normally enjoy that are likely not people would would be attracted to go to PKI to ride The Beast or The Vortex. On that same note, the people who go to PKI likely wouldn't be attracted to that Christmas-ized atmosphere when they're looking for high thrills. That way, from a marketing standpoint, no one wins. It was a difficult sell to people who normally don't visit the park.

I'm sure price was an issue, but if you look at the demographic which was supposed to be there, admission wouldn't be of much consideration.

Regards,

Ryan

[The Interpreter]

Interestingly, at Paramount's Carowinds, Top Gun did run, along with the Danny Phantom's Flyers (aka the Flying Scooters)

Not that it had any major effect on attendance, though. . .

[Gordon Bombay]

TGTJC is my favorite coaster ever, but I dont think I'd ride it in the snow......lord thats cold...adn man do i feel for those ride ops...

[CoastersNSich]

It was a TOTAL demographic issue. PKI is well know as a place for high thrills and family fun. Winterfest was intended for family fun, but more along the lines of enjoying shows, skating, eating Christmas-style foods, and enjoying a Winter Wonder Land. Unfortunately, the people who would normally enjoy that are likely not people would would be attracted to go to PKI to ride The Beast or The Vortex. On that same note, the people who go to PKI likely wouldn't be attracted to that Christmas-ized atmosphere when they're looking for high thrills. That way, from a marketing standpoint, no one wins. It was a difficult sell to people who normally don't visit the park.

I'm sure price was an issue, but if you look at the demographic which was supposed to be there, admission wouldn't be of much consideration.

I'd argue that the demographic of PKI has changed since 1992, when Winterfest was held before the long hiatus. Back then, there were many attractions that more passive guests, such as seniors, and even very young children - those that couldn't do most rides - could enjoy at Kings Island. For example, animal shows, the Wild Animal Habitat monorail, a wider variety of unique shopping, and many shows. And Winterfest definitely was made for this demographic - lots of shows, great shopping, and gentle rides like the Carousel and KI&MV RR - but no coasters or thrill rides. Within a few years, under Paramount, the amount of stuff to do for this category sharply declined, more in favor of the majority of guests. This move may have helped the park better compete, turned away a demographic that was small, yet still important.

Fast forward to 2005 - you see PKI catering to two groups: thrill-seekers and families. Yet, they brought back Winterfest, which was pretty much true to its earlier years - shopping, live shows, and food, but did not offer more to the thrill-seekers that see KI synonymous with Beast, Vortex, and Drop Zone. Operating such rides in very cold temps is a no-no.

Carowinds, which introduced Winterfest in '05, had the luxury to run its B&M invert, Top Gun, as they have warmer temps in the Carolinas. Still, a Charlotte paper used the caption 'Walking in an Empty Wonderland" to describe a scene fo the park.

Oh, and paying $25 to get into the thrill park without thrill rides? Much of the public said "No Thanks," despite how well-done things inside the gate were.

I don't blame Cedar Fair here. The park's previous owners gave the public the chance to come back to the event they wanted - and many simply didn't come. It just makes more sense to focus on Kings Island v.3.0.