Fall Bonus Days

[AmyUD06]

What’s your full ranking?!

1. Pantherian
2. Twisted Timbers
3. Reptilian
4. Grizzly
5. Rapterra
6. Racer 75
7. Flight of Fear
8. Woodstock Express
9. Dominator
10. Backlot Stunt Coaster
11. Apple Zapple
12. Great Pumpkin Coaster
13. Tumbili

 

[SixFlagsIssues]

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Map is updated

 

[Dagit]

I really need to get more rides in on Reptilian. I’m a big fan of bobsleds but was kinda underwhelmed by it, probably has everything to do with the fact that it full stopped at the MCBR when I rode it.

It's a lot of fun when it speeds past the MCBR. I took my friend who wasn't too big on coasters at the time. (Epic universe made him like coasters now.) I told him it wasn't bad as it slows down completely at the MCBR. Nope, we went flying through it and it definitely helps make it more fun. He wasn't a fan lol I feel like he's enjoy it now.

 

[guy305]

Well this weekend was the best weather you could ask for. Crowds were very mild. Thought it was interesting Pantherian often sent out full trains while Tumbili had empty rows.

 

[Thriller]

These November weekends are going to be low attendance and definitely not profitable. For a park that closes for low attendance. It’s a head scratcher why they scheduled these weekends. With limited rides and limited hours and no event going on it’s only going to regurgitate season passholders.

 

[Mushroom]

@Thriller when KD reduces its hours:
@Thriller when KD extends its hours:

 

[rswashdc]

These November weekends are going to be low attendance and definitely not profitable. For a park that closes for low attendance. It’s a head scratcher why they scheduled these weekends. With limited rides and limited hours and no event going on it’s only going to regurgitate season passholders.

It's to keep their season pass holders from going to BGW and buying annual passes there at the expense of KD. That's literally the only reason they are open now.

Honestly if they did just a small Xmas event with say Santa photos, a small musical show, and some event food, this would actually work with the rides they have open.

 

[Zachary]

Honestly if they did just a small Xmas event with say Santa photos, a small musical show, and some event food, this would actually work with the rides they have open.

It's WILD to me that they're open in November instead of doing this exactly in December.

If they really didn't want to spend on WinterFest (absurd, but whatever, we're past that), they could have used the Six Flags Holiday in the Park branding and do exactly what is described in that name—operate (part) of the park (as they are now) and then guests can spend the holidays there. Toss up the easy decorations, have Santa, and call it "good enough."

Obviously we would have all hated that in a vacuum, but I hate the murdering of WinterFest without any replacement far more.

Everything about how Kings Dominion has handled off-season operations over the last couple years has reeked of short-term thinking and a complete lack of local market understanding. This is just more of the same in my opinion.

 

[Mushroom]

Everything about how Kings Dominion has handled off-season operations over the last couple years has reeked of short-term thinking and a complete lack of local market understanding. This is just more of the same in my opinion.

Good thing they removed the last of KD’s park-level strategic decision-making roles (Bridgette) in favor of an office in Allentown, PA! That’ll surely lead to better, more regionally focused decisions.

 

[horsesboy]

It's WILD to me that they're open in November instead of doing this exactly in December.

If they really didn't want to spend on WinterFest (absurd, but whatever, we're past that), they could have used the Six Flags Holiday in the Park branding and do exactly what is described in that name—operate (part) of the park (as they are now) and then guests can spend the holidays there. Toss up the easy decorations, have Santa, and call it "good enough."

Obviously we would have all hated that in a vacuum, but I hate the murdering of WinterFest without any replacement far more.

Everything about how Kings Dominion has handled off-season operations over the last couple years has reeked of short-term thinking and a complete lack of local market understanding. This is just more of the same in my opinion.

For what it's worth tge regional guy was at SFA and was talking to thise of us that hung around till the very end. He was asked about Winterfest by more then one person. His response was that it was entirely possible we see some form of Christmas thing at KD in the future. I have had the distinct impression that the way it worked was corporate wanted to make a big cost saving splash for shareholders and murder the lower preforming winter events which also aided in labor cuts with the layoffs. Then felt the pain of lower renews and bad PR and reacted by throwing in bonus week that were less risky. My hope is that with the new leadership changes and a year under their belt as a combined company that 2026 see a less reactionary and more long term vision based company.

 

[jwranson]

For what it's worth tge regional guy was at SFA and was talking to thise of us that hung around till the very end. He was asked about Winterfest by more then one person. His response was that it was entirely possible we see some form of Christmas thing at KD in the future. I have had the distinct impression that the way it worked was corporate wanted to make a big cost saving splash for shareholders and murder the lower preforming winter events which also aided in labor cuts with the layoffs. Then felt the pain of lower renews and bad PR and reacted by throwing in bonus week that were less risky. My hope is that with the new leadership changes and a year under their belt as a combined company that 2026 see a less reactionary and more long term vision based company.

What is a High performing winter event if Winterfest at KD was a low performing one? Waiting an hour to ride the Parrot ride, or whatever it's been rebranded as, because there are so many flipping people in the park certainly doesn't seem like a "low performing" event to me. Winterfest always had high attendance every time we went.

 

[Zachary]

What is a High performing winter event if Winterfest at KD was a low performing one? Waiting an hour to ride the Parrot ride, or whatever it's been rebranded as, because there are so many flipping people in the park certainly doesn't seem like a "low performing" event to me. Winterfest always had high attendance every time we went.

You could time a trip right to hit low traffic days if you tried, but I can EASILY say the same about Christmas Town down the road and no one would dare call that a low performing Christmas event.

The only thing I'm left to assume is that the visitation mix was likely overwhelmingly pass holders, merch sales were never very strong (KD's merch game, year-round, just sucks), food and beverage was consumed heavily by meal plan users, and upcharge offerings likely undersold vs other parks in the chain (likely due in large part to the previously mentioned guest mix and meal plan prevalence).

If that's correct, it's just a matter of taking their existing pass holders for granted—assuming they'll stick with the park at current prices even if they cut one of the two major seasonal events from the calendar. I sincerely hope they've come to find that many guests aren't willing to endure that—particularly in a market with a competitor that's now year-round.

 

[Celticdog]

What is a High performing winter event if Winterfest at KD was a low performing one? Waiting an hour to ride the Parrot ride, or whatever it's been rebranded as, because there are so many flipping people in the park certainly doesn't seem like a "low performing" event to me. Winterfest always had high attendance every time we went.

I considerate it low performing because the hours were short and the days few. They just weren't open enough. When they were open it was crazy busy and unenjoyable. We never ate in the park, because we could grab a better cheaper meal in Ashland before the event. That way we didn't waste any time in the park. KD should have looked at CT and run hours longer, especially on the weekends. The fall bonus days may be a small step in a good direction, but now KD is competing with CT. I certainly wouldn't waste any time going to KD now.

 

[bill s]

What is a High performing winter event if Winterfest at KD was a low performing one? Waiting an hour to ride the Parrot ride, or whatever it's been rebranded as, because there are so many flipping people in the park certainly doesn't seem like a "low performing" event to me. Winterfest always had high attendance every time we went.

You probably looked at the weather forecast before you went. There were some nights crowds were heavy and money was flying, but many more light crowd nights. Lots of nights the coasters closed at 5:30 due to temps, some were worse.

I could see the end coming in 2023 when they cancelled most of the weeknight openings after a brutal Thanksgiving week -- despite the long-range forecast showing the weather being much better the next week. They also never announced limit temperatures for rides -- including last year when they gave us 4-5 more degrees. People slowly figured out how the event worked and the crowds on any colder night went away. First year people showed up expecting to ride I305 and Volcano until closing. It was beautiful event, wonderful music, but rides are integral to it.

 

[AmyUD06]

What is a High performing winter event if Winterfest at KD was a low performing one? Waiting an hour to ride the Parrot ride, or whatever it's been rebranded as, because there are so many flipping people in the park certainly doesn't seem like a "low performing" event to me. Winterfest always had high attendance every time we went.

Only speaking for myself, but when I made my KD Winterfest trips in the past (a ~4 hour drive for me), I was going mostly for the shows and ambiance and if rides were running that was a bonus. That said, I would get maybe one meal at the park, so I was not contributing to the profits of the event. Lots of people not spending money is what made it a "low performing" event.

 

[Thriller]

@Thriller when KD reduces its hours:
@Thriller when KD extends its hours:

They cut hours to cut costs at the expense of the guest experience and the employees. It ends up costing them money in the long run because nobody will attend if the weather is doubtful………

You can bash me all you want about complaining about this after I experienced it multiple times after traveling 500 miles to the place, but this is absolutely one of the reasons Winterfest got the ax. The park has to have perfect weather to get great attendance due to it’s reputation for closures (and lack of indoor attractions). and those days were few during Winterfest.

A park that’s only geared to locals and especially season passholders on meal plans cannot support a seasonal event like Winterfest. It takes actual ticket sales and purchases of meals to do that.

As far it’s extending hours that’s all great. I am not complaining, I am just noting that this is guaranteed to be a money loser because it will only regurgitate local season passholders. I’m not going to the park any of these days because it’s really not a very attractive package worth the travel (shorter hours less rides, no live entertainment, no special event), but I am planning on traveling to Busch Gardens. Most people that are traveling to VA to go to a park this time of year are going to see the Christmas event at Busch.

As focused as this company is on cutting every cost at the expense of the customer experience, it just surprising that they would make this decision and concerning what they will cut next year to make up for the losses of these operations.

Winterfest at Kings Dominion was absolutely beautiful. Its just sad that Cedar Fair and Six Flags are so mismanaged that they can’t figure out how to operate these events enough days with enough attendance to make the event profitable. Busch has declined a lot over the years, but they at least have that figured out…..

 

[MrBradferd]

I feel like anyone going to these fall bonus days are just Coaster people. No? Do they have any small kid events during the day or anything going on besides a few coasters?

 

[A_Sad_Squirrel]

I feel like anyone going to these fall bonus days are just Coaster people. No? Do they have any small kid events during the day or anything going on besides a few coasters?

Snoopy was busier than the rest of the park.

 

[Mike541x]

As much as I hate that Winterfest has been canceled this year, these Fall Bonus Days have been fun. I also love the fall colors the park have on display on International Street.

 

[Zachary]

Crowds looked pretty dang healthy to me yesterday. Not crowded of course, but they definitely had to have been making money.

Given the attendance reported last weekend and what I saw yesterday, I wonder if part of WinterFest's problem was that it started so late? Feel like if WinterFest had been operating this weekend—even in a preview state like BGW's Christmas Town—it would have been printing money.

BGW starts Christmas Town super early and I can see where it would probably be really beneficial to them. It gives them way more access to November when, on average, weather is better. Plus it gives them more spins of the roulette wheel overall to hopefully land on more weekends overall with really great weather (like this weekend) which pay off in spades.