News Holiday in the Park Survey Suggests Possibility of Event's Return in 2026

[Zachary]

Just got a SFGAdv survey asking for Holiday in the Park input! Questions consisted of what I liked and didn't like about the event previously, what type of event I'm looking for (more rides focused or comprehensive overlay/entertainment-focused), what I think is an essential must-have for a holiday event at SFGAdv, how the existence of a holiday event would impact my visitation, and notably, 2026 was mentioned explicitly! It felt very in-line with what I've seen of the Kings Dominion survey and I did not get a question about branding.

 

[mtorange]

Just got a SFGAdv survey asking for Holiday in the Park input! Questions consisted of what I liked and didn't like about the event previously, what type of event I'm looking for (more rides focused or comprehensive overlay/entertainment-focused), what I think is or is not an essential must-have for a holiday event at SFGAdv, how the existence of a holiday event would impact my visitation, and notably, 2026 was mentioned explicitly! It felt very in-line with what I've seen of the Kings Dominion survey and I did not get a question about branding.

Maybe Six Flags has decided that parks like SFGAdv and KD are going to be rebranded (or get their old name back) no matter what?

Either that or a question about rebranding may come off as “we’re for sure bringing it back, but we just don’t know what to name it” when they’re honestly unsure if they are or not yet.

 

[DWNitro]

Dang I NEVER get these surveys! This is great news though. I like that they’re sending these so often, I just wish they’d go to all passholders!

 

[netdvn]

Dang I NEVER get these surveys! This is great news though. I like that they’re sending these so often, I just wish they’d go to all passholders!

After your next visit to the park, they'll usually give you a link to a survey to fill out. When you finish that one, they'll sometimes give you an option to opt into future surveys. Check the box, fill out the application and wait. I receive those surveys every once in a while. One time I got a survey about logo changes in the mobile app and I've gotten a handful of surveys regarding new attractions.

 

[GAcoaster]

Happy to hear this, and it's not too surprising. People LOVED HitP. I also wouldn't be surprised if it is reduced in scope in the park. Running coasters for 9 months of the year really limits the time for proper maintenance. I could see them maybe bringing back a Winter Lights drive through as part of an event as well.

Winter Lights At Six Flags Great Adventure

I'm still shocked that Dorney hasn't done something after all these years. With so many people doing Christmas events in Bethlehem, it always seemed logical for them to do something. I thought for sure when they built the theater right next to the entrance it was with the idea they could host a Winter Fest.

 

[Nitro230]

I know a lot of people said that this was their favorite time of the year to go and honestly I get it. Not for nothing but Great Adventure's event was one of the better ones out there. I definitely felt like it was better than Hershey's Christmas Candylane, not quite as good as BGW's Christmas Town though. It just makes too much sense to try and bring it back. I really think that the company wants Great Adventure to be another Kings Island and their winter event is supposedly one of the best out there. Made sense to cut the season short last year because of how sparse the crowds were, think going forward there's money to be made here.

 

[AmyUD06]

I know a lot of people said that this was their favorite time of the year to go and honestly I get it. Not for nothing but Great Adventure's event was one of the better ones out there. I definitely felt like it was better than Hershey's Christmas Candylane, not quite as good as BGW's Christmas Town though. It just makes too much sense to try and bring it back. I really think that the company wants Great Adventure to be another Kings Island and their winter event is supposedly one of the best out there. Made sense to cut the season short last year because of how sparse the crowds were, think going forward there's money to be made here.

The issue is that KI's WinterFest was nothing like SFGAdv's Holiday in the Park aside from decorations and it being cold. WinterFest (both KDs and KIs) were "Hey, we're doing this thing for the Holidays with a ton of shows, elaborate decorations, holiday-specific food/drinks/merch, and tons of holiday activities....oh, and we run some rides too!" whereas HitP has always been "Hey, it's Christmas, come ride like 75% of the normal rides and look at our half-assed decorations!" KI and KD's WinterFest didn't get the praise that it did for the ride selection.

If they're going to turn the legacy SF-park's winter events into KD/KI style WinterFest, I am all for it - I'm someone who would make a 4-hour drive for KD's Winterfest even if it was too cold for either of the two adult coasters offered to run. But the people who used to go to HitP for the rides will be pissed. This is clear from the thoosies on Reddit (and even here) who don't care about theme or style or substance of the winter event at all, they just want to ride coasters in the cold, and are making their voices known.

 

[warfelg]

thoosies on Reddit (and even here) who don't care about theme or style or substance of the winter event at all, they just want to ride coasters in the cold, and are making their voices known.

And to me that’s wild. Yes let’s stand in potentially slightly damp, 40 degree, likely windy weather to ride exposed to the elements at 40, 50, 60+ mile per hour. All while making sure we aren’t wearing too many layers because we don’t want to get shame walked, and likely having to take hates and gloves off because loose item policies.

 

[Zachary]

I was crystal clear in my survey: I'm only comin' if it's a fully-realized, decorations + entertainment + culinary + attraction overlays offering—I have no desire to ride the same outdoor rides I can during the Spring, Summer, and Fall in just more miserable conditions and I'm very confident that my position is far more aligned with that of general audiences. Really hope Six Flags isn't short-sighted enough to make the same mistakes they've made before.

 

[Nitro230]

If they're going to turn the legacy SF-park's winter events into KD/KI style WinterFest, I am all for it - I'm someone who would make a 4-hour drive for KD's Winterfest even if it was too cold for either of the two adult coasters offered to run. But the people who used to go to HitP for the rides will be pissed. This is clear from the thoosies on Reddit (and even here) who don't care about theme or style or substance of the winter event at all, they just want to ride coasters in the cold, and are making their voices known.

I honestly think a lot of the enthusiasts right now are acting entitled. I'm also an enthusiast but I know that I'm not the target demographic for these companies. They don't make money if they only cater to enthusiasts, Six Flags needs to expand their market. It's also almost like increased attendance means an increase in the budget for new attractions (who would've thought) so the change in focus benefits the enthusiasts in the end anyways. They need to get over themselves and try to actually enjoy these parks for what they are instead of complaining that we aren't getting enough Intamins.

I've personally never been to winterfest at either park, but BGW's Christmas Town was a similar type of event. They really only had Verbolten open when I visited, fine by me I love that ride, and the coasters closed at night when it got too cold. The light displays were great though and the live entertainment was solid as well. Six Flags has already said that live entertainment is a big focus for them this year so that could be them laying the ground work for this type of change.

 

[northdetective]

You dream a happy dream about what you want to see at your home park, naming specifically both Intamin and Mack, and now you're an Intamin fanboy forever who shames Mack for existing. Guess I'll stick to my "doom and gloom" about all manufacturers if even the positives gonna be perceived that way.

I honestly think a lot of the enthusiasts right now are acting entitled. I'm also an enthusiast but I know that I'm not the target demographic for these companies. They don't make money if they only cater to enthusiasts, Six Flags needs to expand their market. It's also almost like increased attendance means an increase in the budget for new attractions (who would've thought) so the change in focus benefits the enthusiasts in the end anyways. They need to get over themselves and try to actually enjoy these parks for what they are instead of complaining that we aren't getting enough Intamins.

If you don't feel entitled to what you pay for, that's on you. If you don't feel empowered to express your dissatisfaction, that's on you. If you're so bothered by people who dare to criticize the United States Regional Amusement Park Monopoly, you should probably go work for them instead of trying to convince people that having standards is entitlement.

 

[jscll]

The first year of Holiday in the Park was my good; the second year they added Superman and Green Lantern. After that, the maintenance squeeze happened and everything went single train operation except for Nitro, Skull Mountain, and The Dark Knight (obviously). If they bring back HitP as a ride focused event, they really should buy extra trains for more rides. I really miss the round trip Sky Ride...

I'm still shocked that Dorney hasn't done something after all these years. With so many people doing Christmas events in Bethlehem, it always seemed logical for them to do something. I thought for sure when they built the theater right next to the entrance it was with the idea they could host a Winter Fest.

Maybe someday, but it most likely won't happen so long as the state has the overtime exception for amusement parks that operate no more than six months a year. There are also zoning reasons, but those are likely easy to change.

 

[Thriller]

The issue is that KI's WinterFest was nothing like SFGAdv's Holiday in the Park aside from decorations and it being cold. WinterFest (both KDs and KIs) were "Hey, we're doing this thing for the Holidays with a ton of shows, elaborate decorations, holiday-specific food/drinks/merch, and tons of holiday activities....oh, and we run some rides too!" whereas HitP has always been "Hey, it's Christmas, come ride like 75% of the normal rides and look at our half-assed decorations!" KI and KD's WinterFest didn't get the praise that it did for the ride selection.

If they're going to turn the legacy SF-park's winter events into KD/KI style WinterFest, I am all for it - I'm someone who would make a 4-hour drive for KD's Winterfest even if it was too cold for either of the two adult coasters offered to run. But the people who used to go to HitP for the rides will be pissed. This is clear from the thoosies on Reddit (and even here) who don't care about theme or style or substance of the winter event at all, they just want to ride coasters in the cold, and are making their voices known.

Complete agreement. Winterfest is my favorite time of year to go to the park the combination of the lights the nighttime hours and the total atmosphere is the reason why. Most of the rides that are closed are fine with me because I had the opportunity to ride them all year long.

I think this is the best time of year. These parks can potentially attract new markets of customers as there are lots of things to do for people that don’t like thrill rides. Which is probably a majority of the population. But they need attractions and show that used for inclement weather to make these events succeed in the long run.

Kings Island and Canada’s Wonderland population have a better tolerance for the inclement weather and that’s probably the reason those events continued this recent year. However, it was cold at most of Kings Island‘s event and the crowd was definitely down this year.

Having more indoor infrastructure would also benefit operations other times of year when the weather is inclement

 

[Nitro230]

The first year of Holiday in the Park was my good; the second year they added Superman and Green Lantern. After that, the maintenance squeeze happened and everything went single train operation except for Nitro, Skull Mountain, and The Dark Knight (obviously). If they bring back HitP as a ride focused event, they really should buy extra trains for more rides. I really miss the round trip Sky Ride...

Maybe someday, but it most likely won't happen so long as the state has the overtime exception for amusement parks that operate no more than six months a year. There are also zoning reasons, but those are likely easy to change.

Yeah if Holiday in the Park (or something similar) comes back the ride lineup should really be shrunk. Keep all the family flats open, the indoor rides with maybe some holiday overlays (Skull Mountain and Houdini are immediately my top picks for this), Harley Quinn, and then probably 2 or 3 larger coasters. Nitro makes a lot of sense because of how popular it is (plus winter nitro rides are great), then probably Batman and Flash to condense the crowds largely on the right side of the park (not JDC because that thing runs so poor in the cold).

 

[Nitro230]

If you don't feel entitled to what you pay for, that's on you. If you don't feel empowered to express your dissatisfaction, that's on you. If you're so bothered by people who dare to criticize the United States Regional Amusement Park Monopoly, you should probably go work for them instead of trying to convince people that having standards is entitlement.

Here's the thing though, I'm not dissatisfied right now, and believe me I'm used to nothing but that from this park. Half of Jim Reid-Anderson's tenure as CEO I passed on buying a season pass because I was so fed up with this park. But the park is legitimately going in the direction right now, I never used to spend more than like half a day at the park because it was genuinely not a nice place to be. I used to go for the Nitro, El Toro, Ka and then go. Last year was the first season I found myself staying past 6:00 pm because I was genuinely happy to be there for more than just the coasters, sue me for caring about overall park experience.

 

[northdetective]

Here's the thing though, I'm not dissatisfied right now, and believe me I'm used to nothing but that from this park. Half of Jim Reid-Anderson's tenure as CEO I passed on buying a season pass because I was so fed up with this park. But the park is legitimately going in the direction right now, I never used to spend more than like half a day at the park because it was genuinely not a nice place to be. I used to go for the Nitro, El Toro, Ka and then go. Last year was the first season I found myself staying past 6:00 pm because I was genuinely happy to be there for more than just the coasters, sue me for caring about overall park experience.

I respect that. I'm glad you enjoy where the park is going. I feel no need to "sue" you. As somebody with different priorities, I am dissatisfied. I don't have to "get over myself," nobody is "complaining that we aren't getting enough Intamins," and if they were, they sure would be entitled to both have that opinion and to share it, so I'd hope they'd act like it.