This new season is not Winterfest... Well it could be because we know nothing, and probably will be more like a daylight version at first, but that at least gives more chance for rides to run past the first half hour. However they have 2-3 wood coasters that can run down to nearly freezing, an indoor coaster and a brand new one that opened in snow, rated for 34 degrees.
Kings Dominion Goes Year-Round in 2023
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
Weekends only I'd assume, but coasters only probably won't draw the crowds needed for success without some other kind of event they can market. Granted, if this is a pilot program, everything may be way scaled down from what we may see in the future too.
I judge the crowds from the cars in the parking lot and waits for attractions. I have never been to KD on a summer weekday when there has been a large crowd. I have visited a lot there as it’s actually one of my favorite parks. The low crowds are one of the reasons I love it lol.
KD gets really crowded on weekends both in the summer and for Haunt.
Yes I have seen that. But they don’t draw the crowds consistently during the summer as other Cedar Fair parks like KI CW CP. I just don’t think they have the base crowd to support winter operations with the assumptions there won’t be a lot to do.
I don’t think year-round operations make sense at either KD or BGW, to be clear. And KD suffers from reputational problems, as well. I was just pointing out that KD can and does draw heavy crowds.
I was going to write to concur. KD can get absolutely slammed if you go on a busy day. Weekdays can be randomly busy. No it's not like SFGAdv busy or BGW busy or Hershey busy. You go to a KD Haunt Saturday and try to say "KD never gets busy" in a sentence after that.
This is what I think has been helping to hold the park back.
In my anecdotal experience, more locals and returning travelers alike would rather go to BGW as it's perceived to be a cleaner, safer, and/or better run park - nevermind the theming or quality and selection of attractions/shows/dining options.
While they may have had a point decades ago, we collectively know both parks are fairly similar in these categories with each park trending differently.
The phrase 'easier to acquire than re-acquire' certainly applies here.
However, given the investments and direction we've seen the park take in the last few years, I'm hoping it's only a matter of time before the historical negative reputation mostly goes away (of course, nothing is perfect so there will always be those unsatisfied).
In that light, I'm really not sure what they stand to gain with year-round operations other than being more easily able to recruit and retain full-time staff.
Does anyone know if the 2022 season passes are still good for January 1st. This is still technically Winterfest, but it was never a question before since the season previously ended around the beginning of January.
^I believe the fine print for my 2022 pass specifically went to 1/1/23 as they were planning to operate today regardless of the year round plans so you should be good. Next weekend will be less likely sadly.
What do we think operations are gonna be like next weekend? They really haven’t announced anything. I guess I personally wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same ride lineup as Winterfest throughout Winter then overtime they make certain changes with the coasters maintenance timing. Could TT and Dominator run through Jan and Feb? They could do 1 train ops during this slow period. I assume the rest of the park won’t reopen until March at the soonest. They really need to update their scheduled ride closures page. Carowinds website staff appears on top of that. I’m going tonight I may ask guest services a few general questions.
What do we think operations are gonna be like next weekend? They really haven’t announced anything. I guess I personally wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same ride lineup as Winterfest throughout Winter then overtime they make certain changes with the coasters maintenance timing. Could TT and Dominator run through Jan and Feb? They could do 1 train ops during this slow period. I assume the rest of the park won’t reopen until March at the soonest. They really need to update their scheduled ride closures page. Carowinds website staff appears on top of that. I’m going tonight I may ask guest services a few general questions.
I chatted with a few employees tonight. The employee working guest services didn't really know much. I spoke to one of the Supervisor ride ops at TT that I always see there and he explained it's largely the same as the Winterfest lineup but Delirium and Flying Eagles are going down for the Winter.
I mean Twisted Timbers being available in January and February and I get food every time I go is all I need out of this personally. I could see them gradually systematically opening up more rides throughout the Winter up to March when they try to start to have the whole dry park operating.
I mean Twisted Timbers being available in January and February and I get food every time I go is all I need out of this personally. I could see them gradually systematically opening up more rides throughout the Winter up to March when they try to start to have the whole dry park operating.
Carowinds has already listed their ride closures for the winter. Everyone knows exactly what to expect there next week end. They also operated six coasters and almost all other rides during Winterfest as a preview of what they can do during the winter
On the other hand, Kings Dominion doesn’t seem like they know what they’re doing. Just like with Winterfest when they were going to operate on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and then suddenly canceled them.
As of now, Kings Dominion only has three rides listed as closed on the website It was that way during Winterfest as well, which was not correct.
I just think this is destined for failure especially with Busch splitting the crowd.
I will be going to Carowinds this winter. It seems organized. I don’t see myself going to Kings Dominion as it isn’t clear what’s going on.
Although I will be watching for early closures at Carowinds. If they do too many I won’t go. They are also infamous for closing for low attendance and blaming the weather.
On the other hand, Kings Dominion doesn’t seem like they know what they’re doing. Just like with Winterfest when they were going to operate on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and then suddenly canceled them.
As of now, Kings Dominion only has three rides listed as closed on the website It was that way during Winterfest as well, which was not correct.
I just think this is destined for failure especially with Busch splitting the crowd.
I will be going to Carowinds this winter. It seems organized. I don’t see myself going to Kings Dominion as it isn’t clear what’s going on.
Although I will be watching for early closures at Carowinds. If they do too many I won’t go. They are also infamous for closing for low attendance and blaming the weather.
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Kings Dominion will have ice skating and igloos open on weekends until February 13th. Also, hours have been slightly adjusted (11am open instead of a 10am open).
I may actually go, because unfortunately we never managed to make it to winterfest in 2022. Timing just never worked out for us. it will be weak in comparison, but getting some rides in on TT and Dominator and a maybe a few flat rides, would be fun and tide us over until the real season starts. If the weather is like it is now, I could see them getting some crowds.
KD finally answered my email today that 2022 passes did indeed expire on January 1st.
I wonder how many people show up early 2023 that bought spring 2022 and get turned away.
KD didn’t announce year-round operations until late October, so anyone who bought a 2022 pass last spring knew then that they were only getting the 2022 season. Anyone in that situation who shows up expecting their 2022 pass to work in 2023 would be in the wrong.
On top of that, you can be sure 2023 passes will not work in 2024 (except for January 1st, maybe). They are 2023 passes. Not 2024.