Sorry, but CF corporate stated the main focus, for the parks putting on Winterfest, was not going to be rides. The main focus was holiday lights, decorations, activities, food, and entertainment. Rides would take a back seat during this time of the year. Majority of rides are available 75% of the year. Just not for Winterfest.
Kings Dominion Goes Year-Round in 2023
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
Sorry, but CF corporate stated the main focus, for the parks putting on Winterfest, was not going to be rides. The main focus was holiday lights, decorations, activities, food, and entertainment. Rides would take a back seat during this time of the year. Majority of rides are available 75% of the year. Just not for Winterfest.
I feel like this is a slam-dunk at Carowinds. I'm not sure how it's going to go at KD but I'm rooting for them. In any case, it's great for us. I definitely would love it if amusement parks being open in the cold became more popular and normalized by American consumers like it is in some European parks like Efteling and Disneyland Paris.
There is a reason that parks are taking this calculated risk though. Staff retention is probably part of it, a belief that it will be financially viable based on existing metrics is another. They don't need to make a profit, they just need to lose less money than they would staying closed.
There is a reason that parks are taking this calculated risk though. Staff retention is probably part of it, a belief that it will be financially viable based on existing metrics is another. They don't need to make a profit, they just need to lose less money than they would staying closed.
I really think this is mostly about hiring. In every industry, it's now incredibly hard to find and hold onto people, and having a seasonal aspect is a model that probably doesn't work like it used to. Regardless, I'm happy about more opportunities to go to these parks. There is such a thing as a random 60 degree day in the South in January. The chances of that being on a weekend are only increasing.
I dunno; I’ve been several times in late March/Early April when the Midwest goes on spring break; and it’s been brutally cold. Temp wise, probably in the low to mid 40’s, but with the higher winds, it felt like low 20’s mid teens.
So we're now only a few weeks from this. Has the park given anyone any indication of what it's going to look like? There are no special events listed, a scheduled ride closures page that hasn't been touched in months, all we have is a press release, hours and the ability to buy tickets without really knowing what you're buying tickets for. Do we have any indication as to what will be open once Winterfest ends?
What would be nice is if they had a rotating selection of rides operating. I know they can't operate the whole park due to staffing and likely attendance, but maybe they could change what rides are operating each month or so? Maybe that's not possible, though.
I’d like to see them close the right side of the park (twisted/racer/jukebox) to the left side to open Jungle X (Tumbili/Reptilian/Arachnidia/Outpost Cafe)
Doesn’t the right side have many more flats though? Might be why they keep that side open.
Planet Snoopy can draw quite a bit itself with daytime hours, but there should be other draws for older kids and adults.
Flight of fear should be open, given that it’s an indoor ride. Same goes for Boo Blasters.
Both are in heated so being inside helps some but also hurts some since you wont get ad much sunlight warming.
I'm ready to go during the day. Coming out the summer I'm ready for colder and darker but getting over that by now. Both the precedent of other parks and necessity would call for some rotation of the lineup, although maybe dates are "when it's ready". But with no info we're not assured of anything, could just be a kids' event. I could see them eventually running Tumbili, FoF and Racer.
I'd believe it considering how freezing it is inside the building where the queue/ride is located.
I remember reading that KI renovated theirs to add heaters so they could operate it during Winterfest.
I assume KD hasn’t done the same mainly since FOF is in such a remote location in the park and Jungle X/Safari Village has never been open for Winterfest yet.
I don’t see how this is possibly going to be successful. They need to invest in the infrastructure for winter operations before they try it. The park only has one dark ride, no train, no skyway, only one indoor theater.
Two of the indoor restaurants are in Jungle X as well as the coaster with the least chance to valley in the cold (Avalanche). Plus the indoor coaster is there too. And this section of the park is closed for Winterfest.
I’m guessing they won’t invest in live entertainment which IMO is necessary for winter operations. It’s one reason Winterfest works.
KD pulls low crowds much of the summer. I can’t imagine how low attendance will be with partial operations and most major rides closed because they are scheduled closed or because of the cold.
Two of the indoor restaurants are in Jungle X as well as the coaster with the least chance to valley in the cold (Avalanche). Plus the indoor coaster is there too. And this section of the park is closed for Winterfest.
I’m guessing they won’t invest in live entertainment which IMO is necessary for winter operations. It’s one reason Winterfest works.
KD pulls low crowds much of the summer. I can’t imagine how low attendance will be with partial operations and most major rides closed because they are scheduled closed or because of the cold.
I'm not sure what you mean by pulling low attendence during the summer season - perception is different than the truth, and with the wide walkways alongside the plentiful attractions, the same amount of guests visibly crowding BGW can spread out at KD and make it look less crowded.
I'll agree about needing more indoor attractions and dining venues, though FWIW, FoF's building only really provides wind blockage and isn't heated so perhaps they'd want to invest in adding heat to it (with that much space it'll probably be extremely pricey).
It's unclear if there's going to be any special entertainment options, I wouldn't rule them out entirely.
Overall, this has a chance to work but it remains to be seen how.
I'll agree about needing more indoor attractions and dining venues, though FWIW, FoF's building only really provides wind blockage and isn't heated so perhaps they'd want to invest in adding heat to it (with that much space it'll probably be extremely pricey).
It's unclear if there's going to be any special entertainment options, I wouldn't rule them out entirely.
Overall, this has a chance to work but it remains to be seen how.