Kings Dominion Kills WinterFest

[Zachary]

They can take the revenue from this year and invest it somewhere else instead of reinvesting it back into Winterfest

Worse. They can ship the entirety of Kings Dominion's WinterFest—lights, decorations, performers, etc.—to a park where they think they can make more profit. Oh, and that means that whatever park receives all of our stuff will face very little of the initial start-up costs for the event that were already incurred by Kings Dominion.

Enraging.

 

[Coasternerd]

I feel like the backlash of killing off a Christmas event in Virginia of all places, is going to be way stronger because of that.

The reason that BGW’s HOS is included with standard admission but not Christmas Town is because Christmas is much more favored in VA over haunt events. They know they can get more money out of a Christmas event than a haunt event. As if this past CMT didn’t just show that the event is insanely popular. I don’t think HOS didn’t even get as consistently busy that CMT got. I didn’t get to attend the final season of Winterfest, but I imagine it was the same.

I have a feeling that this decision is going to bite KD in the ass, HARD, subsequently killing corporate. The pass cancellations alone are likely already starting to hit them. Never, never ever mess with a Virginian’s Christmas event.

 

[jwranson]

At this point

I feel like the backlash of killing off a Christmas event in Virginia of all places, is going to be way stronger because of that.

The reason that BGW’s HOS is included with standard admission but not Christmas Town is because Christmas is much more favored in VA over haunt events. They know they can get more money out of a Christmas event than a haunt event. As if this past CMT didn’t just show that the event is insanely popular. I don’t think HOS didn’t even get as consistently busy that CMT got. I didn’t get to attend the final season of Winterfest, but I imagine it was the same.

I have a feeling that this decision is going to bite KD in the ass, HARD, subsequently killing corporate. The pass cancellations alone are likely already starting to hit them. Never, never ever mess with a Virginian’s Christmas event.

This is what happens when a corporate entity becomes so large they lose sight of their local demands.

 

[lyingtorobots]

I feel like the backlash of killing off a Christmas event in Virginia of all places, is going to be way stronger because of that.

The reason that BGW’s HOS is included with standard admission but not Christmas Town is because Christmas is much more favored in VA over haunt events. They know they can get more money out of a Christmas event than a haunt event. As if this past CMT didn’t just show that the event is insanely popular. I don’t think HOS didn’t even get as consistently busy that CMT got. I didn’t get to attend the final season of Winterfest, but I imagine it was the same.

I have a feeling that this decision is going to bite KD in the ass, HARD, subsequently killing corporate. The pass cancellations alone are likely already starting to hit them. Never, never ever mess with a Virginian’s Christmas event.

Omg, I would LOVE to see something like “Six Flags Hates Christmas” or something like that in the news/on social media!

 

[WrierSiamang152]

Omg, I would LOVE to see something like “Six Flags Hates Christmas” or something like that in the news/on social media!

How the CF execs STOLE CHRISTMAS!

 

[rswashdc]

One contrarian thought is that the event had very real staffing challenges to the point where it could cause other brand problems for the chain. If the chain wants to have some level of standards and product expectations across the chain, then they have to be able to execute everywhere to those standards.

 

[Mojosdad]

Problem is, I have never known Six Flags to have standards. I have never had a good day in a six flags park. And this goes back to the late 80’s

 

[Timchat2]

It will be interesting to see how much of the KD WinterFest decor, costumes, etc. end up at parks like Six Flags Over Georgia or the Texas parks. A few of the WinterFest shows were already being performed at Six Flags Over Texas so I'd imagine we'll see even more of that in 2025.

 

[horsesboy]

If there is one positive thing that comes out of this it's that it's making it pretty clear what enthusiasts groups and channels will twist anything to try and defend KD and SF. I am really enjoying all the people who have suddenly learn that Winterfest was a money looser. To be clear every piece of evidence I seen points the exact opposite direction.

 

[Mushroom]

In their defense, the idea of scrapping a profitable event for the sake of “cutting expenses” is so mind-bogglingy stupid that it’s hard to wrap your heard around.

 

[bradd1319]

Playing devils advocate. If for example, using completely made up numbers, it cost 5 million to run Winterfest and KD made say 2 million in profit. It does make business sense to reinvest that 5 million into the rest of the park while emphasizing Winterfest in a greater fashion at say KI. If the decorations, lights, etc from KD is moved to KI and KI's profit goes from 2 million to 5 million, I'd get it. It doesn't mean I like but I'd understand it. If, however they're just simply cutting cost for no reason that's a whole different story.

 

[lyingtorobots]

Playing devils advocate. If for example, using completely made up numbers, it cost 5 million to run Winterfest and KD made say 2 million in profit. It does make business sense to reinvest that 5 million into the rest of the park while emphasizing Winterfest in a greater fashion at say KI. If the decorations, lights, etc from KD is moved to KI and KI's profit goes from 2 million to 5 million, I'd get it. It doesn't mean I like but I'd understand it. If, however they're just simply cutting cost for no reason that's a whole different story.

The devil that is Six Flags Corporate needs no advocate. They need an FTC investigation, and probably an anti-trust suit.

 

[bill s]

I don't think it was particularly profitable, if at all, this last year and they reduced their schedule midpoint the previous year. I went probably 8 times and most of them were not crowded and none were the worst weather. To improve the event would take more investment. According to Clint Novak, the initial investment to start WF was $25M. Some of that stuff may be wearing out.

 

[lyingtorobots]

I don't think it was particularly profitable, if at all, this last year and they reduced their schedule midpoint the previous year. I went probably 8 times and most of them were not crowded and none were the worst weather. To improve the event would take more investment. According to Clint Novak, the initial investment to start WF was $25M. Some of that stuff may be wearing out.

A lot of people (my family included) have left BGW for KD in the last few years. This is KD’s moment to reshape the theme park market in VA, and instead, Six Flags Corporate (because of a questionable merger that evidently put them in a precarious financial position) seems to be content to roll over and die. Missed opportunity…

 

[Chungulatron]

Glad I didn’t end up getting a season pass… Firing Chef Maurice*, what a blunder.

 

[rollercoastercoaster]

Feel like it needs to be said because everyone is misspelling it for some reason, his name isn't Chef Marcus lol, it's Chef Maurice

 

[Mojosdad]

So you think Carowinds is going down the same path?

 

[numberonetumbilidefender]

the event had very real staffing challenges to the point where it could cause other brand problems

I doubt this is why they cut Winterfest but if they didn't cut Winterfest it likely would've been disastrous. The second I heard about the potential of a layoff I was certain WF was done for. I only know the rides department but during all of my visits this year, easily 65% of the people I saw working rides were people I recognized as year-round employees (FT/PT). Additionally, Kings Dominion has been heavily pushing February and early-March training meaning most seasonal associates would not be allowed to work WF with the 13 weeks rule.

 

[horsesboy]

I don't think it was particularly profitable, if at all, this last year and they reduced their schedule midpoint the previous year. I went probably 8 times and most of them were not crowded and none were the worst weather. To improve the event would take more investment. According to Clint Novak, the initial investment to start WF was $25M. Some of that stuff may be wearing out.

It was profitable maybe not extremely but they were in the black even when setup and tear down was taken in to account. On top of that it was helping drive sales of passes and add one the fact that from what I heard a significant number of those pass holders have called and asked for refunds in the last two days only helps to demonstrate that.

edit.

I saw an interesting point raised on social media KD has not officially informed pass members of the loss of Winterfest. They issued the press release and have verified it's leaving when asked but have not actually sent out an email or made even a social media post announcing it. It's entirely possible that a pass member not from the Richmond metro area and not active in enthusiasts groups does not know about it's removal which seems like a shady way to operate.

 

[Themeparkfan09]

Not sure how this will destroy the park but k.