Kings Dominion WinterFest 2023

[mtorange]

According to the park’s website, WinterFest will return in 2023 and will take place from November 15th to December 31st.

Now things can (and will) change between now and November, but I’m very surprised that they’re opening the event on a Wednesday after the rather low crowds on Wednesdays and Thursdays last season. In fact, they were so low that parades were cancelled and they actually cancelled all Wednesdays and Thursdays after the first two weeks (other than their normal two-week stretch during schools’ Winter Break).

Also, no New Year’s Day this year? Very interesting! I always thought WinterFest should end with the giant NYE party each year, but didn’t think they’d actually not open on New Year’s Day after doing so for a few years now.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

Any news yet weather WinterFest 2023 will be making any new additions or expansions? Seems like we always get stuck with the same coaster lineup, while BGW has been expanding theirs. As expected we must always cross our fingers for Twisted Timbers, because of all the staff needed to run the ride.

I was also crossing my fingers for Flight of Fear due to the success of the FLIGHT OF CHEER theme at Kings Island. Does it have to do more, where KD decides to decorate the park; which is why we don't get an indoor coaster operating in the winter? Truthfully, it would be easier to operate Flight of Fear, due to it being indoor. Where as Twisted Timbers is generally closed when the temperature drops below 45 degrees. So the decision would actually make more since if KD decided to decorate more of the left-bottom of the park, verses bottom-right the right side. Imagine the a fully decorated Jungle X-Pedition with Tumbili and Flight of Fear in the lineup?

Can we please get FLIGHT OF CHEER.

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[Jonesta6]

I'm guessing it's a staffing and logistics issue - that end of the park is kind of out and away from most everything while CAG/OD/PS form a nice loop to International Street.

WF is a smaller event than the main season, so to open JX would likely take more staffing and prep work that would either be too expensive or take away from the other areas.


Then again, maybe they have figured out a way to do it.

 

[Coasternerd]

The only reason that I feel that that section of the park would make sense to have open for winterfest is that you have Tumbili which operated in literal snow on its opening (or media? I can’t remember which) day, and Flight of Fear. Both should be able to operate during winterfest, though I think the main building housing the spaghetti portion would need to be properly insulated and checked for any possible leaks. During the summer, it has gotten surprisingly warm in there. Plus, you have Arachnidia which gets you another flatride, and not one but TWO restaurants that have indoor seating.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

The only reason that I feel that that section of the park would make sense to have open for winterfest is that you have Tumbili which operated in literal snow on its opening (or media? I can’t remember which) day, and Flight of Fear. Both should be able to operate during winterfest, though I think the main building housing the spaghetti portion would need to be properly insulated and checked for any possible leaks. During the summer, it has gotten surprisingly warm in there. Plus, you have Arachnidia which gets you another flatride, and not one but TWO restaurants that have indoor seating.

Everything makes sense to decorate bottom-left, versus the bottom-right portion of the park. KD is losing out on some serious money, because they wouldn't have to close for weather if they chose the side of the park that is suited to operate in the cold. Dominator and Twisted Timber are forced to close during cold weather.

 

[horsesboy]

Everything makes sense to decorate bottom-left, versus the bottom-right portion of the park. KD is losing out on some serious money, because they wouldn't have to close for weather if they chose the side of the park that is suited to operate in the cold. Dominator and Twisted Timber are forced to close during cold weather.

Then you lose the Car ride which is a nice draw, The indoor theater, Parchpig, and have to figure out a new location for Santa. On top of that yes we saw Tumbili run in snow and cold opening day for what 30 minutes before it closed. I honestly think that it has maybe a 10 degree lower operating temperature then Timbers and Dominator so is really that big of an increase?

JungleX is easier to close off and gives the park the benefit of have Outpost available for upcharge rentals for groups. I would be really surprised to see the footprint change unless the park decides to expand the event to a full park.

 

[Zachary]

I would be really surprised to see the footprint change unless the park decides to expand the event to a full park.

For the record, this was the plan/goal for 2020, but COVID really screwed with those aspirations.

I tend to think we will eventually see KD open Jungle X for Christmas, but it definitely isn't the plan for this year.

 

[guy305]

If there’s a time to do it, it would be the year Volcano’s replacement opens

 

[MikeLovesKD]

I can't imagine what the temperature is going to be like in late November and December. Its currently 45 degrees where I'm at in the DMV. So on a day like this, I'd imagine the park would close the rides and we'd all be disappointed.

This is the reason the park should decorate Jungle X-Pedition and work towards the bottom-left. I'm not saying that Apple Grove can't be decorated too, but most of the available rides should be bottom-left and weather won't be an issue anymore. When people are considering whether to go or not, they need to hear that stuff is OPEN and not affected by weather. BGW has just about confirmed that DarKoaster will be added to Christmas Town ride list.

 

[Zachary]

The main draw for these Christmas events are not and have never been rides. Many people have zero desire to ride coasters when it's cold.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

I also prefer it to be at least 50+ I do not like roller coasters in the 40s nearly as much. Especially if they're bigger and faster.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

Sometimes it makes me question why the company even does WinterFest. Worlds of Fun did not do one last season and I can see why. The success in attendance is based on weather during this time of the year. For the DMV it's looking like it's going to be a cold one. I'm going to get my visits in this month, rather than next month.

 

[warfelg]

I prefer going in the snow. Then again I’m a New Englander and we’re not exactly logical when it some to snow, maple syrup, or putting clam on pizza’s.

 

[Riboflavenus]

Sometimes it makes me question why the company even does WinterFest. Worlds of Fun did not do one last season and I can see why. The success in attendance is based on weather during this time of the year. For the DMV it's looking like it's going to be a cold one. I'm going to get my visits in this month, rather than next month.

I think we're predicted to have most of the bad weather AFTER the new year, so they'll probably be ok.

 

[horsesboy]

So the real question is how will Holiday in the park be this year.

 

[mwhinva]

So the real question is how will Holiday in the park be this year.

Winterfest at KD will probably be the same for 2023. The park usually makes some tweaks to the park decorations and/or entertainment each year.

Keep in mind that the merger would not be complete until sometime in the 1st half of 2024 (if everything goes to plan).

Plus, I don't see any major changes in park operations in 2024 either. That will happen in 2025.

 

[buckler89]

I prefer going in the snow. Then again I’m a New Englander and we’re not exactly logical when it some to snow, maple syrup, or putting clam on pizza’s.

I haven't done clams, but I have had calamari on a pizza. I 100% approve.

Think we're gonna hit Winterfest for the first time this year. We did Christmas Town for a few years before COVID and always had a good time, but KD is half the distance and it sounds like CT has been going backwards, while WF seems go be doing well. Looking forward to checking it out.

Count me as one who isn't really looking to ride anything in the winter. I do these things to see the lights and eat some holiday food. Apple pie funnel cake mixed with a rollercoaster sounds like a bad night anyway lol.

 

[Crunchewy]

I do enjoy doing a few rides at Winterfest, but I don't need to do many. Then again, I didn't go last year at all because the drive didn't feel worth it. But it's been long enough, and because next year, at least currently, I do not have any passes, this seems like the year to go again.

 

[mtorange]

I thought it was notable that the WinterFest Wonderland Parade isn’t mentioned in the linked blog post that was published today. It is also not mentioned on any part of the WinterFest website.

https://www.kingsdominion.com/blog/2021/12.1-wf-extras

 

[Mushroom]

I thought it was notable that the WinterFest Wonderland Parade isn’t mentioned in the linked blog post that was published today. It is also not mentioned on any part of the WinterFest website.

https://www.kingsdominion.com/blog/2021/12.1-wf-extras

Looks like that blog post is just about extra-charge add-on experiences. It could still be the case that the parade is dead, but its absence from that blog post isn’t any indication of that.