Kings dominion Fanatics are reporting that do to prolonged power outages that Winterfest will be closed this weekend. I have not seen any confirmation but they are usually close to Zachary level in their reports so I thought I would share
WinterFest 2021
- Thread starter mtorange
- Start date
I just got power back today and will probably be ready to go by Sunday, but it is understandable. Winter Weekends last year was more a tease than a consistently usable event, sometimes the weather IS fine and more often it's not... Last Sunday I made it from my car to the front gate without seeing one other person going in or out. More was open than Saturday, no parade though. I wondered if they would have any enthusiasm for this weekend, but again they have more than an excuse to stay closed.
In my guesstimation, they only close prematurely (when weather is improving) with a weather excuse when the effective cost of handing out free passes to every day ticket holder is less than the cost of staying open. Those getting there early usually have a good day of it, vs. me rolling up at quarter to 6. Other times they might sit open with no expectation of restarting for hours.
In my guesstimation, they only close prematurely (when weather is improving) with a weather excuse when the effective cost of handing out free passes to every day ticket holder is less than the cost of staying open. Those getting there early usually have a good day of it, vs. me rolling up at quarter to 6. Other times they might sit open with no expectation of restarting for hours.
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There are so many factors that it's hard to say cost was the deciding factor here. Kings Dominion Fanatics While not having as turbulent of a relationship with KD is usually honest in their coverage and is linking this to a power outage that wasn't cleared up till sometime today. Given the effects that the storm had and that Hannover County Schools have been closed all week including tomorrow it seems reasonable thar especially with another winter storm moving in to make a weather call for this weekend.
I doubt that as it was the last two days I would assume that KD was using supplies that were on hand rather then bringing things in. But the power outage could have led to food loss especially if there were issues with Maintenace getting in and running generators but that is speculation.
For what it is worth, both the KD intestate sign and the Eiffel Tower Christmas “tree” are fully lit right now.
Well given their history of closing the park down entirely in unfavorable weather, and the empty park last Sunday., this isn’t surprising.
It may well be power related. But given their bad reputation for closing for rain, it’s well deserved to say they simply closed because they thought they would have a low crowd with the rain and cold predicted this weekend.
They are abscond of the worse parks for closing for weather that will affect their crowds. Kennywood is the worse.
If it wasn’t for the backup plan of having BG near by, I don’t think I would travel to KD at all. Given the chances they won’t operate if it rains. Been burnt by them too many times.
Like I said, it may be legitimate but they have a loooong way to go to overcome their bad reputation for closing. This doesn’t help
But at least they announced it two days ahead so people wouldn’t travel or get hotels etc.
It may well be power related. But given their bad reputation for closing for rain, it’s well deserved to say they simply closed because they thought they would have a low crowd with the rain and cold predicted this weekend.
They are abscond of the worse parks for closing for weather that will affect their crowds. Kennywood is the worse.
If it wasn’t for the backup plan of having BG near by, I don’t think I would travel to KD at all. Given the chances they won’t operate if it rains. Been burnt by them too many times.
Like I said, it may be legitimate but they have a loooong way to go to overcome their bad reputation for closing. This doesn’t help
But at least they announced it two days ahead so people wouldn’t travel or get hotels etc.
Cedar Fair is a business, not a non-profit charity. Their operating model appears to be not to open a park, or close it early, when the costs to keep keep a park operational greatly exceed the income from admissions-meals-merchandise-games-upcharge activities.
My guess is 3000 to 4000 visitors minimum to keep the park open. Even then, there would be a reduction in the number of food locations open and other adminities and attractions available.
If there is just a few hundred visitors in the park, they will more than likely close the park early. Hell, thats what happened several times when I worked there from 1979-1983 under Taft/KECO ownership.
If some of you on here, ran the park like you wanted, the park chain would be bankrupt in 6 months.
My guess is 3000 to 4000 visitors minimum to keep the park open. Even then, there would be a reduction in the number of food locations open and other adminities and attractions available.
If there is just a few hundred visitors in the park, they will more than likely close the park early. Hell, thats what happened several times when I worked there from 1979-1983 under Taft/KECO ownership.
If some of you on here, ran the park like you wanted, the park chain would be bankrupt in 6 months.
Honestly i am in the middle on this one. Cedar Fair obviously has to run these parks profitably but on the other hand I know people that booked hotel rooms this weekend in plans of going to KD. At least one of whom booked through a third party and can now only get a credit back on that booking not a refund. I give KD the benefit of the doubt on this truly being weather and not money related. Also not to ramble on but while KD does a decent job communicating closures that has not been my experience at other CF parks. Twice I have been bitten by going to a CF park on a day where the weather had been bad earlier in the day but had cleared up only to be turned away at the gate because of an unannounced early closing. I both cases I had actively checked all forms of social media and park website and found no notice of an early closing including rechecking after being turned away as they were closing. That is not the type of image or reputation that a chain should be getting.
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For this upcoming weekend, there seems to be lingering effects from Monday's storm that contributed to the park closing early for the season. Storm damage in the park and, if an extended power outage of more than 12 hours, means throwing out all perishable food and even frozen foods that thawed out. They are not going to order new food for just 2 days left in the calendar.
As for other early closings, if they don't have enough visitors in the park to at least break even on operating costs, the park is going to close early. Even Little Orphan Annie singing "Oh, the sun will come out this afternoon" is not going to change their operational decision if only a couple dozen additional folks show up at the park with the sun. I am pretty sure the park and Cedar Fair have algorithms/statistics they use to make those decisions.
The bottom line is that it sucks for both park visitors and the park itself. COVID has wrecked havoc on Cedar Fair's financials for 2 years now. It seems that the chain is taking draconian measures currently to make sure they can stay financially solvent so all parks can operate period. Its either they take a ding on their image/reputation or we can look at the "For Sale" sign when driving along I-95.
Yeah again I basically give them a pass on this weekend to do the situation. It's worth noting that both of my experiences at the other CF parks were in 2019 so Covid played no roll in those situations. I really don't have a problem with early closings do to low attendance it's the lack of communication about it that I have personally seen and heard about at other CF parks that I have an issue with. KD seems to be the exception to that as they are almost always good about posting early closings.
Businesses exist to make money. The number 1 rule of a well run business is to not cheat the customers. Screwing customers repeatedly eventually chases customers away and loses business.
Not operating as advertised is the same as false advertising. A trait of an unethical business
Weather has always been factor in the business. The parks don’t extend hours when attendance is higher than expected Not until recently did parks start closing just because of low crowds.
A family can easily have $500 plus tied up in travel and lodging in one of these trips. If a destination is known for ghost closures, the only customers it will be able to obtain is locals.
KD attendance is dismal year after year. Even in 2021 when other parks were overflowing with customers, my trips to KD saw the same poor crowds. The park is hardly ever crowded despite its prime location relative to DC and very busy I95. Years of mis management, including these ghost closures, has lead to this. Not good business decisions IMO
They may have well closed this weekend due to storm damage. But their bad reputation proceeds this weekend and every closure further adds to that bad reputation.
Not operating as advertised is the same as false advertising. A trait of an unethical business
Weather has always been factor in the business. The parks don’t extend hours when attendance is higher than expected Not until recently did parks start closing just because of low crowds.
A family can easily have $500 plus tied up in travel and lodging in one of these trips. If a destination is known for ghost closures, the only customers it will be able to obtain is locals.
KD attendance is dismal year after year. Even in 2021 when other parks were overflowing with customers, my trips to KD saw the same poor crowds. The park is hardly ever crowded despite its prime location relative to DC and very busy I95. Years of mis management, including these ghost closures, has lead to this. Not good business decisions IMO
They may have well closed this weekend due to storm damage. But their bad reputation proceeds this weekend and every closure further adds to that bad reputation.
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Crowds have actually been pretty heavy this year. Park has been busier than expected for about half my visits. Twice on a Saturday in summer thanks to the Carnivale event and opening weekend for haunt, which was probably the most packed I've seen the park in a very long time (the entire parking lot was completely full in September).
With how crappy the weather has been and the apparent damage inside the park due to the storm last weekend, it doesn't really surprise me that the company decided to close the park. Most families probably wouldn't go out in a time like this anyway
With how crappy the weather has been and the apparent damage inside the park due to the storm last weekend, it doesn't really surprise me that the company decided to close the park. Most families probably wouldn't go out in a time like this anyway
@super7 I could type up 3 paragraphs to basically explain how your assumptions are wrong, but in kindness I’ll keep it short. You’re wrong.
In regards to this past weekend. It snowed like hell, it was raining, power outages were long and lead to loss of food, and minor damages to buildings and lights across the park would have been visible to guests. Would have been miserable for everybody. They get a pass.
In regards to this past weekend. It snowed like hell, it was raining, power outages were long and lead to loss of food, and minor damages to buildings and lights across the park would have been visible to guests. Would have been miserable for everybody. They get a pass.
It is ironic that super7 spends 99% of his post contredicting his first sentence.
It is the same logic that some season pass holders have that, by buying one, they think it entitles them to dictate to the park how they should operate.
A season pass is a privilage, granted by the park, to allow visitors to have an opportunity to visit on all PUBLIC operating days for the year. OPERATING SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. (Just emphasizing the small print).
The cost for a Gold pass, (It seems the majority of season passes sold), equates to the cost of 2 visits. Starting on your 3rd visit, you are getting in for zip. I can't tell you how many times season pass holders have whined that the park closed early, was closed for a private event, or did not open at all due to a major weather event or power outage. They want their money back or think they are entitled to some sort of compensation. The only time I could see the park compensating a season pass holder is if they only could open one day for the whole year.
Its like getting a vacation rental somewhere. The area has a bad weather event, while you are there, that disrupts your plans. You go to the rental agency to ask for your money back. They are going to say sorry; but we don't refund money back for bad weather. Even travel insurance has limitations on what they will cover. Its life and you are going to have to make the best of the situation or get in the car and go home.
It is the same logic that some season pass holders have that, by buying one, they think it entitles them to dictate to the park how they should operate.
A season pass is a privilage, granted by the park, to allow visitors to have an opportunity to visit on all PUBLIC operating days for the year. OPERATING SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. (Just emphasizing the small print).
The cost for a Gold pass, (It seems the majority of season passes sold), equates to the cost of 2 visits. Starting on your 3rd visit, you are getting in for zip. I can't tell you how many times season pass holders have whined that the park closed early, was closed for a private event, or did not open at all due to a major weather event or power outage. They want their money back or think they are entitled to some sort of compensation. The only time I could see the park compensating a season pass holder is if they only could open one day for the whole year.
Its like getting a vacation rental somewhere. The area has a bad weather event, while you are there, that disrupts your plans. You go to the rental agency to ask for your money back. They are going to say sorry; but we don't refund money back for bad weather. Even travel insurance has limitations on what they will cover. Its life and you are going to have to make the best of the situation or get in the car and go home.
Not to mention tickets and ticket purchases always have small print that the parks are subject to closure due to weather. I’ve yet to get a ticket to anything outdoors that doesn’t say that.
