WinterFest 2022

[Crunchewy]

If they are going to do Wed / Thurs they really need to look at more reasonable hours for the target audience. As the event is heavily targeting families and kids, a late evening event on a school night is going to have limited appeal.

Shifting to a mid-afternoon start time such as opening from 2-7 or 2-8 would widen the appeal to younger kids who aren’t in school or as an after school activity or field trip.

Sure but a main draw are the lights. Day time Winterfest lights not too great

 

[Bryzzo]

I'm going tonight. This will be the first time I've attended Winterfest. I know the park officially opens at 5pm, but can you show up early & if so what time will they let you inside? For example I know on regular days you can show up about an hour early & they'll let you inside the front of the park.

 

[RollyCoaster]

You can get into the parking lot 1 hour before open and they typically open the front gates 30 minutes before open.

 

[fugitiveALiEN]

The park tried and no one was showing up for Wed & Thur nights. Not going to take losses like that. Now I understand why the parade was canceled both nights.

The numbers that resale gave us was about 800 guests for Thursday, so it makes sense. There was a huge difference in crowds despite it being pretty average last night. They did confirm with us crafters yesterday that Wednesdays and Thursdays will be cancelled until daily operation starts on the 16th.

 

[rswashdc]

Sure but a main draw are the lights. Day time Winterfest lights not too great

Opening mid afternoon instead of 5pm doesn’t preclude the lights being a draw. A big problem with the 5-10pm schedule is for weeknights that basically is a non starter for families with school age children.

A more optimal schedule would be to open at 2 or 3, have the lighting ceremony at 5, and then the parade at 6:30/7. This brings out the draw of the event and is more palatable for guests with children.

 

[Celticdog]

OMG...Winterfest was sooo much fun last night. We had a great time. The employees were all super friendly and engaging. The crowd was extremely small and the weather was perfect. The entertainment was really good, not super polished, but it was fun. Tinker's Toy Factory was a lot better than I expected. There is some super talented people at all the shows. I personally had fun with The Humbugs. Just yell out "humbug" at the end of a song. The lights are spectacular. The parade is great addition. They even had Virginia Beer Company's Evil Santa. Its one fine beer. BGW needs to step it up.

 

[bill s]

I tried the Cinnamon Bread, OMG. Worth all the fuss made over the Dollywood stuff. It is $1 more, though still less than a funnel cake (same shop), and smaller, but FRIED on a stick. Admittedly I didn't stand in line at The Grist Mill, just grabbed one from the Bakery on the way out of Dollywood, but it's not really the same thing. They are both even better reheated (not cooked or you'll have a brick, per a tramcar driver) in small doses later though.

Also tried the Shepherd's pie, meaty and good but pretty small, and not impressed with the sides since you already have some potatoes in it. And I probably should avoid the salt level.