I remember quite a few times when the park use to open early March where 305 couldn't run at least at park open do to cold temps. On top of that there are going to be few guests that will want to ride a ride like that in the cold even if it's open.
Winterfest 2024
- Thread starter horsesboy
- Start date
Yeah I can't really see Pantherian running during Winterfest. If they were to add another roller coaster or two to the line up, I could see either Flight Of Fear since it runs at KI's Winterfest or one of the woodies. Racer75 did operate the first year of Winterfest. I'd love to see Reptilian open too but I could be biased because lowkey it's one of the best roller coasters in the park.
Tumbili can operate in 33 degrees from what I remember from its opening day, so it’s a good contender. I hope Rapterra is a good enough excuse to open up the area next year, and Tumbili could stay open even if the other coasters can’t.
34 degrees is the official cutoff. With both coasters closed tonight, the park did feel lively while not too crowded.
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40 for TT is not right. I heard mutiple times during the 1st or 2nd week it was running in its 30s
What, does Winterfest at Canada's Wonderland not count?
Thunder Run is the only coaster that operates due to the climate, but Sledghammer makes up for that.
KD will ignore minimum operating temps under certain circumstances. Like if the ride was operating all day and the temp drops during the last hour or so of operation. It also can vary depending on who is Unit 1 & Unit 100 at that point in time...
Yuletide Follies, which replaced Cool Yule, is quite good and possibly the best show yet at the legacy Cedar Fair WinterFest events. The old-school classic songs and arrangements feel very much like the current house style of Knott's Berry Farm, so I have a feeling the show was produced with multiple parks in mind. I imagine we'll see it at Carowinds and Kings Dominion next season.
At least for dominator what I've heard is that this year as long as it's over 40 at opening they'll open it and then keep operating until the cycle time gets too high
I had it close last year mid load cycle and have staff say it was do to a low temp alarm. Not sure if that was real or just an easy excuse.
Dominator doesn't have temperature sensors. Probably just the terminology they used. Cycle time was high due to low temperature so that's what they went with and much easier to explain to the guests.
If they unloaded coincidentally when the other train entered the final brake run, then it's because of cycle time. The timer runs from the time the train exits the lift until it hits the final brake run. So if the train hit the brakes and the timer didn't give them a good number or caused a ride fault. Then they would need to unload the station and cycle down ASAP.
Kings Island operated Racer and Mystic Timbers this year in temperatures in the upper 20s. Racer was racing as well with 1 train on each side. I am unsure what temp Flight of Fear stops but the new Vekoma jr shuttle was operating in at least temps below 35.
They have operated Mystic timbers every year for Winterfest and it hasn’t interfered with ride maintenance.
It seems that operating the wooden coasters is a key to having major rides open for these events.
I actually skipped Kings Dominion this year because of the short operating hours and lack of attractions versus the travel time. I did attend Carowinds because they operated on weekends when the other parks were closed and combined it with a trip to Dollywood during the week
So even myself who goes for the atmosphere and lights takes into consideration the number of attractions open, and the operating hours.
I did skip BGW, for the first time in several years despite the longer operating days because the lights are so unimpressive and the top coasters IMO there were closed this year. Plus a general disdain towards that park for all of the tricks. They’ve pulled over the years towards customers.
They have operated Mystic timbers every year for Winterfest and it hasn’t interfered with ride maintenance.
It seems that operating the wooden coasters is a key to having major rides open for these events.
I didn’t include CW because I have never been there for this event. And I doubt if I ever will go given it small footprint, short operating hours(like all Winterfests). and lack of attractions. It’s just not worth the trip.
I actually skipped Kings Dominion this year because of the short operating hours and lack of attractions versus the travel time. I did attend Carowinds because they operated on weekends when the other parks were closed and combined it with a trip to Dollywood during the week
So even myself who goes for the atmosphere and lights takes into consideration the number of attractions open, and the operating hours.
I did skip BGW, for the first time in several years despite the longer operating days because the lights are so unimpressive and the top coasters IMO there were closed this year. Plus a general disdain towards that park for all of the tricks. They’ve pulled over the years towards customers.
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Winterfest and christmas town have the same hours. 5-10. If you like shows then Busch is more than worth it. They just as decorated if not more with their Pompeii lightshow. I used to be all over winterfest but I think Busch is winning me over. Literally everything is decorated and they have 2 lightshows. If Busch is "unimpressive" then maybe you just don't like lights lol
To me, the most unimpressive thing at Christmastown is their tree. KD has them beat on that front x3.
Yea yiu can not beat the eiffel tower. Its insane to watch. Busch needs to go back to their physical decorated tree vs that LED garbage
Went again tonight and stayed from about 5:30 until close. Park was practically empty for the most part, with some small lines for rides here and there. Caught glimpses of Four Drummers Drumming, Sounds of the Nativity, and A Peanuts Guide to Christmas and there were very small audiences for all of them. Tinkers was canceled tonight for unknown circumstances. Great night all around!
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Shocking to hear because BGW was SLAMMED tonight.
It was also lightly raining on and off with only one indoor show and one two indoor restaurants KD is a much harder sale in iffy weather.
On both Dominator and TT, the Christmas lights end the second you get in line. I wish they’d spruce up the queues a bit. TT has a few trees that can be utilized, and they could drape some lights off Dominator’s station at least.
But the views of international street off the top of Dominator’s lift are the best of any season. That ride has perfect placement for this.
But the views of international street off the top of Dominator’s lift are the best of any season. That ride has perfect placement for this.