Winterfest

[jornor]

WinterFest is Free for 2018 Gold, Platinum and Pre-K Season Passholders!

Kings Dominion will be magically transformed into a winter wonderland full of enchantment and holiday cheer! Become immersed in the season's spirit with spectacular holiday lights and decor, world-class live entertainment, savory treats and fanciful experiences throughout the park.

CRAFTER’S CORNER


Looking for the perfect gift for everyone on your list? Unique gifts and more will be available at Crafters Corner, where some of the best crafters in the region will be featured. Interested in becoming one of our Crafters? Contacts us here.

HOLIDAY FLAVORS TO SAVOR


Feast on scrumptious holiday favorites including roast turkey, hot chocolate, peppermint fudge and so much more!

FAMILY RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS


The holidays are even more cheerful when you can experience some of your favorite attractions. Select rides and attractions will be open for families and friends to enjoy together (weather pending).

HOLIDAY SIGHTS TO BEHOLD


Millions of lights and falling snow will adorn the midways and uniquely themed areas. International Street will be transformed into a winter wonderland complete with a 70-foot tall Christmas tree decorated with over 40,000 ornaments while the Eiffel Tower is converted into a 300-foot Christmas tree featuring a state-of-the-art light show.

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON


We’re spreading Christmas cheer and singing loud for all to hear! Catch performances of Cool Yule Christmas, Jingle Jazz and be dazzled by Snoopy and the gang in Snoopy’s Ice Show.

FESTIVE FUN FOR ALL


Enjoy ice skating on Snowflake Lake in the shadow of the iconic Eiffel Tower, visit the North Pole Post Office where elves will help the kids mail a letter to Santa, decorate cookies in Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen and more.

 

[Nicole]

I'm not entirely sure why, but KD has put up several Winterfest 2018 displays.  PK got some pictures for us, which he already posted to the Haunt 2017 thread.  I thought it might make sense to have them here, as well.

 

[Zimmy]

maybe they figure this is when they will capture the most marketing attention? Big crowds??

 

[Nicole]

I'd agree, if the event were starting this year and not in 2018.

 

[CastleOSullivan]

With all of this heavy advertising, I thought at first that it was this year. If I didn't read this site so much I probably would have been at the front gate for Winterfest wondering "Where is everybody?" XD

 

[Zimmy]

Same. I missed that it was not for another year.

 

[MAZ]

The moose out front shoulda told ya.

 

[Nicole]

At ACE's Fall Thrillfest yesterday we got some information on Winterfest.

Gary Chadwick said much of Safari Village will be closed. We aren't sure what they consider to be included, however. Flight of Fear? Intimidator? Honestly, it will make me sad, if they don't open Avalanche.

He also said that they will keep as many of the remaining rides open as possible, depending on the weather. So, attractions could be open earlier in the day and then shut down, as the mercury drops.

 

[Pretzel Kaiser]

Avalanche and Flight of Fear should be in the list.

 

[phurst]

I've never really understood the correlation between temperature and a parks ability to run a ride. Is it just that it's uncomfortable for the guests, or is there an actual mechanical reason a coaster can't operate in the cold. Can someone enlighten me?

 

[Pretzel Kaiser]

Manufacturers have operating temps for the rides for mechanical reasons. I'm not an engineer, but I would imagine that hydrolic fluid might have something to do with it.

 

[bill s]

Some coasters will actually valley due to the drag of cold wheels, see Nitro at SFGAdv which they do run in all weather, B&M notwithstanding. When I was there last on a chilly morning, they made everyone sit in the front. They can change wheel types, if it warms up then you get a faster ride. I305 runs noticeably slower in the cold, but no chance whatsoever of valleying and it certainly feels fast enough on your face.

 

[Zimmy]

The following are just some thoughts, they are not meant to be taken as gospel. I am not a coaster engineer.

metal alloys can become brittle at low temps. Often rides flex and bend (watch Nessie some time) Further lubricants have ideal working temps. If you have ever owned a car in a cold region you may recall that it may have been necessary for you to use a special oil or transmission fluid. This is also why motor oil can break down at high temp.
I don't know the specifics but in modern rides, particularly B&Ms tolerances are very tight. Hence the smooth ride. the down side of tight tolerances is a lack of slop and therefore less flexibility in alloys and lubricants.

 

[Mushroom]

Remember how Chad said Winterfest will feature over a dozen live shows, and how many of us thought he was just grossly overestimating?

Looks like he may be telling to truth. Kings Island's Winterfest has a whopping lineup of 14 live shows, so it would come as no surprise if KD had a similar number. Granted, many of these shows are smaller street performances, but nonetheless, 14 live shows is nothing to squawk at.

 

[Zachary]

Included in that lineup is a show called "What the Dickens?!" and a sing-along "show."

I'm cringing.

 

[CastleOSullivan]

Busch Gardens Williamsburg probably had about that number of shows during the first 2-3 years of Christmas Town, with several areas still closed. They just didn't put street performances on the schedule.

That is a big number though, now that BGW has eliminated most street performances. I wouldn't be surprised to see that number change. They probably don't realize yet how difficult it is for instrumentalists to perform with frostbite.

 

[Shane]

Well Carowinds has released their show lineup for Winterfest and it is exactly 12 shows so I imagine that KD's may be idential: https://www.carowinds.com/play/winterfest/attractions-activities

 

[Mushroom]

[split] International Street

I apologize if this is slightly off topic, but what is the show scheduled to be at the Bandstand for Winterfest? I've been dying for information about Winterfest and I'll take any little bit I can get!

According to early promotional material, it's Cool Yule, a mostly singing-focused stage show.

 

[Nicole]

There is a small section on WinterFest in the new KDFans photo update linked here.

 

[mtorange]

Winterfest audition dates have been announced! Information can be found at https://www.kingsdominion.com/live-entertainment. Looks like they are looking for singer, musicians, character actors, Peanuts characters, technicians, and ushers!