Based on what I've seen from the site and descriptions here, I'm going to have to see what the event is like after it opens before make a decision.
I'm generally not a fan the holiday as a whole and generally dislike CT at BGW. I'm not seeing a whole lot of things I'd be interested in doing and the ride collection open seems a bit smaller than what was hyped up previously.
Based on what I've seen from the site and descriptions here, I'm going to have to see what the event is like after it opens before make a decision.
I'm generally not a fan the holiday as a whole and generally dislike CT at BGW. I'm not seeing a whole lot of things I'd be interested in doing and the ride collection open seems a bit smaller than what was hyped up previously.
That’s what I said! We were told TT would be open for WF and yet, it’s not! Americana should be open, but it’s not. Grizzly and AZ should be open, but they’re not. There are SO MANY rides that could be open, but they’re not.
I'm not saying TT would be open, because opening it would be a huge mistake due to its aversion to cold, but previous times in the the park indicated that it would have a large selection of rides open.
Alright, so I took pictures of mostly everything yesterday and I’ll just say that I’m even more excited for WinterFest now! Some of this might seem repetitive from other posts, but I hope to make up for it with pictures!
The little store in the Dominator is definitely my favorite so far. It is filled with King’s Dominion ornaments: Racer 75, Twisted Timbers, Volcano, Intimidator 305, Grizzly, and Dominator ride ornaments are available, in addition to four different WinterFest ornaments (I hope to get the four WinterFest and the Intimidator ones!). They’re a little pricey though; each one is $15 each, but you can get 2 for $25 and 3 for $30... not sure how much higher that deal goes.
The unnamed WinterFest store on I-Street near Mrs. Klaus’ Kitchen has a nativity theme, with stuffed animals themed to the nativity animals and other various Bethlehem-related goodies. There are even some Santa and Jesus ornaments and statues and such. I’m really happy that Cedar Fair is including the Christmas Story in KD’s WinterFest! Only half of this particular shop is completed, but the person working in the shop told me that the other half of this store will be transformed into yet ANOTHER WinterFest shop before the final Haunt weekend. Not sure if it will be more of the same theme or if it will be something entirely different.
The “tacky” (in a good sense!) Christmas lights in the first half of Planet Snoopy are up. I imagine they’ll complete this project soon. I really hope they take the tacky thing to a whole new level in this area and have blow molds and stuff all throughout it.... then again, I think they’re trying to go for more of a Charlie Brown Christmas theme in this area and we’ll probably see blow molds elsewhere (maybe WinterFest Way/Candy Apple Grove?).
Speaking of WinterFest Way, lights have been added to the bases of the candy apples in a tree-fashion. It kind of works with the current Cleaver Bros. zone, so I could imagine the park working these lights into the zone in future years.
They’ve also added normal lights to the trees throughout both WinterFest Way and International Street. Also, the sign for Prancer’s Festive Funnel Cakes is up next to the Cinnabon, featuring Rudolph, oddly enough. Lastly, the preparations for the ice skating rink have begun!
Ice skating on Snowflake Lake (plus skate rental) is $15, dropped down to $12.50 with a purchase of four or more. No idea how long the "time slots" are.
An $11 Winterfest souvenir mug allows free day-of hot chocolate refills and $1 refills the rest of the season. Is this cheaper than BGW? (No idea if the hot chocolate will taste as good as CT though.)
The cookie decorating experience costs $15 and includes four large cookies plus decorations and toppings. (As a random aside, this will be located in the building next to Cinnabon on International Street.)
The heated cabana "igloos" are $299.
Looks like tickets will have tiered pricing, starting at $25. There's also a "good any night" ticket for $31. Excluding the Twinkle Ticket discounts, this is insanely cheaper than BGW, right?
It also looks like there is no Christmas Town "Fun Card" equivalent for Winterfest. You either have a season pass or buy a daily ticket.
Anyone heard pricing on the carriage rides or any other info. How about where the igloos will be located? If its a good location with a cool view it would be worth it just to hang out in one night.
After looking around the park yesterday one thing is for sure, they are moving full steam ahead with decorating. International Street is covered in wreaths and garyland. They have also installed new Christmas lights and color wash lights on the buildings. The ice rink looks like it stops about 25 foot short of using the whole fountain, I assume that is whee they will put the refridgeration equipment. Busch touts 10 million lights and KD said they will have 2 million, but I think KD has used the lights wisely. Its hard to find a tree or busch that does not have lights on it.
After looking around the park yesterday one thing is for sure, they are moving full steam ahead with decorating. International Street is covered in wreaths and garyland. They have also installed new Christmas lights and color wash lights on the buildings. The ice rink looks like it stops about 25 foot short of using the whole fountain, I assume that is whee they will put the refridgeration equipment. Busch touts 10 million lights and KD said they will have 2 million, but I think KD has used the lights wisely. Its hard to find a tree or busch that does not have lights on it.
I’ve been looking for a light count! Just curious, where did you find that number? Also, I have pictures!
They have also added signage to the North Pole Post Office, which I didn’t realize would be so close to St. Nick’s Pics!
The weirdest update is that they decided to close the unnamed Bethlehem shop and the new WinterFest shop attached to that one. I was able to look into the tinted glass and while I couldn’t see much of the new shop, I could see some trees and some giant nutcrackers! I guess we’ll have to wait until WinterFest to fully see what’s in there!
I’m unsure if anyone from the forum plans to be at the park tomorrow, but if so, would anyone be able to take pictures of the WinterFest prep? I would do it myself but I will not be able to make it tomorrow, and I’m sure the park has done a lot since Haunt ended!
Apologies for the double post, but once again, I felt that this deserved more than just an edit on my previous post. Here are some things that I noticed when browsing the map.
1) As I said in an edit on my last post, 52 and 54 have been misplaced. Tinker's Toy Factory takes place in Peanuts Showplace and the Coke Polar Party takes place in, well, the Coca-Cola Polar Bear Plaza. Makes sense, right?
2) Looks like Reindeer Roundup will take place in front of the Cornstalkers entrance. For those who don't know what this is, I believe that these are animatronic reindeer. At least that's the impression I got from my quick research.
3) There will be a movie playing in the right side of the Action Theater entitled Sleigh Ride in 3D. Sounds cool!
4) In general, it looks like a lot of the activities are taking place inside shops (St. Nick's Pics, Mrs. Claus' Kitchen, North Pole Post Office, etc.). I'm interested in seeing which of these end up being permanent attractions (much like indoor Haunt mazes) and which ones will be built in a way that could be quickly removed before Opening Day 2019.
5) Looks like Holly Jolly Trolley is placed in front of the floral clock. I thought this was a travelling show that had multiple stops around the park. Maybe this is the starting point?
6) I really hope the Singing Mushrooms have a Christmas soundtrack. That would be so cool and it would be unique to KD. Also, I wish for oversized Santa hats!
7) Toy Soldier Alley has a particularly interesting setup. Four Drummers Drumming looks like it is taking place either inside or outside of the Three Point Challenge game area, and carriage rides are taking place at the entrance of Safari Village. I hope there's some sort of light display along Safari Village for riders to see as they go along the area.
8) Looks like Blue Ridge Tollway is getting a WinterFest overlay! I imagine this will be similar to the train ride overlay at other Cedar Fair WinterFest events.
9) Another general note: I hope the park really goes all out on the little decorations seen on the map, such as the decorated Americana and the stars on top of various rides.
Let me know if you see anything else! I'm beyond ready for this event to begin!!!
Argh! I've already left the park and now I see the whole crew is there. I shot a bunch of video for a WinterFest prep video. I think it'll be up tomorrow or Monday.
KDFans went to the park on Saturday to get new construction pictures. The new ornament shop was actually really impressive. I've already bought two for myself and one as a gift.
Check out this panorama of one have of the store (the worse half, in my personal opinion):
