CP Winter Wonderland

WinterFest at Kings Island one one of the most fun nights I've ever spent in that park and I'm from Dayton. Being able to skate on the fountain and enjoy a little bit of snow while inside the park was nice. Plus, they still had a couple small rides open which was cool.

Overall it was great and I was looking forward to going back in the second year.

Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village is easily one of the best holidays events we've ever attended. It is an absolute tradition for us. If you like Christmas at all you will LOVE Holiday Nights.

There is a city ordinance prohibiting ground fires, according to the folks at Camper Village.

Jason, your site is very interesting. I didn't realize that they did this.

So cool. I am sure it is in the works again and I look forward to it.

I know discussions like this have been going on for years, but hear me out.

For those of you who were at the Great Ohio Coaster Club event this past weekend, we saw that Kennywood's holiday lights event has become quite popular. If Kennywood does continue to have good attendance at their Holiday Lights event, is it wrong to think that it could happen at Cedar Point? When Kinzel was CEO I would say no way. But I think Quimett could be more open to something like this.

It isn't THAT cold in early December before Christmas. And the weather at Kennywood is pretty similar to the weather at Cedar Point for the most part.

Kennywood is in Pittsburgh, which has a huge population right there less than 30 minutes from the park. The closest large populations to CP are roughly an hour away. That's where the big problem comes in. Most people simply won't drive that far for an event like that.

I'm so happy that Kennywood has been successful with their Holiday Lights. It looks like they really put plenty of effort into it and priced it right. I posted last year that if they added a ride like Ghostwood Estate (especially with a holiday theme), I might just have to go.

Well, they did exactly that this year...it's open with a holiday theme. :) I'd love to go now, but I don't have any free time at the moment. If they somehow manage a holiday-themed Exterminator & Noah's Ark for this event next year, I'll just have to force some time to go. ;)

I don't see why something like this couldn't work at Kings Island. The last time it was attempted was 2005, and from what I read, there really didn't seem to be any killer draws. At least initially, it seemed overpriced as well. They needed to open more rides and make it more of a unique experience that nearby places couldn't match. With brilliant LED lights and the addition of social media, I think it's about time they give it another shot.

Ralph is right about the location issue. I used to have a trailer vacation home up on the marblehead peninsula across from CP from 05 till 09. We went up there in winter and the whole area, even downtown sandusky, was totally dead. It was like a ghost town. The lake would freeze up and the wind would numb your whole body when you barely went by the lake. Knowing this, I'm assuming people wouldn't want to drive an hour from cleveland or toledo to go to the park in winter. And they would probably just over charge admission and make you pay to park anyway.....

I see events like this more suited to smaller parks. Once you staffed and prepared CP for something like this, you would have to have a pretty high attendance to cover expenses. Given its location and the areas around it, and unpredictable weather (as pointed out above) I don't see it attracting enough people.

I don't see it working at Kings Island, either. Not only does the Cincinnati Zoo already do a fantastic Christmas lights display, but they have more to offer to guests. Other than skating on the fountains, what does Kings Island have to offer the Cincy area that would draw people away from the zoo?

I've never been to Pittsburgh in the winter, but imagine that the weather there, although cold, is less volatile than could be found on the peninsula. That has to be a factor right there.

Another more recent development that would cut against such an event at Cedar Point is the proliferation of snow tubing at ski resorts, of which there are three in the greater Cleveland area. While ski slopes had been daunting for those who can't ski, tubing is far easier and attractive for a family that is looking for outdoor fun, but doesn't want the learning curve of skiing.

One other reason might be the existence of Castaway Bay and Kalahari. Those places have decent advertising saturation, and a waterpark that's open during the winter would probably be more attractive on balance than any outdoor event the point could muster.

Plus, nothing beats sittng outside in the hot tub at kalahari when snow's all over...:)

When Kinzel was CEO I would say no way. But I think Quimett could be more open to something like this.

Steve, there is no Q in Ouimet.

^^With a beer in hand, of course.