pki winterfest

I remember that event, but I never heard how it went. I remember wondering "who would go to such a thing?" and didn't even go myself, thinking about how freakin cold it surely must've been, not to mention how long a trip it would be for just about everyone. I remember an attraction was a wagon ride that took you past the boundaries of the event, for rides under illuminated roller coasters and other rides. At least that was the plan. They had a nice logo for it, and you could get it on a sweatshirt, which I think they sold at the end of the summer season.

Yeah I think PKI is better suited for a Christmas gig than C.P. is. (although i remember freezing my ass off at Winterfest a couple of times, too!)

I think they could run these rides in the winter.

merry go round, demon drop, disaster transport, kiddy rides,dodgems, mattahorn<fits in great with the winter scene,space spiral, turnpike cars, cad cars and himalaha(sp).

All of these rides are near the front of the park, and I believe that they could be ridden in the winter without too much of a wind chill in your face.

They could also have shows in the good time theater and cenntenial theater. Not to mention the gift shops, games and foods.

They could have a horse driven slegh ride thrue the rest of the park with winter scenes like lights and decorations while playing christmas music over the speakers.

And they could have ice skating in the snake river falls splash down area, Aloung with the frontier trail decked out to a "santas village" theme with all the shops open.

These are just a few ideas how they could make it work.

Keep in mind, the rides were probably not designed to run in extreme cold and snowy conditions. The rides' mechanical systems may not be able to run in those conditions.

Demon Drop doesn't operate if there is a drop of moisture around it anywhere- I doubt seriously you'd get much ride time in the dead of winter.

The one event they did attempt had a sleigh ride if memory serves.

But, CP Mac said what everyone else did too:

"I remember wondering "who would go to such a thing?" and didn't even go myself..."

Opening rides isn't the answer for a winter event. And the gift shops on the trail would be some pretty cold buildings.

A more realistic view is:

1. Park open from Main Gate to Frontier Trail

2. Gift shops - Park Plaza, Pagoda, Snoopy Boutique

2. Shows at Centennial and Good Time Theatre

3. Walking tours on Trail to view big-time lighting display.

4. Balanced food lineup with Donut Time, Midway Market, Sweets N' Treats, Bay Harbor and Famous Dave's.

5. Midway Carousel

6. Various other activities in and around the Main Midway

But, as I said above, there are bigger market, staffing and scheduling issues to consider. The appeal for something like this is less than a regular amusement park visit for sure. But, if the market size is there, it might make sense.

*** Edited 7/28/2005 8:09:30 PM UTC by Walt***

Depending on what was offered, I would make the 3 hour trip in the winter and and stay at Castaway Bay. I do agree CP should wait and see for a couple of years and let Sandusky grow into more of a winter time draw.

Walt, was it you that had a video of the sleigh ride at CP.

http://www.pointbuzz.com/videos/cpchristmas.wmv

Thanks.

I was expecting snow... I think it would have been better with snow. It looked pretty boring, I mean on the video there were what? 2 people there? I would only go if there was some snow on the ground, I think it would set the scene a bit better because that looked pretty plain.

seeing as it gets supercold near any lake in the winter nothing could operate that used hydraulic fluids as the fluids would freeze.

It could work if there was some unique christmas stuff there for a few weeks in nice heated buildings, they could scrap DT and use its building:) (No one would ever know) *** Edited 8/1/2005 4:39:17 AM UTC by SFGA=toilet***

Wrong! Thank you for playing. It has to get pretty damn cold for hydraulic oil to freeze. What do you think is in your car's transmission?

It *sounds* like a good idea, but I'm not sure if I'd go or not. If they were offering behind the scene tours, or photo ops from "inside" the ride courses, I'd be there for sure.

I wouldn't go just to eat a few overpriced donuts and watch some Christmas lights.

My hubby used to go to Kings Island Winter-fest all the time and he says the shows were terrific! He has videos and I would have to agree with him. So if CP ( my favorite place even if I am 61 ) offered it, with a good show, I would definitely be there!

When KI wasnt yet PKI,we used to go to winterfest several times each year.We lived in Chicago at the time so it was a 6 hour drive.We traveled with two adults and 3 kids.We all enjoyed it.The place was lit up like a Christmas tree and was truly festive.In addition to the afformentioned ice skating,there were horse drawn wagon rides and some indoor rides.There were also two major musical Christmas shows which were truly outstanding.

KI lowered the prices for Winterfest,I think admisson was something like $15.00 and even the parking was reduced.If Cedar point ever had something similiar,I certainly would give it a try.
*** Edited 8/1/2005 1:20:04 PM UTC by Allan Birmantas sr***

Walt, speaking of Kings Island,Winter fest was very popular.Not sure it would be the same at CP.KI had two major show stages , which CP doesnt and at KI that was an important part of the event.Also the ice skating at the water fountains was a pretty big attraction.

After reading all the posts on this thread ,I think that many are comparing winterfest to the summer activities at an amusement park.Its nothing like that at all.It has nothing to do with coasters.Its just a Christmassy spirit which many of us love.Perhaps its not for everybody,but as I remember KI was pretty well attended and people seemed to be enjoynd themselves.I suppose its possible that they were mostly locals and the parking lot wasnt nearly as full.

Walt, dont you think that Cleveland gives CP a similiar local customer base as KI has?

PKI is within the Cincinnati metro area. Cedar Point is 60 miles from Cleveland.