[CMT]

After reading the preceeding comments regarding the 2005 Winterfest, I get a feeling that most people feel like they really enjoy the event, but feels like the park could do more. I was wondering what kind of "Christmasie" ideas you guys had in mind for the park to improve the Winterfest experience for guest in future years.

[bgwfreak]

Bring back the Carolina Queen!!!

The ghost of paddleboats past. lol

Ok on a serious note.

The skating rink should be doubled if not trippled. Way too small this year.

The parade was great, but it was dark out there you couldn't see it. They need some sort of lighting either on-board or along the route.

I would like to see Scooby Doo's HM dressed up for Christmas. At least put Santa hats on stuff and maybe string a few lights.

Dollywood also was amazing in terms of lights, they had lights on EVERYTHING, anything that wasn't moving had lights on it!!!

I'd love to see something more in the way of lights.

I'd like to see more actors in the park. The Ice Princess was cool, but they could use more of those folks. The "chimeny sweep" trio was cool as well.

Also, more rides would be nice. Maybe a 3-D movie in Action FX. I'm sure there's got to be a simulator christmas film out there somewhere.

And on a personal note, it would be nice to see something like a nativity, or even a live nativity in the park. That would be cool. I know it's Winterfest, but it's obvious that it's about Christmas. You don't see Kwanza decorations in the park now do you?

Overall this was a great first year. I just hope they add maybe another section of the park next year.

[CoasterChris]

I would open up more of the park like Thrill Zone & Boardwalk adding some thrill for adults.


Ricochet, Goldrusher & Drop Zone.

There's also tons of room for improvement with the decorations throughout Nick Central by Borg and RRR.

Also i do love the current fountain show but it could be bigger and one last thing..... A much bigger skateing rink.

[coasterbruh]

-more lights-
its amazing what regular lights strung up in the tree can do vs. fancy light objects (like the ones on top of cinnabon). While I was still in awe over them I think some more lights in jolly jam (perferably orange) and some light characters animated could have done wonders!. The carolina christmas area is what should set the standard as far as how the lights should be for next years event.

-better themed areas-
While I like the fact that the park tried to play on the themes of the original lands I think it could have been a tad bit better. In tinsel town I would have had mainly blue and white lights (tinsel town=hollywood=paramount=blue and white B) ). I would have animated flim strip light objects and movie theme light objects. The santa stage was perfect! As well as the tree on the drum. In jolly jam I would have mainly orange lights string in the trees and white large bulbs strung in a county fair style way. I would have light objects shaped like the nick characters. I would have an indoor meet and greet area with the characters in a christmas back drop geared to their theme.

Now im at a toss up of what the music played in that area should be. While the current music is perfect for the event and the area, I think it may be a cool touch to have the nick characters singing classic christmas carols and even some new scores and even have the soundtrack avaliable for purchase in the various open shops. I think the fairly odd coaster could have been open and something done in that area because that area was kinda dead (but hey it made for ERT on the flyers!). And I would expand on kids corner area and possible make it indoors. Not to mention some nick themed christmas trees.

In rivertown I would give it a rustic look and have classic solid color bulbs and I know this may never happen due to the fact thats its not stage indoors but have a classic christmas show in the area. Illimunations, DONT TOUCH IT! It was perfect! Dont know anywhere else in the park it could have been executed. The music was perfect as well as the light show. I was blown away. Change carolina christmas into something else like wonderland or something like that. Love the white lights and kelidascope (spl?) and the penguins and turn the area into the christmas fantasy section. And the santa's workshop will fit the theme also. Have an outdoor walk thru attraction themed around something lol lol in that area.

Now I would actually turn carolina board walk into the carolina christmas section and have multicolored lights all over the area. Give the gold rusher a "Carolina christmas express" theme and have various christmas themed items along the course. I would also open up ricochet and theme ti up a little. And on that stage have a musical show with carolina beach music style carols sung.

-more enertainment-
I think with the addition of atleast 2 more shows the event would be great! I know its a paramount park but with carolina themed shows and things of that nature, the guest would be blown away and taken back to yester years of growing up in the carolinas. As I have mention several times the santas work shop was by far the best show I have ever seen of that caliber. I didnt get a chance to see the parade (got a lil bored by 8 and decided to go home) But im sure its a hit also. I loved how the roaming characters were really in "character" and as far as the skating rink. I dont think the problem is with the size of the rink but the price! I think something should be donw about that because that will kill a family of 4. Now if it was like 5 dollars with your own skates and 6 for skating and skates I think that sounds a little better. Also I have to agree that a film in the action fx theater would greatly help and keep guest warm for a period of time.

-more known-
While I live in columbia sc I think the park can really benefit from advertising in the area. Around here its NOTHING to do with the exception of the zoon (which is a very very good holiday event) and I think that can generate more guest. While driving along the way to the park I saw not one billboard promoting the event.

Thast all I can think of right now lol lol. Sorry if some of my ideas may seem far fetched but hey, thats how I would like to see winterfest!

[MarkD]

Interesting article in the Observer.

<a href='http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/business/13410664.htm' target='_blank'>Winterfest 2005</a>

I agree I think it will grow but they definantly need more interatction with quests and more show type attractions. Maybe put a great story teller on the Nick Stage while having the stage decorated and actors to play out the parts.

[coasterbruh]

The article failed to showcase the best attraction at winterfest this year...



More photos comming in my PHOTO Trip Report!

[bgwfreak]

^ When did you enroll at Hogwarts?

[coasterbruh]

^ I knew it was comming! It wasn't until after I got the scarf I realize that was the color scheme!

Jarvis "Wind Guardian Levey O'so" Morant