International Street- PKI will transform International Street into a winter wonderland...decorating the Eiffel Tower as the world's largest Christmas tree. The streets will be lined with shops selling holiday crafts, sweets, and gifts. Also, the International Street Fountain will be open for ice skating. Look for the Nickelodeon characters to be out on the ice as well. Each night the park will select one lucky family to kick things of with the lighting of the tower.
The White Christmas Express- Kings Island will transform the steam engines into a Christmas train ride circa 1940, taking guests through numerous scenes and into a snow covered village.
Holiday Illuminations- A light show on Swan Lake in Rivertown, set to everyone's favorite holiday tunes.
Toy Factory Musical- A stage show depicting Santa's toy workshop
WinterfestHaus- offering a king size holiday meal, and live entertainment from international performers doing christmas song and dance from other cultures.
Santas ChristmasTown- no winter event would be complete without a visit to Santa Claus.
Nickelodeon Holiday Tree Lot- Guests can visit and get a photo with... all of the Nickelodeon characters in this tree lot themed attraction. PKI promises snowfall every night here.
Bubba Gumps Yuletide Feast- Serving shrimp, holiday music of the rock variety, and Mardi Gras style Christmas theming.
Scrooges House- look for him on International Street.
Christmas Parade- old time hometown style parade.
Tickets go on sale July 25th. Specific day tickets are available on a limited basis through November 6th for $17.99. General admission gate tickets, if applicable... will be $24.99.
My advice, if you wish to go, I would reserve your tickets for a specific day, and do it soon. This event is sure to be immensely popular with the locals, and it's likely that many days may sell out. Because about only half the park being used for the event, PKI is only allowing a certain number of people in for the evening. Anyone making any kind of lengthy trip would be well advised to make reservations in advance.
We can only dream for now...
As for Carowinds, I really can't say if any rides will run or not. I would be inclined to say possibly some....weather permitting, because usually Charlotte gets a lot milder December than Cincinnatti, but somehow I doubt that Carowinds will run any rides not themed for Winterfest. Don't hold me to that particular statement, but I don't think it will happen.
WinterFest Returns to Paramount's Kings Island
By Katie McGuire
November 19, 2005: The Cincinnati-area tradition, gone for more than a decade, shows theme park fans that a cold-weather park can deliver holiday cheer, too.