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I've been sitting on this report for a while--a somewhat longer "while" than I'd planned. It was August 2018, and I was busily working on my Japan Trip Report--sorting through the photos (which took quite a long while, indeed) and writing the intro copy and the captions for each section. (Sometimes I plan ahead, but other times I just let it fly.) I'd met TPR at Cedar Point and fully intended to post this report between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but, as it often does, life got in the way; that is, a trip to WDW in September and a few Virginia park media days and holiday events got in the way. Before I knew it, Thanksgiving slipped into Christmas, which then slipped into New Year's Day. Then again, I do enjoy delayed gratification. Whether you will is your affair. Let's get back on point, shall we? This was only my second visit to Ohio's Coaster Mecca on Lake Erie, and the first time I'd met TPR there, which made the second visit all the better (and the first one was great). I shared a "lakefront cottage" with Eric and Larry, and our wake-up cal was Steel Vengeance's lift hill. You could set your watch by that thing. Speaking of CP's new RMC hotness, Steel Vengeance was excellent--an unrelenting airtime machine that doesn't let up from first drop until the end. It was crazy fun to ride during our nighttime ERT sessions (thanks for this, Robb and Elissa). To say that Steel Vengeance is better than its predecessor, Mean Streak, is to say the filet mignon makes a better meal the cheapest ground beef at Food Lion or that Beaujolais is better than Ripple. There is simply no comparison. That being said, I still slightly prefer Maverick to Steel Vengeance. Why? Because the latter is almost too much. I can marathon Maverick, but I have to take a periodic break from the relentless air of Steel Vengeance--probably because I'm getting older. That's life. Valravn was new to me, too. While I like Dive Machines in general, I'm not a big fan of this one (my least favorite of the ones I've ridden--Griffon is much more enjoyable). Here's a look at a great couple of days. Be sure you have your Fast Lane Plus! Thanks, again, for letting me join the group, Robb and Elissa! Steel Vengeance was the greatest “wake-up call” ever. Each morning, at around 8:00, they’d fire up the world’s loudest lift hill, . . . . . . which we couldn’t help but hear from our cottage in the campground. Everyone got their bearings? I find CP a bit tricky to navigate. It helps to use Top Thrill Dragster as a focal point. Looks like these folks need a Steel Vengeance wake-up call. To say this is a step up from Mean Streak is to damn with faint praise. Steel Vengeance is in an entirely different universe than its predecessor, as you can tell by this photo. The blur is from the train phasing into another dimension! It is, indeed, worthy of its own gift shop. Of course, the shop staff is a bit shady. Top Thrill Dragster is my favorite of the “one-trick pony” Intamin launched coasters. I hear that the VR version of Steel Dragon was pretty good, but we didn’t ride it, which was OK by me. The ride’s operations were painfully slow. We skipped Corkscrew, too, but it did look nice screwing over the midway. It’s good to be the King--the King of the Whole Damn World! I’m a fan of Dive Machines, and I wanted to like Valravn more than I did. I think it’s the vest restraints, which squeezed the breath out of me. I prefer the old OTSRs (as on Griffon). Losing some weight might help. The structure shakes quite a bit on the mid-course brake run, too. Seems a bit odd. It is considerably better than Rougarou. I much prefer Millennium Force. While it lacks the crazy airtime of GeForce at Holiday Park . . . . . . it compensates with sheer speed. Maverick and Steel Vengeance are better, . . . . . . but MF holds its own, and justifies its continued popularity. I mentioned losing weight earlier. Dining at Melt does not lend itself to that. But they do make a good grilled-cheese sammich. I’m not a huge flat-ride fan, but I liked this one. And it’s Larry approved. Canadians like it, too. Gatekeeper has its fans. I am not one of them. Raptor, however, is a great invert. I rode Maxx Air a few years ago. That was enough. There are those who enjoy it, though. More to come.

I like the name "Untamed," too. It's definitely better than, say, "Twisted Robin Hood."

Agreed with Robb. I feel like they're "kind of" different because you can control your speed, and in terms of layout, they're definitely on the more extreme end of the powered coaster spectrum. For what it's worth, we don't have Sky Dragster (the one at Skyline Park) on our poll and we don't intend on putting Bolt or the Ducati coasters on the poll either. To me, this ride is more like a monorail version of a Bobkart than a coaster.

I agree with you about Small World Holiday--it makes the ride so much better.

Winterfest stopped at the entrance to Safari Village, but if the event's a big enough hit, who knows? (Busch Gardens' Christmas Town gradually absorbed the whole park over its ten-year run.)

It might have something to do with the lights. Maybe they're concerned that people might fool with them.

^We left around 7:00 pm, and there was a huge line of people waiting to get in. There was a traffic accident at the entrance of the parking lot, too, so that was backed up. I might go at least one more time with my Cedar Fair pass. As I said earlier, KD did a really good job with event.

Ready for more Winterfest festiveness? Then you've come to the right place. It’s getting darker. Time to let the public in and check out the rest of the park. Reindeer love bean burritos, you know--especially on Christmas Eve. Watch out, Santa! Let’s explore the rest of the park . . . . . . starting with an Old Virginia Christmas. You can drive to the “12 Days of Christmas” on the Blue Ridge Tollway. Sheesh! Santa’s reindeer are cleaning up with the Winterfest food concessions. Old Virginia looked really nice. Enjoy a little musical interlude with the Mistletones. If you want to see Santa, head to Old Virginia. This walkway was infested with vampires during Haunt. I guess they don't celebrate Christmas. The carousel is all spruced up for Christmas, too. We had a fun, chilly ride on Racer 75--stopped here to get some clown to put his cell phone away. Let’s enjoy the synchronized lights and music on Winterfest Way (aka, Candy Apple Grove). This is a poor photo, but it illustrates how one can turn a Haunt facade (Trick or Treat) into a Winterfest decoration. Again, I was impressed with what Kings Dominion did here. Candy Apple Grove has never looked better. I don’t think the Mushrooms were singing that night, but they were dressed up for Christmas. The most festive trash can in Kings Dominion. I liked the giant “old-fashioned” Christmas lights in the trees at Charlie Brown’s Christmas Town (or Planet Snoopy). There are great views all over the park at Winterfest. Hmm--what’s this? Has Charlie Brown finally sold out and embraced Christmas commercialism? Peppermint Patty and Sally tried to sell us trees, but had to settle for a photo, instead. The Eiffel Tower is the single most spectacular decoration at Winterfest. Here’s look at the Cool Yule show on International Street. The skating rink takes on extra magic at night. Yep--everybody was trying to get a photo here as we left. Thanks for the cocoa and the mug, and for a fun night at Winterfest, Kings Dominion!

Kings Dominion Throws Its Santa Hat into the Ring: Winterfest VIP Event Theme Park Review was invited to a VIP event for Winterfest at Kings Dominion on Saturday, December 8. Well, it was originally on December 1, but there was a rainy storm system passing though Virginia that day, so the park rescheduled it. Uh oh! Looks like Santa is taking off! We missed him! Although it’s snowing like crazy in Virginia while I write this, the weather on December 8 was perfect--dry and cold, much like two past versions of Winterfest at Carowinds and Kings Island, which I attended years ago. (I think this was before Cedar Fair bought both parks.) But Winterfest went into extended hibernation, until Cedar Fair decided to bring it back this year. It was worth the wait. Kings Dominion did an excellent job on their version of Winterfest. The park looked and sounded great, with beautiful lights and Christmas music everywhere. They also put out a nice spread for the VIP event before opening the park to the public; used quite a few “face characters” to set the mood; and offered a number of fun winter activities, such as ice skating on the lake in front of the Eiffel Tower, Christmas-cookie decorating, and plenty of shows and rides, including Racer 75 and Dominator (weather permitting), a themed version of the Blue Ridge Tollway, a 3D “Sleigh Ride” movie, and carriage rides. You can find more info on Winterfest here. Unfortunately, the Eiffel Tower is not open for Winterfest, which seems like a missed opportunity. I imagine guests would enjoy a view of all the lights from the tower, but perhaps it wasn't practical to operate it. It’s probably better to just show you Winterfest, rather than talk about it. This way to Winterfest! It’s going to be a lot tougher to get this photo later this evening. Starbucks looks very festive. Hmm--looks like Jack Frost has been up to some mischief. If they waited until Sunday, they wouldn’t need these machines. Gingerbread funnel cake sounds pretty good to me. But how does a reindeer work a deep fryer? Looks like these two are waiting for their shift at the funnel-cake stand. “‘Panda Express’? I’ve never heard of them, because the good people of Winterfest exist solely on a diet of gingerbread funnel cakes, Christmas cookies, and sometimes turkey and ham--all prepared by reindeer at takeout stands." The honey harbanero “moonshine” has a kick--and a burn. No wonder Santa is so jolly. The park put out a nice spread for the VIP event. I particularly liked the little Beef Wellington “nugget.” There were yummy desserts, too. After an official welcome . . . . . . we were free to check out the activities and shopping on International Street . . . oh my god! Winterfest flash mob! It was cold, and Jack Frost and his ladies like it that way. You can get you photo with him here during Winterfest--Holiday Mule cocktail optional. Er, you two might want to steer clear of the funnel-cake stand. Just a word of advice. These two very friendly chaps are Captain Macaroon and General Napoleon (as in the pastry, I assume). They were my favorite face characters that night, thanks to their outrageous French accents. Some folks took advantage of free skating for the VIP event. They made a huge skating rink out of the International Street fountains. I can’t guarantee that these PJs are made of llamas. My favorite Christmas tree ever! Nice work, Charlie Brown. Time for a decorate-it-yourself sugar cookie. My cookie before . . . . . . and after. Brenda, my guest for the evening, decided on a Teddy Bear with a white vest. She’s also enjoying a Holiday Mule. Beware of strangers bearing candy canes. You can rent these “igloos” for the night at the Eiffel Tower. Looks like a nice place to warm up in the evening. The “fireplace” is a heater, and the rental includes "concierge" service and a free carriage ride or free skating. More to come.

I was particularly impressed with the "walking Belle" AA.

There's nothing wrong with that at all.

Agreed! It's nice to see an attraction that concentrates more on sets and animatronics, rather than projections (although Disney does these better than anyone else, too).

Dashing through the snow . . . OK, figure of speech. No snow that night. Then again, there’s always the Brau Haus in the Festhaus . . . . . . unless you get there right before a show starts. D’oh! (The "Deck the Halls" show is pretty popular, so you might want to get there a bit early for it.) Achievement unlocked. Here’s the Festhaus between performances of “Deck the Halls.” The darker it gets, the prettier the lights look. A peek at the “O’Tannenbaum” show. (This is a classic synchronized lights-and-music show that has been part of Christmas Town since the beginning.) The new projection show in Germany is nice, too. It’s not Christmas in Germany without Creepy the Elf sawing on that candy cane, plotting his horrible vengeance. On the Christmas Town Express, you can sing carols, see pretty lights, . . . . . . and finish your beer. It’s hard to get good photos of the light displays . . . . . . when the train makes the jump . . . . . . to HYPERSPACE! A semi-artsy shot from the bridge between Germany and Italy. I think this is the single prettiest tree at Christmas Town. But the Polar Pathway is my favorite spot. “It’s mine, too, because everyone walking by looks so tasty.” Nice way to use a closed-for-the-season water ride. It was in the 60s that night, so no one was hanging out by the fire. Time to go. Merry Christmas to all . . . . . . and to all a good night.

A Night at Christmas Town So, you've seen the "hard-hat" version of Christmas Town. How about a look at the actual event? I went there to celebrate a friend's birthday last Sunday night (December 2) and decided to bite the bullet and switch from my old platinum pass to the new platinum membership. I'm glad I waited, as it took me only a minute at the ticket booth make the change. Two of my friends (one was the birthday girl), who had bought the "$9.99/month" membership, weren't quite as lucky. Busch has added some blackout dates to Christmas Town, and it took them a bit longer to upgrade their passes at the ticket window. (The other option was over the phone, as it couldn't be done online.) But we all got squared away and ready to ring in the holiday season at Christmas Town. You can read my report from the hard-hat tour to see what's new for this year--the tenth anniversary of Christmas Town. The shows from last year are back, and the decorations are pretty much the same as in past years. That being said, there's more to be seen from the Christmas Town Express train ride, which makes an entire circuit starting at Caribou Station in Fort New France. It was nice. Riders could singalong to classic Christmas carols while enjoying the light displays along the way. My only comment is that I'd rethink the somewhat cheesey "family" narration, and just stick to the music. Occasionally, the narration led to some unexpected comedy. After crossing the Rhine River Trestle, a little boy exclaimed, "Look at the lights!" We rounded to bend and found . . . darkness. The lights the little tyke was so excited about weren't working. Oops! The show must go on. The new projection show in Germany (on the Cookies and Cocoa building) worked very well, though. They effectively used projections in this spot for Howl-o-Scream in October, and the Christmas Town show was even better. Well done. Enough of my yammering. This way to Christmas Town! Welcome to the tenth year of Christmas Town. Just read the sign for important historical background. Big dude on the right looks a little shady--like he might want to go “thumpity-thump-thump” upside your head and take your wallet. The best Christmas trees have really big balls. (OK, I make a joke like this each year. Sue me.) England: Consider your "halls" to be thoroughly "decked." "I'll hae a Blue Christmas withit ye." (You see, we're in Scotland.) Scotland likes balls full of stars. It’s hard to tell from this photo but this map features animated snow. My partners in holly jolly crime for the evening. The birthday girl, Brenda, is the redhead in the middle. A caroling wolf: “Rark the Rearld Rangels Sing!” Even the fall color looks a bit Christmas-like. The Irish like green lights on their green trees. Yes, they really like green. Don't judge. “Help! Snow Miser imprisoned me here against my will! He promised me cookies--but he LIED!” France has a nice color scheme . . . . . . and some intriguing desserts. (I hope to try that beignet sundae.) I may be mistaken, but this appears to be Canada. Perhaps the moose gave it away. Nice place to get a tree, eh? Would Santa like this stocking--or be frightened by it? Yep--definitely Canada. Ah, Germany. There’s beer somewhere! Hmm--Santa probably has an amazing beer cave. More to come.

I go back and forth between Apollo's Chariot and Griffon as my favorite coaster at BGW.

Nice work, Shane. Looks like a fun event. I particularly like the Tiki Bar ornament.

I like these rides, too. But times change.

That just went in this morning! Like I said, we are still working to finalize a few things. This is fairly new territory for us (We've had ads before, but not with an ad agency like this) and there will be more tweaks and changes... Yeah, I thought the videos were pretty cool.

I suspect you're right. I enjoyed them, too.

Har-dee-har-har. Or should that be "ho-dee-ho-ho"? Looks like a fun event, and I agree with you about those beignets. I'll be hitting Winterfest and Christmas Town Dec. 1 & 2.

Excellent report! I really enjoyed Kolmarden, and not just for Wildfire. Their animal exhibits were very well done, and I liked their "aerial safari" tram ride.

I think Vekoma's partnership with Disney has helped them to improve their rides overall. They're not just that company that makes Boomerangs and SLCs anymore. It's been fun to watch (and ride).

^I expect the park will be insanely busy that close to Christmas (many people have Christmas Eve off work, too). They've been known to reach capacity during Christmas Town, so I'd get there early.

Oh, c'mon! This isn't a Universal attraction! Roll, stop, watch video . . . repeat. That's the Universal way! Don't forget water being squirted at you too. Ah, yes--that was forgetful of me.

Superman: Ride of Steel--Six Flags America