Parks open in winter

I always thought that parks closed in october or november but I am hearing that some stay til' Christmas. I know that there is Winter Lights at some SF parks and I have never been to it.

If the climate stays moderate all year, then the parks are open all year. Some seasonal parks have winter festivities, but usually the midways and rides aren't open... for example, SFGAdv has a drive-through lights show, and Hershey has a small area of the park with a few kiddie rides and the Music Box theater open.

Six Flags Over Texas runs Holiday In The Park into the first few days of January, however most of the rides are shut down. It is still very nice during that time though... everyone seems to be happier and the whole atmosphere is jollier. *** Edited 12/4/2003 3:27:14 AM UTC by The Shy One***

Dollywood(TN) and Silver Dollar City(MO) are open all the way until the end of December.

They both have Holiday Themed shows and put up over 2 million lights on buildings and structures in the parks. Normally only the water rides are closed (@ SDC most rides are open, anyway.) *** Edited 12/4/2003 5:39:01 AM UTC by Dukeis#1***

Silver Dollar City is open until the 28th of December -- but anymore it seems as if the park is trying to go year round. They are only closed in January and February anymore. They open mid-March with "Praise Weekends" and then they go daily in April with World Fest.

Right now SDC is open 1pm - 9pm Wed-Sun, and I highly recommend attending their "Old Fashioned Christmas" festival. Their lighted parade is not to be missed (and IMHO rivals the old Main Street Electrical Parade -- at least SDC adds something to their light parade every year). Rides that are closed are: Lost River, BuzzSaw Falls, Waterworks Waterboggan, Splash Harbor and American Plunge. But Fire in the Hole, Wildfire, ThuNderaTion, Frisco Silver Dollar Line, Great Shootout, Tom Sawyer Landing, Geyser Gulch, and Marvel Cave are all open. Plus the shows are not to be missed.

:)

Keep your eyes open for PKI to be open for Winterfest next winter. I don't have any proof... just a feeling.

Plus, Seibert dropping some hints closing day helped too. ;)

You also can't forget the SoCAL and Florida parks which are open year round. The holidays have always been big at Disneyland. Knott's Berry...or rather Knott's Merry Farm has there Christmas Crafts Festival. Magic Mountain is...well....open.

Don't forget Hershey Park!

Dollywood runs very limited rides during Winterfest. Tennessee Tornado doesn't run after Oct. 31. Fire in the Hole is open however the water effect is drained. I've been told the plan is that Thunderhead will be open next Winter.

Wild Adventures stays open Th-M through the Winter. Water rides are closed, but the rest of the park is open excluding rides down for annual maintenance.

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Crashmando said:
Don't forget Hershey Park!

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But...

The only rides running are the Carrousel, a few flats, kiddie rides, and the Dry Gulch RR.

No coasters are running and the entire Midway America section of the park is closed.

A few years ago everything from Comet Hollow and beyond was closed as well, but this year I did notice that the Antique Cars were running, so that means at least some attractions in that end of the park are open.

I know no coasters are Hersey are open. But he talked about the Winter Light show at SFGADV. So I figured he like to see the lights at HP. I wish the coasters were opened on mild days in the winter. Like if it was 50 degree or warmer! :>)

Maybe it's just me, but it looks like much of the park is open. The web site indicates 32 rides are available.

We've got plans to go next week.

*** Edited 12/4/2003 2:57:44 PM UTC by Gemini***

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Crashmando said:
I know no coasters are Hersey are open. But he talked about the Winter Light show at SFGADV. :>)

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Well, probably the "best" (if not the "best", definately the "biggest") light show (meaning Christmas lights, not laser show) is actually on one of the roads behind the Hotel Hershey. Something like 2 1/2 miles, a few hundred different displays, and "one million lights"... It is bright, I will say that. It's also a little expensive... $15 per car.

That map that Gemini spoke of shows that about half half of the park physically open... but many attractions in that open area closed. That list of rides has mainly kiddie rides open.

As for me... during the winter, I think I will give the park and lights a miss and just stick to hockey games at GIANT Center.

*** Edited 12/4/2003 3:03:17 PM UTC by SLFAKE***

I think you underestimate how much there is to do during Christmas at Hersheypark. Obviously, for some, if it doesn't involve a roller coaster, then they want no part of it. But it is possible to have fun at a park without riding a coaster, especially during this event at Hersheypark. I'm looking forward to my third trip to Candylane. It's a great atmosphere and a good time.

*** Edited 12/4/2003 3:09:24 PM UTC by Gemini***

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gamndbndr said:
Dollywood runs very limited rides during Winterfest. Tennessee Tornado doesn't run after Oct. 31. Fire in the Hole is open however the water effect is drained.

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Forgive me if I am wrong, but I though the ride was called Blazing Fury at Dollywood.

Although Hershey still hasn't opened any coasters, they have added more rides over the years. Last year they added Kissing Tower, Antique Cars, Sky Ride, Tilt-A-Whirl, and Wave Swinger. This year they've also added the Claw and Frontier Flyers to the rides open during CCL.

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Gemini said:
Obviously, for some, if it doesn't involve a roller coaster, then they want no part of it.

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Well that was a bit heavy handed, Gemini. Read my other posts... couldn't agree with you more... Coasters are not everything. I was simply saying, don't go to Hershey and expect everything to be open. It's my home park... and I have nothing against Candy Lane. When the Bears played in the old Hersheypark Arena, my wife would often go up to the games early and spend time at Candy Lane. Now that home ice is GIANT Center, it isn't quite that easy (you can't simply walk behind the arena any mor and be there).

Will we go to Candy Lane this year? Perhaps. But with hockey season in full swing, most of our trips to Hershey consist of visits to GIANT Center. When April rolls around, then I will start thinking about parks again.

The one park open all Winter that no one seems to mention (weekends only thru March I think), WILD ADVENTURES!

I-75 in Valdosta, no lines and a great atmosphere....just remember to bundle up, LOL...:)

P.S. to Swoosh....Dollywood's IS called Blazing Fury, but the rides *are* pretty similar if I recall the Dollywood version correctly. Could have been refurbished in the last 20 years I guess...;) *** Edited 12/4/2003 5:20:36 PM UTC by rollergator***

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SLFAKE said:
Well that was a bit heavy handed, Gemini.

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That comment wasn't directed towards you, but to the applicable segment of the enthusiast community. That's why I said "for some."

Someone please go to Dollywood and take new pics of Thunderhead's construction.