And getting my last update in from the parks in 2024, we have a WinterFest update from California's Great America for New Year's Eve 2024. Every year the parks do a NYE event and stay open until midnight+ with celebrations and fireworks. I last did it in 2019 (which is fun to read since I'm so full of optimism not knowing what we'd be in for in 2020!) and I'm finally returning this year. There's a lot of things returning from that 2019 event but plenty of new changes to the WinterFest event that has happened over the years. Let's go through and check out what the event was like!

But before we do, let's have a quick word about the recent news that events are eliminated from the park for 2025. Obviously, that doesn't bode well for the health of the park. The park has really pushed their seasonal events so hard lately over the past few years that it seems like a strange decision to completely eliminate them. I've heard different interpretations for why this is the case ranging from refocusing resources to early termination of the lease. There is nothing concrete that's come from the parks but undoubetdly this is a decision from corporate that these events are either a net negative for the park or the opportunity cost of doing them and not allocating the capital to other projects in the park or other parks is too great. Either way, we'll keep you up to date with any news as we get it.

Table of Contents

• WinterFest
  • Activities
  • Shows
  • Decor
  • Misc
• Misc Updates

WinterFest

Back at CGA for another WinterFest!

Activities

The most exciting activity that the park offers is ice skating on the front pond

I actually tried it this year! I was... not good. I've never ice skated before so I hobbled around the entire rink for a few times but to my credit, I never fell over! I'm very thankful for this cool opportunity at a park!

I always enjoy seeing the zamboni!

Returning this year is also Mrs Klaus' Kitchen

Which again takes place in a building off the main drag in Orleans Place

First you'll get yourself a cookie

And then decorate it however you like!

Like last year, the merchants are back near Railblazer

And this year you can make Smores in NorCal County Fair!

In the Planet Snoopy Annex, you can again explore the mini maze Charlie Brown's Tree Lot

And take a picture with Charlie's sad little tree!

Plenty of characters were walking around for pictures

Of note was that the building in Orleans Place that usually holds the letters to Santa building was instead used for New Years hat and horn distribution. Was this just a one night thing or permanent? Not sure

Another location that I'm more confident about was the St Nick's Pics building in Hometown Square being temporarily used for hat and horn distro. The pictures were set up behind it so I'm confident that it was temporary

And finally, the coolest thing I saw at the event was the NYE fireworks! Like years past it was in Orleans Place and had some great opportunities for pictures depending on where you were standing!

Shows

The biggest/highest production value show at the park is again It's Christmas Snoopy, again taking place at Great America Theater

I went to see this show in 2022 and was impressed with how good it was. Lots of ice skating

I mistakenly skipped it last year assuming it was the same before one of my YT subscribers mentioned that it was very different so I figured I'd check it out

Started pretty similarly with some skating and characters...

But quickly became a very different type of show

With a lot more stunts and acrobatics

Again, some similar segments but very different

Ultimately what you think about this show really depends on your taste. This show felt a lot more generic like you could switch out the snowflakes and candy for trees and you'd have a perfectly good summer show but on the other hand, the stunts are pretty cool! Worth seeing on your own to make up your own opinion!

I'm counting it as a show - the singing reindeer are back in Hometown Square!

Unfortunately this year I missed both the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Cool Yule

They again ended up having them on the stage in front of the carousel

And the post-lit tree looked as wonderful as ever!

I did see Jingle Jazz in the gazebo in Hometown Square

And thought it was a lovely show!

It's Christmas Snoopy was again playing at the stage in Planet Snoopy

The Mistletones take the stage in All American Corners/Tinsel Town

That stage

The Holly Jolly Trolley returns!

And finally, the stage in Orleans Place featured a band helping get the crowd ready for the fireworks!

Decor

WinterFest always features so much beautiful decor, let's take a look at some of my favorite instances from around the park!

Santa's Sleigh sits on the lift of White Water Falls

Both the tunnel and the fire pits are back in Home Town Square

I love love love the Jelly Filling Station in Nor Cal County Fair

Actually, the whole area looked wonderful

As usual Snoopy is dressed in his holiday best

I love the lights in the trees in Planet Snoopy

The lights in the bridges are stunning as ever

Although the one between All American Corners and Mass Effect is my favorite

That area by Mass Effect is again Candy Cane Lane

With Candy Canes and characters

And plenty of photo ops!

All American Corners is Tinsel Town!

The voodoo doll outside Voodoo Charm is cute in its Santa hat

The coolest new effect this year is the silhouettes in the windows for a few buildings, including the pizza place in Orleans Square

Or this window in Orleans Candy Kitchen - also checkout the Magnum XL-200 reference?

Misc

Just a couple more days left of WinterFest so make it out there if you haven't been yet!

Like in years past, you can get some soup or hot chocolate at booths throughout Orleans Place

A map of the WinterFest festivities

And more importantly, the food!

Misc Updates

I heard from a maintenance worker at the park that Tiki Twirl has been closed due to an issue getting parts for the ride (apparently parts were refurbished and shipped in from Italy but they fell off the truck in CA!) but should reopen next year!

Finally, let's end with a shot of Orbit! Such a beautiful looking ride!

And that ends our coverage of the parks for 2024! Thanks so much for following along with me for another year! I'll definitely make it back out to Discovery Kingdom in January or February and Great America for opening day 2025!