Kidsfest: Stay or Go?

[U Smell Smoke]

Another Kidsfest is almost over. I wonder if this festival has run its course and exhausted all avenues, or is it just in need of a makeover. What does everyone think? Does Kidsfest need to stay or should it go away? Should it be replaced with another festival during the summer or should SDC not have a special theme and just focus on making the park the best it can be? I would like to see them focus on the park and not feel the need for a gimmick.  I didn't think the shows during this Kidsfest were all that great. Jeerk was ok, just not the kind of show you would expect at SDC. Maybe that's what they wanted.  The magic show was alright but don't get me started on the Veggie Tales. Maybe do away with Kidsfest, expand Moonlight Madness and really do the summer up right. Then they could bring the laser light show over from CC like Swoosh wants and cap the evening off with that. I realize Kidsfest is good business for SDC, but it's my least favorite festival.

(Admin edit: changed title to clarify topic  )

[sdcforever]

It's my least favorite as well, but I don't think SDC will ever get rid of it.  It's their most popular festival (attendance-wise).  I think it needs a makeover with some serious evaluation of the shows being offered, and it also needs to be shortened.  I wouldn't mind an expansion of Bluegrass and BBQ and the Southern Gospel Picnic to bookend it.  It'd be great if they'd expand those two festivals and shorten KidsFest.

[Joy]

It's okay if they keep Kids Fest, but they really need to overhaul it big time. I like that they want to give kids to do, since those are the months the kids are out of school. But really, most kids who are old enough to even be on summer vacation from school are a bit too old for a majority of the extra activities they add for Kids Fest.

They need to make Moonlight Madness an all-summer deal... BUT... Stop trying to "modernize" the park. Just because you're keeping it open after dark doesn't mean you have to change the music and stuff like that. Keep to the theme.

And the little kids activities... Well, maybe they should have more of those year 'round, seeing as how the younger set doesn't have a lot of choice in terms of rides at their age. But just don't make it as... harshly bright and colorful. Keep to the theme.

I think they should bring in a full-blown circus somewhere around GE. I remember when they proposed something like that in one of their surveys. Magicians are interesting, but IMHO, too modern to fit. Keep to the theme.

So, really, nothing necessarily needs to be done away with completely. Just rehauled to KEEP TO THE THEME.

Joy

[Firstvisit1967]

I remember years ago when they first started this.  They had a Nick show(which the kids loved) legos came to town(kids loved).  This year when we took the kids,( our oldest was part of the Nick kids who got slimed) and she brought her kids, we could not find much that was kids fest.  The most fun our family has is at the water guns. The five guys (almost ready for the sixth to start) can really take over and have some fun spraying folks.
Really what did they have for kids fest this year except the room where you could play with expensive new toys that the kids wanted.

[marolinesdad]

The magic show was alright but don't get me started on the Veggie Tales.

My Children and I really enjoyed the Veggie Tales...  But for those who didn't like them you will be happy to know that this is the last year for them.  My children also enjoyed Jeeeerk but I really was not a fan.  The magic show was ok.  The Saloon show on the other hand is wonderful.  My girls years 4 and 6 have seen that show 6 or 7 times this summer and can't get enough.  so kudos to the saloon guys and gals..  you do a great job.

[Joy]

I was disappointed by the Frisco Barn... When I read the description of the Castle of Valor in the SDC Times, I was expecting it was going to actually be decked out/built up as an actual play area, similar to the Wizard of Oz display they had at Crown Center earlier this year. I was thinking there were going to be things to climb on and slides to go down and stuff like that for my little niece to play on.

No. It was a glorified store. Grrr...

Joy

[orient express]

worst festival ever! kids come in the sumer anyway regardless of whats going on...its all about money i guess

[Swoosh]

I can attest that the employees at a lot of the shops despise Kidsfest as their business is way down during that festival.

I think they need to bring back Jack Hanna's Wild America Show with the animals.  That was very neat and everyone seemed to enjoy seeing the baby animals in the show.

[shavethewhales]

I wish they would push more of the "old time" summer activities  as part of KidsFest rather than just selling toys and having sand stations on main square. It's far too commercialized now, I think we can all agree. What if they taught kids how to make corn-shuck dolls? Or set up some old-timey games? A little imagination would do this festival wonders.

I do think it's a necessary festival though. Even if no one likes it, it's probably their biggest money maker.

[Swoosh]

It thought An Old Time Christmas was their biggest money maker

[themeparkguy]

ITs a good idea to cater to families in the summer but need to update with whats "hot" or relevant to the kids now- we used to look fowards to kids fest but the steady decline meant we did not go at all this summer.

[Joy]

I like the idea about the corn-shuck dolls.

They should do a white-washing competition in the Landing.

Joy

[Firstvisit1967]

That would be a great time for the kids.

Tug of war and other games from the 1880's.

Get outside the box and do things that will bring attention from the kids.....brings adults...brings $$$$$.

[U Smell Smoke]

I realize Kidsfest is the most attended festival. But, is that a result of the festival or is it simply a result of the fact that it's in the summer when kids are out of school and people are vacationing anyway? I realize summer is the only logical time to do it but would there be something better that still involves kids but ties in better with the theme and cuts down on the commercialism.

[History Buff]

It's not hard to stick to theme and still appeal.  They can even sell things.  It seems someone in charge is all out of ideas and only knows how to pick acts and attractions from a talent catalog.  Have we no imagination?

I do think Kidsfest should at least be turned into FamFest (as in family).  It could be modeled after the Salute to the American Cowboy.  There could even be an educational toy presentation and sale, parenting suggestions and workshops, etc.  I've suggested a Teacher Appreciation Day (How many of us would come to that!), complete with professional development from the 1800s, creatively presented lessons, and more.  This could all work, and since it is in the summer, teachers, parents, AND kids could attend.

Magicians?  Only if they dress appropriately - maybe closeup on the street instead of strobed sequins.  A real circus is a cool idea, Joy - again, only if they dress appropriately for the period.  I would love to experience more of a Music Man atmosphere in the summer - sans the 80s rock music (That's simply sacrilege!!!!!). 

Do they really think people would stay away unless they played different music and bring in singing vegetables and modern shows???  They disrespect their audience by doing so.  Hmm, 40 years of success and we change formats now?  If it continues, we should picket.