Our family has our usual Kansas City traditions we do every single year – theater performances, light tours and our favorite holiday train features. But this year, we decided to switch things up now that our kids have a bit more stamina.
As we packed up the car to head to Worlds of Fun last weekend, I wasn’t sure what to expect. My only experience with kids at the theme park was a few summers ago in July when it was at least 150 degrees. Quite the opposite, we dressed in two layers plus coats and put the littlest in the wagon with blankets and rolled up to Winterfest.
Not only did we have fun in the cold, but we stayed for FIVE hours without a single complaint (except when we said it was time to head home). From the live shows, street performers, more than 5 million twinkle lights, elaborately costumed characters, Christmas train ride, cozy hot chocolate… we have found a new KC tradition!
The attention to detail was on the level of what we experience at Disney as well as the professional level of song and dance and beautiful decor and lights. Each staff member we interacted with from the security guy to Jack Frost to Mrs. Claus to Ebenezer Scrooge was attentive, helpful and interacted with our kids to continue the magic.
At Mrs. Claus Cookie Kitchen, the kids decorate giant cookies. The kitchen elves helped us pick three different sprinkler containers from the sprinkle dispensing machine. Mrs. Claus helped with decorating tips and posed for cute photos.
While on the steam engine train, we got to see an overview of all the lights and picked out several spots we wanted to make sure to visit. This was a great thing to do at the beginning of our evening to get the lay of the land.
We ate dinner at Festive Feast buffet (get the pot roast!) and left with to-go hot chocolates. Once our hot chocolate was cold and our fingers a little numb, we headed to warm up at Lucy’s Craft Corner in Planet Snoopy to make ornaments and even got to spend time with Lucy, Snoopy and Charlie Brown themselves!
During our evening, we didn’t get to experience half of the things we wanted to and have already planned another night back before Winterfest ends on Dec. 31. We hope you’ll join us in this new Kansas City tradition that is sure to get you in the spirit of the holidays!
KCMB Mom Tips
- Get to the park right when it opens (check the calendar for opening times) and see Santa and decorate your cookies with Mrs. Claus first before the lines get long. And don’t carry your cookies around all night! Check them in with the elves at the cash register and they will deliver them to package pick up near the exit for easy transport to your car at the end of the night!
- Don’t miss the 5:30 p.m. tree lighting and opening performance every night!
- There are food options for even the pickiest elf, but make sure to get your refillable hot chocolate (or coffee) mug so you always have a cozy beverage in hand.
- When you get cold, head to Planet Snoopy to visit Lucy’s Craft Corner – an indoor attraction that is not your average craft station. Make wooden ornaments, a Snoopy dog house decked in festive lights or a foam wreath. Paint still drying? Ask for a paper boat to hold your creations without making a mess. Take your time – you might just run into one of your favorite Peanuts characters!
- Another warm up idea: the indoor shows! Check the Winterfest site for details on both indoor and outdoor theater!
- BEST DEAL: Get a 2019 Season Pass and visit Winterfest as many times as you want in 2018! Kids ages 3-5 can register for a free Pre-K Pass.
I made it in the pic. I am the sprinkle elf. You only see half my face. I love the reviews you gave us. I passed on your compliments to the director of the decorations and he was so happt to hear the positive review and the apprecuation to the details he and his team work so hard to achieve. So glad you enjoyed your experience with us. Next year have your families of older kids/teens and any fmilies that love Halloween, check out Halloween Haunt. Just as much thought and detail and perfessional performances go into Haunt as well, you won’t be disappointed, just have the yell scared out of you because WE OWN FEAR!