1
Credit: Inside The MagicWeather has always been the great unpredictable variable in theme park operations. Unlike mechanical issues or staffing challenges that can be planned for and mitigated, weather arrives on its own schedule and forces decisions that disappoint thousands of guests who have already made plans, purchased tickets, and set expectations for their day.
Winter operations present particular challenges for theme parks in northern climates, where snow, ice, and freezing temperatures aren’t occasional inconveniences but regular realities that must be managed throughout the season.
Parks that choose to operate during winter months invest heavily in cold-weather infrastructure, from heated walkways to weather-resistant attractions, all while knowing that certain conditions will inevitably force closure regardless of preparation. The business calculation becomes complex.
Opening for winter events like WinterFest expands revenue opportunities beyond traditional summer peak seasons and gives guests reasons to visit during months when parks would otherwise sit empty.
Holiday-themed programming, special lighting displays, and seasonal food offerings create distinct experiences that justify the operational expense of keeping facilities running when temperatures drop below freezing.
However, that investment only pays off when weather cooperates enough to allow safe operations.
When conditions deteriorate beyond manageable levels, parks face the difficult choice between pushing forward with compromised guest experience and safety or closing entirely and dealing with the financial and public relations consequences. For guests, weather closures represent more than just inconvenience.
Many have traveled significant distances, coordinated schedules with family and friends, and spent money on hotels and meals in addition to park admission. The disappointment of arriving to find gates closed can sour entire vacation plans, particularly during limited holiday periods when rescheduling becomes difficult or impossible.
Parks understand this dynamic and typically make closure decisions only when absolutely necessary, but when safety concerns override all other considerations, disappointing guests becomes unavoidable.
Canada’s Wonderland found itself in exactly this position on Sunday, December 28, when weather conditions forced the park to make the call that no operator wants to make during the busy holiday week.
Sunday WinterFest Operations Cancelled
Canada’s Wonderland announced via X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday morning that the park would not open for scheduled WinterFest operations due to inclement weather. The statement read: “Due to inclement weather the park will be closed today Sunday, Dec. 28. WinterFest will return Dec. 29 (3-9pm).”
🚨 Due to inclement weather the park will be closed today Sunday, Dec. 28. WinterFest will return Dec. 29 (3-9pm).❄️
Unused tickets dated for 12/28, can be used any public operating day thru January 3, 2026. pic.twitter.com/Lw5jC6dbHn
— Canada’s Wonderland (@WonderlandNews) December 28, 2025
The closure affects one of the final days of the park’s winter seasonal event, which runs through early January. WinterFest typically draws significant crowds during the holiday week between Christmas and New Year’s, making Sunday’s closure particularly impactful for both guests and park operations.
The announcement came early enough to prevent some guests from making unnecessary trips to the park, though undoubtedly many families had already begun their journeys or were staying in nearby hotels specifically for Sunday visits.
The timing of weather-related closures creates challenging situations where parks must balance giving guests advance notice with making premature decisions before conditions are certain.
Ticket Flexibility Offered to Affected Guests
Recognizing the disruption caused by the unexpected closure, Canada’s Wonderland provided ticket holders with extended flexibility for rescheduling their visits. According to the park’s announcement, unused tickets dated for December 28 can be used on any public operating day through January 3, 2026.
This generous extension gives affected guests an entire year to utilize their tickets rather than limiting them to the remainder of the current WinterFest season. The policy acknowledges that many guests may not be able to return during the next few days, particularly those who traveled from significant distances or coordinated time off work specifically for the December 28 visit.
For local annual passholders, the closure represents a temporary inconvenience rather than a major disruption, but for tourists who planned entire trips around their WinterFest visit, the year-long ticket validity provides at least some compensation for disappointed plans.
WinterFest Operations Resume Monday
The park confirmed that WinterFest operations are scheduled to resume Monday, December 29, with operating hours from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. This abbreviated schedule likely reflects both staffing considerations and the shorter daylight hours typical of late December in Ontario.
Weather conditions in the region are expected to improve enough by Monday to allow safe operations, though guests planning to attend should monitor official park communications for any last-minute changes. Winter weather can be unpredictable, and conditions that look manageable in morning forecasts can deteriorate rapidly as systems move through the area.
The Monday reopening is crucial for the park as it leads into New Year’s Eve celebrations and the final days of the WinterFest season. Missing multiple consecutive operating days during this premium period would significantly impact both revenue and guest satisfaction metrics.
Looking Ahead in Theme Park Industry
Sunday’s closure at Canada’s Wonderland comes during a busy week for theme park news globally. The industry is preparing for the official opening of Six Flags Qiddiya City on Wednesday, December 31, marking a significant expansion of theme park operations into Saudi Arabia.
The new Saudi park will hold an opening ceremony at 9 p.m. local time on Monday, which translates to 1 p.m. Eastern Time or 10 a.m. Pacific Time in the United States. Qiddiya City is livestreaming the ceremony, giving international audiences their first official look at the facility, including potential footage of Falcons Flight, the record-setting roller coaster that has generated significant anticipation among coaster enthusiasts.
Six Flags Qiddiya City represents just one component of a larger Qiddiya City development backed by the Saudi government. Future plans include a studio-themed park widely expected to feature Universal Studios licensing, indicating long-term ambitions for the destination that extend well beyond the initial Six Flags installation.
Opening a western-style theme park in Saudi Arabia represents a significant cultural and policy shift for the kingdom, which has historically limited entertainment options as part of its social restrictions. The multi-billion-dollar investment in Qiddiya City signals serious commitment to diversifying the economy beyond oil revenues and creating new tourism destinations.
New Year’s Eve Preparations and Weather Concerns
Beyond the Qiddiya opening, the theme park industry is preparing for New Year’s Eve celebrations, which traditionally draw large crowds to parks with midnight fireworks and special programming. Parks across the United States are expecting capacity-level attendance as families and young adults seek destinations for holiday celebrations.
However, weather concerns extend beyond Canada’s Wonderland. Southern California is forecasting rain for the holiday period, which could impact operations at Disneyland Resort and other regional parks. While California parks rarely close entirely due to weather, rain significantly affects guest experience and can force temporary attraction closures throughout the day.
Major Attraction Refurbishments on Horizon
The new year also brings a wave of planned attraction closures and refurbishments at major parks. Disney California Adventure will close Incredicoaster, Grizzly River Run, and Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind on January 5 without announced reopening dates.
Islands of Adventure will close Jurassic Park River Adventure for nearly a year beginning January 5, not reopening until November 19.
Disneyland faces multiple holiday overlay removals in January, with Haunted Mansion closing January 12-22 and It’s a Small World closing January 26 to remove seasonal decorations. More significantly, Star Wars Rise of the Resistance closes January 20 with no reopening date announced, suggesting a substantial refurbishment period.
The most dramatic closure comes February 2 when Dinosaur closes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a complete retheme to Indiana Jones, with reopening not expected until 2027. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will see its last day March 1, presumably for its own retheme project.
These scheduled closures represent normal theme park operations where aging attractions receive necessary maintenance or complete overhauls to maintain guest interest and park competitiveness. For guests planning visits during these periods, checking refurbishment schedules before finalizing travel plans becomes essential to avoid disappointment.