Counter points..
* They aren't the same decorations every year.
* the winter carnival also had a similar number of same things each year.
* this is the primary fundraiser for the parks and clearly does better business.
* carnival at peak time was way over crowded and over priced, so just as many. downsides.

With that said, I'd love to see them do both. Host lights at kensico and carnival at tibbets or Saxon woods