For everyone who wanted a chilled out summer event, this is it. Very nice summer theming around the park, and menu items looked good. I got the pina colada milkshake and was suprised how good it was!
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Summer of Wonder 2024
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
Not sure what kind of crowd .38 Special pulled in when they performed at BGT back in May, but I would expect the park to be jammed pack tomorrow given (1) it is a Saturday, (2) there is a concert with a well-known band, and (3) the weather forecast is looking terrific.
At the Flo Rida concert… more or less at capacity.
I simultaneously love and hate this. I can not elaborate.
I'm withholding judgement. If it were in an actual, country-themed hamlet, I'd almost certainly despise it. Technically, it is in the Wild Reserve though which... Maybe. It's definitely not something I'd want to spread, but this specific instance may be okay with me when it's done.
This being in an ugly little corner is, in my opinion, a great place for something like this. It adds some color and a nice photo op to what was just a dull corner that you don’t really ever think twice about. I’m very eager to see how this turns out.
Interesting article about the contractor overseeing the arts program at the event:
www.dailypress.com
Ever curious about who designs roller coasters? Meet Melody Matheny.
This summer, Matheny is overseeing the arts program during Busch Gardens’ new “Summer of Wonder,” working with local artists from the Williamsburg Arts Group.
www.dailypress.com
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Looks like she has done some great work! I hope she may be involved in the upcoming project (s).Interesting article about contractor overseeing the arts program at the event:
Ever curious about who designs roller coasters? Meet Melody Matheny.
This summer, Matheny is overseeing the arts program during Busch Gardens’ new “Summer of Wonder,” working with local artists from the Williamsburg Arts Group.
This years summer event feels like it was like the bare minimum they park has ever done as far as their summer events go.
Maybe I'm weird, but I like it better this way. There's no annoying pop music playing in Tudor-era England, which I hated. It feels like the park went for a more relaxed route for their summer event this year, and I'm fine with that. I also appreciate the art pieces scattered around. It doesn't really take away from the atmosphere, it's not ugly to look at and it's not permanent.
Dont Get get us wrong we love the art and the relaxed feel. But compared to previous summer events we totally have less shows and less decorations. Would have been nice to see a summer show in france and at the old pet shenanigans theater. We also really liked the summer concerts. Only skipping 2 this year. We just miss how things used to be during iluminights. Don't mind us. Also we love how they don't do the pop music anymore. That was so annoying. Also the free beer is a nice bonus!
Summer of Wonder is not perfect. The art is gorgeous, but the display format and placement often feels poorly considered, cheaply implemented, and severely rough around the edges in a way that often detracts from the works on display. The park designed decorations, where they exist, would be better off not existing in my honest opinion. They often look incredibly cheap and sloppily installed. I don't think they add anything to the event. The specialty food on offer is a complete joke. There's hardly any of it and the menus look like they were designed by 6 year olds—lacking any sophistication or, you know, "wonder."
THAT SAID, despite those criticisms, I believe this is the best summer event in a long, long, long time. Why? Because it's the first time when it's subtle enough to be able to be ignored. Park ambulance ruining decorations? Minimal. Soundtracks destroyed? Non-existent. Tons of money invested into an event that is wholly unnecessary? Avoided. Summer of Wonder has a few nice things—namely talented, local artists, concerts for those who want them, and fireworks for those who want them. Summer of Wonder, however, successfully killed so much of the long destested, horrible trash that used to come alongside BGW summer events and for that, I say Summer of Wonder deserves our praise.
THAT SAID, despite those criticisms, I believe this is the best summer event in a long, long, long time. Why? Because it's the first time when it's subtle enough to be able to be ignored. Park ambulance ruining decorations? Minimal. Soundtracks destroyed? Non-existent. Tons of money invested into an event that is wholly unnecessary? Avoided. Summer of Wonder has a few nice things—namely talented, local artists, concerts for those who want them, and fireworks for those who want them. Summer of Wonder, however, successfully killed so much of the long destested, horrible trash that used to come alongside BGW summer events and for that, I say Summer of Wonder deserves our praise.
I made a stop down when through town. But Summer of Wonder needs some improvement but I think it struck the perfect balance between being something fun in the park and intruding on park ambiance.
My suggestion for the future of this event:
1 - Use Festa Italia to go WAY over the top on decorations. That's (IMO) based on the lore of what the area is would be honoring what it should be. Would be really awesome.
2 - Pull all the artists into one area and have some fun with creating a fair like feeling, and again with some parts of the park that it makes sense.
3 - A fun "wonder" park is include elements of fantasy elements into the hamlets/countries for decorations.
Other than that, keep it around, improve the decorations, and keep it as unintrusive as possible.
My suggestion for the future of this event:
1 - Use Festa Italia to go WAY over the top on decorations. That's (IMO) based on the lore of what the area is would be honoring what it should be. Would be really awesome.
2 - Pull all the artists into one area and have some fun with creating a fair like feeling, and again with some parts of the park that it makes sense.
3 - A fun "wonder" park is include elements of fantasy elements into the hamlets/countries for decorations.
Other than that, keep it around, improve the decorations, and keep it as unintrusive as possible.
This gorgeous art is the best to come during the summer of wonder! Although if I'm being truly honest I do hope it's temporary. It's still jarring for the quaint understated vibe. That's my biggest issue with the new one in Ireland as well.
I REALLY hope it's temporary. Giant billboards for Coke products are not welcome in our hamlets. If Coca-Cola wants that privilege, they should buy the park.
