Christmas Town

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Zachary said:
It's basically last year's event with a few plusses and minuses all around. Aquitaine looks better. There are less street performers. Gloria! is performing better than ever. Deck the Halls needs a little work. Europe in the Air isn't open. Culinary has taken a massive dive. Prices are up some. Miracles is performing brilliantly. Basically, don't expect anything revolutionary, but it's a fine event. Nothing feels horrendously broken and, well, compared to what we've seen this year, that's a breathe of fresh air.
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Everything in this post is 100% true.

Nic said:
I did a long write-up somewhere in this thread. BLUF: decorations, sky ride, and crepes = good. Train and s‘mores = bad. Penguins are the same.
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There's a bit wrong with this one.:p
 
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I admit an intentional over-generalization. Mostly I am frustrated by the train.

But to be serious, I think there is a lot of potential along the train route that they completely squander. They could do massive, amazing light displays, as they did a few years back for HOS. Or maybe recreate a classic Christmas story, carol, etc. Instead, it is basically a series of trees covered in red, green, or white lights. I was mostly bored and cold. I’d much rather take the sky-ride: its route gives you some amazing views of the decorations.

(Sorry, CK!)

I'll be there on Sunday, BTW, if anyone is around.
 
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Nic said:
They could do massive, amazing light displays
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There were plans but, again, after this year, there's no telling what will happen with that long-term Christmas Town plan.

Nic said:
I'll be there on Sunday, BTW, if anyone is around.
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I'm going to try to be there Sunday. We shall see.
 
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I think they could do more with the train too, but just because they can do more doesn't mean it's a bad thing. But I see what you're saying. There's nothing like sipping hot cocoa, and going on the train though.(IMO)
 
Alright sounds good, haven't been to CT since the opening year, always seem to be VERY busy but finally found an open day which works for some friends too :)

Heading up on a Friday, hope crowds aren't too bad
 
Gotta agree with Zach. Unsurprisingly, CT is much, much better than its first year.

Edit: overall CT is better

There are a few things I miss.
 
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From what I understand, the contracts for the marketplace were different from previous years, and some of the crafters would not agree to it. It's a shame, because I do like buying things from them. Luckily my favorite craft stand is still there, but who knows if they'll be in future years if contracts change yet again.
 
Yes, there was fake BGW vendor stands to fill in many spots. Count this as rumor, but what I heard is BGW wanted 50% of revenue. Some vendors still attending may have negotiated it lower. This may still have been in the 20-30% range. But, part of those deals included paying BGW first and then BGW will pay the vendor. That is why you have to go to a BGW cash register instead of pay at the both as previous years.

But, if true, 50%? Really BGW? Really? :mad: Vendors should NOT put up with, nor agree with, anything like this. It is indeed a shame on many levels.
 
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I'm not sure if any of you bought from the "goat milk soap" lady. But I loved her products. I bought from her booth every year at Mistletoe Marketplace. Here is the store's link: http://wildheavenfarm.com/

Her facebook Page; https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wild-Heaven-Farm-handmade-goat-milk-soaps/61131212673

I sure miss her store.
 
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I heard pretty much the same thing as you, BGW Family. 50% (or even 20-30%) is a huge amount when you think about the fact that these are small businesses, and these people live on the profits. They may not even get 50% of the revenue themselves, since they pour so much of their own money back into their business (or pay off debt incurred from it). This is many of those people's livelihoods. If BG really wants that much, the crafters would be better off just buying spaces at large craft shows like Christmas in the South or other venues where they don't ask for percentages.

I'd love to say something to Guest Relations, but I don't want to get any crafters in trouble.
 
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Zachary said:
Deck the Halls needs a little work.
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Took the wife last Friday. After an enjoyable fall season with Night Beats, I was looking forward to Deck the Halls. It makes sitting there and drinking beer that more enjoyable. My wife couldn't wait for it to end, comparing it to a show you may find on a cruise ship. I sat there enjoying my beers, and after 6 or 8 beers I usually see Gingerbread Men jumping around anyway, so I went with it...

She said it had no story line like Night Beats or Entwined, and that it just seemed to go everywhere and anywhere with no direction. I agreed, but I did try to look at it from a different angle. It was somewhat energetic and the little kids seemed to be having a blast. Picture a 6 year old. They don't care about a story, nor do they have the attention span to sit there for 30 minutes and follow it. Remember, Christmas is supposed to focus around the little ones. Alas, having a show with Gingerbread Men and Snowmen singing all your favorite Christmas songs had the little ones dancing in the aisles.

I don't remember the show being as bad last year as it is this year. The singing isn't anywhere near what it should be, and it just doesn't come across as professionally done as some of their other shows. It's almost like the cast realizes this and really doesn't care.
 
Plan on going to Williamsburg next week and spending a few days at ct. One of the days we plan on going is Saturday the 21st. Assuming the weather holds up I expect it to be packed. When the place is packed, what is the best place to go for dinner?

Also, has Dashers Diner gotten any better?
 
We were watching the 2010 Deck the Halls show today (thanks to BGWFan's YouTube page!)and I miss the old stage even more now. I always loved when the band would slowly descend at the end of any show in the Festhaus; it made it that much more epic. Plus the tree standing on the circular stage was gorgeous.
 
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Malsdad said:
Took the wife last Friday. After an enjoyable fall season with Night Beats, I was looking forward to Deck the Halls. It makes sitting there and drinking beer that more enjoyable. My wife couldn't wait for it to end, comparing it to a show you may find on a cruise ship. I sat there enjoying my beers, and after 6 or 8 beers I usually see Gingerbread Men jumping around anyway, so I went with it...

She said it had no story line like Night Beats or Entwined, and that it just seemed to go everywhere and anywhere with no direction. I agreed, but I did try to look at it from a different angle. It was somewhat energetic and the little kids seemed to be having a blast. Picture a 6 year old. They don't care about a story, nor do they have the attention span to sit there for 30 minutes and follow it. Remember, Christmas is supposed to focus around the little ones. Alas, having a show with Gingerbread Men and Snowmen singing all your favorite Christmas songs had the little ones dancing in the aisles.

I don't remember the show being as bad last year as it is this year. The singing isn't anywhere near what it should be, and it just doesn't come across as professionally done as some of their other shows. It's almost like the cast realizes this and really doesn't care.
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Night Beats doesn't really have much of a story. Why do shows have to have a story? In fact, some of the greatest shows don't have stories. These shows are perfect for things like Das Festhaus. People do not want to try to focus on a story while eating? If you want to focus on a story go to The Globe Theater or the Abbeystone Theater where you should pay attention fully to the show.

My list of great shows that have no story:
-Miracles
-Emerald Beat
-Imaginique
-Dig It Up
-Mix It Up
-Others I Can't Remember Off the Top of My Head
 
I don't mind that there is no story for Deck the Halls; it's basically a medley of Christmas song favorites. I enjoy listening while I have my chowder, and the kid is excited to see Frosty (at the same time bummed that he isn't available for photos). I also would love to have the dress that the singer is wearing during "Santa Baby".
 
...and Dig It Up is about museum exhibits coming to life (Night at the Museum-like). Night Beats is supposed to be about a club for vampires and Ulrich's dealing with his soon-to-be-afterwife. And I thought Deck the Halls was basically supposed to be an old-fashioned Christmas party that comes to life.

Anyway, if I may ask, does anybody know what kind of crowds should be expected for the day after Christmas? We're trying to go as close to Christmas as possible, since it looks like we'll be visiting CT after Christmas and want to keep as much of that Christmas spirit as possible. It just isn't the same when the same when all the employees are wishing you a happy New Year. :-/
 
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