Polar Pathway looks like a cheap carnival attraction. Not gonna lie.
Christmas Town
- Thread starter Party Rocker
- Start date
The Coca-Cola advertising is obnoxious, and the iceberg looks terrible and blocks the view in a lot of places. Also, from what I can tell, flowers aren't planted in the area yet either. Shame on you BGW.
I guess i'm the only one okay with the coke product placement....
My only real issue is.... where did that coke money go? Surely that iceberg didnt cost much to make, and outside of the show i've seen nothing new.....
My only real issue is.... where did that coke money go? Surely that iceberg didnt cost much to make, and outside of the show i've seen nothing new.....
New stuff at Polar Pathway looks much better at night:
[instagram=http://instagram.com/p/vrhhgnMG_b/]
[instagram=http://instagram.com/p/vrhejPsG_D/]
[instagram=http://instagram.com/p/vrhhgnMG_b/]
[instagram=http://instagram.com/p/vrhejPsG_D/]
My absolute favorite is the beef sandwich at the Festhaus. Last year it was prime rib; this year the web-site says sirloin but if it is it tastes the same. They usually pile it high with beef and have sides of mashed potatoes and gravy, au jus and a green/wax bean and carrot medley in the regular lines. Instead of the potatoes and veggies you get fries in the pizza line. Put a couple of packets of horseradish sauce on from condiment area and a bit of salt and it's delicious. To clarify, the potatoes and vegetables are ok; the beef is great and not overcooked; so nicely seasoned. $10.49 for the plate.
If you're into chili, the pretzel place has an entree with a huge pretzel with a hole cut out in the middle that they pile high with chili filling. I didn't try it but the server said it was good (but I guess she would.) I asked and it's $7.99 and currently unadvertised on the menu.
OMG that chili pretzel sounds amazing. Also if I may ask, what comes with the Christmas Town platter at Trappers?
First impressions:
- Resolved to get to the park early so I could get my pass from the machine and be through the gate when it opened at 2pm. I finally have something I can legitimately bitch about, as the parking situation was completely screwed up. First, they were refusing to let platinum pass members through the England gate. I joined a growing group of cars on the side of the road waiting for a supervisor to come clear up the situation. Rather than waiting the estimated 15 minutes for a supervisor to arrive, I just drove around to the front and got there at 1:30. I figured that would still give me time to get my pass and be at the gates at 2pm. I ended up stuck in a parking lot of cars on the entrance road. We all sat waiting until they started letting cars in at 2pm. There were a lot of mad people. Some parents had to take their kids to the bathroom in the little building next to the gates.
- Met up with friends, and we started the day with 'Scrooge No More'. I really had no idea what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised to find the show was a very traditional retelling of the 'Christmas Carol' story, albeit set to music. It makes great use of the theater lighting technology, and some of the traveling spirit effects were amazing. The flying around was appropriately done. Performances were good, especially for the first show of the run, and the actor playing Scrooge was simply fantastic. I left the theater pleased and wanting to go back for more.
- We then made our way to the Festhaus for 'Deck the Halls', meeting and greeting other groups of friends along the way. 'Deck' was my favorite show last year, and I was looking forward to it, especially since some of my favorite performers from 'Stomp' are in it. Unfortunately, this show is another which has suffered from the shuffling of budgets necessary to support the expensive new shows in the Globe. The rotating fireplace and two story end setpiece are gone, leaving the center of the stage open. This lends itself to some creative possibilities not possible last year. But, the cast has also been trimmed down. After making an edited video of this show last year, I became familiar with every dance step in every song. I was disappointed to find many of my favorite moments missing. And, the reduced cast meant that there were times when necessary costume changes left the stage just Empty. Especially noticeable is the song with the ballroom dancing. Last year, the stage was filled with dancers, with the featured couple dancing around and between them. This year, the stage is empty for the whole first part of the song. Other notable changes include major costume changes, including a 'White Christmas' nod to its WWII heritage. Also, there are some "interesting" reindeer costumes sure to set tongues a-wagging in the forum and the park's facebook page.
- After that was a COLD viewing of 'Miracles'. Again, this show has suffered from the bean counter's axe reducing the number of performers in the cast. Most notable is the absence of the strong female lead singer from last year. The remaining singers harmonize beautifully with each other, but the lack of a strong lead leaves the show with a little less energy and focus. This is especially noticeable during the big finale song 'I Believe'. The choreography has been changed throughout, and while some previously favorite moments are gone, or toned down, there are some new moves which offer some compensation. During 'Once In Every Lifetime', last year there were fully 12 dancers onstage through most of the song, working with the "light balls". This year there are about half that number. On the other hand, some new dance moves caught my eye. In 'Flying Without Wings' there are some flying leaps by the ladies which require utmost faith that the guys are going to catch them. And, during 'The Fire Within' the flickering, swirling streamers fit perfectly. I think this show, on balance, will be fully as enjoyable as it was last year. One note which will please some readers: the show has just about been wiped clean of gratuitous hugging.
- Then came a stop for supper at the buffet behind the Festhaus. Salad - good. 1st plate of turkey and ham - tender and delectable. 2nd plate of turkey (from new tray) - dry. Chocolate cake - stale. Sugar cookie - crispy and delicious. All you can drink cocoa - hot and rich.
- Then it was on to 'Gloria'. I only saw this show a couple times last year, because it is my least favorite Christmas show. Though it has fantastic singing, I tend to be partial to shows with more dancing. It was about how I remembered it. The rest of my group, who like it more than I do, said it was the least changed show in the park from last year. They said it was good, but suffers from the lack of a couple favorite lead singers from last year. One thing of note: during the pre-show announcements, it was stated that absolutely no recording or photography was permitted during the show. Then, just before it started, there was another announcement which said that no flash photography was permitted. The former seems to be the policy at the globe. The latter has been the longstanding policy at the Abbystone. These contradicting policy statements probably won't affect me during Christmas Town, as I'm not planning to return to 'Gloria' often, but I'm mildly concerned about the policy for next year. Photographing shows and making edited show videos beings me a lot of personal satisfaction, and I'd be unhappy if the policy changed permanently in the Abbystone.
- Afterwards I had time for one more show before I needed to leave. I chose 'Miracles' because it may be shut down by rain Sunday evening, when I next make it to the park. Like normal for opening day, the later show was better than the early one, as the performers settle into their roles and work out the kinks.
Summary: Happily, Scrooged is good. Miracles and Gloria look to be about the same quality as last year. Deck may drop from my favorite show last year to number 3. Food continues unfortunate recent trend of being hit or miss. Overall a great day with friends that I hope to repeat in the near future.
- Resolved to get to the park early so I could get my pass from the machine and be through the gate when it opened at 2pm. I finally have something I can legitimately bitch about, as the parking situation was completely screwed up. First, they were refusing to let platinum pass members through the England gate. I joined a growing group of cars on the side of the road waiting for a supervisor to come clear up the situation. Rather than waiting the estimated 15 minutes for a supervisor to arrive, I just drove around to the front and got there at 1:30. I figured that would still give me time to get my pass and be at the gates at 2pm. I ended up stuck in a parking lot of cars on the entrance road. We all sat waiting until they started letting cars in at 2pm. There were a lot of mad people. Some parents had to take their kids to the bathroom in the little building next to the gates.
- Met up with friends, and we started the day with 'Scrooge No More'. I really had no idea what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised to find the show was a very traditional retelling of the 'Christmas Carol' story, albeit set to music. It makes great use of the theater lighting technology, and some of the traveling spirit effects were amazing. The flying around was appropriately done. Performances were good, especially for the first show of the run, and the actor playing Scrooge was simply fantastic. I left the theater pleased and wanting to go back for more.
- We then made our way to the Festhaus for 'Deck the Halls', meeting and greeting other groups of friends along the way. 'Deck' was my favorite show last year, and I was looking forward to it, especially since some of my favorite performers from 'Stomp' are in it. Unfortunately, this show is another which has suffered from the shuffling of budgets necessary to support the expensive new shows in the Globe. The rotating fireplace and two story end setpiece are gone, leaving the center of the stage open. This lends itself to some creative possibilities not possible last year. But, the cast has also been trimmed down. After making an edited video of this show last year, I became familiar with every dance step in every song. I was disappointed to find many of my favorite moments missing. And, the reduced cast meant that there were times when necessary costume changes left the stage just Empty. Especially noticeable is the song with the ballroom dancing. Last year, the stage was filled with dancers, with the featured couple dancing around and between them. This year, the stage is empty for the whole first part of the song. Other notable changes include major costume changes, including a 'White Christmas' nod to its WWII heritage. Also, there are some "interesting" reindeer costumes sure to set tongues a-wagging in the forum and the park's facebook page.
- After that was a COLD viewing of 'Miracles'. Again, this show has suffered from the bean counter's axe reducing the number of performers in the cast. Most notable is the absence of the strong female lead singer from last year. The remaining singers harmonize beautifully with each other, but the lack of a strong lead leaves the show with a little less energy and focus. This is especially noticeable during the big finale song 'I Believe'. The choreography has been changed throughout, and while some previously favorite moments are gone, or toned down, there are some new moves which offer some compensation. During 'Once In Every Lifetime', last year there were fully 12 dancers onstage through most of the song, working with the "light balls". This year there are about half that number. On the other hand, some new dance moves caught my eye. In 'Flying Without Wings' there are some flying leaps by the ladies which require utmost faith that the guys are going to catch them. And, during 'The Fire Within' the flickering, swirling streamers fit perfectly. I think this show, on balance, will be fully as enjoyable as it was last year. One note which will please some readers: the show has just about been wiped clean of gratuitous hugging.
- Then came a stop for supper at the buffet behind the Festhaus. Salad - good. 1st plate of turkey and ham - tender and delectable. 2nd plate of turkey (from new tray) - dry. Chocolate cake - stale. Sugar cookie - crispy and delicious. All you can drink cocoa - hot and rich.
- Then it was on to 'Gloria'. I only saw this show a couple times last year, because it is my least favorite Christmas show. Though it has fantastic singing, I tend to be partial to shows with more dancing. It was about how I remembered it. The rest of my group, who like it more than I do, said it was the least changed show in the park from last year. They said it was good, but suffers from the lack of a couple favorite lead singers from last year. One thing of note: during the pre-show announcements, it was stated that absolutely no recording or photography was permitted during the show. Then, just before it started, there was another announcement which said that no flash photography was permitted. The former seems to be the policy at the globe. The latter has been the longstanding policy at the Abbystone. These contradicting policy statements probably won't affect me during Christmas Town, as I'm not planning to return to 'Gloria' often, but I'm mildly concerned about the policy for next year. Photographing shows and making edited show videos beings me a lot of personal satisfaction, and I'd be unhappy if the policy changed permanently in the Abbystone.
- Afterwards I had time for one more show before I needed to leave. I chose 'Miracles' because it may be shut down by rain Sunday evening, when I next make it to the park. Like normal for opening day, the later show was better than the early one, as the performers settle into their roles and work out the kinks.
Summary: Happily, Scrooged is good. Miracles and Gloria look to be about the same quality as last year. Deck may drop from my favorite show last year to number 3. Food continues unfortunate recent trend of being hit or miss. Overall a great day with friends that I hope to repeat in the near future.
I fully support the rule against flash photography. It is for the safety of the performers. The new ban against recording the shows is a different issue, however.
To be clear, does anyone know if they ever ended up letting Plat Pass members through the. England parking gate?
To be clear, does anyone know if they ever ended up letting Plat Pass members through the. England parking gate?
Agreed. Even if it wasn't, I'd still be against flashes because it's distracting to other guests. I'd even like to get rid of "live view" photography. I had a guy in front of me at Scrooge snapping away with his cell phone. It's just as distracting as when people use cell phones at the movies. When I video record shows I use a screen hood to shield other guests from having to be distracted by my screen. Anything else is just rude.Nicole said:
I heard a rumor that the problem was brought up with guest services, and has been resolved. I'm keeping that in the rumor pile until I hear that someone successfully uses the England gate. I'm expecting to get reports on this today.Nicole said: