Christmas Town

[David]

Honestly, the only place the volume bothers me in Aquitaine.  I find the entire hamlet too bright and too loud, after walking through the serenity of the Wild Reserve.  It sort of mirrors my main objection to Demon Street, actually:  I was assaulted by overwhelming sound and light, as I exited and dark and quiet path.

I saw scrooge right as I walked in. And it may have been where I was sitting, but my ears were ringing when I left. Maybe that just set the tone for the rest of the night, and I felt everything was just louder than it needed to be. It felt like they wanted me to focus on the music instead of the lights.

But i'd agree with Aquitaine. I went in the reverse direction though, going from Aquitaine to the reserve. Aquitaine did feel extremely bright, but maybe that's the point? It is by far the brightest part of the park. Luckily the reserve balanced that one out as I was walking out of the park.

 

[CoasterFish18]

Anyone done the wine tastings in Christmas Town? Which ones are good and which ones do I pass up? Any info you could provide would be great thanks! Could not find anything in this board on this topic. If it is easier to private message me to stay on track that is ok too.

 

[Party Rocker]

The only complaint I have, actually, is about the Quick Queues.  As bizarre as it sounds, I had to buy QQs to go to the shows.  Yes, you all read that correctly.  Sunday was Show Day, and we were very worried that the $12 crowds would prevent us from seeing everything.  Anyway, I was completely shocked at where they placed the people who actually pay money for their seats.  In Festhaus we were supposed to sit behind the large wall thingy on the stage (we moved); in San Marco, we were off to the side a few tiers up; in the Globe they had reserved the back two rows for QQ; and at the Abbeystone we should have sat behind the handicap seats.  None of these locations provided good (or in some cases any) views.  How can they charge people money for the worst seats in the house, when everyone else gets in free?  It doesn't seem like a very good business practice to me.

Actually, I see what they tried doing with the reserved seats for shows. I'm not sure if you noticed, but all of the shows (except for maybe Miracles, I didn't notice it) had reserved seating for the Insider Tour. These seats were the second row in the Globe, the front center tables in the Festhaus and the second row in the Abbeystone.

I guess what I see is that, those who paid the most money (Insider Tour) had the next to best seats for most the shows. Those who waited early in line had the chance to get the best seats where as those who paid for Quick Queues got Ehh seats. I think that Quick Queues shouldn't guarantee you the best seats. They just should guarantee you a seat regardless of quality. I mean I really do like how the people who actually have the patient to wait in line have the opportunity to get the best seats.

 

[Nicole]

They didn't reserve "ehh" seats for QQ. They reserved literally the worst seats in the house in some cases. Regardless of how much tenacity someone shows in standing in 40 degree weather for the show, the simple fact is that they didn't pay money for their seats. Putting someone who paid a premium to reserve a seat in advance in an incredibly bad section of the theater is a complete slap in the face. Furthermore, it isn't how QQ normally works.

If that is what they want to do with QQ seats there should be a warning on the description. Alternatively, they should just treat theater QQ like normal QQ and let those who paid for them into the theater first. In other words make them actual front of the line passes, as opposed to sit in the back of the theater passes.

 

[Party Rocker]

I read on the website reserved seats. Reserved does not imply the best, and I do not expect the best. Now if they were to say V.I.P seating then I would expect either the best or the next to best seats as I believe V.I.P implies that the seats are very important or nice.

I do feel that I would prefer they just allow those with Quick Queue to arrive 35 minutes prior and skip to the front of the line. That way they can choose their seats if they desire instead of forced to sit in a place they feel is too far back or too up front or too in the middle. If you don't arrive before the doors open, you forfeit your Quick Queue opportunity.

 

[Nicole]

I’m sorry but that makes absolutely no sense to me at all.

Why would anyone possibly pay money to reserve a terrible seat, when they could get a better seat for free? How on earth can it make sense to any business to expect their customers to pay for the worst product they offer, when there is a better option at no cost?

I never said QQ should get the best seats. I said that people who paid money shouldn’t get really bad seats.

 

[Luke]

I’m sorry but that makes absolutely no sense to me at all.

Why would anyone possibly pay money to reserve a terrible seat, when they could get a better seat for free?  How on earth can it make sense to any business to expect their customers to pay for the worst product they offer, when there is a better option at no cost?

I never said QQ should get the best seats.  I said that people who paid money shouldn’t get really bad seats.

Reminds me of the money I threw in the trash for my "backstage experience" of Monster Stomp...never went backstage...just on the stage for 5 minutes. What a waste...still livid...and bitter. Busch Gardens is just the worse. (to quote a dear friend of mine.)

 

[Peyton]

I think Busch's intent of QQ is just to ensure a seat in the show, not specifically a good seat, just a for-sure seat in the show so you dont have to worry about showing up super early to get a seat. Especially on a very busy day. I do understand your frustration and would think they would provide a little better seating. not just throw you in the back and go count the money they collected from you. i agree its not a very smart move on their part

 

[luseendesi]

I showed up for Miracles only 5-10 minutes before the show started with a qq I had purchased for my family and when we arrived no one knew where to sit us, they threw us in the front row and was like "yeah, here are the reserved seats". They only give you 30 minutes between shows to get to the next one so it's impossible to be there early. The whole experience with qq was extremely aggravating.

 

[deacfan31]

I don't know about anyone else but these $12 days make the park unbeareable. It's way to crowded. Can't enjoy rides because the lines are way to long and the same goes for the shows, food and just walking around.

 

[Party Rocker]

I’m sorry but that makes absolutely no sense to me at all.

Why would anyone possibly pay money to reserve a terrible seat, when they could get a better seat for free?  How on earth can it make sense to any business to expect their customers to pay for the worst product they offer, when there is a better option at no cost?

I never said QQ should get the best seats.  I said that people who paid money shouldn’t get really bad seats.

And I never said Quick Queue should be the worst seats. My opinion is best understood as Peyton said it, "intent of QQ is just to ensure a seat in the show, not specifically a good seat" Like I said, reserved doesn't mean the best seats, it just means a seat. I'd be happy that I'd be able to pay to guarantee a seat. If you plan ahead and get there early, you get the better seat regardless of Quick Queue or not, but at least with Quick Queue, you can get there just in time and you will definitely have a seat.

Honestly, the only days that I think aren't going to be crowded are days with rain in the forecast. Temperature doesn't matter, as both previous Sundays were rather cold compared to last Friday. People are willing to bundle up warm and chance a good night versus getting wet. If there is a chance of rain I say go. Also, most days after Christmas shouldn't be as bad.

 

[Zimmy]

BG should be clear what they inend for QQ. As is the concept is, at best half-baked. If their intent is to guarantee a seat they should say that. But given how much they charge it should not be the case.

 

[PrincessArlenasDad]

QQ should not be the worst seats. When people show up at the theater with their QQ in hand, they are looking forward to the show. To then find they are put in the worst seats leads to disappointment. They will then wish they had just gotten there early instead of getting QQ. It is not good when people regret paying extra for a service like this.

That said, QQ does not have to be premium seats, either. Most people would rather get good seats without having to get there really early than spend so much time in line to get the best seats. Therefore, good seats would lead to satisfaction with QQ.

 

[John]

Honestly, I see no point in providing a Quick Queue option for an event such as Christmas Town...

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

"And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world-from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven." -Matthew 24:31

I know many of you aren't religious, but I only found the caption fitting.

 

[Luke]

"And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." -Matthew 24:31

I know many of you aren't religious, but I only found the caption fitting.

Great pic and quote!

 

[PrincessArlenasDad]

Honestly, I see no point in providing a Quick Queue option for an event such as Christmas Town... Damn shame all this park cares about is trying to dig themselves out of a  hole they dug themselves into.

If you would like to see all the highlights in a single night when the park is crowded, QQ would be very helpful.

 

[John]

Honestly, I see no point in providing a Quick Queue option for an event such as Christmas Town... Damn shame all this park cares about is trying to dig themselves out of a  hole they dug themselves into.

If you would like to see all the highlights in a single night when the park is crowded, QQ would be very helpful.

The penguin exhibit is hardly a highlight if you ask me. With that being said, I really feel like a majority of the GP is going to see the lights, if you feel the desire to stop in for a show, wait in line...or like stated earlier have some sort of perk like exclusive seating choice that comes with the purchase of a QQ. Personally, I wouldn't spend $40 just to be "that guy" bypassing the lines at a Christmas event...now Memorial Day weekend at the park--that's a different story.

 

[Party Rocker]

Have you seen the massive crowds at the park during Christmas Town?

 

[Nicole]

The penguin exhibit is hardly a highlight if you ask me. With that being said, I really feel like a majority of the GP is going to see the lights, if you feel the desire to stop in for a show, wait in line...or like stated earlier have some sort of perk like exclusive seating choice that comes with the purchase of a QQ. Personally, I wouldn't spend $40 just to be "that guy" bypassing the lines at a Christmas event...now Memorial Day weekend at the park--that's a different story.

First, the penguins appear to be a huge draw, given how long those lines get and remain. I know my friends and I went the first year, mostly because of the penguin exhibit. Of course now I skip the Ice Palace and just do the behind the scenes tour, but I doubt that is a common choice.

Second, I think you kinda missed the point of this discussion. Because we had to see all of the performances in one day for my show review, we wasted our money on the QQs. I say "waste" as someone who buys cabanas and QQs at every park I visit. We were seated in the worst locations in every theater. They were the opposite of an "exclusive seating choice." They were a slap in our face from the park.

Finally, I can only assume you haven't been to CT this year, because the crowds have been incredibly large. I believe the park has reached capacity more than once. Presumably, it is because of the $12 deal they ran before the event. As near as I can tell, the only way to avoid an overwhelming mob is to go when it rains. Last weekend, Sat it rained and the crowds were light. Sunday was dry and you could barely navigate the paths. People were standing in lines for shows and not getting in to the theaters at all.

One last thought, reading the responses to my post about the QQs, several people seem to have either misinterpreted what I said or accepted PR's grossly inaccurate version of my complaint. I NEVER said that people with QQs should get the best seats in the house. In fact I said the opposite over and over again in several posts. I said that having paid for my seat, I shouldn't be placed behind walls, in the very back, etc. It simply makes no sense to give your paying customers at a free show seats from which they can't see the performers. It is insulting and a bad business decision.