Getting this discussion out of the SFA Holiday event thread.
horsesboy said:
Nicole said:
For what it is worth, I 100% do NOT go for the shows or food. I go for the lights. And trust me, if I didn't have to drive down to Williamsburg, I wouldn't.
I am a little puzzled by that there are drive through light shows in Manassas and a very nice one out at Meadow Event park next to KD. What makes Christmas Town more appealing?
I am sorry I haven't responded sooner. I think this is a valid question, given my assertion.
Before I start, I need to explain that I am in a really, really awful mood this week, because of work. As a result, I clearly overstated the case. That said, it is no secret that I don't care about the shows at any theme park. If I want theater, I go to the Kennedy Center or the Signature, or somewhere else in my immediate vicinity.
The throw-away response is that I am an Admin and blogger for a BGW fan site, so I have to check out CT several times. Since I have been going to BGW's holiday event since it first opened, however, that is obviously nonsense.
We actually did try several other Christmas attractions this year, and I loved the lights at Norfolk's Botanical Gardens. The display on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk was really improved this year, as well. We also went to Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth and Newport News. As much as I really enjoyed all of these Christmas events, I think I still preferred Christmas Town at BGW.
I'm not going to bring the crowds into the discussion other than to say that if the park doesn't find some kind of solution for the mayhem that we observed last year, I might not want to go back to CT more than once in 2016.
Anyway, I think it is reasonable for me to say that I don't go to CT for the shows; I don't go to BGW for the shows year-round. So I will stick with that claim. The reality is, however, that I do go to the park every holiday season in the hopes of trying interesting food and drink. I do love the wassail and the cranberry hot toddies. That said, I am struggling to recall anything I ate at CT2015 that I would be in a hurry to buy again (besides some of the desserts). I have avoided putting this in print, but, to be brutally honest, I have not been impressed with the food over the past few years. I have enjoyed Josephine's and some of the crepes have been good, but generally, I feel as if the quality has been going down and I just haven't found myself looking forward to eating much of the park offerings. Before anyone says "F&WF," I have found those dishes to be mixed, as well.
Anyway, if I legitimately don't care about the shows, and the food is no longer a huge enticement, why do I go to CT, rather than driving through the lovely light displays scattered around the state? Well first, the light and music parings are in some places perfect (Polar Pathway). Moreover, there is an immersive aspect to CT that no other event has (except maybe the Dickens-themed attraction in Norfolk). I love going from hamlet to hamlet experiencing at the cohesive holiday environments. I shop; try the food; admire the lights; and enjoy the music. Honestly, that level of immersion isn't replicated elsewhere. Plus, I adore the skyride, during CT. The views are gorgeous.
So, I guess I go to CT for a full holiday experience, not just for the lights.