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CastleOSullivan said:
Celticdog said:
They still have the carolers in England. I have seen them on several separate occasions. Usually while exiting Scrooge No More.

CastleOSullivan said:
The only thing still missing is street entertainment outside of England.

Maybe I should have worded that more clearly. I meant that they need street performers outside of what they already have in England.

I see. You mean like the Queen and Court Jester that used to be in France during the first year of the 12 Days of Christmas display, or the live performers that used to be in New France.
 
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Luke said:
Yay Fireworks for New Years!!!!
[facebook=https://www.facebook.com/BuschGardensVA/posts/10154336324673315:0]
That cool. I wish that they would do it as more of a new years event like maybe shooting them off at midnight.
 
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OK.  Not to be super-negative about the fireworks, but what do they have to do with New Years?  I feel as if there are a lot of creative and cool things that BGW could do on New Years Eve, involving champagne and specialty foods.  Maybe they could add some element to the ice show or something?

Regardless, as horsesboy mentioned, the fireworks (in as much as they make any sense at all) seem more logical on 31 December.
 
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Celticdog said:
I see. You mean like the Queen and Court Jester that used to be in France during the first year of the 12 Days of Christmas display, or the live performers that used to be in New France.

Yes. I especially enjoyed the singers in Ireland and the bagpiper.

I remember towards the end of the first season, it started snowing one day. At first it was beautiful, but soon every team member was trying to sweep snow and direct traffic. Amidst all the slipping people, the lonely bagpiper was still playing in Ireland. He was so cold (wearing no gloves) that I could hear him missing a few notes and his fingers could barely move.

I wonder if the weather has any influence on having so few performers. One might think that cold temperatures have no effects on singers, but that is not true.
 
Luke said:
I wonder what soundtrack they are going to use for the fireworks. I hope it's something new. I can't image Star Spangled Nights or Illuminights would work.

In 2010 they used the Illuminights soundtrack followed by an original recording (I assume) of Auld Lang Syne, which lasted about three minutes. I feel like the Illuminights soundtrack fits just a little bit more than Star Spangled Nights. Since Auld Lang Syne goes "Should auld acquaintance be forgot...", the Illuminights soundtrack could be though of as countries coming together and putting their differences aside for the new year.

The problem with the Illuminights soundtrack is that supposedly a hard drive was corrupted, and that's why they were unable to use that program this Summer. I don't know too many details, but I wonder if the park had a backup or created a new program. I will be very interested to see how this turns out.
 
The park is packed and horribly under staffed tonight as they were expecting only light attendance. Not a good combination.
 
Christmastown was very crowded tonight and way understaffed. They only had one station on Verbolten. The shows only had 4 shows each. They did add a second ice show, but it was not listed on the show times. No parking lot staff when we left to direct traffic. They were probably on the trams going across the tracks. I bet it takes to 11:30 to clear the parking lots.
 
The failure to accurately predict and prepare for the crowd levels last night were not the only problems.  

We parked at our usual 1:30 arrival time, expecting rope drop to be half and hour before the official opening.  From a distance it appeared as of they hadn't even opened the regular parking lots yet.  Regardless, we got to the turnstiles, and discovered that the gates were still closed.  At 1:45 there was a solid mob of people behind us, and I was unable to see the back of the line.  By 1:50 there were park employees getting ready to let us in.  The woman at our turnstile was learning how to use the ticket scanner and how to process guests.  They did not let us into the park until 2pm.  I have no idea how long it took them to get that massive crowd through the gates, especially since they only had four lanes open.

But that was not the only new innovation.  We quickly discovered that only Banbury and Heatherdowns were open until 2:30, when they gave us access to Festa.  Naturally, we couldn't get into San Marco until 2:45, and more importantly into the rest of the park until 3pm.

So, I sat at Festa Station waiting for what the announcer called "the Blue Train," so we could get InvadR pictures with nothing better to do than listen to the music lyrics.  I kinda wished I hadn't.  I always vaguely knew that Baby, Its Cold Outside was a date rape song, but I didn't realize how explicit it was until yesterday.  I really can't fathom why BGW thinks it is an appropriate tune for... well anything actually:

I really can't stay (but baby, it's cold outside)
I've got to go away (but baby, it's cold outside)

This evening has been (been hoping that you'd drop in)
So very nice (I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice)

My mother will start to worry (beautiful what's your hurry?)
My father will be pacing the floor (listen to the fireplace roar)

So really I'd better scurry (beautiful please don't hurry)
But maybe just a half a drink more (put some records on while I pour)

The neighbors might think (baby, it's bad out there)
Say what's in this drink? (no cabs to be had out there)

I wish I knew how (your eyes are like starlight now)
To break this spell (i'll take your hat, your hair looks swell)

I ought to say, no, no, no sir (mind if I move in closer?)
At least I'm gonna say that I tried (what's the sense in hurtin' my pride?)

I really can't stay (oh baby don't hold out)
But baby, it's cold outside

I simply must go (but baby, it's cold outside)
The answer is no (but baby, it's cold outside)

Your welcome has been (how lucky that you dropped in)
So nice and warm (look out the window at this dawn)

My sister will be suspicious (gosh your lips look delicious)
My brother will be there at the door (waves upon the tropical shore)

My maiden aunts mind is vicious (gosh your lips are delicious)
But maybe just a cigarette more (never such a blizzard before)

I've gotta get home(but baby, you'd freeze out there)
Say lend me a coat(it's up to your knees out there)

You've really been grand (I thrill when you touch my hand)
But don't you see? (how can you do this thing to me?)

There's bound to be talk tomorrow (think of my lifelong sorrow)
At least there will be plenty implied (if you got pnuemonia and died)

I really can't stay (get over that old out)
Baby, it's cold
Baby, it's cold outside
 
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We were shocked how crowded it was also on Monday. We have gone on the 26th the last 2 years, and it was a medium-sized crowd. This year, it was wall to wall. We came in the employee entrance no problem, but my parents, who don't have passes, came in the main entrance. They arrived before 2 and took over a half hour to get a spot.

I'm guessing a combination of the amazing weather and it being a federal holiday really brought in the masses.

Limited showings of the show was a huge problem.

Yesterday was really crowded also. Again, too few showings for the crowd. They did add a 2nd twas the night early on, but both shows wound up being canceled due to the warm weather.

Knowing how warm it was all day, they should have guessed twas the night would be cancelled anyway, and added showings of the other shows. The 8:00 miracles was sold out before 7:30.

They had staggered hamlet openings Yesterday also.

That all said, we really did have a terrific time both Monday and Tuesday.

Going again today. Plan on arriving at 1:30 for 2:30 scrooge. 2 showings of twas the night, again, and should be cool enough
 
CastleOSullivan said:
The problem with the Illuminights soundtrack is that supposedly a hard drive was corrupted, and that's why they were unable to use that program this Summer. I don't know too many details, but I wonder if the park had a backup or created a new program. I will be very interested to see how this turns out.

I still have the CD. They can borrow it, if it will help.
 
Celticdog said:
CastleOSullivan said:
The problem with the Illuminights soundtrack is that supposedly a hard drive was corrupted, and that's why they were unable to use that program this Summer. I don't know too many details, but I wonder if the park had a backup or created a new program. I will be very interested to see how this turns out.

I still have the CD. They can borrow it, if it will help.

Funny! I wonder how much time it would take them to re-create the same show if they know the sequences and materials that were used. Unfortunately, I don't know much about the process they use to create their pyrotechnic shows. I believe the concept design on the computer is different from the finalized production. Otherwise, it would seem easy for them to pull together any last-minute show.
 
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