This area is really coming together nicely. The flower fleur-de-lis are a nice touch; the bar, on the other hand, looks kind of tacky. Hopefully they add something else to that: maybe even a weathering effect would make it look more authentic. As for the angel statue, no idea what's going on there. Maybe a large sign or huge wine glass for photo ops?
France Renovations
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
Nora said:
I'm pretty sure it was stated during one of the pass member preview presentations that the grape stomping would be somewhere in San Marco.
Finally got to the park today to see the improvements, and I am extremely happy with the transformation of the area. I know "transformation" is a rather hefty word for the sprucing up of an area, but give me a second to explain.
I really don't know what was new beyond recent updates and I didn't take any pictures since I didn't bring my SLR (it was a spontaneous trip). However with that in mind, from looking at the images of wisteria arbors and trellises, the two root plants seem to have shown a bit of growth and are filling out. The area is quickly becoming a space "that has been there" instead of a space that "was recently put there," which the park has been grappling with lately (see Griffon and surrounding countryside). People have started using the space, and I mean almost every table was occupied. When you really think about it, this is the first time in a while that the park has created a space to simply stay put and people-watch; here one comes to relax and experience the atmosphere; the Biergarten was an attempt, but its too secluded from Oktoberfest to cause some actual interaction with the surrounding environments.
This kinda leads to why I think the space, including the Le Maison redo, the new "street-corner cafe," and the overall re-freshening of the sense of arrival in Aquitaine, is so successful. It's vibrant, and in the best ways possible - its cluttered and a bit of a sensory overload. There is so much going on in the area, and yet, the area is extremely cohesive. When you all get to go to Paris one day, you'll see that this is actually so true for the bigger European cities. Paris is a constant sensory overload; I know Aquitaine is not Paris, but come on - they took from the tight streets of Paris when creating the spaces. If I'm being honest, I was only in the space for less than a minute, and in that first moment, I tried to scan the area and take it all in. I couldn't. That's Paris. And for a designer creating spaces like these, that's gold.
People were everywhere - and yet the park was pretty dead. That screams "a big city" and "vibrancy" and to me, that screams success.
I know that many of you have been speaking about your fears concerning the park leaving its small park roots behind, and that the experiences have been becoming too standardized and commercialized, but this space as a whole is a great sign that Busch hasn't forgotten that it was founded on the idea of creating a space for people to come together, eat, drink, socialize, and experience a space that you don't have in your local bar. When you really delve into the history of the parks and of the AB Brand, you quickly realize that the rides were a variable added much later to the park (or at least the original, as whole).
So go sit in the area, on the benches or in the dining area. You'll feel like you have a private space at your table, yet still feel like you're a part of the hubub of the surrounding streets.
They've created a powerful streetscape - and I love it.
-Sky
I really don't know what was new beyond recent updates and I didn't take any pictures since I didn't bring my SLR (it was a spontaneous trip). However with that in mind, from looking at the images of wisteria arbors and trellises, the two root plants seem to have shown a bit of growth and are filling out. The area is quickly becoming a space "that has been there" instead of a space that "was recently put there," which the park has been grappling with lately (see Griffon and surrounding countryside). People have started using the space, and I mean almost every table was occupied. When you really think about it, this is the first time in a while that the park has created a space to simply stay put and people-watch; here one comes to relax and experience the atmosphere; the Biergarten was an attempt, but its too secluded from Oktoberfest to cause some actual interaction with the surrounding environments.
This kinda leads to why I think the space, including the Le Maison redo, the new "street-corner cafe," and the overall re-freshening of the sense of arrival in Aquitaine, is so successful. It's vibrant, and in the best ways possible - its cluttered and a bit of a sensory overload. There is so much going on in the area, and yet, the area is extremely cohesive. When you all get to go to Paris one day, you'll see that this is actually so true for the bigger European cities. Paris is a constant sensory overload; I know Aquitaine is not Paris, but come on - they took from the tight streets of Paris when creating the spaces. If I'm being honest, I was only in the space for less than a minute, and in that first moment, I tried to scan the area and take it all in. I couldn't. That's Paris. And for a designer creating spaces like these, that's gold.
People were everywhere - and yet the park was pretty dead. That screams "a big city" and "vibrancy" and to me, that screams success.
I know that many of you have been speaking about your fears concerning the park leaving its small park roots behind, and that the experiences have been becoming too standardized and commercialized, but this space as a whole is a great sign that Busch hasn't forgotten that it was founded on the idea of creating a space for people to come together, eat, drink, socialize, and experience a space that you don't have in your local bar. When you really delve into the history of the parks and of the AB Brand, you quickly realize that the rides were a variable added much later to the park (or at least the original, as whole).
So go sit in the area, on the benches or in the dining area. You'll feel like you have a private space at your table, yet still feel like you're a part of the hubub of the surrounding streets.
They've created a powerful streetscape - and I love it.
-Sky
Wait since when has Busch ever been a small park? Yes it has plenty of charm and atmosphere to go around, but plenty of major parks can pull that off pretty well too.
I will say the new area does look amazing. Far better than last year's glow/art stand.
I will say the new area does look amazing. Far better than last year's glow/art stand.
I honestly don't understand your comparison of Aquitaine to Paris. Aquitaine is in fact a real French provence. The actual Aquitaine is slightly mountainous with plenty of countryside and very much different than Paris. I think the area definitely is resembling more of the countryside by adding the grape vines. Those grap vines give me a sense of being out in the country, in a real wine yard in France.
I also like the more contemporary look of the area. This shows you that, the park much like the real world is evolving and updating. It is becoming much more contemporary but at the same time it is keeping French roots and is still recognizably French.
Also, the area is the dinning area for the crepe and coffee stand
But I really wish the park added more small cafes and such like this. It really gives you a sense of being somewhere else and not in a park. This is another reason why I enjoy the new wine tasting/cafe in Italy. It is a small cafe with a nice dining area that is somewhat contemporary but holds on to it's Italian roots.
Also it is nice to have space just to sit down and relax vs being rushed to the next big ride or show so that you can fit it all in.
Another downfall of the Bier Garten to me was lack of entertainment (I rarely ever saw the band play there, maybe I was just unlucky and never caught them playing) as well as they added those ugly benches with umbrellas. Maybe it they added actual tables and chairs like with the new French dining area for the crepe and coffee stand, the area would a lot nicer and pleasant? The Bier Garten just seems to amusement park-ish to me.
I also like the more contemporary look of the area. This shows you that, the park much like the real world is evolving and updating. It is becoming much more contemporary but at the same time it is keeping French roots and is still recognizably French.
Also, the area is the dinning area for the crepe and coffee stand
But I really wish the park added more small cafes and such like this. It really gives you a sense of being somewhere else and not in a park. This is another reason why I enjoy the new wine tasting/cafe in Italy. It is a small cafe with a nice dining area that is somewhat contemporary but holds on to it's Italian roots. Also it is nice to have space just to sit down and relax vs being rushed to the next big ride or show so that you can fit it all in.
Another downfall of the Bier Garten to me was lack of entertainment (I rarely ever saw the band play there, maybe I was just unlucky and never caught them playing) as well as they added those ugly benches with umbrellas. Maybe it they added actual tables and chairs like with the new French dining area for the crepe and coffee stand, the area would a lot nicer and pleasant? The Bier Garten just seems to amusement park-ish to me.
Party Rocker said:
For the record, there are a few references to Paris in Aquitaine. The first one that comes to mind is the fake cake in Cafe Lulu shaped like the Eiffel Tower. Also, I'm almost positive one of the pictures on the walls illustrates a Parisian exposition.
Not only that, but the walkways through Aquitaine are not exactly like those you would find in a village in the French countryside. They remind me more of a narrow alleyway or street in Paris.
A mini Eiffel Tower thing welcomes you during IllumiNights!!
I'm pretty sure the sign at the entrance to Aquitaine during Illuminights isn't meant to resemble the Eiffel Tower, but rather the Arc Di Triomphe. Still, I suppose that is a Parisian symbol...
^
You know what, I think you are correct. I was thinking about it after I posted my comment. I think Zachary has a picture somewhere.
You know what, I think you are correct. I was thinking about it after I posted my comment. I think Zachary has a picture somewhere.
It's a weird one; it's Arc shaped, but made out of metal like the Eiffel Tower...
So they ended up building 1/3rd of the Eiffel tower? Sorry, I didn't get to see that yesterday. We went around the bottom through Italy & Germany. Never went through Ireland/France this time like usual.
I'm much more keen on KD's Eiffel Tower than BGW's Eiffel Arc Oh and I feel the French hamlet would look so much nicer without those streamers hanging everywhere. I hope the park doesn't go overboard with those this year.
You do realize Oktoberfest is a giant carnival right?
Oh and I feel the French hamlet would look so much nicer without those streamers hanging everywhere. I hope the park doesn't go overboard with those this year. You do realize Oktoberfest is a giant carnival right?
What about Festa Italia. Nothing says carnival like colorful tents.
Festa is a celebration of Marco Polo's travels, so it's a carnival too, just a different theme.