IllumiNights 2013

[Party Rocker]

If plans go well tomorrow, I should have an amazing treat for those who enjoy the event

 

[chickenking]

More importantly (sorry ChickenKing!) IllumiNights 2013 will be over in less than 24 hours!

Yes. As much as I love lights and fireworks, I am definitely ready for this thing to be over. I cannot wait to ride my beloved train after dark again. I have had little, if any, zen for over a month now.

 

[chickenking]

OK. I know y'all have been waiting in anticipation. From my new favorite fireworks photo spot...Here it is!! Your...
Bang! Pow! Boom!

 

[Party Rocker]

That last picture looks like a large explosion typically found in movies, very neat I must say.

 

[Hoopla]

I couldn't find the Aquatine Village Band thread, so I will put it here. We watched the 9:00 pm show last night (as usual). We were basically the only people that say to watch the show. After the show, the trumpeter came to talk to us. We found out that he will be in Dig It Up for Howl-O-Scream and Deck The Halls for Christmastown. Today is their last day, so if possible, go and watch them.

 

[Party Rocker]

Just an interesting tid bit of info; one of the French waiters is actually an Aquabatics high diver who twisted their ankle performing. Just thought that was neat.

BTW, does Scott not like WCUSA? They seem to have a lack of shows

 

[netdvn]

Since last night was the final night of Illuminights, time to post a quick review. Despite being at the park for most of the Illuminights season, I only managed to catch one show. I saw Giardinio Magico last year and the year before. It was good both years, so I assumed it never really changed.

Killarney Kommotion (3/5) - Even though everyone absolutely hated this show (friends and fans alike) I thought it wasn't the worst show ever and with a bit of retooling, it would be greatly improved. If the park added a lot more acrobatics on the tower and changed out the music choice to include a bit more Irish music, it would be a ton better. I didn't really have a problem with the pop music that they played. I also noticed the musicians from Celtic Fyre play in the background too (although Celtic Fyre is infinitely better than this).

Decor (4/5) - Although the decorations still look ugly and tacky in some places, I really dig the scaled back event. In years past, the park would be covered from head to toe in ugly garland and streamers. This year there's an emphasis on the "gardens" motif with all the animals. Just wish the park took a bit more effort putting together the animal props. They look a bit ugly. Glow tree in Oktoberfest is better than Wunderbarn and Clocktoberfest, but could use a bit of alcohol and a more interactive tree. I'm sure the park would make a killing off both glow and alcohol.

Overall: I still prefer the park to stay the way it is without decorations during summer and would rather see Illuminights leave for a bigger budget in Food & Wine, HOS, and CT.

 

[tursiops]

^^ well put

 

[pandorazboxx]

Last night was kind of a bummer of a night for Illuminights for me. The two evening shows were cancelled due to the weather. It didn't seem like there was a storm around, radar was clear and coasters were operating again. Not sure what that was about. So I missed out on seeing Giardino Magico and the Aquitaine Village Band live. Verbolten only had 3 trains running and one station loading (budget reasons maybe?) and we barely got on right before the fireworks. At least they did have the fireworks.

 

[chickenking]

Normally I would do an extensive review after the closing of a special event but this time I don't think it is warranted. And frankly, I just don't feel like it.

IllumiNights 2013
- GLOW bugs & GLOW Island............if I was 6 again, AWESOME!! But otherwise...WTF!
- Overall decoration & atmosphere...eh, OK.
- Giardino Magico......GOOD!
- Killarney Komotion...WTF!
- Fireworks............Always a pleasure.
- Only two shows (scrapped two)...BAD!
- Closed EITA on opening day...Mixed feelings, but way it was handled...BAD!!

*You broke my heart (and apparently the budget). Never have I been so enthusiastic about a special event being over. Cannot wait to ride my beloved train in the dark again...GOOD! REAL GOOD!!

 

[BGW Family]

Hey CK, we got to ride the green train caboose last week. That was new for us in all these years. Neat to see.

 

[chickenking]

^
Yeah, it was pretty cool. Glad y'all enjoyed it! Though I really wouldn't want to do it in this heat.
Rather surprised the Green train was running. Was that last Monday or Tuesday?

EDIT:
Now what I really want to do now is get a caboose full of percussionists on a cooler Fall evening and just jam all around the park.

 

[BGW Family]

Monday, Sir. Tuesday was a rain-fest courtesy of Poseidon.

 

[Zachary]

[tweet=https://twitter.com/SamWalkerOBX/status/367039209904685057]

[tweet=https://twitter.com/SamWalkerOBX/status/367039627669954561]

 

[chickenking]

Yeah, I have heard it said that the green train is like last to be used on very busy days, or if one of the other trains is down for maintenance or something. It is definitely my favorite Christmas Town train.

 

[gazisghost]

Thank God it's over! If they are going to do the same or worse next year, I hope it doesn't come back! Keep fireworks on Fridays and Saturdays. Scrap the rest! My celebration of summer is going to the park. No need for an event. Especially, if it is a half done/half canceled piece of crap, that doesn't go with the theme of the park. They can keep it! Good riddance. End rant:

 

[Haberdasher1973]

For me, Illuminights is nothing more than an excuse for the park to be that obnoxious neighbor who leaves their Christmas lights up all year.

 

[Zachary]

Just got back from the park. Basically every last remnant of the event has been removed aside from the "Welcome Center" before the turnstiles and the stage in Da Vinci Gardens. I must say, overall, the park was quite pleasant this morning.

Here's a current picture of the San Marco Stage:

 

[Party Rocker]

For me, Illuminights is nothing more than an excuse for the park to be that obnoxious neighbor who leaves their Christmas lights up all year.

So you mean I can keep my Christmas Lights and use them to celebrate summer? Haha, actually what I would do to celebrate summer as far as outdoor decor, get tiki torches and porch lights and add in some neat garden decor like a garden gnome

 

[Mushroom]

So you're suggesting a tropical version of Entwined, PR? Boooo!!