IllumiNights 2013

[chickenking]

OktoberFest & GLOW Island...

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

Glow Island looks like a glow stand vendor took Carl Lum's dog hostage in order to get the most fantastical glow stand ever.

 

[netdvn]

France looks 100% better than it has in Illuminights past. I don't understand why everyone is so up in arms about it. OK so the snail is ugly, but the rest of the hamlet makes up for the one ugly prop.

 

[Applesauce]

I thought France looked really pretty lit up at night, like how I think Illuminights should look.

And then I saw the snail.

 

[newsie]

If anyone is interested in the soundtrack used after the fireworks, they play "Celebration of Life," "Journey to Alpha Centauri," and "Wine and City Lights" all by Van Krueger.

 

[chickenking]

New map:
Will try and get a much better PDF later.

Well, here it is at last! ChickenHawk worked really hard on a map that would not only look better, but be more functional for daily use as well. I like it!!

 

[pandorazboxx]

Did anybody get a video or pictures of the Giardino Magico show? I missed it wednesday. I got to see the Killarney Kommotion show. The beginning was OK, but once they started "Call me maybe" it got bad quick. I preferred the street show I saw at Kings Dominion last year. At least those kids were actually singing and doing cool dance moves to similar top 40 music.

It appears to me the theme of Illuminights, is "Buy glow stuff!" Seriously, I don't think you can go more than 20 yards without running into a glow stand.

We did the Rhine Cruise for the Fireworks and it was pretty nice. Apparently the locals made it out to the dam at the end of the lake to watch the fireworks too. I don't think they were supposed to be there though. If you're thinking about doing it, sign up ahead of time so you don't get stuck on the third boat. The first two boats pull closer to the speakers so it's easier to hear the music that goes with the fireworks. We were on the third boat so we were straining to hear the music over the fireworks. Also make sure you use the restroom before you head down there. The boats are out there for about an hour or more. They have to clear the trestle with the fire marshall before they'll allow the boats to head back to the dock.

I gotta say Illuminights 2010 was the best. Steadily downhill since then. They just need to shelf it and spend the money on something else.

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

I gotta say Illuminights 2010 was the best. Steadily downhill since then. They just need to shelf it and spend the money on something else.

Pretty much this, the event is dead and has to be causing the park to hemorrhage money.

 

[chickenking]

Here is a bit of the magic I found (for me) at the park for IllumiNights:

 

[IndyRacingNut]

I can only think of one reason the snail is there.....

Signature French dish. You know the one. Escargot.

On the menu for next year's F&W, you think? Nah...

(Escargot isn't actually bad at all. Better than eating raw oysters, piss and all...)

 

[pandorazboxx]

But the snail has a chef's hat on!?

 

[BGW Family]

^^^
Cannibal snails?

 

[Peter R.]

I can only think of one reason the snail is there.....

Signature French dish. You know the one. Escargot.

On the menu for next year's F&W, you think? Nah...

(Escargot isn't actually bad at all. Better than eating raw oysters, piss and all...)

Escargot was what one of the people in that area jokingly told me they named it, actually. I was a little slow (tired?) that day and they had to explain the joke.

 

[Party Rocker]

So from what I've heard, Illuminights fireworks cost about $10,000 plus an extra $5,000 for the Forth of July sets. Also to note, each display is shipped into the park the day of the fireworks and is immediately transported to the boneyard where they remain the entire day until about the time the close the train and prepare the bridge. The fireworks are very much so guarded by BGW security officers throughout the day until boom boom time.

__________________________________________________________

This year IlumiNights is a total bust. You have great performers put in sub par shows. Park is barely decorated. To say BG made a decent attempt this year, well that would be pushing it. Website says On one page that IllumiNights has two shows which is true yet another part says a IllumiNights has show in each country, very misleading. If BG is implying the regular shows are part of IllumiNights then this is just plain sad. Also, cheesy decorations are not impressive. I saw the interview with VP of entertainment Scott G. and to hear him talk we hold have been blown away with this years events. As usual he lied. Examples: the Ireland show will contain Irish music, hmmm they played part of one Irish song. Did not know Journey, Black Eyed Peas, Lady GaGa were Irish. He said the 4th of July fireworks would be 10 minutes of the regular show followed by 10 additional minutes of patriotic fireworks. Total running time for both shows was 11mins.. What happened to the other 9mins.? Landscaping this year is well below standards. If BG wins most beautiful park, I will be surprised. I know it doesn't sound like it, but I and many others truly love BG. Sorry certain portions of mgmt. well they suck. Park is going downhill fast this year. You need to go back to the Olde Country days, as they say if its not broke why fix it. If BG cares like they say they do then I encourage all of mgmt. to work the park, talk to guests and take the good with the bad comments. Stop looking at the park through rosé colored glasses. Again to mgmt., the challenge is there. Prove me wrong, I don't think you have what it takes to work the park and get real feedback from your guests. So what's it going to be, listen or ignore? Only one will tell.

I think I will place this right here. It is from Facebook but since much discussion about Illuminights may take place about it, I think it will fit here for the moment.

 

[Julia]

^^^I just read that comment on their FB page. I was like WOW!

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

10/10 I agree with everything he says.

 

[chickenking]

Some more magic in Italy's garden:

 

[DrMoneyReturns]

To be fair, that facebook post was probably from one of us, hahaha.

 

[BBW]

To be fair, that facebook post was probably from one of us, hahaha.

I wondered that myself, and it doesn't really matter, but would be a strong congruence of opinion if it's not a BGWFans member. It was a strong statement. I feel the same as that poster when listening to Scott's speeches -- of course you have to put your best foot forward, but when he talks about stuff that hasn't been that popular as though it is a huge hit, you just wonder how bad his disconnect from reality is.

 

[Alf33]

Anybody have a sweet tooth that they'd like to satisfy with a Dessert Buffet at Bistro 205 along with reserved seating for the fireworks? I seen this sign while an employee was still putting the lights on it. Sorry for the sun glare. I was going to go back and take another shot but forgot.