Star Spangled Nights
- Thread starter Jrbgwfan06
- Start date
One of the park’s returning events will face some changes. Many people are quite confused at how the event will operate this year with the varying hours. One of the biggest issues debated was when are fireworks going to be used and what will happen during the shorter days. Right now, fireworks will only be on the weekends. It is undecided on if the Victory Canteen and Independence Grill will stay open during the week. One of the reasons for cutting back the hours and the event was due to low visitation especially during the summer weekdays.
Low visitation seems like a good reason to NOT extend a summer event to me...
Just realized something...I was looking up what the announcer says during Star Spangled Nights...(so I could harass some friends with my announcers voice) and realized they are using a Jimmy Carter quote.
From SSN the announcer says "We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams".
Just a little factoid.
From SSN the announcer says "We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams".
Just a little factoid.
According to the Fun Tracker Star Spangled Nights will only be running on weekends this season.
This leaves me to question what they are going to do with the San Marco during the week days. Honestly, I'm going to find it entirely awkward if I was walking through San America while it is supposed to be San Marco during the weekdays, but is still completely decorated. I would recommend that the park not decorate the entirety of San Marco this year.
I think they Should decorate the bridge so people at the park will know that the event exists, set up the bar and grill, but do not decorate anything outside of that area(the end of the Da Vinci's gardens area to the Teatro area). That way they could still have the revenue making attractions up, and be able to not make San America so noticeable during the week days. And possibly, limit the music to those areas. But considering that side of San Marco only seems to have one sound channel, due to Spanish music playing throughout the Da Vinci's gardens area during the F&WF, that may not be so plausible. Still, I wouldn't hold my breath, my suggestion is probably "too minimal" for Scott's liking.
This leaves me to question what they are going to do with the San Marco during the week days. Honestly, I'm going to find it entirely awkward if I was walking through San America while it is supposed to be San Marco during the weekdays, but is still completely decorated. I would recommend that the park not decorate the entirety of San Marco this year.
I think they Should decorate the bridge so people at the park will know that the event exists, set up the bar and grill, but do not decorate anything outside of that area(the end of the Da Vinci's gardens area to the Teatro area). That way they could still have the revenue making attractions up, and be able to not make San America so noticeable during the week days. And possibly, limit the music to those areas. But considering that side of San Marco only seems to have one sound channel, due to Spanish music playing throughout the Da Vinci's gardens area during the F&WF, that may not be so plausible. Still, I wouldn't hold my breath, my suggestion is probably "too minimal" for Scott's liking.
Perhaps Star Spangled Nights can just be... fireworks? Maybe some special food stands/merch.
That would fall under food stands...
My point is: they should ditch the gaudy decor.
My point is: they should ditch the gaudy decor.
Chef Justin told Zachary and me at the Travel & Adventure show that there would be specialty hot dogs again, and probably bacon on a stick.
Hi everyone! My first post...
I'm a relative newcomer to the park (this will be my 4th year to visit the park) and I'm not a local, so I'm not privy to much of the history of the park in terms of experiencing it throughout childhood; I lack a basis to make assessments of the park in comparison to its previous iterations. However, I've visited other parks and BGW is, far and away, the best park I've ever been to. I am a huge coaster nut and I could honestly spend an entire day in the park and not ride a single ride, simply because I think the ambiance of the park is so special. I'm from Alabama so I make advance plans to come up at least once a summer and spend a week at the park. (My brother moved up to the area some years ago, which was my introduction to BGW.)
That being said, I suppose I'm not sure about the aim of this event. My first visit to the park was during Illuminights, which I honestly really enjoyed. I thought the atmosphere was lovely and the fireworks were very pleasant at the end of the evening; the only downside was the issues with the rides having to shut down temporarily during the fireworks display, but even that was avoidable with some minor planning. The only real difference I can see with this is the addition of some gaudy decorations? I don't understand why they'd want to replace one very similar event, which had a much less limited appeal and theme timing, with a much more restrictive and less visually appealing one. Perhaps some of you can give me some insight into the thought process at play (though, after some exhaustive reading through a LOT of the older threads on this forum, I have a sneaking suspicion that the answer I will get is 'pretty much just because SG').
I know I don't have some of the attachments (and therefore, biases) to prior events based on my lack of history at the park, but I'm curious why it seems that what appeared to be relatively successful events have been replaced by others which appear to be less so.
Thanks everyone! Glad to be here.
I'm a relative newcomer to the park (this will be my 4th year to visit the park) and I'm not a local, so I'm not privy to much of the history of the park in terms of experiencing it throughout childhood; I lack a basis to make assessments of the park in comparison to its previous iterations. However, I've visited other parks and BGW is, far and away, the best park I've ever been to. I am a huge coaster nut and I could honestly spend an entire day in the park and not ride a single ride, simply because I think the ambiance of the park is so special. I'm from Alabama so I make advance plans to come up at least once a summer and spend a week at the park. (My brother moved up to the area some years ago, which was my introduction to BGW.)
That being said, I suppose I'm not sure about the aim of this event. My first visit to the park was during Illuminights, which I honestly really enjoyed. I thought the atmosphere was lovely and the fireworks were very pleasant at the end of the evening; the only downside was the issues with the rides having to shut down temporarily during the fireworks display, but even that was avoidable with some minor planning. The only real difference I can see with this is the addition of some gaudy decorations? I don't understand why they'd want to replace one very similar event, which had a much less limited appeal and theme timing, with a much more restrictive and less visually appealing one. Perhaps some of you can give me some insight into the thought process at play (though, after some exhaustive reading through a LOT of the older threads on this forum, I have a sneaking suspicion that the answer I will get is 'pretty much just because SG').
I know I don't have some of the attachments (and therefore, biases) to prior events based on my lack of history at the park, but I'm curious why it seems that what appeared to be relatively successful events have been replaced by others which appear to be less so.
Thanks everyone! Glad to be here.
So I am one of those people who grew up with the park and have know it for 40 years. (some of my earliest memories are at BG and KD for that matter)
I am also not a fan of Star Spangled Nights (SPS or Porno Nights)
One of the gripes you will here is that these events dominate the park and literally cover over park elements. This year after Food and Wine is over, we will never see the park again in its (I use this term loosely) "natural" state. It will go from one even to the other and each event will decorate and mask over parts if not all of the park.
Over the years these cover ups have done damage to some beloved parts of the park, the clock in Germany and the columns in Italy come to mind. To be fair the clock as been repaired but the columns look worse every year.
Many people did not like Illuminights, and I think that is largely because it felt forced, and perhaps over the top. However I think most here would prefer to have it back complete with the thing in Ireland and Germany if we could get rid of the the tacky crap put up for SPS. Frankly I do not believe Illluminights was received very well in general and Scott decided to re-produce the whole thing. I believe this is considered cheaper largely because the shows are cut and there are more bars. Booze = $$
To blame Scott is way to easy. Certainly his fingerprints are all over the tinsel and mylar and ticky-tacky decorations, but I believe a desire for a cheaper event with more opportunities for review growth are coming in from Carl as well.
Frankly this year the park is broke, so they trimmed it further and found a way to sell more booze afterwords.
I am also not a fan of Star Spangled Nights (SPS or Porno Nights)
One of the gripes you will here is that these events dominate the park and literally cover over park elements. This year after Food and Wine is over, we will never see the park again in its (I use this term loosely) "natural" state. It will go from one even to the other and each event will decorate and mask over parts if not all of the park.
Over the years these cover ups have done damage to some beloved parts of the park, the clock in Germany and the columns in Italy come to mind. To be fair the clock as been repaired but the columns look worse every year.
Many people did not like Illuminights, and I think that is largely because it felt forced, and perhaps over the top. However I think most here would prefer to have it back complete with the thing in Ireland and Germany if we could get rid of the the tacky crap put up for SPS. Frankly I do not believe Illluminights was received very well in general and Scott decided to re-produce the whole thing. I believe this is considered cheaper largely because the shows are cut and there are more bars. Booze = $$
To blame Scott is way to easy. Certainly his fingerprints are all over the tinsel and mylar and ticky-tacky decorations, but I believe a desire for a cheaper event with more opportunities for review growth are coming in from Carl as well.
Frankly this year the park is broke, so they trimmed it further and found a way to sell more booze afterwords.
First of all, welcome to the forums, mrsdecember! I think it is wonderful to hear viewpoints of those less familiar with the park. To fill you in briefly; Illuminights was on a big downward spiral since its debut. Rather than fixing the existing event, the park decided it would be better to cut the event.
Initially, I think that could've worked out well for them. If they just rebooted the event with its original concept in mind, it could have been a great event. However, once the park makes a decision and announces it, they hardly ever go back.
I am not completely out of hope yet. The events tend to run on a two to four-year cycle, depending on its popularity. After that cycle is up, they reinvent the entire infrastructure. If the park has a decent budget next year, I would not be surprised at all to see this event scrapped entirely.
Initially, I think that could've worked out well for them. If they just rebooted the event with its original concept in mind, it could have been a great event. However, once the park makes a decision and announces it, they hardly ever go back.
I am not completely out of hope yet. The events tend to run on a two to four-year cycle, depending on its popularity. After that cycle is up, they reinvent the entire infrastructure. If the park has a decent budget next year, I would not be surprised at all to see this event scrapped entirely.
I expect we will see many changes over the next year. I will be disappointed if one of them is not a dramatic re-alignment of moneys and re-prioritization of park events and needs.
It's beginning to look a lot like Star Spangled Nights.(unfortunately)
Currently, the immediate Da Vinci's Garden of Invetions area has been decorated:
[instagram=https://instagram.com/p/4e1HoCEQJ9/]
Along with the San Marco-Oktoberfest bridge:
[instagram=https://instagram.com/p/4e1cl4EQK2/]
I expect the rest of San Marco(or San Murico) to be decorated as we get closer to the event, unfortunately.
Currently, the immediate Da Vinci's Garden of Invetions area has been decorated:
[instagram=https://instagram.com/p/4e1HoCEQJ9/]
Along with the San Marco-Oktoberfest bridge:
[instagram=https://instagram.com/p/4e1cl4EQK2/]
I expect the rest of San Marco(or San Murico) to be decorated as we get closer to the event, unfortunately.
Sure enough.
[tweet=https://twitter.com/CastleOSullivan/status/615317424708190208/]
EDit: Sorry, Matthew, I didn't see the top of your post. You beat me to it.
[tweet=https://twitter.com/CastleOSullivan/status/615317424708190208/]
EDit: Sorry, Matthew, I didn't see the top of your post. You beat me to it.
We saw the Statue appear in Italy overnight during our visit... I just don't understand why all of that stuff is necessary. Surely there must be better ideas out there.
Is the idea to appeal to the substantial military presence nearby? Were guests questioning the lack of a 'Murica hamlet in the park (aka enveloping the park in total)? Is the rest of the entire continental USA surrounding Williamsburg on all sides not enough for someone? Have we finally descended to a level of cultural idiocy marked by vast swaths of BG's target market refusing to visit an internationally-themed park unless all things spangled and deep fried are literally dropped atop the atmospheres of every other represented country during the park's peak season?
I suppose my real question is, what is the goal of this theme beyond keeping people in the park at night? Is there one? Are they trying to draw new guests or retain existing guests? Both? Who is going to suddenly decide to visit BG just because it undercuts much of its actual theming in favor of the same stuff they can get everywhere else in the USA?
Or is it just the allure of the New Thing? For BG's sake I hope that's enough to draw folks in. I don't live in their active target market (as it seems to be defined these days, anyway), so I don't know what kind of marketing they have put behind the Americanization of the park. But walking around and seeing the prep work for it really left me scratching my head.
Is the idea to appeal to the substantial military presence nearby? Were guests questioning the lack of a 'Murica hamlet in the park (aka enveloping the park in total)? Is the rest of the entire continental USA surrounding Williamsburg on all sides not enough for someone? Have we finally descended to a level of cultural idiocy marked by vast swaths of BG's target market refusing to visit an internationally-themed park unless all things spangled and deep fried are literally dropped atop the atmospheres of every other represented country during the park's peak season?
I suppose my real question is, what is the goal of this theme beyond keeping people in the park at night? Is there one? Are they trying to draw new guests or retain existing guests? Both? Who is going to suddenly decide to visit BG just because it undercuts much of its actual theming in favor of the same stuff they can get everywhere else in the USA?
Or is it just the allure of the New Thing? For BG's sake I hope that's enough to draw folks in. I don't live in their active target market (as it seems to be defined these days, anyway), so I don't know what kind of marketing they have put behind the Americanization of the park. But walking around and seeing the prep work for it really left me scratching my head.