brenthodge

There’s at least a sign at the entrance to Adventure Express, so they are addressing it, but that doesn’t bode well since with budget cuts, I can’t see printing a sign just for a few more days.

Do you tell them a time you want it? Do they text you “ready” seems like an odd way to do it when you could just have them pick up at a designated line. I guess this way makes it less “staffed”

Do they fill it from the back or do they have to walk it out to put it in the cubbies.

AHHHH "Enough to keep a little hope alive" Just the EXACT thing every new restaurant hopes for in their online reviews! (I totally agree - so I'm not slamming you at all). That's a pathetic goal to aspire to. Add to that sporadic at best - non existent at worst training of the front line staff on new policies and non-sensical policies, almost non-existent marketing about monthly specials, monthly specials that stay on easily updated digital menus into the next month - but are no longer available, special deserts that you have to wade through the entire service line to get to... again I feel like they are actively WANTING people to leave the park and go to Wendy's (maybe it's an inside arrangement we aren't aware of. I think the Skyline over there still runs their train with 6 cars, so at least THEY haven't cut their budgets LOL)

I was very detailed about food quality and overall value as well as entertainment and experience as driving factors for me (and my family) so hopefully I’ve been a voice in support of keeping live E and event budgets as robust as possible. Honestly after last year and the way this one seemed to be heading, I can’t personally enjoy a slide back to the days of dog shows. But I guess dogscwork for kibble… literally.

Well stated, and I agree the end hasn’t come for cuts. Concerning is the statement about managing down fixed costs as well as variable costs and the “anticipated lift” from halloween and Winterfest activities. If that lift doesn’t come, I’m nervous about next season.

I’m not sure which is worse. A crappy policy, or crappy training. Neither are gonna drive that needed revenue!

So they WANT it to fail now, right?

Oh no-the staff, cast and even support crew for Carnivale, and the entire season hove been great. Even with things like decor. I’m sure the team would LOVE to put out more of the elements the park owns in storage. It’s not that they don’t have it, it’s that that they aren’t allowed the hours to do it. I’m sure it pains everyone knowing they aren’t delivering what they are capable of, but simply what they are budgeted to provide.

Agree on the less is less school of thought. Given this year, events like CARNIVALE should’ve been AMAZING bc and hyped to the 9s and provided an experience worth the hype to make it a CANT miss event instead of the begrudging “we have to do some watered down version of the thing for the passholders feel we have this year. Honestly even if I had nothing to compare it to, it barely lives up to what minimal hype they created around the event. I wouldn’t talk it up to anyone who had to pay to go, as it’s really just not a value added event this year. Years past -even as a passholders I’ve gotten a tasting card and gone multiple evenings and even brought others (ticket buying) guests. This year the event doesn’t seem to have a purpose beyond the parade at (too bright) 7 and nothing really has motivated me to spend money beyond my meal plan for food. Cheap t shirts to commemorate an event that I’m pretty apathetic to (that I’ve LOVED in the past) just don’t motivate me to spend. So much bottom line motivated, short sighted thinking this year. And that’s just around one event. There have been so many misses around Adventure Port and other ideas. Sad.

For threat of bad weather they will just switch to parade mode and continue all the way around. Almost wish they would cut 2 show stops- one by VIP And go to one in front onnI street - that and coney are the best places to see the whole “show” anyway and if clearly promoted that way, I think it would be enough to satisfy the “show people” unless people are really into the show stop, it can come off as awkward anyway.

Lot of chatter in social world about “why the parade just ends and everyone leaves” been that one from year 1 not sure why it’s now annoying everyone as much as it has me all along LOL

It’s always had that. It’s odd placement seeing as you don’t really stand there, but just pass through.

What we had compared to what we’ve got is pretty telling. The GrandShowcase has been replaced by an hour late “ opening” that actually has a commercial for TASTING CARDS in the middle of it. I’m surprised they didn’t put the cast in CARVIVALE T shirts “on sale now at the EMPORIUM!!!” With a clearance fashion show LOL.

because they couldn't promote a special food offering if their job depended on it... wait... THERE'S an idea!

Yes. It was a great solution to the “how do we get them back home “ problem they created storing them where they do. They kept the two “self contained “ units (the opening trampoline unit and the dirigible unit that that year was self contained) since they couldn’t really take up space with the two cars needed got the other ones. Since the floats have all been replaced with lesser versions, it’s really not possible to leave them out with the tow units to trip over.

no - why would any for profit company care about where the revenue comes from. Thats like a Jr Higher running the company and shooting itself in the foot for petty reasons to prove a point (but try using that justification for investors). They stopped painting Diamond Back because IT IS RUNNING during the part of the day that you would actually paint something - Dragster can be painted any time of the day, Budget cuts are mandated across the board to hit margins that may be set be people with little actual operation experience, and maybe Don got tired of dealing with conspiracy theorist and wanted a simpler life - who knows?!?

I HATE THE WAY THE PARADE IS RUN. I've complained about this since we started parades again. It is always like this has nothing to do with budget cuts - they do a show and then its mass chaos as performers run off - people on floats jump down - at Christmas - people anchored to floats just have to ride it out back to coney. It is HORRIBLE SHOW. At least now there is a big red sticker that says PARADE ENDS HERE so supposedly no one stands past that point to see the parade, but it you are at that point you only see a show stop and whatever is in front of you...it ends... people scatter and eventually security clear a path for empty floats to run down. I REALLY wish they had done it right and made the area behind BooBlaster parade and entertainment services. Yes you'd have to move "Park services" and dumpsters etc, but there should be room to store floats as well as necessary trash for the few food places on that block. Then run the parade OUT the Showplace side - run down the path to Coney - push back the landscaping in this area to create wider sidewalks for viewing - show stop 1, turn down coney by Dodgem - down coney - show stop 2, turn down the path to I street by VIP - show stop 3, turn down I street - go further down and wrap across the front entrance - wider for better viewing (worked great for 50th street party) - final show stop, parade travels IN FULL PARADE MODE around other side up to path by Graeters - takes slight right/left back into area behind BOO. Might've needed to relocate a fire hydrant there and a few other things, but would've made for a MUCH cleaner ending, full circuit and not the odd 2 stops in the same zone. And yes, the saving of having the parade at 7 to get performers off the clock by 8 for a 12-8 shift has to be offset by the loss of revenue when people empty in droves by 7:30, but then theres no real ending show or CARNIVALE characters out after the parade, so I guess there not really anything to stay for. I feel like they are looking for quick savings and not looking at the big picture of overall revenue

Agree. I was like “Music?”

personally I wish they would just get rid of the "Security footage" TVs. That whole part of the story line was convoluted and didn't really make sense... it's abandoned... but it's not...so there is security... in present day? or the past? It was just a layer that was too complicated to make sense in a queue with no real narrative or explanation. I think most people just assume it's a live feed of the ride thats visible in the queue for some reason. The whole "urban explorers" storyline just has too many details. I'd say "Its an abandoned lumber mill... something happened years ago... it makes an old truck come to life... you get in for some stupid reason... you find out the evil is "in the shed" you barely make it back (would've been SUPER COOL to have a separate unload so the cars came back empty - THAT would've been a way to create a story.

Hence why the focus on FOOD AND BEVERAGE was definitely not an aspect that got cut (except loosing India, and that may have been the lowest volume country for food sales - even though it’s featured in the show and parade -as is MardiGras and neither have food options.

The whole thing just seems… off this year. Honestly I almost wish they had “saved up” a year and brought it back big. Coming back after a pretty solid 2021, then last years packed 50th, this years CARNIVALE just seems a bit scattered and “we had to do it because we had to”. Even if they had done a mini fest in Adventure Port using some of the day of the dead (less “dead” ones) props and set pieces from haunt, done just central and Latin American tasting booths, live music and maybe a mini parade using some of the Jungle X ideas? Would’ve been a way to put the focus squarely on this new area (especially when they didnt even include it… an international, food themed area, in CARNIVALE.)

Nope. It seems chaotic and a bit confrontational and weird like they are sample models in the fragrance dept trying to get people walking through to “party” with them.

Ok, just spent a LONG time filling out a new survey. I’ve gotten used to half heartedly filling these “specific topic” surveys out-trying to force my ideas and opinions on other topics in LOL but this one… has anyone else gotten it. It’s very specific about my last visit. Why I came (CARNIVALE) my opinions based on that experience (ehhh used to be better) what I’d like to see added in ALL AREAS - food, rides, live entertainment, merchandise. Asked if Park could contact me regarding all my opinions and feedback-sure, NEVER had that option before, and an invite to a KI panel that will be sent regular surveys and questions regarding Park improvements and future plans. This makes me feel like 1) something is up as in they know attendance is soft 2) people are noticing and complaining more vocally than in past 3) “bought in” passholders and fans are a valuable and valid base to tap into for feedback. Interesting to see if they call, if more “panel surveys” come and who else got this survey?

It worked last Tuesday just fine. You mean the stoning black light that makes “it’s in the shed” show up? It’s there!