brenthodge

I believe there were fire bowls on those with the fabric flames

Touché

We had a subtly animated prop for a few days! RIP flagging snoopy. It was a good 5 days while it lasted.

That’s been the copy since year 1 (except they’ve added “lasers and drones”.) I wish it was actually the case where the parade “became” the party using the floats as rolling stages that circled the tower at the end instead of the clunky “rolling empty walk of shame” back to their home. They did that a bit year 1 keeping a couple of floats out by the stage for lights and color. Imagine ranging under the tower - using it as a massive lighting grid- surrounded by the floats with dancers on them and a live band and singers on stage. Basically “ClubCARNIVALE”. Parade runs from 8:30- 9 and then just flows right into dance party at 9-9:50 with live band/soundtrack for closing show (not Under the Stars, but a custom CARNIVALE program)

That would work as well. Never will though. I think they see too much money on the table.

I think 1) all self serve drink stations should move back behind counter for quickservice. With consistent limited options for efficient operation-see PigPens “beer style” dispenser. 2) always have water cups at all locations 3) all pop stations in quick service become water only 4) all drink stations are open for drink plan/ individual drink purchase with monitored entry point and are all self serve with multiple options. You could still get drink plan/refill at all food locations- just have to have them fill/give you the cup maybe BrewHouse and any future “table service” restaurant is different in that you get unlimited drinks, but drinks there cost a bit more. you don’t ever have “free reign” in an area away from the pay station with anything but water. What you would make up in list revenue would cover additional payroll needed.

Unfortunate timing that TrailBlazers has a whole segment with a guy with a cell phone “sneaking on stage” going where he’s not supposed to go, being chased by “camp counselor “ security, falling from high places he’s not supposed to be. Wonder if there was any discussion around cutting or redoing that part. The whole idea seems a wee bit “too close” to the root of what happened.

Guess flagging Snoopy is dead. No movement, no flag, no surprise.

Wouldn’t plan on it. Hasn’t happened since year one (if then) the “fan jet” nozzles make no sense at all. They either need to be set to arch NOTICEABLY to the center, or be replaced with a trumpet jet like was there before. There’s no real difference between the two when they both just shoot “slightly off center” straight up. The whole thing needs work.

Just a reminder. THIS is what was replaced by a little squiggly line of thin streams of water squirting up incessantly all day long.

Personally I wish at this point they’d invest in 3-4 semi permanent food kiosks in TowerGardens. Make them more like EPCOT food festival booths, that have more of a purpose built look. Redress them for each Festival ;CARNIVALE, Food and Wine, BBQ and BREWS, Winterfest) and then have better food options for each, since they could have a more permanent “kitchen” in each. If they could continue to monetize Tower gardens, they might continue to invest like they have for this. I’d be cool with it -along with the Oktoberfest bar- being more of a Festival Center. Move food and Wine weekends to the spring before daily ops, CARNIVALE early summer, BREWS &Qs late summer, then the fall/ winter fests. Really tie Coney BBQ, VIP, and Tower Gardens together into one “destination” Also, build more of a permanent stage by FestHaus with a wooden pergola cover that could double as raised extra seating when not in use. Give that whole area a more cohesive look and tear-round festival feel.

And just imagine how AWESOME they would’ve looked as massive flaming cauldrons of Fire and Water at haunt. Red/orange lighting on “eruptions” of water. The bases could’ve housed the air compressors for the new launched jets that shot 30’ in the air for shows. The bowls could’ve housed the mechanics of the 4 animated jets. Point is there so much they could’ve done, but for the $2.50 that was allotted to it, they chose not to. Even if the goal was to make it easier to have the skating prep area, they could’ve permanently removed 1 pedestal on each end and not lost that feel. Point is, they ripped out the park-like charm of IStreet to give us better viewing, then gave us nothing much to look at.

It needs a complete “take 2”. What they invested in isn’t great, but it seems like it’s salvageable. Replace the finger nozzles with trumpet jets like used to be there on the first, fourth and seventh outlet. Angle the remaining finger jets to really arch to the center on 2,3,5,6 outlets. That way you could have more “pictures” you could create. The whole thing needs to be MUCH simpler outside of shows so there’s actually a bit of WOW when the well timed squiggle of jets starts. Someone needs to actually draw out the various pattern options and program to those. I just sat here and with that arrangement drew out 6 different combinations.I don’t know how to actually program the valves, but if it’s “easier said than done” as some defend, then It was a bad investment and needs to be rethought.

I guess I just didn’t care any more. That’s the problem with uninspiring selections. Peopke don bite anymore.

And wasn’t the tasting card cut last year? Or was that for tricks and treats?

Oh. I’m not defending it (realize it came off that way a bit) there’s no real excuse other than money. You cut a bit… people come… you cut a bit more, sone complain but different people come, you cut even more, both groups start noticing and attendance drops. Park cancels event says “ it’s run its course and the public isn’t really interested” you launch new event with even less offerings to “make up” for the event…. Or, you are Dollywood. Just providing perspective as to why year one is amazing and it quickly drops off. As you said, they need to be careful since KI has WAY more repeat visitors. Year one of Carnivale I didn’t have a pass and paid full (after 5) price and felt like I got WAY more than my moneys worth. Last year even with a pass, I barely cared (as it was obvious they didn’t either)

I think the difference is we have individually WIFI controlled valves - the output is at 100% all the time from the pumps and the wifi valves open and close based on the program. Other applications like the ISLAND are set up with individual pumps assigned to each nozzle that has better control. I think with KI the valves basically OPEN and CLOSE and thats why you get the little "pop" as the water begins to flow. They went the cheaper way (when you really look at it - there were no new pipes/outlets run.. its just new wifi controlled valve boxes with nozzles attached to the existing outlets. The show squiggle is just a series of arcs that are attached to the old pedestal outlet port). Regardless, I dont think there is anyone actually "choreographing" the fountains to the show or the daily soundtrack. Through the day its just "test patterns": and at night it seems like its the equivilant of "audio sync" on your christmas lights.

even if they wanted rid of the pedestals for Winterfest - or whatever reason they felt they HAD to go, they couldve done the set up of KD with the cluster of jets with a circle facing out. It would give them the easier set up for WF, but a fuller look the rest of the year. Basically use the center clusters during the day, then use the show squiggle and perimeter ones during the show. The fountain doe NOT need to look like its having a fit all day long. Create 3-4 simple formations and subtlely cycle them through the day. THIS would've made it worth the re-do. I was a big cheerleader for a fountain re-do... until I saw what they did. Be careful what you ask for.

thats where that idea came from - its even done in the freaking chain, so why is it so hard for KI to implement?

In “fairness” I had conversation with Koontz last year during Carnivale expressing my appreciation, yet disappointment with the state of the event. He said it’s a conversation they’ve had many times with corporate live entertainment where they come out of the gate with all the bells and whistles, throw it all out there to see what sticks, and have way more than will be sustainable in the long run when it becomes the individual park’s responsibility to run the event with a positive ROI in the future years. KI being one of the first “test” parks you really feel the cuts more than those that come on line in later years with nothing to compare it to.

I don't feel like they EVER really get the fountain right - even all day long it just bobs and squirts. Nothing is slow and gradual like it used to be. AND they play all their tricks all day long, so there are no surprises at night. Ive always felt like the "squiggle" should not be used at all unless the whole thing is choreographed to music - like at nigh or 2-3 times a day (once an hour is a bit much). But never understood why we dont have Snoopy in a tux come out a few times a day and "direct" the fountains as a mini show for the kids. Even if they planned the set better for the bandstand show, he they could add a podium that extends out over the water a bit. The "fan jet" nozzles have seemed wrong from the beginning as they basically are just finger jets that look almost exactly like the jet beside it. The whole fountain redo was a disappointment if you ask me.

AND - while we are at it - retool showplace with a mix of seating - flat floor in front to double as a dance floor for audience to dance along, raked theatre style a bit in the center with less of an angle, and tiered flat areas on the side with cafe tables for seating/bring drinks/food in. While I complain about the food/show mix in FestHaus, I don't think in an outdoor venue with less of a "food hall" feel it would be as bad. As you said, have these shows in the evening for cooler temps and better lighting. It could stagger with the bandstand show. Retool the bandstand as well with a few rows of benches toward the back or maybe additional cafe tables. Maybe even push traffic to the sides with some planters and low walls and define the area with a change in paving - make it look like a park in front of the tower, then during shows add stantions to route traffic through and around the back of the tower so people don't cut through in front of the stage the entire time to have both of these venues feel a bit like "evening music clubs".

Yeah - this is actually a really good show... for the Showplace or KI theatre (almost feels like a Dollywood show) - shame it's in the food barn of the FestHaus where they have to scream-sing to be heard, and others have to scream talk louder to overpower. I think it's time to reevaluate the type of shows in FestHaus to be more visual like Ice Skating or move the "stunt" type of show there. You'd need to retool a bit, but the space is pretty massive and I think you could get the height and width needed to do the extreme sports type of show that wouldn't rely on hearing as much.

If ever there was an area that a splash pad would make sense in... They could've gone the Dollywood route and done the "stream" with the minimally recessed flow path that you can still walk on in the cold months. Put it in the area where "Tree Lot" goes and it would make sense flowing out of the log ride. Run a stream down the middle between the two FastLane entry paths to log ride and air rail.

After the second viewing it’s growing on me. Still like last years song and feel like this year doesn’t exactly know what its story is.