brenthodge

And now-ironically a few of the signs are now broken from people stepping on them. Ugh…public!!!

Anybody wondering if the “street party” wasn’t going to be that big of a deal (due to the little info the park has shared about it) I think the worries can go away. The float tent is filling up. In addition to the giant cake that we’ve already seen, there are now giant present stacks, lots of “components” and what looks to be several “push units” with 50th branding. This is gonna be as big as everything else they’ve done to date.

Finally got up here without the kids and could really take time reading in the area. Well thought out. Only unfortunate thing, they used super temporary lighting for the signs and some of the towers. The “stake in the ground” lights have pretty much all been stepped on, knocked over and half aren’t even shining on anything. I actually came out with black fingers from sticking them all back in the mulch-refocusing, and burying mulch back around them to hold them in position. The combo of cheaping out on the fixtures, and crazy people totally focused on stupid Instagram pics next to towers, climbing into the flower beds is making this fall apart quicker than it should. Looks like they did try to light a lot with the overhead rigs, but the ground fixtures are failing.

Actually up to 6 now-3pr side. Front, mid, bandstand.

Loved that as well. It wasn’t a “beat for beat” recreation of the ride-much like Disney did with pirates. The first film definitely had “ride easter eggs” but they were more thoughtful nods that they built a new story on. I just wish they had used a bit more of the theme music in the show-especially for the acrobatic segment.

KI has shown Disney up at their own 50th-nostalgic addition after nostalgic addition. https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/disneys-own-survey-is-a-list-of-walt-disney-worlds-50-anniversary-shortcomings.977516/page-13#post-10273048

loved the lobby-gave it context. love that there was actual concept art/ model and pieces from the ride. Enjoy it pokes fun at past management and it’s own history. Wish there was more “dancing” that added energy to the show-it dragged a bit with the headliners. Umm, why no close with “you’ll be baaaaack”???

It would be awesome if they could “dock” and passively recharge mid way through (right after the snowflakes) and come back to do at least one final image at the end, but it seems like they are powered up and set in position.

Well. Done.

Which is ironic in its own full circle way in that it’s a Paramount property. It’s like Ki, Cedar Fair and Paramount were destined to be strange bedfellows-untied through the love of a sunshine day.

Forgot about that “drone only” moment. Would be good if they could have a “B” mode or a way to accomplish that effect through projection on the buildings ets if the drones aren’t working.

Maybe I shouldn’t have used the work “integral” as they ARE a huge part of the story. I mean more that there aren’t specific “drone only” moments that I can think of where there is nothing else going on where you would really notice them missing. Disney did a show EPCOT FOREVER that used kites that were problematic. That was all that was happening during those segments, so if they weren’t in the show-it was very obvious. They eventually redid the show without them and added fireworks to those segments. It’s hard with stuff like drones that are super cool-yet touchy with weather or whatever. You want to hype them up and make it part of the draw of the show, but then when you hype each individual element-it’s noticeable when they aren’t there.

Nice thing is they aren’t technically “integral” to the show. They are a great addition, but there aren’t really any “drones only” moments that would seem odd if they were missing.

Good question-they didn’t do the maze out behind WindSeeker last year, so they could reopen that to keep the balance. They didn’t do the hay maze last year because of corn stalkers being there.

I love that there is so much going on in the show that you really need to see it more than once to get it all. And as pointed out, some things don’t even read “best” from the front. It’s like the show can involve you from multiple areas of the park. Anyone know if the soundtrack plays park-wide?

looks like they are trying to simulate the "black hole" with acres of mulch on the ORION one LOL. It looks nice, but could've been planted a wee bit thicker in a few areas.

The history billboards around coney area are great but not understanding why none seem to be plugged in to light up at night.

True. It’s odd that this wasn’t talked about. I bet it’s a blog post soon. AND a missed opportunity to make it more “interactive” by NOT putting the ride names by the towers. Wish there was a board when you entered with the logos or names listed and a QR to scan to check the answers. If you really wanted to take it next level and “gifts for the 50”, correct guesses entered BEFORE checking the QR code enters you in a drawing for a set of mini ride theme towers.

I don’t really see adventure village as related to local history like the other areas. I think at this point, people want more “authentic” and local experiences instead of fake themed areas that Cedar Fair will never put the money into to pull off convincingly. That’s why I’d lean fully into Coney, German, Riverfront and wooded hills. Let IS be the glue that holds it together with “local” international favorites like Skyline and LaRosas but make them more “LaFamiglia Pizzera-fearing LaRosas” to get away from the blatant corporate branding. I’d love to see all the pop drink umbrellas go away as well and instead build covered patios, but have awnings in the “corporate” color and then have crates with the logos and giraffe bottles stacked around. Overall the park just needs a major visual purge.

It got up and running by about 12 or so.

Being at the park today I looked and feel that if something big goes here. It needs to clearly be part of Coney and enter from the back area by WindSeeker. Rivertown is already visually and operationally busy enough at that entrance area, and the back of Coney is beyond dead. That whole end needs a refresh and reorganization with something meaningful going in The Racer turn around so you can really appreciate that (wish wind seeker went there years ago instead of where it is clogging the paths into that area ) and open up that whole plaza with an entrance to a new signature ride like “TheBigRedMachine”.

Love it. My “concept” would be there are essentially 5 theme areas. International Street (with a “cross street” at the top that connects Adventure Express and Hanks as “Fiesta Plaza” over to (former-now Panda Express) Chick Fil a as Asia Courtyard with new landscaping) Oktoberfest goes from existing all the way to The Bat, Coney Midway that now includes the walkway to RiverTown with some new kid-friendly flats , and RiverTown Junction that flows into CampSnoopy. Each of these areas would tie back into Cinci History or typography. Get rid of ActionZone and unify the whole of Oktoberfest with new landscaping and banners (like we’re there years before). The new section could be more modern to reduce costs and be accomplished mainly through surface treatments and decor.

Honestly I’m being SUPER picky just because the park looks better than it has in YEARS. So now they are showing they can do it. We just need to see the love continue. LOVE yhh my r music today BTW. Feels like anniversary night. Jazzy and not all pop.

I like some pillow talk. Best secrets are learned there. Do share!

Amen!! Drives me crazy. Same around the tower. Weedy mulch is not hiding things. My hope is that they are leaving things accessible until all tech is done. They have a whole week to get this looking better before 28th