Christmas 15 is here, anything you would like to see go, come or change?

shavethewhales · October 30, 2015, 08:42:01 PM

I'm in the camp of hoping Dicken's stays around forever. I don't care how many times I've seen it, it's a tradition, and SDC's version is honestly the best I've seen live.

This discussion certainly opens up why they focus on the things they do though. Light shows are in much greater supply these days than when SDC started doing it, so it's not as big of a marketing hook as it used to be even though the place does look amazing and unique. The shows are awesome, but they'd have to build a huge set of theaters in order to actually guarantee a space to everyone a space. Rides are easy for them on all aspects though, as long as the weather cooperates. I'd like to see them build some bigger theatres though, and some more indoor rides.

But getting back to the actual original question, honestly I'd like to see even more of it all. For as many lights as they have, there are a lot of areas where they are really strung out. It'd almost be better to focus the lights in concentrated areas vs. trying to spread them out so evenly. I'd like to see some innovations, like roving carolers, or christmas characters, or season variations of certain rides, etc...

It seems like the whole thing has been on auto pilot with the exception of the parade and the Rudolph characters. It needs some new pizzazz.

StaceySue · October 31, 2015, 10:02:22 AM

Ha, I love Dickens so much I've seen it twice in one day!

sanddunerider · October 31, 2015, 12:28:42 PM

Quote from: shavethewhales on October 30, 2015, 08:42:01 PM
I'm in the camp of hoping Dicken's stays around forever. I don't care how many times I've seen it, it's a tradition, and SDC's version is honestly the best I've seen live.

It seems like the whole thing has been on auto pilot with the exception of the parade and the Rudolph characters. It needs some new pizzazz.

OTC does need a shot of "excitement", Not sure what.....

?

I think The new parade was supposed to be a big hit, and maybe it was, But it is still just a parade

We mentioned last year, the tree needs a redo... if nothing else reprogram the puter controlling the lights.. has been the same for years.... I don't think they need to change the tree, but the lights prgrams for sure.

And I said earlier more scheduled shows so people have a chance to see them., start earlier in the day, and run later...

History Buff · October 31, 2015, 02:09:06 PM

We still love the new tree and the surrounding synced lights (if they're all working).

How about some high-resolution projections with an amazing music show at Lake Silver. Maybe set up some viewing bleachers for more people to watch it. It's something that could be used (with different programs) at other times of the year, too. The show MUST be in theme.

Swoosh · October 31, 2015, 03:27:52 PM

How about they add something like this?
http://www.marriott.com/hotel-info/bnago-gaylord-opryland-resort-and-convention-center/christmas/y477rbs/ice.mi
Would this be enough "excitement"?

I would also like another large theater for another musical to be added.
I think possible shows could be: Elf, Grinch, Babes in Toyland, Nutcracker

One last thing - I want the tree moved to Lake Silver and a new show that incorporates fountains and other trees. Dollywood does something like this already. With the tree moved, they can do more shows up at the Gazebo stage. How about some Victorian Carolers?

Gilligan · October 31, 2015, 04:29:55 PM

I can see how it would be old and repetitive to some of us who are there every year, but I'm still happy with it the way it is. I've been there with first time visitors who were amazed at how beautiful it was, and I remember how excited I was the first time I was there. I couldn't imagine a more creative, beautiful place at Chrismas time. I think strolling Victorian Carolers would be cool, especially if they hung around the shows while people are standing in those long lines waiting to get in. It would break up the monotony. The new parade is just okay IMO. I think they should've kept more of the old floats and merged them into a longer parade. A few more drink stands near the back of the park would be helpful, and put a lid on those hot drinks! Hubs wasn't happy with the lady that spilled her steamy wassail all over his arm as she grabbed it from the counter. Those drinks can be wickedly hot, and people walking through crowds trying to carry them makes for a dangerous situation.

Joy · October 31, 2015, 05:10:34 PM

I like Swoosh's idea to move the tree to Lake Silver. It'd give a wider area for people to watch (it gets SO crowded on the Square for the first show just before the parade). I still feel very strongly about updating the tree with more dynamic LEDs like we discussed in a previous thread; the blockiness of the current lights just... don't work for me nowadays with all the cool new tech that I've seen in the past few years.

And yes please to Victorian Carolers!

Preachin_Bill · October 31, 2015, 05:27:21 PM

Victorian Carolers is a good idea.
I vote for keeping Dickens. It's just really, really good and as others have said it's a tradition for a lot of people.
It's a wonderful life I could do without, however. But it's still a Broadway style show that fills up.

runner1960 · October 31, 2015, 05:47:36 PM

I agree they have been coasting on Christmas for awhile. A new tree in Lake Silver is a good idea. They could make great use of water screen technology to enhance the show. That would help clean up the square. I would also like to see them get rid of the temporary food and drink stands on the square. It is just a mess and dangerous with the lines and crowd during parade times. How about retheming The Springhouse restaurant as a Hot drink area during Christmas. It would bring more foot traffic to midtown and decrease the crowd on the square.

I still want to see Dickens go bye bye, but I am in the minority on that. How about adding a third production of Rudolph and do the 3 shows on a rotating basis. The shows they have now are close to Broadway Caliper but not quite there. They could do Rudolph in the way Disney did Lion King on Broadway with elaborate costuming and live actors. Every year 1 show would drop out of the lineup. Just don't see them building another theater when the ones they have sit most of the summer.

Also Santa needs to be available from opening on Saturdays. Victorian Carolers would be nice too. But all of this stuff is out of Theme. And More shows on Saturdays. Give people what they pay for.

Gilligan · October 31, 2015, 06:34:25 PM

Jacks Sandwich Shop would be a great coffee house.

History Buff · October 31, 2015, 06:41:35 PM

These fire baskets like Williamsburg would be awesome in safe areas - only for Christmas:

We've talked about theme extensively in the past. The carolers could certainly fit the theme, and they have had them in the past (Of course, they also had Boys II Men.).

In the first of the Christmas seasons, they had dancing Raggedy Ann and Andy, teddy bears, and wooden soldiers in the square for a cool little street show, sledding down a hillside near where the pizza place is now, and celebrities (Mormon Boys Choir and Bob Hope) to light the tree along with candles for visitors to hold around the lighting of the tree.

Hollwood · November 01, 2015, 06:48:28 AM

The only problem with moving the tree to lake silver is that ther tree would be tiny relative to that area. The tree is only 50 feet, and you have 20-30 foot buildings along with 20-30 foot real trees on the square. This perspective makes the tree look huge. You move it to lake silver where the 20-30 foot trees are an a 10-15 foot embankment (assuming they still drain the lake a little), FL, and LR on each side PLUS the size of the lake with reflections you will have a tiny dancing tree that is being looked down instead of towering above you. There is also the issue of 10,000 people looking at it at once. Sure the square is not huge, but it is 360 where the lake would be one sided (FL) at best.

Swoosh · November 01, 2015, 08:28:15 AM

I guess I'm failing to see the problem. You guys were wanting a new tree anyway.

runner1960 · November 01, 2015, 10:04:36 AM

Quote from: Hollywood on November 01, 2015, 06:48:28 AM
The only problem with moving the tree to lake silver is that ther tree would be tiny relative to that area. The tree is only 50 feet, and you have 20-30 foot buildings along with 20-30 foot real trees on the square. This perspective makes the tree look huge. You move it to lake silver where the 20-30 foot trees are an a 10-15 foot embankment (assuming they still drain the lake a little), FL, and LR on each side PLUS the size of the lake with reflections you will have a tiny dancing tree that is being looked down instead of towering above you. There is also the issue of 10,000 people looking at it at once. Sure the square is not huge, but it is 360 where the lake would be one sided (FL) at best.

I was thinking brand new tree myself. This one is at the end of its useful life.

sanddunerider · November 01, 2015, 10:37:18 AM

No need for new tree, just update the lights and such.. it is the right size for the square, Which is where it should be... Not shuffled to the other end of the park.. The Christmas Tree should be one of the first things to greet you, and should by in the "way".... lol

And as someone already commented not enough room by or in lake silver to move it down there..

Christmas 15 is here, anything you would like to see go, come or change?

Hollwood