Celestial Park - General Discussion Thread

[GAcoaster]

I'm just so happy to see the fire columns lit! The combination of fire on top with the running water below is perfection...

 

[Parkscope Joe]

From the video I’ve seen, it doesn’t seem like they’ve quite figured out the entertainment in this area? Alicia’s recent video showed some of it:

View attachment 26194

I’ve seen other videos and photos with people on the stage, and in the walkways… it all feels very temporary? Street clothes type look, very busker at a park energy with music stands, speakers setup in the walkways..

Doesn’t feel… celestial?

Can't wait for the obsessive video on this in about 20 years.

 

[Evan]

Can't wait for the obsessive video on this in about 20 years.

The lore will be great one day.

 

[DrStarlander]

I'm sure that performer gives it his all... but yikes.

I think nothing (temporarily) would be better than something so comically low-rent while Universal reworks the actual entertainment (assuming they are).

I think coming up with live entertainment for Celestial Park would be hard. I love the fact it's non-IP but that means there's nothing to riff on...no well-known characters, music, or stories for guests to have FOMO about.

It seems Cirque du Soleil type performances and imaginatively costumed stilt walkers -- things that seem unearthly and literally defy gravity -- would fit the cosmic, fantastical vibe.

 

[Brian G.]

I think coming up with live entertainment for Celestial Park would be hard. I love the fact it's non-IP but that means there's nothing to riff on...no well-known characters, music, or stories for guests to have FOMO about.

It seems Cirque du Soleil type performances and imaginatively costumed stilt walkers -- things that seem unearthly and literally defy gravity -- would fit the cosmic, fantastical vibe.

It seems people enjoy the living statue. I think there's a way to fix it by blending what they currently have with a "Celestial" spin.

and add a Cacao M&G, of course.

 

[Evan]

It seems people enjoy the living statue. I think there's a way to fix it by blending what they currently have with a "Celestial" spin.

and add a Cacao M&G, of course.

I have thoughts, think “Wizomania” from Wicked, have a show on the stage that does some sort of musical telling of the lore. The portals. How it all came to be. Something whimsical, campy, and fun. Build a fun set for this, with some neat kinetics like found in Pizza Moon.

Build “visitor portals” at various backstage points, where well known characters from Universal IP can enter Celestial Park, bring some of the characters we love to the park.

Create some sort of “citizens of celestial”. Get Cacao out there!

 

[Clive]

I think coming up with live entertainment for Celestial Park would be hard. I love the fact it's non-IP but that means there's nothing to riff on...no well-known characters, music, or stories for guests to have FOMO about.

It seems Cirque du Soleil type performances and imaginatively costumed stilt walkers -- things that seem unearthly and literally defy gravity -- would fit the cosmic, fantastical vibe.

It just clicked for me -- They need to take a look at what they've been doing for the live performances for Luna Luna for its runs in both Los Angeles and New York. The live performances there are the right mix of warm, whimsy, fantasy, and surreal -- all while appealing to both kids and adults.

Luna Luna

lunaluna.com

 

[DrStarlander]

Watching a video tour of Celestial Park by Love Our Life I noticed something unfortunate design-wise, but fair warning, this a deep-dive on a niche topic.

First though, I'll say Celestial Park is the area of the park I think I'm most excited about due to its lack of entertainment-industry IP, scale of open space and vistas, landscape and water. It seems generous of Universal, and I love that. There are so many details that blow me away...I've pointed out the wood ceilings before and again, I'm stunned. It is so easy to value-engineer this out of a build, I can't believe they got this through.

So, my reaction is to the walkways right outside the entry retail and under the arcade covers. I'm a big walkways-guy (like I'm a big sightlines-guy). These are among the things I care most about with theme parks (I know). I have theories about when and where to spend money on enhanced walkways. Plain old gray concrete is of course the cheapest approach, with colored concrete adding expense, and molded or sculpted texture even more, and artistically applied stains and washes -- or even embedded artifacts -- even more than that. There's a range of options.

Of course, what I love are fully artistically textured walkways, with washes and embedded artifacts. We're seeing that in some of the modern theme parks and new lands, and replacement walkways for older parks, for example, at Magic Kingdom (Adventureland, and in front of the Frontierland DVC lounge).

Why do I think walkways are important? Because it's the one physical thing every guest is in contact with almost every single moment of the day. They can not only see it (like they can see structures or landscape) but they are touching it. Sometimes they are sitting on it, such as waiting for a parade.

A thematic walkway can carry a heavy load in thematic place-making and conversely a non-thematic walkway can really cut against the immersion...reminding you that you are just in a theme park.

A textured walkway can also do some other effective things like catching water. Whether it's just rough with pitting, or molded as cobblestones, a texture can catch and hold water -- sprinkler water from nearby irrigation or rain and morning dew -- and that sparkly reflective bit of water is just magical. It makes an expanse of walkway look visually interesting and clean, and as humans we have an innate attraction to seeking water and moistness (for survival), plus it makes us feel cooler.

But not all walkways can be plussed up, budget-wise. So designers have to be strategic in choosing where to spend more. Deciding where to have enhanced walkways can be driven by factors like whether the texture helps -- or is necessary -- for placemaking (to sell the theme), whether it's encountered in the initial perception-setting moments or later, how fast or slow guests are moving across the walkway, and where their eyes are likely aimed (at the area 30-feet in front of them or at some 100-foot-tall landmark hundreds of feet away?).

In Celestial Park there are long, wide open walkways criss-crossing the world, and plazas, many of those have circular graphical patterns in varying colors. That all looks great. But the walkways in front of the entry retail at Celestial Park look to be very plain concrete (perhaps there are qualities to the concrete I can't see in the video).


It looks very pedestrian (excuse the pun) and on par with what I'd see in a neighborhood strip mall. I think that was unfortunate in a few ways. First, this is where the park is making its first impression with guests, so plussing up this critical entry moment can pay dividends on putting guests into the mindset that the park is super-high-quality, that "no expense was spared."

Moreover, having high-quality finishes around retail, especially, is helpful in enhancing the perception of quality of the merchandise itself, and therefore value-for-money. A high-end shopping center or retail street often has an elevated Euro-urban look...some pictures from some Caruso projects (my favorite shopping center developer) for that reason:



Meanwhile the front of non-high-end retail is usually plain, gray concrete (the nearby grocery store, Walmart, Costco).

So with this entry "urban" area of Celestial Park, I think a more elevated Euro-urban walkway texture, like stone pavers would have been a strategic place to spend a bit more. To not clash visually with the brick walls, I would have avoided small, similar sized cobblestones, and would have instead gone with larger stones with some subtle patterns. Celestial Park is filled with patterning so these motifs could be continued, along with mimicking the shapes of the architecture above by reflecting the ceiling in the walkway below...that is, if there's a circle rotunda above you, define a circle in the walkway directly below.

 

[RGMick77]

I’m anxiously awaiting the day where I can acquire the music of Epic Universe. It really makes its own unique experience.

 

[Clive]

I’m anxiously awaiting the day where I can acquire the music of Epic Universe. It really makes its own unique experience.

I hadn't seen Constellation Carousel all lit up and in motion like this, and I have to admit, it's stunning.

 

[Rhian]

woof, that’s giving open mic night at a suburban coffee shop in a big way.

That sign has exploitable meme potential.

I hadn't seen Constellation Carousel all lit up and in motion like this, and I have to admit, it's stunning.

My first ride was at night. Carousels aren't my thing but I got off the ride having had more fun than I expected. It's definitely a nighttime ride to get a complete experience.

 

[haloPrism]

Stardust and the carousel seem like very different experiences based on the time of day, it makes the whole area feel much more dynamic.

 

[OrlLover]

Watching a video tour of Celestial Park by Love Our Life I noticed something unfortunate design-wise, but fair warning, this a deep-dive on a niche topic.

First though, I'll say Celestial Park is the area of the park I think I'm most excited about due to its lack of entertainment-industry IP, scale of open space and vistas, landscape and water. It seems generous of Universal, and I love that. There are so many details that blow me away...I've pointed out the wood ceilings before and again, I'm stunned. It is so easy to value-engineer this out of a build, I can't believe they got this through.
View attachment 26209
So, my reaction is to the walkways right outside the entry retail and under the arcade covers. I'm a big walkways-guy (like I'm a big sightlines-guy). These are among the things I care most about with theme parks (I know). I have theories about when and where to spend money on enhanced walkways. Plain old gray concrete is of course the cheapest approach, with colored concrete adding expense, and molded or sculpted texture even more, and artistically applied stains and washes -- or even embedded artifacts -- even more than that. There's a range of options.

Of course, what I love are fully artistically textured walkways, with washes and embedded artifacts. We're seeing that in some of the modern theme parks and new lands, and replacement walkways for older parks, for example, at Magic Kingdom (Adventureland, and in front of the Frontierland DVC lounge).

Why do I think walkways are important? Because it's the one physical thing every guest is in contact with almost every single moment of the day. They can not only see it (like they can see structures or landscape) but they are touching it. Sometimes they are sitting on it, such as waiting for a parade.

A thematic walkway can carry a heavy load in thematic place-making and conversely a non-thematic walkway can really cut against the immersion...reminding you that you are just in a theme park.

A textured walkway can also do some other effective things like catching water. Whether it's just rough with pitting, or molded as cobblestones, a texture can catch and hold water -- sprinkler water from nearby irrigation or rain and morning dew -- and that sparkly reflective bit of water is just magical. It makes an expanse of walkway look visually interesting and clean, and as humans we have an innate attraction to seeking water and moistness (for survival), plus it makes us feel cooler.

But not all walkways can be plussed up, budget-wise. So designers have to be strategic in choosing where to spend more. Deciding where to have enhanced walkways can be driven by factors like whether the texture helps -- or is necessary -- for placemaking (to sell the theme), whether it's encountered in the initial perception-setting moments or later, how fast or slow guests are moving across the walkway, and where their eyes are likely aimed (at the area 30-feet in front of them or at some 100-foot-tall landmark hundreds of feet away?).

In Celestial Park there are long, wide open walkways criss-crossing the world, and plazas, many of those have circular graphical patterns in varying colors. That all looks great. But the walkways in front of the entry retail at Celestial Park look to be very plain concrete (perhaps there are qualities to the concrete I can't see in the video).
View attachment 26210
View attachment 26211
It looks very pedestrian (excuse the pun) and on par with what I'd see in a neighborhood strip mall. I think that was unfortunate in a few ways. First, this is where the park is making its first impression with guests, so plussing up this critical entry moment can pay dividends on putting guests into the mindset that the park is super-high-quality, that "no expense was spared."

Moreover, having high-quality finishes around retail, especially, is helpful in enhancing the perception of quality of the merchandise itself, and therefore value-for-money. A high-end shopping center or retail street often has an elevated Euro-urban look...some pictures from some Caruso projects (my favorite shopping center developer) for that reason:
View attachment 26214
View attachment 26215

Meanwhile the front of non-high-end retail is usually plain, gray concrete (the nearby grocery store, Walmart, Costco).

So with this entry "urban" area of Celestial Park, I think a more elevated Euro-urban walkway texture, like stone pavers would have been a strategic place to spend a bit more. To not clash visually with the brick walls, I would have avoided small, similar sized cobblestones, and would have instead gone with larger stones with some subtle patterns. Celestial Park is filled with patterning so these motifs could be continued, along with mimicking the shapes of the architecture above by reflecting the ceiling in the walkway below...that is, if there's a circle rotunda above you, define a circle in the walkway directly below.
View attachment 26212
View attachment 26213

I agree and this seems to be very easy fix for a future walkway replacement project.

I’m surprised they left this area plain like considering the other areas having patterns and cool design motifs.

 

[Evan]

Watching a video tour of Celestial Park by Love Our Life I noticed something unfortunate design-wise, but fair warning, this a deep-dive on a niche topic.

First though, I'll say Celestial Park is the area of the park I think I'm most excited about due to its lack of entertainment-industry IP, scale of open space and vistas, landscape and water. It seems generous of Universal, and I love that. There are so many details that blow me away...I've pointed out the wood ceilings before and again, I'm stunned. It is so easy to value-engineer this out of a build, I can't believe they got this through.
View attachment 26209
So, my reaction is to the walkways right outside the entry retail and under the arcade covers. I'm a big walkways-guy (like I'm a big sightlines-guy). These are among the things I care most about with theme parks (I know). I have theories about when and where to spend money on enhanced walkways. Plain old gray concrete is of course the cheapest approach, with colored concrete adding expense, and molded or sculpted texture even more, and artistically applied stains and washes -- or even embedded artifacts -- even more than that. There's a range of options.

Of course, what I love are fully artistically textured walkways, with washes and embedded artifacts. We're seeing that in some of the modern theme parks and new lands, and replacement walkways for older parks, for example, at Magic Kingdom (Adventureland, and in front of the Frontierland DVC lounge).

Why do I think walkways are important? Because it's the one physical thing every guest is in contact with almost every single moment of the day. They can not only see it (like they can see structures or landscape) but they are touching it. Sometimes they are sitting on it, such as waiting for a parade.

A thematic walkway can carry a heavy load in thematic place-making and conversely a non-thematic walkway can really cut against the immersion...reminding you that you are just in a theme park.

A textured walkway can also do some other effective things like catching water. Whether it's just rough with pitting, or molded as cobblestones, a texture can catch and hold water -- sprinkler water from nearby irrigation or rain and morning dew -- and that sparkly reflective bit of water is just magical. It makes an expanse of walkway look visually interesting and clean, and as humans we have an innate attraction to seeking water and moistness (for survival), plus it makes us feel cooler.

But not all walkways can be plussed up, budget-wise. So designers have to be strategic in choosing where to spend more. Deciding where to have enhanced walkways can be driven by factors like whether the texture helps -- or is necessary -- for placemaking (to sell the theme), whether it's encountered in the initial perception-setting moments or later, how fast or slow guests are moving across the walkway, and where their eyes are likely aimed (at the area 30-feet in front of them or at some 100-foot-tall landmark hundreds of feet away?).

In Celestial Park there are long, wide open walkways criss-crossing the world, and plazas, many of those have circular graphical patterns in varying colors. That all looks great. But the walkways in front of the entry retail at Celestial Park look to be very plain concrete (perhaps there are qualities to the concrete I can't see in the video).
View attachment 26210
View attachment 26211
It looks very pedestrian (excuse the pun) and on par with what I'd see in a neighborhood strip mall. I think that was unfortunate in a few ways. First, this is where the park is making its first impression with guests, so plussing up this critical entry moment can pay dividends on putting guests into the mindset that the park is super-high-quality, that "no expense was spared."

Moreover, having high-quality finishes around retail, especially, is helpful in enhancing the perception of quality of the merchandise itself, and therefore value-for-money. A high-end shopping center or retail street often has an elevated Euro-urban look...some pictures from some Caruso projects (my favorite shopping center developer) for that reason:
View attachment 26214
View attachment 26215

Meanwhile the front of non-high-end retail is usually plain, gray concrete (the nearby grocery store, Walmart, Costco).

So with this entry "urban" area of Celestial Park, I think a more elevated Euro-urban walkway texture, like stone pavers would have been a strategic place to spend a bit more. To not clash visually with the brick walls, I would have avoided small, similar sized cobblestones, and would have instead gone with larger stones with some subtle patterns. Celestial Park is filled with patterning so these motifs could be continued, along with mimicking the shapes of the architecture above by reflecting the ceiling in the walkway below...that is, if there's a circle rotunda above you, define a circle in the walkway directly below.
View attachment 26212
View attachment 26213

Fantastic post. Wow, you are so right. That walkway choice is not ideal.

 

[devinp267]

I absolutely love the walking statues they look celestial in a way. I hate the music they are playing in the middle courtyard, it does not fit and disrupts the entire mood in the park( read it’s temporary). Needs to be softer more celestial music. Heard they were playing Beyoncé in the Helios!!! Noooo dude lmao Kill it fast. They need to fully commit to elegance and not try to drop a splash of the top 100 to make it feel universal, a tad cringe.

 

[saint.piss]

 

[JusJarBo]

*sigh* Epic Universe opens in 19 days, and Noire(the entertainment group) is still playing pop songs(No real offense to them)....

I've heard that the cut entertainment shows for Celestial Park (So Many Stories, The Timetellers' Tales) are probably still being workshopped and they still haven't returned...

Guys, when do you think the original shows even return? I don't want Celestial Park to still be ruined by the time Epic Universe opens...

And I REALLY want to see what Vincent Various and the Celestians look like so BADLY...

 

[darkridelover]

*sigh* Epic Universe opens in 19 days, and Noire(the entertainment group) is still playing pop songs(No real offense to them)....

I've heard that the cut entertainment shows for Celestial Park (So Many Stories, The Timetellers' Tales) are probably still being workshopped and they still haven't returned...

Guys, when do you think the original shows even return? I don't want Celestial Park to still be ruined by the time Epic Universe opens...

And I REALLY want to see what Vincent Various and the Celestians look like so BADLY...

I saw both shows during previews. I think they we're fine but they weren't great. The music show played original music "inspired" by the different lands but without any music from the actual IP's so it was a little weird. The other show was a story teller show and from what I remember they got some audience members to play Luna and Apollo and talked about the hand off at Dusk and Dawn. Neither one of the shows were of the same quality as the park for me.

 

[GAcoaster]

Yeah, I only caught a little of the original Celestial entertainment and it was lacking "direction" for lack of a better word. None of it seemed to particularly fit the theme. Considering how good each of the other four world's street entertainment is, it was surprising to see it be so lackluster.

 

[Rhian]

I saw both shows during previews. I think they we're fine but they weren't great. The music show played original music "inspired" by the different lands but without any music from the actual IP's so it was a little weird. The other show was a story teller show and from what I remember they got some audience members to play Luna and Apollo and talked about the hand off at Dusk and Dawn. Neither one of the shows were of the same quality as the park for me.

Which is the music one? Was it the one that collected sounds to power their sound crystal (or something like that)? I liked it conceptually but it did feel like it needed work.

I liked the Luna & Apollo show, it was good for being a quick small show without major time investment. I know the stage needs to be flexible for different shows but I think it would've helped if it had some custom elements for each show like the stage at Diagon Alley.

Hopefully they'll be worked on and return someday sooner than later.

Yeah, I only caught a little of the original Celestial entertainment and it was lacking "direction" for lack of a better word. None of it seemed to particularly fit the theme. Considering how good each of the other four world's street entertainment is, it was surprising to see it be so lackluster.

Part of it might be that the characters we've seen so far are merely citizens that live in Celestial Park telling stories. They don't have the clout you'd find with other characters like Igor, Mario, Hiccup and the like; they're supporting characters essentially who are there to inform guests about where they're at.

I'd like to see what comes up whenever the actual main characters of Celestial Park arrive. That would probably be closer to fitting with CP the way you mean.