Celestial Park - General Discussion Thread

[Loki]

With all the wind how is the "spray" from the main fountain? With the height it can get up to I imagine people will be getting misted regularly.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

With all the wind how is the "spray" from the main fountain? With the height it can get up to I imagine people will be getting misted regularly.

I'd also be interested in this, I love me a good morning misty spray to cool down.

 

[Loki]

I'd also be interested in this, I love me a good morning misty spray to cool down.

It also might be more than just a spray. Ponchos may be required.

 

[Rhian]

With all the wind how is the "spray" from the main fountain? With the height it can get up to I imagine people will be getting misted regularly.

It feels good to pass by when it's windy on a hot day. Also can be a bit more than you might expect but still very nice.

 

[ZachPL]

 

[GA-MBIT]

Reportedly, the vast majority of Celestial Park's entertainment offerings have been cut. A good number of performers were actively working in and around the park the past few weeks during previews, but others hadn't even been able to begin. It seems that most of what was planned didn't even make it to opening day before being cost-cut.

From my own experience, I heard there was some incredible talent showcased between these shows and performances. I myself didn't get to experience much. Whenever I saw a show happening, I was on a very specific path to Hiccups or DK or wherever and didn't have time to spare watching an atmosphere show. It seemed that most guests had the same motivation, at least on the day I went. Guest interaction segments were made to the air, or to people at a distant bar across from the stage. I chalked it up to it simply being rehearsals, and maybe the average day-guest might be more willing to stop and appreciate it. I guess we'll never know.

 

[Clive]

Reportedly, the vast majority of Celestial Park's entertainment offerings have been cut. A good number of performers were actively working in and around the park the past few weeks during previews, but others hadn't even been able to begin. It seems that most of what was planned didn't even make it to opening day before being cost-cut.

From my own experience, I heard there was some incredible talent showcased between these shows and performances. I myself didn't get to experience much. Whenever I saw a show happening, I was on a very specific path to Hiccups or DK or wherever and didn't have time to spare watching an atmosphere show. It seemed that most guests had the same motivation, at least on the day I went. Guest interaction segments were made to the air, or to people at a distant bar across from the stage. I chalked it up to it simply being rehearsals, and maybe the average day-guest might be more willing to stop and appreciate it. I guess we'll never know.

I desperately hope this is not true but I have no reason to believe you would deliberately mislead us with this report. I sincerely hope the report is inaccurate.

 

[GA-MBIT]

I desperately hope this is not true but I have no reason to believe you would deliberately mislead us with this report. I sincerely hope the report is inaccurate.

As do I, frankly. Or at least I hope a different decision is made before opening day arrives. I have friends affected by this decision. My hope isn't just for entertainment to be offered at this theme park, but moreso that my friends will be able to pay the bills these next few months. Getting scarier out there for entertainment workers in the Orlando sphere.

 

[Rhian]

Reportedly, the vast majority of Celestial Park's entertainment offerings have been cut. A good number of performers were actively working in and around the park the past few weeks during previews, but others hadn't even been able to begin. It seems that most of what was planned didn't even make it to opening day before being cost-cut.

From my own experience, I heard there was some incredible talent showcased between these shows and performances. I myself didn't get to experience much. Whenever I saw a show happening, I was on a very specific path to Hiccups or DK or wherever and didn't have time to spare watching an atmosphere show. It seemed that most guests had the same motivation, at least on the day I went. Guest interaction segments were made to the air, or to people at a distant bar across from the stage. I chalked it up to it simply being rehearsals, and maybe the average day-guest might be more willing to stop and appreciate it. I guess we'll never know.

Celestial Park seems like it was designed for performers and mini shows since they explain some of the lore so without it this section could feel emptier than it should. I hope they go back and reassess that decision.

 

[Alicia]

If what people are talking about is true, the cuts appear to include the Hemisphere Stage show, So Many Stories. Disappointed that not only have I not yet gotten a chance to see the show, but since no video is yet allowed in previews, there isn’t even a way to ever watch it.

 

[Mad Dog]

Lots of bad rumblings on the economy, most especially the travel & restaurant industry with even the upper middle class cutting back (Economic reports in WSJ, NY Times, Wash. Post ). This could be reflected in why on site hotels seem to have slow booking outside of HHN. Epic will probably do great the first few months, and perhaps carry Studios and IOA, but it might be touch and go for Studios and IOA for the remainder of the non HHN year. Not going to be a prime year to open a new park. Though I think Epic will be OK, though not what original projections were beyond the first few months. I mentioned this last fall, and now it seems the soft, or worse, economy is almost a certainty. Its going to be a crazy year for the economy. Not what people were expecting.

 

[PenguinCowboy]

I am hopeful as crowds ramp up after opening the decision could be reevaluated, or even down the line. An issue I could see is that while there are dining options and two rides in Celestial Park, the majority of folks coming during this period are purely focused on getting to do the new rides...which are all inside the worlds.

This happens when any new ride opens in a park, certain areas that usually see or saw guests meandering through and taking their time to explore become pass-thrus on the way to the big new thing. Now, take that effect and multiply it out, I think it turns Celestial Park (the only non-IP "land") into somewhat of a transitional space rather than a space where people stop and congregate. Usually once the hype dies down the crowds spread back out, but when the majority of your "guests" during previews are only likely going to have a single day to see things, and for the first time to boot, I fear we wont see this redistribution of guests until a little bit down the line.

This is of course without having seen the park, so pure speculation here, but I *hope* that they keep these performers on retainer to add the entertainment back in once we start to see Celestial fill back up (either due to the lands backing up, or people having been able to complete everything at least once in each land and having that time back to explore)

 

[Alicia]

I still feel the entry courtyard for Epic could use some life. Characters to greet guests entering would go a long way to making Celestial Park feel more alive, even if they’re the only ones you see.

 

[sparky]

I still feel the entry courtyard for Epic could use some life. Characters to greet guests entering would go a long way to making Celestial Park feel more alive, even if they’re the only ones you see.

Without IP branded rides/shows what characters? I guess they could create a character, but from what Ive seen it looks like characters wouldnt fit the feel of that area. Maybe performers doing something?

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I wonder if this is was just a standard approach (overload entertainment, then cut what doesn't work "leave the best") or some sort of tariff mitigation effort from the company to reduce expenses and improve margins?

 

[Alicia]

Without IP branded rides/shows what characters? I guess they could create a character, but from what Ive seen it looks like characters wouldnt fit the feel of that area. Maybe performers doing something?

The ones they supposedly cut, for one. Captain Cocao, Maya of the Skies, and Vincent Various would be best though, since it is their area.

Much like Labbie the Cabbie at Studios, the Adventurers of Port of Entry, or even the Citizens of Hollywood, entry areas to parks can set a more fun and interesting tone when well-themed characters inhabit them.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Lots of bad rumblings on the economy, most especially the travel & restaurant industry with even the upper middle class cutting back (Economic reports in WSJ, NY Times, Wash. Post ). This could be reflected in why on site hotels seem to have slow booking outside of HHN. Epic will probably do great the first few months, and perhaps carry Studios and IOA, but it might be touch and go for Studios and IOA for the remainder of the non HHN year. Not going to be a prime year to open a new park. Though I think Epic will be OK, though not what original projections were beyond the first few months. I mentioned this last fall, and now it seems the soft, or worse, economy is almost a certainty. Its going to be a crazy year for the economy. Not what people were expecting.

Kind of insane that we were discussing this possible scenario last fall when tickets came out.

Lots of economic turmoil at the moment, we could see APs sooner than expected (or better multi-day ticket deals).

The ones they supposedly cut, for one. Captain Cocao, Maya of the Skies, and Vincent Various would be best though, since it is their area.

Much like Labbie the Cabbie at Studios, the Adventurers of Port of Entry, or even the Citizens of Hollywood, entry areas to parks can set a more fun and interesting tone when well-themed characters inhabit them.

People say DHS lost its soul when they removed Great Movie Ride, but I think it happened when they cut Citizens. Such a terrific cast. I'm really hoping this comes back as they go back to focusing on improving the guest experience.

 

[Mad Dog]

Kind of insane that we were discussing this possible scenario last fall when tickets came out.

Lots of economic turmoil at the moment, we could see APs sooner than expected (or better multi-day ticket deals).


People say DHS lost its soul when they removed Great Movie Ride, but I think it happened when they cut Citizens. Such a terrific cast. I'm really hoping this comes back as they go back to focusing on improving the guest experience.

Citizens of Hollywood was the soul of the park. It was our fav WDW park for that reason. Some of their skits were better than anything I had ever seen on TV entertainment shows....and I'm old. Damn, I miss rhem....Plus, if the rides were crowded, they were a great alternative.......and..... can't discount how fearful people, and business leaders, are for the economy and the uncertainty of certain economic policies. Consumer confidence is at it's lowest level in a long long time. When confidence is low, people slow spending. Orlando parks have already been in a rut for the last 2 1/2 years.

 

[Brian G.]

From my understanding, this was more about fine-tuning than budgetary.

 

[OrlLover]

Entertainment is unfortunately ones of those tricky things that’s not easy to make work especially in modern times where attention spans are not very high.

Look at IOA and how many shows it lost over the years as it matured as a theme park. Opening year had a ton of stuff but once the new millennium set in things slowly started getting cut.