Kelly Clarkson Concert

[snchpnz]

So... did anyone else go? We got there at around late 6-ish maybe 7:00 and the concert area was already pretty much filled. I have been to Mardi Gras at Universal numerous times but I never really cared about the concerts. I usually just do the whole parade/beads thing. I had never experienced the concert crowd before but I hated how whole groups would sit down and take up huge areas where many more people could have fit in. If Universal is going to lock us into an enclosed area with only 2 or 4 entrances they should then ask people to move further in and squeeze tighter. There was obviously enough room inside but no way to get in.

We pushed ourselves in and found a little hole close to the front almost near the center. I felt wrong doing it but if I hadn't done it someone else with less shame would have done it anyway and I would have still been standing by the entrance to the cattle corral like an idiot. In the end it all worked out because as more people stood up and others shoved in just like us to get to their "friends" near the front we ended up closer to the stage just by the natural push of the crowd.

Anyway, apart from the crowd and the near 3 hour wait I thought it was worth it. I'm not a HUGE Kelly fan or anything but I know her music and watched her on American Idol so I thought it would be worth to go. I didn't know the first few song but when she finally got to her hits I had a blast singing along to the chorus which was all I knew.

I also did the whole valet parking thing for the first time with my premier pass. When it was time to get the car the line reached all the way to the bottom of the escalator. We just decided to forget it and go eat at the Hard Rock. When we got back at about 12:00 it was empty. Overall it was a great night.

 

[Metro West]

Glad you had a good time...I was going to go but got tied up at home and lost track of time. I figured it was going to be insane crowd wise.

I'm not crazy about how Universal uses the metal barriers either...a couple of years ago at The Boneyard, there were no barriers at all and people seemed to move around better. They really screwed that up!

 

[drj1950]

Trust me it was insane,people were lined up by the metal rail when we passed by at 2,there were hundreds in line then who knows how long they had been there.After the parade we tried to get as close as we could we staked out a spot in front of the screen in front of the twister store,wall to wall people as far as you could see.

 

[mamaminnie]

We were there too-- I have to say that Universal really did nothing to manage the crowds, I saw wheelchairs and strollers stuck in that crowd and nothing was being done to help anyone.

How could they not have known that the combination of a cheerleader event, Kelly Clarkson, and spring break would bring an over-flow crowd?

There was a point where I really felt that my family wasn't safe and that should never happen.

 

[william4192]

It IS Universal. With that said, I didn't expect much in crowd control. It was rough and no Universal people in site (except selling things). I was by Shrek (road going up towards Mel's).

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I just hope it isn't that insane when I see MC Hammer!

 

[cathyce2]

Kelly was awesome but that was probably our first and last Mardi Gras concert. We were at the corner between Twister and the cattle barriers with a decent view of the big screen but it was just too crowded for us. There was no where to stand without being bumped and pushed and no where to go. About 30 minutes into the show we started trying to leave and it took close to another half hour to get past Shrek to where the crowds were manageable. DD wanted to go back for Trace Atkins, but I don't think so....

 

[Wilson]

We were there too-- I have to say that Universal really did nothing to manage the crowds, I saw wheelchairs and strollers stuck in that crowd and nothing was being done to help anyone.

How could they not have known that the combination of a cheerleader event, Kelly Clarkson, and spring break would bring an over-flow crowd?

There was a point where I really felt that my family wasn't safe and that should never happen.

What would you (anyone can answer) have done to make the crowd situation better?

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

What would you (anyone can answer) have done to make the crowd situation better?

Ignore dollar signs and turn good money away. Which I don't think Universal or anyone would be willing to do at this point (or ever..)..

 

[Clifton]

Back in 07 I've seen Huey Lewis and the News performed and the crowds weren't bad. Then again we hung around for an hour and 1/2 til it started.

 

[Jason71]

DD wanted to go back for Trace Atkins, but I don't think so....

In fairness, Trace Adkins should only draw a fraction of Kelly Clarkson's crowd. There's no question she was the #1 headliner this year, the crowds are always noticably worse when they get a current "big name" pop act.

 

[Metro West]

In fairness, Trace Adkins should only draw a fraction of Kelly Clarkson's crowd. There's no question she was the #1 headliner this year, the crowds are always noticably worse when they get a current "big name" pop act.

Yeah...I agree and I knew her crowd would be the largest of the year. Maybe Universal needs to think about having the concerts over at Fear Factor and limiting the number of people who could see the concert...not the parade. I read reviews of parents who thought it was unsafe due to the number of people attending and I'm sure that's not what Universal wants to hear from their customers. Limiting the number of people for a concert may be the only way to try and control a crowd that large.

 

[mamaminnie]

What would you (anyone can answer) have done to make the crowd situation better?

Limit crowds, limit access to the stage area (maybe have some screens over by MIB or Fear Factor), have enough security personnel to keep crowds moving, make sure that people do not block all paths--keep a walkway clear, open all the gates for exiting, limit alcohol sales

I'm sure there are more. . .

 

[NashvilleTrio]

Wristbands for access to the concert plaza, keep the main street traffic flowing, broadcast the concert to the Universal 360 globes and use the existing audio system surrounding the lagoon. Not great, I know, but it might help disperse the crowds somewhat.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Limit crowds, limit access to the stage area (maybe have some screens over by MIB or Fear Factor), have enough security personnel to keep crowds moving, make sure that people do not block all paths--keep a walkway clear, open all the gates for exiting, limit alcohol sales

I'm sure there are more. . .

Now, using that info, make said event as profitable as possible without price gouging. Factor in expense vs income, and make as large a profit as possible. No profit = goes back to the drawing board.

(this is all hypothetical, but still)

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Wristbands for access to the concert plaza, keep the main street traffic flowing, broadcast the concert to the Universal 360 globes and use the existing audio system surrounding the lagoon. Not great, I know, but it might help disperse the crowds somewhat.

How would your wristband program work? How would you explain, without using "first come first served", to those that can only get there late that they can't get to the main concert area?

(remember this is all hypothetical! )

 

[NashvilleTrio]

I would use the first come, first served explanation. Otherwise, you're left with survival of the fittest (i.e., those that push the hardest, etc).

Pick a location and time to pass out wristbands/tickets until they run out. When they're gone, they're gone and you direct people to an alternate viewing location.

Busch Gardens does something similar with their music concert series although when we were there people weren't exactly swarming to see the Little River Band, but still some thought was put into crowd control.

 

[MIB999999]

We were there too-- I have to say that Universal really did nothing to manage the crowds, I saw wheelchairs and strollers stuck in that crowd and nothing was being done to help anyone.

How could they not have known that the combination of a cheerleader event, Kelly Clarkson, and spring break would bring an over-flow crowd?

There was a point where I really felt that my family wasn't safe and that should never happen.

I guess i look at it a bit differently.

Everyone else is stuck in the slow-moving crush of people to leave the park. why should wheelchiars and strollers be any different?

To be at the largest Mardi Gras concert of the year and be in a hurry, just does not make sense. If you are in a hurry, then leave prior to the end of the concert or position yourself towards the exit gate side of the concert area.

For those not up close to the stage, some of the best show during the concert is watching the costumed parade particpants dance in the street between Monster cafe and the stage area.

How would you have crowd control when moving tourists to where you want them to go is like herding cats!

The consequences of free choice, you got to love it!

 

[NashvilleTrio]

Or better yet, make it an upcharge event and the problem takes care of itself. Keep raising the prices until the demand doesn't exceed supply.

I know, not popular, but an effective form of crowd control.

 

[Parkers_girl]

I was there and all I could say was that Universal screwed up big time! The placement of the concert was horrible, why on earth would you place a stage that is going to have the crowd flowing into one of the main walkways?? There was way too many people and not enough room! We got pretty close up the right side, but I felt so "stuck" that we left to find a better spot where I could actually breathe and not feel as if I was going to get trampled to death. It took us 45 minutes to make our way from twister to shrek, no lie. We saw three fights along the way and the entire time I just couldn't believe how crazy the crowd was. And I did not see one Universal employee helping with crowd control (unless you count the shot girl).

I had no problem watching the screen from afar but I didn't like how there was no speakers beyond the stage, so anything I heard was muffled. I really hope Universal changes their plan for future big concerts, they need to hold them in a bigger venue, and control crowds. I have never seen anything like that in my life!

As for those worried about the other concerts this year; we saw Montgomery Gentry a few weeks back and there was nowhere near 1/3 of the people we saw at Kelly. It was very calm, lots of room and very enjoyable.