Kelly Clarkson Concert

[the Dark Marauder]

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.

Feasible. But would you have a way to deter those who line up at your wristband distribution location several hours in advance (it will happen) or just let them sit and wait, wasting their day?

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.

That would cause less bodies in the park (they come for the free concert) = less money being spent = lower profits. That would be sent to the drawing board. Maybe offer a VIP area where one can pay an additional fee and have a guaranteed good viewing spot/exit path (if applicable)

 

[the Dark Marauder]

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.

The placement of the Stage is the best place in the park for it to be. When the stage was near Mel's/Cafe Labamba, it was WORSE. Where it is now can accommodate for large crowds (such as Kelly's).

 

[damo]

Perhaps the only answer is limiting the number of ticket sales for such nights or maybe having stars such as Kelly perform on two nights. We were there when Taylor Hicks was on a few years back and there were no issues whatsoever. So smaller crowds is probably the way to go.

 

[MIB999999]

Perhaps the only answer is limiting the number of ticket sales for such nights or maybe having stars such as Kelly perform on two nights. We were there when Taylor Hicks was on a few years back and there were no issues whatsoever. So smaller crowds is probably the way to go.

It is Spring Break time frame and that brings large "young" crowds determined to have a lot of "good times" in a short time frame.
Trying to change the mindset of Spring Breakers is far more difficult than trying to get tourists to go where you want them too.
The "Kelly Clarkson" crowd draw will occur again next year with a different performer. It is the coming together of potential large crowd circumstances in one location.
Either choose to be a part of it and all that involves or choose to let it pass you by and all that involves. Remember this was a FREE concert. But, since there is no such thing as free, your cost of admission was aggravation.

 

[mamaminnie]

It is Spring Break time frame and that brings large "young" crowds determined to have a lot of "good times" in a short time frame.
Trying to change the mindset of Spring Breakers is far more difficult than trying to get tourists to go where you want them too.
The "Kelly Clarkson" crowd draw will occur again next year with a different performer. It is the coming together of potential large crowd circumstances in one location.
Either choose to be a part of it and all that involves or choose to let it pass you by and all that involves. Remember this was a FREE concert. But, since there is no such thing as free, your cost of admission was aggravation.

I still don't see how any of this absolves Universal Studios from their responsibility to have adequate security personnel at the concert. Fights should not be tolerated and people wishing to leave after the parade should have been steered out another exit, not past the concert stage.

I also think that alcohol plays a big factor and no one was monitoring that. I think those shot girls would have sold my 10 year old son a shot if he had the cash.

 

[Metro West]

I still don't see how any of this absolves Universal Studios from their responsibility to have adequate security personnel at the concert. Fights should not be tolerated and people wishing to leave after the parade should have been steered out another exit, not past the concert stage.

I hear ya...just like HHN, Mardi Gras has gotten bigger over the years and nothing has been done on Universal's side to deal with the ever expanding crowds. I think the worst thing Universal did was to put up the metal barricades since they do more harm than good but I'm sure they will tell you it has something to do with the fire code. The Studios just isn't set up for crowds that size and probably never will be. I think the only thing that can happen in the future is to limit the number of people entering the park that day and closing at 5pm as opposed to 8pm or later (for concert nights). As I posted earlier, I would like to see the bigger concerts moved to the Fear Factor area on a first come first serve basis. I appreciate the concerts and artists Universal is booking but they really need to think about what happens when you have that many people in a relatively small space.

 

[atricks]

Getting out wasn't bad for us at Kelly Clarkson, everyone was trying to go the main exit, but the back way (behind monsters by Mels and down Hollywood blvd) was much less crowded and no shoving/fighting etc was there. It was crazy crowded, but many people were ignoring the other less crowded exits.

 

[Jason71]

I still don't see how any of this absolves Universal Studios from their responsibility to have adequate security personnel at the concert. Fights should not be tolerated and people wishing to leave after the parade should have been steered out another exit, not past the concert stage.

Skipped this one (learned my lesson after Kid Rock, 3rd Eye Blind and especially Sean Paul), but ever since Sean Paul, they've had employees waving with signs waving non-concert goers down Rodeo Drive, alleviating some congestion. Were they not there Saturday? Another cutback?

 

[Parkers_girl]

The placement of the Stage is the best place in the park for it to be. When the stage was near Mel's/Cafe Labamba, it was WORSE. Where it is now can accommodate for large crowds (such as Kelly's).

I agree that was a bad place for the stage also. But they really should put it in a back corner of the park where there isn't much traffic. Having it right on the main strip is a stupid idea.

 

[Parkers_girl]

I believe Universal is already aware of the problem as they have told all of their employees that future compensation passes they receive will have concert black out dates on them. So maybe a good portion of the people there were using comp passes??

 

[nodoubtrock]

I went on a comp pass for BNL but it was specifically a marti gras comp pass. So I guess they won't be giving those comps out anymore?

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I believe Universal is already aware of the problem as they have told all of their employees that future compensation passes they receive will have concert black out dates on them. So maybe a good portion of the people there were using comp passes??

Or they used after 5 passes. ANYONE can purchase an after 5 pass for Mardi Gras nights only. They're less expensive than a day ticket and many people use those to see a particular concert.

 

[Laurabearz]

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.

We saw this at BG. The day we were there it was a bunch of senior citizens fighting over the slots, it was quite amusing to watch the slow motion stampede of 200 old people.

 

[Parkers_girl]

I went on a comp pass for BNL but it was specifically a marti gras comp pass. So I guess they won't be giving those comps out anymore?

That's what I'm assuming. My good friend works there and I used one of the after 5 passes for Montgomery Gentry. But they just got a flyer stating that comp passes will have concert blackout dates, so I assume this means no more after 5?? Or maybe just for the big concerts.

 

[snchpnz]

I have no idea how to better control the crowds. That's why I didn't criticize Universal much on my original post. I really didn't mind the barricades except for the fact that it prevented people from getting up closer. I think the barricades work as long as Universal makes sure small groups of people can't sit down and take up huge areas and they should also have security inside to control the crowd. Although maybe the whole point of the barricades is just that. Less people means less trouble. I have to admit I also feared for my safety while I was in there. I thought for sure we would get trampled once Kelly Clarkson came out and when they started throwing beads into the crowd I almost had a heart attack. I had one of those "Final Destination" moments where I saw the fights breaking out before they happened. Luckily the crowd behaved but there was still a feeling of total chaos.

I liked someones suggestion of displaying the video on the lagoon. I have no idea how much trouble that would be or what it might cost but it doesn't seem that hard or costly and it would disperse the crowd all around the park. I also think the stage is in a horrible location right in the main pathway out of the park. I would have shoved it somewhere in the back by the Curious George play area and built a new Nickelodeon themed kids play area by Jimmy Neutron. It probably would have been ridiculously expensive but meh, one can fantasize.

 

[phamton]

I also think a video for the overflow would be great as long as it was in another part of the park. I like how they did that in Citywalk for the Ellen show.

It is scary to be in a huge crowd. That's why I avoid the parades and fireworks during Spring Break at Magic Kingdom. I do like the way the concerts are held at Epcot for the "Eat to the Beat" during Food and Wine Festival. I know if I go to concert for Eat to the Beat that is popular, that I just need to line up early and get a seat. There's no crowding or pushing. Fantasmic can be a little scary at Hollywood Studios during peak times though especially during the exit.

Crowd control is really important. Team members need to be visible and plentiful as does security. Possibly the only way to handle it would be to limit the number who can attend the concert. I'm not sure how they could do that without limiting the number who can attend Mardi Gras (since the concerts are included in the ticket.) My suggestion is to stop selling "After 5" tickets and no comp tickets. If you have to pay full price, maybe less people will be inclined to just show up for the concert. I can't imagine that having a huge crowd for the concert is really that good for merchandise and food sales as the lines would be too long for most people to even buy food. I wish they would consider either Fear Factor stadium or Animal Actors stadium for the concert and put up a big screen on the opposite end of the park (like where the concert is held now) for an overflow.

 

[mamaminnie]

Skipped this one (learned my lesson after Kid Rock, 3rd Eye Blind and especially Sean Paul), but ever since Sean Paul, they've had employees waving with signs waving non-concert goers down Rodeo Drive, alleviating some congestion. Were they not there Saturday? Another cutback?

We didn't see anyone doing this (that doesn't mean that it wasn't done). But this is exactly what should have been done to move the crowds safely.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

My suggestion is to stop selling "After 5" tickets and no comp tickets. If you have to pay full price, maybe less people will be inclined to just show up for the concert.

Part of this has already been addressed. Phamton, check PM's.

 

[phamton]

Part of this has already been addressed.

Some changes have been made on team member comp tickets: All concert event dates are now blocked out for the summer concert series and next year's Mardi Gras concert series.

 

[MIB999999]

I still don't see how any of this absolves Universal Studios from their responsibility to have adequate security personnel at the concert. Fights should not be tolerated and people wishing to leave after the parade should have been steered out another exit, not past the concert stage.

The path of least resistance to leave the park after the parade is by the lagoon and head up the street between Horror Make Up Show and Mel's. However if you are in the Twister area for the parade then good luck. Most people that want to be able to see the concert and still catch some beads choose this area.

I agree fights should not be tolerated but getting security through that mass of people to the site of the fight is difficult at best, and trying to rapidly force thier way to the fight site can cause its own set of problems.