Opening/Closing Ceremonies Discussion

[Rusty Gull]

Everyone is funneled through a long and winding entranceway, before being dispersed through various security checks, and then onto the stadium for ticketing. It's basically like an airport - and it actually seemed to work quite well, since people were filtering in over the course of 1, 2 hours.

On the other hand - after the show there was massive confusion outside of the stadium about how to get anywhere. There was an exit towards Stadium Skytrain station that was literally not moving. There was a Canada Line route that also was not moving. And there was no information for people trying to get anywhere else.

I hope they resolve it for Friday. Whoever is lucky enough to go (or to other BC Place events), wear comfortable sneakers -- NOT Italian loafers like I did!!

[djun]

Apparently volunteers are being told to tell spectators to walk over to Main St skytrain station rather than Stadium...

[mr.x]

Should I get to BC Place by 2 pm? Like, do I really need to be in line that early??

[ozonemania]

Went to tonight's rehearsal. Very, very good. I can't wait to see it televised... I think it will be a different experience but from what I saw it will be just as satisfying, if not more so, on TV too.

No spoilers but damn, very innovative, and it should ignite the patriot heart in every Canadian.

I also saw a couple ppl that were quickly spotted by volunteers/staff taking pictures. I think once they realized they were caught they complied no problem.

I have to agree the exiting part after everyone poured out of the stadium was chaos. It was like water draining out of a tub and you had no control over where to go you just followed the flow. I ended up nowhere near where I wanted to go.

One sad thing I saw was people stealing from the concession area refrigeration units for beverages. I'm not sure if it was oversight or not but no one locked/guarded these appliances after the concession areas were closed.

[djun]

Originally Posted by mr.x

Should I get to BC Place by 2 pm? Like, do I really need to be in line that early??

Don't think so. I know people who left Richmond at 3pm and got seated within the next hour. So as long as you're in the express line, it moves pretty quickly.

[Waders]

Originally Posted by djun

Don't think so. I know people who left Richmond at 3pm and got seated within the next hour. So as long as you're in the express line, it moves pretty quickly.

How many people went to the rehearsal? Friday night should have a lot more people, 50000?

[Yume-sama]

Somehow they expect 61,000 spectators. Along with 4,000 performers, some 2,500 media, and a couple of thousand athletes, it will be a ZOO!

[nova9]

Here's my experience (minimal spoilers, no specifics):







Just came back from the dress rehearsal. Had to eat after that, it was a long night.

Without spoilers, I LOVED it!!!! It's not Beijing good (nothing will be) but it definitely was creative with MANY moments of 'did I just see that?!?!' and cool visuals.

I have my doubts about the audience bit but it's not a wirelessly controlled thing, it's more of a, your props will have a number, do this when this number shows up. But I won't divulge what the effect will be. Many AMAZING performances.

Cool thing, for this final dress rehearsal, any singer who will be singing was present and did their set. So the audience saw the full deal, the ONLY thing that we didn't get compared to the real thing on friday is the cauldron and the final torchbearer. And we didn't see the audience effect (because we don't have the props/souvenirs) but we were told to mimic the actions. oh yeah, and no speeches, they had stand-ins reciting history of olympics and vancouver to fill in the time that the VIPs would be speaking. Haha, it was a very funny moment.

It definitely makes you love Canada. I had a few teary-eyed moments and there were many crazy applauses.

Also, during the pre-show, we got performances as well as speeches from (real) John Furlong (who got a standing ovation), Gregor Robertson, Gordon Campbell, and Stephen Harper.

I cannot believe how much fun I had.

Also, to be honest, if you bought the A or B seats, the $1000, you're not going to see the full visuals. Honestly, the 400 levels had the best view (unless you're on the east side, the jumbotron is blocked and you'll have to look at either the smaller jumbotron across from you or turnaround to the one behind you.)

[Waders]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Somehow they expect 61,000 spectators. Along with 4,000 performers, some 2,500 media, and a couple of thousand athletes, it will be a ZOO!

I remembered a news article mentioned that Monday's reheasal only had about 10000 people attended? So on Friday there will be 6 times the number of people?
I am expecting Skytrain to be jammed. I may arrive in Downtown at 2pm to check out how bad the lineup is before deciding whether to lineup right away.

[SpongeG]

video about the anthem

global

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by nova9

Here's my experience (minimal spoilers, no specifics):







Just came back from the dress rehearsal. Had to eat after that, it was a long night.

Without spoilers, I LOVED it!!!! It's not Beijing good (nothing will be) but it definitely was creative with MANY moments of 'did I just see that?!?!' and cool visuals.

I have my doubts about the audience bit but it's not a wirelessly controlled thing, it's more of a, your props will have a number, do this when this number shows up. But I won't divulge what the effect will be. Many AMAZING performances.

Cool thing, for this final dress rehearsal, any singer who will be singing was present and did their set. So the audience saw the full deal, the ONLY thing that we didn't get compared to the real thing on friday is the cauldron and the final torchbearer. And we didn't see the audience effect (because we don't have the props/souvenirs) but we were told to mimic the actions. oh yeah, and no speeches, they had stand-ins reciting history of olympics and vancouver to fill in the time that the VIPs would be speaking. Haha, it was a very funny moment.

It definitely makes you love Canada. I had a few teary-eyed moments and there were many crazy applauses.

Also, during the pre-show, we got performances as well as speeches from (real) John Furlong (who got a standing ovation), Gregor Robertson, Gordon Campbell, and Stephen Harper.

I cannot believe how much fun I had.

Also, to be honest, if you bought the A or B seats, the $1000, you're not going to see the full visuals. Honestly, the 400 levels had the best view (unless you're on the east side, the jumbotron is blocked and you'll have to look at either the smaller jumbotron across from you or turnaround to the one behind you.)

Did Celine Dion show up? I wanna see Celine. Call me crazy!

[nova9]

The ONLY downside I had tonight was leaving BC Place. It was way too crowded. Tip/advice for people, navigate to the correct gate INSIDE the stadium, don't exit the stadium until the last possible gate - you'll save yourself 15/20 minutes.

[nova9]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Did Celine Dion show up? I wanna see Celine. Call me crazy!

Ummmm........no. She isn't a performer. (that's not breaking the 'rules, I didn't tell a secret, just shot down a rumour)

Anyways, no Celine aside. There are some AWESOME performances. And I am thinking of one in particular, odd choice, but BOLD and classy choice.

As for the anthem, the singer is young and I thought she rocked it! It was a good rendition - just because people don't like smoother, RnB versions doesn't make it a bad rendition, it just makes it not THEIR taste.

[djun]

Monday had around 25-30000 and Wednesday had around 55-60000.

The security lineup shouldn't be too bad. As long as you don't have a large bag and you are in the express line, it will keep on moving steadily.

nova9: Good to see you enjoyed the show! Even with minimal visual effects from audience leaders and spectators, it looked impressive from down below!

[Waders]

Originally Posted by djun

Monday had around 25-30000 and Wednesday had around 55-60000.

The security lineup shouldn't be too bad. As long as you don't have a large bag and you are in the express line, it will keep on moving steadily.

Great! Thanks for the info.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by nova9

Ummmm........no. She isn't a performer. (that's not breaking the 'rules, I didn't tell a secret, just shot down a rumour)

Anyways, no Celine aside. There are some AWESOME performances. And I am thinking of one in particular, odd choice, but BOLD and classy choice.

No Celine?! What?! When will she come around, I wonder.

I'm guessing the bold and classy one wasn't Drake with "Best I ever had". Would have been bold, though.

[mr.x]

Well, if you want the real numbers:


- 60,000-65,000 spectators (they added floor seats)
- 1,000 media (the rest are at the IBC)
- 4,500 performers
- 1,000 ceremonies operations volunteers
- paid staff at BC Place
- 10,000 people at Live City Yaletown watching it on big screen
- possibly tens of thousands more watching it on big screens, restaurants, bars, etc. elsewhere in Downtown


All together, they expect 100,000 people to be in Downtown for the Opening.

[nova9]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

No Celine?! What?! When will she come around, I wonder.

I'm guessing the bold and classy one wasn't Drake with "Best I ever had".

Hey, I know you joke, but I would have like that - maybe for the pre-show and not for the ceremony.

No, this singer, is not one of my personal faves, but they are a legend, a canadian icon, a bold figure, and an effing great lyricist and singer.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by nova9

Hey, I know you joke, but I would have like that - maybe for the pre-show and not for the ceremony.

No, this singer, is not one of my personal faves, but they are a legend, a canadian icon, a bold figure, and an effing great lyricist and singer.

That's Celine Dion!

But, assuming not, is it a guy or girl? Group or... solo?

Time to play Guess Who

[Rusty Gull]

"All together, they expect 100,000 people to be in Downtown for the Opening."

^HOLY!!!

Well, this is the big one, then. For anybody going, I would recommend bringing an iphone/crackberry/ipod/crossword puzzle/homework etc. There will be lines, and people will get stuck, if tonight is any indication. Tonight didn't even feel like 50,000 - I thought it looked more like 30,000 or so. I could be wrong, but there were lots of empty seats.