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Agree. Poorly organized with stated concerns for migration timing and then with needless barriers set up to force folks to stay in paved areas.
We were directed to an area that was jammed. It impossible to move through the crowd and we turned back. Not a good space for the many families with kids and strollers. Meanwhile the grassy areas were blocked off and trees blocked the views in the designated areas.
The security setup was maddening and dangerous. There were maybe 2k people around the fountain for the 7 pm show, but most dispersed quickly, and many were disappointed by the poor sightlines the short show and the abstract nature of it. Then security cleared the entire fountain area, and left it empty for the second show, maybe for a private group. This caused scary crowding at the top of the stairs, which went on some distance. Very messed up. Sightlines from there were even worse. For the third show I went around to the other side, near the boat launch, where a small crowd of maybe 200 had a much better angle, and could see the drones take off. Worth it for this drone geek. My first show. But definitely bad planning on somebody’s part, and I can’t believe the city let them run it that way. Fortunately, it seems that no one was hurt. But it was an accident waiting to happen.
Remember when the park celebrated an anniversary in September 2003 with Light Cycle, a kind of high-tech fireworks display? Turned out to be poor visibility that night, but the sound of the explosions terrified people in my neighborhood, where 9/11 was still fresh in our memory.
The 8:00 pm (started 8:15) was very disappointing. We had a great view, but it was very short (maybe 6 min) and not very exciting. I don’t understand what they were trying to do, but so much fuss for such a bland outcome.
My kids didn’t understand why we dragged them out for this, and I have to agree
Yes,my 7 and 8 year old grandsons were disappointed as well,good thing they brought their scooters
Judging by many of the comments this wasn’t such a great event and even if only one bird died it is one too many.
They got lucky. That’s all. Peak migration season is critical for birds passing through this dense city and they depend on Central Park to rest and refuel. They got lucky. Gail Brewer and all those opposing were absolutely, 1000% correct with their concerns.
I’m still confused why so many people got so upset about this drone show. It’s going to kill so many birds? There’s nothing but lights for miles and this show was only six minutes long. Total combined time over three hours was eighteen minutes. And judging by the picture, the drones were very concentrated in one small area. Like this sorry display was going to kill that many birds? So, all the Gale Brewer and friends hub-bub was just over this? Silly. Stupid.
I’m eating my bucket of popcorn waiting patiently at my computer to see what the next cause will be that we all have to rally around. Never mind, found it. I’m outta here. I hear Emily Blunt made fun of someone’s weight eleven years ago and now we all are demanding she make an apology. How dare she. Get real.
Those blasted animal lovers! How dare they care about living things Ammiright ??
It was way to crowded in the designated areas we were allowed to be for this event. I was there for the 7p ( late start ) only lasted like 6 mins, no discernable images, just a blob of beautiful lights, but it was lame. This should be out over the east river or hudson river.
Was there for the 7pm and 8pm. It was cool but a lot left a bit underwhelmed by how short it was. Crowd control was very poor as the area was super packed. Also i was standing at the designated “viewing area” and half the show was obstructed with trees (mind you, that’s 3 out of 6 minutes). They should have flown it more towards the fountain and made it last longer.
I had a similar experience as many others. Too many people. Nobody knew where to go. Views obscured by trees. There was supposed to be music to accompany. To Download online. But I couldn’t get a cell signal. There’s a 5 min video on YouTube when Drift did this at Burning Man with the music. Solo Piano by Joep Beving. AB OVO. Search for it.
It could have been great in wide open space.
Maybe its just me but it seems like this was not really for the public given that most of the area was closed to public. It totally escapes me why they publicized this so much. I guess Drift got exactly what they wanted which is great for them just like it was great for Global Citizen.
Very poor crowd management. Cops and security yelled and chased people out of some of the only places where the view wasn’t blocked by trees. After 2 or 3 minutes of peering through branches, we left, along with hundreds of other disappointed people. Coming back at 8 or 9 didn’t appeal in the slightest. What a huge goat rodeao.
Disappointing for all the reasons already listed. Would like to add that it was advertised as being 10 mins. long (some here say it lasted only 6 mins) and the recommended music on Spotify was less than 5 mins. long – ??? It was a lovely idea but so poorly executed. so few actual clear viewing areas and way too much restriction along with lake.
What a load of crap. I wish I could have my time back from this event. I can only assume the media had some sort of prime seating to give it such good reviews.
That map of “prime viewing” was completely wrong. You couldn’t see anything from the Dead Road or the Band Shell. I wonder if the organizers had ever actually been to central park before the event.
There were so many people using their cell phones in the park, that you couldn’t stream the music.
And best of all, it was just a bunch of lights in the air. At the fourth of July the drones over the East River turned into the Statue of Liberty and the American flag. Now, that was amazing. This looked like something I could do with a drone or a flashlight on a stick. It was just really boring, stupid, and hard to see.
Too crowded. The restricted area was too big. Why was this publicized so heavily there were soooo many people and soooo many barriers.
Agree. Poorly organized with stated concerns for migration timing and then with needless barriers set up to force folks to stay in paved areas.
We were directed to an area that was jammed. It impossible to move through the crowd and we turned back. Not a good space for the many families with kids and strollers. Meanwhile the grassy areas were blocked off and trees blocked the views in the designated areas.
The security setup was maddening and dangerous. There were maybe 2k people around the fountain for the 7 pm show, but most dispersed quickly, and many were disappointed by the poor sightlines the short show and the abstract nature of it. Then security cleared the entire fountain area, and left it empty for the second show, maybe for a private group. This caused scary crowding at the top of the stairs, which went on some distance. Very messed up. Sightlines from there were even worse. For the third show I went around to the other side, near the boat launch, where a small crowd of maybe 200 had a much better angle, and could see the drones take off. Worth it for this drone geek. My first show. But definitely bad planning on somebody’s part, and I can’t believe the city let them run it that way. Fortunately, it seems that no one was hurt. But it was an accident waiting to happen.
Who on earth might think that anything involving drones is a good idea right now?! Not to mention wild life, it is simply wrong.
Remember when the park celebrated an anniversary in September 2003 with Light Cycle, a kind of high-tech fireworks display? Turned out to be poor visibility that night, but the sound of the explosions terrified people in my neighborhood, where 9/11 was still fresh in our memory.
Leave the drones to the bees.
Drones in the news now means war, death, destruction.
Totally unnecessary, dangerous, landlord would be better served with an electric fence of some type to prevent folks sitting on the fence or dogs defecating on the plants.
The nine o’clock show was amazing.
Very disappointed in Central Park Conservancy judgement.
The conservancy doesn’t control these events.
Love it. Wished it was longer.
No birds were killed in the production of this event.
The 8:00 pm (started 8:15) was very disappointing. We had a great view, but it was very short (maybe 6 min) and not very exciting. I don’t understand what they were trying to do, but so much fuss for such a bland outcome.
My kids didn’t understand why we dragged them out for this, and I have to agree
Yes,my 7 and 8 year old grandsons were disappointed as well,good thing they brought their scooters
So with all of the hand ringing by animal lovers and the UWS’s chief panderer, Gail Brewer what were the horrible results? How many birds died? Turns out it was a nice event where New Yorkers got to enjoy a free event in the park. Well done by the conservatory.
Judging by many of the comments this wasn’t such a great event and even if only one bird died it is one too many.
They got lucky. That’s all. Peak migration season is critical for birds passing through this dense city and they depend on Central Park to rest and refuel. They got lucky. Gail Brewer and all those opposing were absolutely, 1000% correct with their concerns.
I’m still confused why so many people got so upset about this drone show. It’s going to kill so many birds? There’s nothing but lights for miles and this show was only six minutes long. Total combined time over three hours was eighteen minutes. And judging by the picture, the drones were very concentrated in one small area. Like this sorry display was going to kill that many birds? So, all the Gale Brewer and friends hub-bub was just over this? Silly. Stupid.
I’m eating my bucket of popcorn waiting patiently at my computer to see what the next cause will be that we all have to rally around. Never mind, found it. I’m outta here. I hear Emily Blunt made fun of someone’s weight eleven years ago and now we all are demanding she make an apology. How dare she. Get real.
Those blasted animal lovers! How dare they care about living things Ammiright ??
What they don’t care about are facts, reason and other people’s rights.
100% incorrect
It was way to crowded in the designated areas we were allowed to be for this event. I was there for the 7p ( late start ) only lasted like 6 mins, no discernable images, just a blob of beautiful lights, but it was lame. This should be out over the east river or hudson river.
Fun, different, huge interest but all that for 5 minutes?
Was there for the 7pm and 8pm. It was cool but a lot left a bit underwhelmed by how short it was. Crowd control was very poor as the area was super packed. Also i was standing at the designated “viewing area” and half the show was obstructed with trees (mind you, that’s 3 out of 6 minutes). They should have flown it more towards the fountain and made it last longer.
I had a similar experience as many others. Too many people. Nobody knew where to go. Views obscured by trees. There was supposed to be music to accompany. To Download online. But I couldn’t get a cell signal. There’s a 5 min video on YouTube when Drift did this at Burning Man with the music. Solo Piano by Joep Beving. AB OVO. Search for it.
It could have been great in wide open space.
Should have been over East River so it was visible from LIC and east side running path, south of 50s! Would have been gorgeous swooping up and down the river!
The people who complained about the drone show are for the birds..
Maybe its just me but it seems like this was not really for the public given that most of the area was closed to public. It totally escapes me why they publicized this so much. I guess Drift got exactly what they wanted which is great for them just like it was great for Global Citizen.
Very poor crowd management. Cops and security yelled and chased people out of some of the only places where the view wasn’t blocked by trees. After 2 or 3 minutes of peering through branches, we left, along with hundreds of other disappointed people. Coming back at 8 or 9 didn’t appeal in the slightest. What a huge goat rodeao.
Big waste of time. Have these drone people ever seen a murmuration? We shrugged and said, “Well, it’s always nice to be in the Park.”
Agree with most of the comments of viewing. Too many people. View obstructed by trees. A real flop! Who ever organized this should be fired. A young man in back of me shouted: “I want my money back.” My sentiments exactly.
This was nothing from nothing. Six minutes of blips; started late; obscured by trees; no slight lines; open area above Bethesda Fountain was unused. Waste of time, effort and money
Glad we decided to skip it and instead watch hardless streaming TV instead!
Disappointing for all the reasons already listed. Would like to add that it was advertised as being 10 mins. long (some here say it lasted only 6 mins) and the recommended music on Spotify was less than 5 mins. long – ??? It was a lovely idea but so poorly executed. so few actual clear viewing areas and way too much restriction along with lake.
Very underwhelming and way overcrowded. The drone show was quite lame and not very long. Definitely not worth the effort it took to see it. Some drone shows are spectacular like Dead and Co. did at their final show in San Francisco. This wasn’t anything close to that.
What a load of crap. I wish I could have my time back from this event. I can only assume the media had some sort of prime seating to give it such good reviews.
That map of “prime viewing” was completely wrong. You couldn’t see anything from the Dead Road or the Band Shell. I wonder if the organizers had ever actually been to central park before the event.
There were so many people using their cell phones in the park, that you couldn’t stream the music.
And best of all, it was just a bunch of lights in the air. At the fourth of July the drones over the East River turned into the Statue of Liberty and the American flag. Now, that was amazing. This looked like something I could do with a drone or a flashlight on a stick. It was just really boring, stupid, and hard to see.