Thoughts on Toyota Park

[parrothappy]

Now that another new venue has been christened by the Parrotheads, does anyone who was there wish to comment on the location?

Parking lot: With a 200pm arrival we had no problem setting up all our gear. Security was friendly and didn't appear to hassle anyone. One of our neighboring phlockers asked to use my gas grill as he was told there was no open fires. Walking around the lot earlier, we had seen at least one charcoal fire. If you are planning to grill on Saturday with charcoal, you might want to determine what the policy is. Exit from the lot was a chaotic. Considering this was the venue's first JB concert, I'd give the lot a "B".

Concert seating: Like any venue which is not specifically designed for concerts, Toyota Park had several shortcomings. Because of the sound board location and presumably poor sight lines, the rear one-third of the soccer field was vacant of seating. As one of my co-workers observed, this created a disconnect for the crowd that was seated in the end zone opposite the stage. Our group was in section B3 and the ability to see the stage from where we were was limited. Security was heavy and they did do a good job of keeping people from standing on the chairs. Still, unless your stature is such that you tower over the people around you or you were in Section A, you probably had trouble seeing the stage. Sections C and D had to have been even worse. I think next time I would opt for one of the stadium seats with a higher angled view of the stage instead of seating on the field. Sound quality on the field was excellent and it was reported that the quality in the opposite end zone was excellent also. Overall I would rate the seating as a C.

Tinley Park or Toyota Park.....? It is a toss up. I think I would choose Tinley if I could get seats in the first 40 rows or so. Beyond that point Tinley's sound starts to become muddled. Best Chicago venue since Poplar Creek was leveled?....Wrigley Field.

Parrothappy

[catsway]

We didn't make it to Chicago, but I would like to add my comments regarding the Thursday night show from our back yard:

Parking: A+ Garage door opener worked on the first push, car fit well in the garage. Unloaded my gear from work and headed to the living room to turn on Radio Margaritaville when they were interviewing Jimmy before he went on stage.

Seating: A+ Well, we couldn't exactly see the stage but the hand painted Adarondak Chair was very comfortable. Good view of stars with Big Dipper off to the left.

Sound: A- Bose outdfoor speakers worked great driven by Sony 5.1 surround-sound receiver. Bose speakers in living room worked well. We did lose the signal from RM once in the second set but only missed a few moments.

Food and Beverage: A+ Ate dinner during Cheesebuger in Paradise. Didn't have any clams so we ate a grilled steak salad. Cocktail service was outstanding, good stiff drinks brought right to our chairs.

Overall: A+ I think we'll come back for the Saturday night show.

[Tiki Bar]

My thoughts?? I think there are too many threads being started about Toyota Park! Sorry, but really... look in the pre-concert gathering threads to add this kind of stuff, and find out this kind of stuff.

(my buzz might be wearing off!)

[Catch&Release]

To the initial poster, thank you very much. That answers a lot of questions I had about the venue. Your post is extremely helpful.

How far back were you in the B section? How many rows are there in the floor sections.

Does seat 1 for each floor section row start on the left or right as you're looking at the stage?

We're going to be in sec B2, row 1 seats 1 & 2. My girl is only 5'2". Will she have a tough time seeing?

Were there any concessions inside the venue accessible from the floor?

Thanks so much!

[LIPH]

My thoughts?? I think there are too many threads being started about Toyota Park! Sorry, but really... look in the pre-concert gathering threads to add this kind of stuff, and find out this kind of stuff.

(my buzz might be wearing off!)

I'm waiting for a "Landshark At Toyota Park" thread. We haven't had a new "Landshark At ..." thread in awhile, we're due.

[Boatdrunk....]

I was there last night and can answer some of your questions. I was in A2 towards the front so I can't answer that one, but I can tell you that the rows are numbered 1 from the left facing the stage. There are plenty of concessions on the floor arounfd the sides, in the back, and a huge area with both pot-a-lets and concessions on the right hand side facing the stage almost behind the stage. I do believe you are on the aisle with your seats with a walkway in front (nobody to obscur your view, except for walking bodies).

To the initial poster, thank you very much. That answers a lot of questions I had about the venue. Your post is extremely helpful.

How far back were you in the B section? How many rows are there in the floor sections.

Does seat 1 for each floor section row start on the left or right as you're looking at the stage?

We're going to be in sec B2, row 1 seats 1 & 2. My girl is only 5'2". Will she have a tough time seeing?

Were there any concessions inside the venue accessible from the floor?

Thanks so much!

[INeverGoAnywhere]

My thoughts?? I think there are too many threads being started about Toyota Park! Sorry, but really... look in the pre-concert gathering threads to add this kind of stuff, and find out this kind of stuff.

(my buzz might be wearing off!)

I'm waiting for a "Landshark At Toyota Park" thread. We haven't had a new "Landshark At ..." thread in awhile, we're due.

Instigator.......

[Frank4]

We didn't make it to Chicago, but I would like to add my comments regarding the Thursday night show from our back yard:

Parking: A+ Garage door opener worked on the first push, car fit well in the garage. Unloaded my gear from work and headed to the living room to turn on Radio Margaritaville when they were interviewing Jimmy before he went on stage.

Seating: A+ Well, we couldn't exactly see the stage but the hand painted Adarondak Chair was very comfortable. Good view of stars with Big Dipper off to the left.

Sound: A- Bose outdfoor speakers worked great driven by Sony 5.1 surround-sound receiver. Bose speakers in living room worked well. We did lose the signal from RM once in the second set but only missed a few moments.

Food and Beverage: A+ Ate dinner during Cheesebuger in Paradise. Didn't have any clams so we ate a grilled steak salad. Cocktail service was outstanding, good stiff drinks brought right to our chairs.

Overall: A+ I think we'll come back for the Saturday night show.

Now, that is one great way enjoy a concert.

[Catch&Release]

We didn't make it to Chicago, but I would like to add my comments regarding the Thursday night show from our back yard:

Parking: A+ Garage door opener worked on the first push, car fit well in the garage. Unloaded my gear from work and headed to the living room to turn on Radio Margaritaville when they were interviewing Jimmy before he went on stage.

Seating: A+ Well, we couldn't exactly see the stage but the hand painted Adarondak Chair was very comfortable. Good view of stars with Big Dipper off to the left.

Sound: A- Bose outdfoor speakers worked great driven by Sony 5.1 surround-sound receiver. Bose speakers in living room worked well. We did lose the signal from RM once in the second set but only missed a few moments.

Food and Beverage: A+ Ate dinner during Cheesebuger in Paradise. Didn't have any clams so we ate a grilled steak salad. Cocktail service was outstanding, good stiff drinks brought right to our chairs.

Overall: A+ I think we'll come back for the Saturday night show.

Now, that is one great way enjoy a concert.

Ain't nuthin like the real thing, baby...Ain't nuthin like the real thing.

Chicago, here we come!

[Frank4]

I've been inspired, I am already starting to plan my dinner and concert listening tomorrow.

[samiam236]

I thought the sound and setlist was great. Best show I've been to yet! The video of Jimmy playing in Chicago was neat!

However......

TRAFFIC was insane coming from the north suburbs. Every highway has ongoing construction. We barely made it on time. Hot Hot Hot started as we were finding our seats. If I ever return to this venue, I will have to plan for a very early arrival.

There sure was a lot of empty space behind the soundboard. Lots of lost revinue for the band, IMO.

Those plastic folding chairs were small and appeared to be designed for maximum sardine effect. We were in section B4.

The beers were gigantic......But I couldn't have any as I had to go to work after the show. I did enjoy the smell of ganja throughout the night...Heh!

We would have had an earlier start, but were distracted by kneeboarding on our boat! Talk about a complete day!

[parrothappy]

My thoughts?? I think there are too many threads being started about Toyota Park! Sorry, but really... look in the pre-concert gathering threads to add this kind of stuff, and find out this kind of stuff.

(my buzz might be wearing off!)

Well, excuse me, Tiki Bar, these weren't pre-concert observations, they were post-concert observations..... Sorry, but really... being the ever-so-important moderator doesn't makes your input any more valuable than anyone else's. Wink, wink, batting eyes, etc.

Catch&Relase,
At 5' 2" your girl might have some trouble seeing the stage. She'll have to settle for watching the Parrotvision screens. Have a great time. I suspect I will be banned from the board for not playing nice..... wink, wink, batting eyes........

Parrothappy

[SchoolGirlHeart]

Sarcasm aside, I do think there's room for a thread about the pro's and con's of a new venue, separate from the "who's going to" threads.

Just my 2 cents, FWIW.

Unfortunately it sounds like once again we've traded a halfway decent music-optimized amphitheater for a stadium. Blech....

[Brown Eyed Girl]

Sarcasm aside, I do think there's room for a thread about the pro's and con's of a new venue, separate from the "who's going to" threads.

Just my 2 cents, FWIW.

Add my two to your two, Jen. Most folks don't read the "who's going to" threads unless they're going to that venue. For new venues that may (or may not) become regular stops, it's nice to hear the pros and cons in case someone is thinking of traveling to that locale for a show in the future.

[OttoCal]

Sarcasm aside, I do think there's room for a thread about the pro's and con's of a new venue, separate from the "who's going to" threads.

Just my 2 cents, FWIW.

Add my two to your two, Jen. Most folks don't read the "who's going to" threads unless they're going to that venue. For new venues that may (or may not) become regular stops, it's nice to hear the pros and cons in case someone is thinking of traveling to that locale for a show in the future.

True enough, I have popped on to visit this thread twice to see about the new venue, and I wouldn't have visited the 'who's going to' thread. We try to get to Chicago for a show at least every few years, so we are due next year!

[Brown Eyed Girl]

I just got a VM from the Chippewas, Scott and Carol, (damB phone was on the charger upstairs) and they said they're having a great time, and that the general manager of the venue stopped by and chatted with them for 10 minutes. He said they are really bending over backwards for everyone, making sure they are having a great time and obviously looking to the folks there for feedback. I would think that folks would be interested in hearing this bit of info regarding a new venue. Sounds like they might interested in having Jimmy back again if they are chatting up the crowd and getting feedback.

[Tropic_Al]

To the initial poster, thank you very much. That answers a lot of questions I had about the venue. Your post is extremely helpful.

How far back were you in the B section? How many rows are there in the floor sections.

Does seat 1 for each floor section row start on the left or right as you're looking at the stage?

We're going to be in sec B2, row 1 seats 1 & 2. My girl is only 5'2". Will she have a tough time seeing?
Were there any concessions inside the venue accessible from the floor?

Thanks so much!

My keet's just about 5 foot. I usually stand her on the seat right in front of us. Of course I ask the people who's seat it is. Once they see her having a great time, it's all good. I'm tall, so I stand right behind her. The people behind us adjust so everyone can see just fine. The only problem we had was in the last 10 minutes @ Gillette last year & the security guard, who was shorter than my keet, gave us some crap.

[YuppieParrothead]

After many years at Tinley I was sceptical...however after seeing two shows at Toyota I have to admit that it was better (IMHO). Easy in and out, plenty of port-a-potties, security easy to deal with, iffy sightlines, but the sound was far better than Tinley. Sat main floor Thursday and nosebleed Saturday. Both had better sound than similar seats at Tinley. On the lawn at Tinley you could not understand a word he said. Worst seats I have ever had tonight and yet he was crystal clear. I for one hope Tinley is gone forever.

[Tiki Bar]

Now that another new venue has been christened by the Parrotheads, does anyone who was there wish to comment on the location?
...
Parrothappy

I'd like to apologize for my initial gripe about starting a new thread about Toyota Park. It was a hot topic over the last few days, so may as well give it it's due...

Parrotheads were talking about what a great job they did to accomodate us...

A golf cart pulled up yesterday and asked "is this the BuffettNews group?" when they saw the big red inflated M&M... CandyMan had spoken to someone somewhere Thursday and said to look for us. When we confirmed it, the 2 gentlemen from TP management got out, shook hands, asked questions about how they'd done so far, if we had any complaints, etc. How cool is that??? Basically, they demonstrated how much they cared, and wanted to please us.

The guy at the Margaritaville bus, doing the contests and such, when he was wrapping up yesterday's festivities mentioned how much they all liked the new venue... the people that were already inside liked the venue... the ones who would be on stage for us after a bit.

And Jimmy seemed to mention several times, with excitement and appreciation, that he really liked the new venue, and they'd be back to Chicago, "right here".

Yesterday was just liked Thursday... so many oui oui port-a-pots that there were never lines... lots of garbage cans, being emptied regularly throughout the day... easy in and out... great sound both nights...

Nice work, Toyota Park!!! Great effort!! Thank you!!

[SchoolGirlHeart]

I'd like to apologize for my initial gripe about starting a new thread about Toyota Park. It was a hot topic over the last few days, so may as well give it it's due...

Parrotheads were talking about what a great job they did to accomodate us...

A golf cart pulled up yesterday and asked "is this the BuffettNews group?" when they saw the big red inflated M&M... CandyMan had spoken to someone somewhere Thursday and said to look for us. When we confirmed it, the 2 gentlemen from TP management got out, shook hands, asked questions about how they'd done so far, if we had any complaints, etc. How cool is that??? Basically, they demonstrated how much they cared, and wanted to please us.

The guy at the Margaritaville bus, doing the contests and such, when he was wrapping up yesterday's festivities mentioned how much they all liked the new venue... the people that were already inside liked the venue... the ones who would be on stage for us after a bit.

And Jimmy seemed to mention several times, with excitement and appreciation, that he really liked the new venue, and they'd be back to Chicago, "right here".

Yesterday was just liked Thursday... so many oui oui port-a-pots that there were never lines... lots of garbage cans, being emptied regularly throughout the day... easy in and out... great sound both nights...

Nice work, Toyota Park!!! Great effort!! Thank you!!

It sounds like the venue really wants it all to go well!

In fact, sounds like the only down side (for me) is the fact that it's a stadium rather than a music shed.