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Early reviews on Atlanta Braves new park are coming in

By Alan Carpenter

NORTH PORT, FL - FEBRUARY 23: A general exterior view of CoolToday Park prior to the Spring Training game between the Detroit Tigers and the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park on February 23, 2020 in North Port, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Braves 5-1. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
NORTH PORT, FL - FEBRUARY 23: A general exterior view of CoolToday Park prior to the Spring Training game between the Detroit Tigers and the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park on February 23, 2020 in North Port, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Braves 5-1. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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NORTH PORT, FL – FEBRUARY 22: Atlanta Braves coaches sit behind a screen as they look on during a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at CoolToday Park on February 22, 2020 in North Port, Florida. The Braves defeated the Orioles 5-0. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
NORTH PORT, FL – FEBRUARY 22: Atlanta Braves coaches sit behind a screen as they look on during a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at CoolToday Park on February 22, 2020 in North Port, Florida. The Braves defeated the Orioles 5-0. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

But Wait, There’s More…

Now here’s her “kinks” and Cons list:

  • Traffic was bad getting in. Her experience was 20 minutes to get parked, but heard from others that an hour wasn’t unusual (she arrived 90 mins. before game time).  This is going to be a recurring theme.
  • Inside the park, the décor was too ‘generic’ and looked ‘unfinished’. Suggested more striping, color, team logos… something to dress things up.
  • Some seating sections appeared to be unlabeled. Noted section 119 in particular and that her party had to ask for an usher’s guidance to find it.
  • Extremely long lines for concessions. If this story is true, there really needs to be a fix done soon:
    • ”We were fourth in line at the Chicken Coup and it took 35 minutes to get chicken fingers and fries. Volunteer working concessions kept telling people he couldn’t accept credit cards with a chip.”

Other reviewers had mixed reviews on the food. Some liked it; some thought it ‘cold and horrible’.  That pretty much is typical for such reviews at ballparks, I’d have to admit.

One item of note: if you’re looking for vegetarian options… you could be out of luck.

CourneyK also noted very loud music at the security checkpoint, which made it nigh-impossible to hear directions given from security staff members.

Overall, her conclusion was being ‘underwhelmed’ by the stadium.

More Review Traffic… about Traffic

Another review – Michael K from Portland, Maine – notes that it took him 90 minutes to get into the parking lot on the same day (2/22).  In his anger, he suggests that the stadium be closed until “the traffic nightmare” is fixed.

There was a fireworks event held last July 4th, and a reviewer from that time had some interesting notes:

  •  “Easy access to seating”, though also mentions “Huge problem for persons with disabilities”
  • The problem?  A “very small VIP entrance to access via elevator” for those who can’t handle stairs. That is a problem since demand for that elevator is (obviously) going to be high at the start and the finish of any stadium event.
  •  A separate reviewer also noted a lack of handicap parking and seating options.
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