THE VENUE AT THUNDER VALLEY — Local services in Lincoln

We were there last night to see BOC and Kansas. April 1, 2023. The Venue has been open and running sense February of this year. Plenty of time to work out kinks and finish construction. Yet after reading reviews ahead of me, some things haven't been addressed.

First off: it's a beautiful building, great set up for viewing the stage, sound is awesome (once they get it dialed in) and I will be first to admit past concerts at thunder valley didn't have great sound systems. We were early and able to sit in the corner lounge by the big windows, which was relaxing and enjoying, and had a drink and some food. Not a good selection of food to eat. If thunder valley vendor and buffet is closed, they should have better choices of food to eat. There were ushers galore to assist you to getting around and finding your seat or where you wanted to go and all were friendly and helpful. Even thanked us for being there. Even the man who was cleaning up the trash had a smile and hello for us. The seats were comfortable and not to large but not to small either, meaning I wasn't in my neighbour's arms or lap as when in parking lot the seats were to small and close to each other. I would have given 5 stars but for the following.

2 stars off of review is because of parking and walk in and out of the venue. We followed the signs for handicap parking and didn't even find any spots, filled or not. Nothing marked we were in the area for them. So we parked near the Venue figuring we would enter through the Venue it's self. Wrong! We had to walk all the way to the casino to enter and no shuttles from the parking lot we were in. Only shuttles to and from the open parking lot across the street. I resented the cost of the concert was enough from us but to make us go through all the slot machines and stand in line in the middle of them before entering the Venue. Seemed like a money hungry deal to me, that thunder valley wanted us to gamble before the concert. We don't gamble ever, work to hard for our money to toss away in a machine to already rich people. Once doors opened had another long hallway to walk through before the security check, then of course in the Venue was more walking sense it is so big. Now don't get me wrong, walking is my problem these days. If I didn't have my problem it wouldn't have mattered. But as I got older I find standing and walking a problem sense I pinch my nerve in my spine. After to much of it, I lose control of my legs and fall. All the walking I had to do to get in and out of the Venue nearly did me in. It would have helped me A LOT if there had been benches along the walk from the parking to casino, at the front of the casino also. Or even low walls I could sit and unpinch my back a little bit before walking more. I was able to sit at a machine in the casino and it helped me get where I needed to be. Even In the Venue there was the lounge area for a break for me. I dont want a wheelchair or scooter to be in the way of others, just a few places to rest my back on the long hikes I was made to do. I dont understand why the Venue doesn't have its own entrance as it looks like it does. If someone wants to gamble they will go into the casino, but to force everyone to go through was rude and didn't work sense more people just walked through like us. I saw all the exit signs and felt if emergency all could get out, why couldn't getting in be more than one way?

The security men were every where, telling people to stop videoing which is pretty stupid. A camera phone can't take videos good enough to black market any thing good. They also had bad attitudes.

I see one other improvement that could be done. That is to remove some of the floor seats and have a dance area. People go to concerts to hear music they like and like to dance to. A area for those who want to dance would be awesome, so people at their seats trying to dance wouldn't be in trouble or those around them disturbed enjoying the music.

In all, we enjoyed the the Venue, and more concerts would...

ADA REVIEW:

Our experience at The Venue for the Brian Setzer concert that occurred 2/24. My husband, who is disabled, was unable to purchase ADA specific seating for the venue, which we figured would be ok, because in previous experience, and with zero information on their website, we had assumed that accommodations would be made available. However, when we arrived to the venue, and we asked staff about ADA accommodations, we were told to go to our seat (section 404), and they'd see what they could do. As soon as we had reached our seats, which were up a small series of stairs, she flagged us down to have us sit by one of the bars on the fourth level balcony, where our original seats were located. While we appreciated the assistance with seats that were not up a series of stairs, we were seated at the far end of the single line of seats in the center of the 4th balcony, and the railing significantly impeded our view of the show. When we asked a different staff member if we would be able to move to a different place due to the obstruction, we were advised to wait until about a third of the way through the show. We were then relocated to the VIP section in the 4th level by the bar, along with another couple who were needing ADA accommodations. We appreciated this assistance, and the second staff person that night was incredibly helpful and sympathetic. However, this was definitely not the norm in terms of our previous experiences with attending concerts.

I called The Venue to get clarification on this after the fact, and they confirmed that yes, the only ADA seats available (and guaranteed) are those purchased on Ticketmaster. They also confirmed that if you require accessibility and you were not able to purchase an ADA ticket from Ticketmaster that they will try to accommodate you as best as they can, but they cannot guarantee you an accommodation. Colt, who I spoke with, seemed to genuinely listen to the feedback I had (which I appreciated), which largely centered on the fact that if you’re going to have limited accessibility, then you need to be clear about that. The website has zero accessibility information for the venue. I also advised that the limited accessibility seating that is available, as compared to the Wheatland Amphitheater where we’ve never had issues with accommodations or accessibility, is telling. We even went through all the upcoming concerts, and for the ones where tickets were on sale, only one had ADA seats still available.

As far as the Brian Setzer concert, we ended up leaving early. And I'm not sure we want to try going to any future events here without knowing very clearly what the guidelines are for ADA accessibility. It’s incredibly disappointing that a State-of-the-Art entertainment venue, built just a year ago, where the tagline “Where every seat is the best seat in the house”, has less accessibility than older facilities in the region where accessibility was less of a concern in the past. We WANT to continue attending future shows, as they have a stellar lineup, but, if this is the expectation going forward, then we'd rather stay home and save our money, where we won't feel as though we are considered an afterthought compared to...

As promised, once things changed I would update my review and they have changed .To see my original review see down below. I before rated the venue a 2 star and now my review is changing to a 4 star. They have updated their bag policy and added everything on the list that is not allowed in. Unfortunately they still make everyone walk through the casino but now that I've been there a few times, it's not really that big of a deal. The problem this place has is non-stop sound issues. Every concert I have been to here they have sound issues. That's a little ridiculous in my opinion for a high-end concert venue but other than this, this venue is beautiful, seats are comfortable, and there are no bad seats. (Original review 4/1/23) Beautiful venue and amazing sound but things need to be changed. I will first start of with their policy on allowing stuff into the venue. That needs to be updated and they need to put all items on their list not make you throw them away when you get there because it wasn't on the list. We went to go see the comedian fluffy (which was awesome) but it was raining so like normal brought an umbrella and I was sure to look at their policy and that was not listed but when we got to the gate, I was yelled at to throw it away which was quite rude. She could have told me in a nice way to throw it away. I told her that was not on your policy and it should be added so people don't bring what they aren't supposed and all she did was completely ignore me and walk away. Second, why in the world would you make people walk through the casino at the end of the event. I mean there is gates right there at the end of the venue so why make people walk all the way around. That was not the smartest move at all.

Other then this, the venue is very beautiful and the sound is amazing. Never heard sound like that from a venue. If changes are made, I will definitely be happy to change my review and I will definitely...