Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=3602" target="_blank"><b>Latest: Walking With Dinosaurs to Replace Festival of The Lion King at Hong Kong Disneyland </b></a> We've heard the Creature Production Company, an Australian theatrical production outfit, are designing a smaller version of their Walking with Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular for Hong Kong Disneyland. The cut-down show featuring life-size dinosaurs has been in development for a year and is planned to replace Festival of The Lion King at Hong Kong Disneyland. There are no plans to replace the similar show at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper It is a good show. I saw it here in Lauderdale with my son a couple of months ago. Odd that Disney is bringing in an outside creative team for their Live Entertainment though.
Originally Posted By utahjosh Sad! Festival of the Lion King is one of my favorite parts of a day at AK.
Originally Posted By Malin *** Sad! Festival of the Lion King is one of my favorite parts of a day at AK *** Like the previous post states the Animal Kingdom version is remaining for now. Its the Hong Kong version that is changing.
Originally Posted By cstephens Wow, that's pretty cool. We saw the Walking with Dinosaurs show last year, and it was utterly amazing. Friends know how much I loved the Lion King Celebration parade at DL so thought I'd like the Lion King show in AK. I thought it was ok, but since I've seen it once, I don't really feel the need to see it again. Walking with Dinosaurs would be another matter. /cs
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I enjoyed the show at HKDL (but I haven't seen the dinosaur one), but it just seems a little odd that they're already planning to replace such a big show. That theater/arena was built specifically for that show, so it seems kind of strange that they started planning its replacement just 2 years after the park opened (assuming they did start planning it a year ago). It's not like it's a traditional stage that can be used in another production easily, so it seems very strange that they are doing it. That said, from what I've heard, it's an amazing show, and would probably work with the language barrier a whole lot better, so I can see why they might be interested in it. I also sort of wonder how extensively rethemed the building will be, since it's unmistakably African-inspired right now, and doesn't really look very prehistoric. That could create a very interesting flavor to the already unique Adventureland.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< It's not like it's a traditional stage that can be used in another production easily, so it seems very strange that they are doing it. >>> Isn't Walking With Dinosaurs also done in a circular theater? I think it's often presented in an arena when it travels. If so, it would be a good fit for the current theater from that perspective.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I think it is interesting that Disney is taking out one of its very own and very successful properties and replacing it with an outside one, especially in the light of so many fans wanting the company to stop the flow of Disney characters into the parks. I can see how a move like this would help expand Disney's appeal among theme park guests.
Originally Posted By Anatole69 It's simple. They don't have any attractions lined up for the next two years and need to add something new to drive up attendance among the locals, as it is obvious now that HKDL is going to be a locals park... so this is the easy fix. In this case they are killing a good show to replace it with a good show simply because they can't get anything else good built in the same short amount of time. This is my educated guess. - Anatole
Originally Posted By SuperDry What about ongoing operating costs? Lion King has a lot of performers, many (most?) of which are imported Westerners (read: expensive). How many on-stage cast does Walking With Dinosaurs require to operate?
Originally Posted By Malin I'll be sad to see this version of the Lion King go as it is the best version and really does put the Animal Kingdom version to shame. But I will look on the bright side that Hong Kong Disneyland is not keeping the show for an extended amount of time so we end up being sick of it, like most of the entertainment line up at WDW, or replace it with a Stitch Dance Show like DLRP is about to do. Reading the response on here seems to indicate Walking with Dinosaurs is very much a suitable replacement for Lion King.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara I don't recall the version in Hong Kong putting the version in Animal Kingdom to shame. Rather, the version in Animal Kingdom runs like clockwork. While I was watching the version in Hong Kong (about a year after the park opened), it was stopped three or four times because of technical problems with the computerized scenery. Otherwise it didn't seem much different at all. And maybe the Chinese don't give a crap about the Lion King show and HKDL management thinks big dumb dinosaurs would draw more people in.
Originally Posted By Malin I have never encountered technical problems while viewing the Hong Kong show and I must of watched it about 4 times. The show cuts out all the silly Guest interaction moments like the animal noises, and the entire Monkey's swigging on the ropes. Instead you have a much more serious presentation that also offers better technical effects like the grand finale where the floats end up rotating counter clockwise on the impressive spinning stage.
Originally Posted By barboy What the heck is going on? HKDL's version/performance of Lion King, I say, is by far the best of the 3. That is one stellar show..... Oh well.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Is this really coming or is it just rumor like taking away the great Aladdin show at DCA and replacing it with the lousy DCL-inspired Toy Story The Musical?
Originally Posted By Malin Its been months without any kind of follow up on this rumoured attraction. Are we to assume the project has been dropped? Or will the park tie it in with some kind of 5th Anniversary promotional campaign in 2010. If its the later I hope a new parade will also be annouced as I no longer wish to see recycled old floats from Tokyo used as the daily parade.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara I saw Lucky today at the D23 Expo. He was just as amazing as I remembered from his appearance at the Animal Kingdom several years ago.
