Originally Posted By imadisneygal The Hall of Presidents is only in Walt Disney World and currently the theater at Disneyland that houses Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is being utlized for the 50th celebration with a special exhibit and movie. There is talk that Mr. Lincoln will return at the end of the 50th celebration this Fall. We're all waiting to see what will really happen with that...
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Mr. Lincoln is still at Disneyland, he is just "resting" behind the movie screen showing the special 50th ASnniversary film in the Opera House. Some rumors have the film staying, and becoming a part of the Great Moments show, one rumored option, Having Mr. Lincoln perform at the top of the Hour, and then the 50th film being shown at the bottom of the hour, and the lobby would be a mix of exhibits. Take down the wall that is covering up Walt's old office, and bring back some of the photos and exhibits from 2004, but leave a few of the things made for the new show. They think this might actually increase the amount of folks who would attend, as the folks who prefer the "shows and relaxing attractions" would make 2 different trip on the same day.
Originally Posted By Lyle-JP I willing to commit the ultimate blasphemy here... I think Lincoln should be replaced by Philharmagic. I don't know if it would fit in there, but what else would me more appropriate for the "Opera House" of Disneyland?
Originally Posted By Eric Paddon I've got a better idea. Bring back the original Lincoln show film and narration featuring Royal Dano's performance as Lincoln. The original Lincoln speech (or the variant version that was part of the original Hall Of Presidents program in WDW) is something that should still be heard by all Disney park visitors, especially in the post-9/11 world.
Originally Posted By ni_teach > I think Lincoln should be replaced by Philharmagic. That theater is way, way too small to hold the Philharmagic. Also it would cause too big of a traffic jam on main street. I would love to see philharmagic come to DL, but I don't think that the "Opera House" is the right place.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer >>Bring back the original Lincoln show film and narration featuring Royal Dano's performance as Lincoln. The original Lincoln speech is something that should still be heard by all Disney park visitors, especially in the post-9/11 world.<< I strongly agree with this, and count myself as a lucky one that I have both the original soundtracks from the New York's World's Fair and the Original Main Street Show. (FYI, The Main show is the same, the pre-show was changed, since the World's Fair version was designed to promote the State of Illinois). I am not a fan of the new show, or the actual presentation by the Mr. Lincoln AA. IMHO, the original version was a MUCH better show on many different levels, the speech itself, the artist who provided Mr. Lincoln voice, and the music all provided so much more depth and feeling, but I have a funny feeling that some Disney Execs felt the need for PC in the exhibit.....
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Well, if there was ever an attraction that could be explained for any un-PC moments, I would say this is it. It is presented in a historical setting, looking at both American and Disney history, and has the very well informed CM hosts. They could easily explain any "unacceptable" moments during the intro.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA 'Mr. Lincoln' is one of the last vestiges of 'shows and relaxing attractions' in the entire resort. The Main Street Cinema has that sense. And so does 'Seasons of the Vine' and 'Golden Dreams' -- did I mention that like those two attractions?
Originally Posted By Hannibal 8 My daughter and I loved the most recent incarnation of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Everytime we were leaving the park I'd say, "Feel like getting a hair cut?" She'd always say sure! The audio effects were so realistic. It was always fun to watch the reaction of tourists and first-timers when the effects like the mosquito or match came on. We most have went into the attraction 30 or 40 times. Compare that to the repeat-ability to the new Steve Martin movie... one time only. To this day I still think Lincoln was one of the best kept secrets in the park. Cool technology, a little bit of history, and no waiting in line.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Main Street Cinema has that sense. And so does 'Seasons of the Vine' and 'Golden Dreams' -- did I mention that like those two attractions?>> Not that I have heard. Tell me more, Jim... what about those two attractions catch your attention?
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Thanks for asking trekkeruss... You see, back when I was a kid at Disneyland, a waaaaaay back in 1969, it wasn't all about thrill rides and roller coasters. In fact, back then, the Matterhorn was the only roller coaster in the whooooole park. Oh yes, Disneyland was quite a place back then. It seems like only yesterday that we......
Originally Posted By sdlovesmickey I have to agree that the Lincoln attraction was one of my favorites. I never got a chance to view it when they updated it; but I have fond memories of it from before. I wish that they wouldn't have shut him down I was there in August and didn't get to see it and was hoping it would be back up and running for my trip in June, but no such luck.
Originally Posted By teddibubbles I am with you on this one Darkbeer"I am not a fan of the new show, or the actual presentation by the Mr. Lincoln AA. IMHO, the original version was a MUCH better show on many different levels, the speech itself, the artist who provided Mr. Lincoln voice, and the music all provided so much more depth and feeling, " I think iys so funny . that when WE speak of OUR Old Lincoln. we say . How it moved us! and How the voice fit.. and it moved us to tears . .. but the newer version they talk abot bugs and hair cuts.. Sorry but its true! I think the org one will allways be the BEST reflection of what the Whole feeling Walt had. in keeping Lincoln In that building.. Its a most Moving everything on him!. and not a show case for hair cuts and whispers and bugs! . JMHO
Originally Posted By Hannibal 8 Well, I don't remember much of the old Lincoln show, but from a graphics standpoint it was kind of weak. They used a bank of slide projectors timed together for the first part of the show. Fairly sophisticated for the 1960's, but simple by today's standard. The newer pre-show used animated matts and layers with some great Civil War photos to tell the story... I'll take HD projection and great sound over those clunky slide projectors any day.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer ^ Did you know that at the World's Fair, and for many years at Disneyland, the Pre-show was held in a different room than where you watched Mr. Lincoln? Basically in Anaheim during the late 60's and most of the 70's, the area where the offices and other displays was just basically one large queue. While in the queue, when they had counted off a full audience for the Main Theater, you were staged in the area with the ability to watch the Pre-show (aka the slide show) on the wall. This allowed about twice as many folks to see Mr. Lincoln an hour, as when you sat down in the main theater, the curtain rose directly to Mr. Lincoln's speech. After about a decade, when the guests counts dropped, WDI came up with the revised set-up in the Lobby, and presenting both halves in the Main Theater. And the actual Show was SOOOO much better than today's version as mentioned above. Yes, the Pre-Show could have been updated, but without changing the actual "show". Maybe we will be lucky enough to have it return in 2007, I for one will be hoping (but I won't be holding my breath). On the other hand, it shows that Disney doesn't learn, other "static" shows like Star Tours, HISTA, Muppet-Vision and Golden Dreams get dated and need to be replaced/changed/enhanced on a regular bases, and for example, a new Kodak Pre-Show for HISTA doesn't cut it!
Originally Posted By NancyS Thanks everyone. I remember GMWML from WAAAY back when I was about 16. After that we went to DW and I wasn't crazy about H OF P. Anyway I wanted my daughter to see it - so I am disappointed.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I'd like to see a new generation Lincoln. With the advent of Honda's Asimo I think it would be something to see Lincoln get up and move around the stage as he is talking. Call me a dreamer.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <but I have a funny feeling that some Disney Execs felt the need for PC in the exhibit.....> What in the world does that have to do with it? I preferred the old speech too, but the new one is, um, the Gettysburg Address. The old one was actually a compendium of various speeches given at various times - I preferred it too, but arguably having him deliver ONE actual speech is more historically accurate, and I certainly don't see anything "PC" about the Gettysburg Address. If you know a little history and know WHY he delivered that particular speech at that particular time, it's really just as stirring as the original compendium... but most people probably don't, and the original will be more stirring for most people. I think the best Lincoln show would itself be a compendium of the best parts of the various shows: the original 60's speech, the 80's pre-show (with "Two Brothers" and all that, which was better and more stirring than the 60's slide show on Lincoln's life), the more sophisticated AA but with TONED DOWN motion (when they discovered what they could do in the 80's, it was like they felt they HAD to, and poor Abe was gesticulating all over the place), and the original Royal Dano voice. The audio system they have today was an interesting experiment, but I think they should chalk it up to "well, we tried" and use it on something else (perhaps a new TL or DCA attraction) where it makes sense.
