Originally Posted By SafariRob My 4 year old son is going through a Sword in the Stone phase...as in, he watches it EVERY DAY. Our family is going to Disneyland in a couple of weeks and I would love for my 4 year old son to see the Sword in the Stone ceremony. The problem is that I don't see it on the resort calendar. I also noticed that the Sword in the Stone ceremony page is not available on the Disneyland web site. Does anyone know if Disneyland is still doing it? Is it a seasonal thing or (gasp) gone forever??
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: It is with deep sadness that my sisters and I mave to inform you that Merlin has been laid off at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, SafariRob, duckling. It was 2006 that The Sword in the Stone Ceremony was last seen at both parks--although Disneyland held on to theirs a little bit longer. ORWEN: And our poor friend--Merlin--hasn't been the same since. How Disney management could do what they did to this dear old soul is simply unforgivable! Laying off an old man in the prime of his life! ORGOCH: Yeah, last I heard he was havin' ta push a shoppin' cart up 'n down the mean streets a L.A., his long beard gittin' dirtier ev'ry dang day. Thanks a lot Iger!!! Yer no better than Eisner when it comes ta takin' way the magic fer guests! Yerself an' them dang bean counters! If'n I was allowed ta do it, I'd hex all of ya's fer what ya did ta poor ol' Merl'.....
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I haven't seen the ceremony in quite a while. I think it was probably spring 2007 the last time I caught a performance of it. The sword is still there, and a great photo op, but it seems that they have permanently sent the ceremony the way of the Matterhorn rock climbers. In other news, why is the sword in the stone actually in an anvil? I know that it's that way in the movie, but it seems like it wouldn't be that hard to get it right; it's in the name of the movie for pete's sake!
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: You would have to ask the author of the original story as to why there is an anvil atop the stone, FerretAfros, duckling. ORWEN: As for the final performance of the Sword in the Stone Ceremony in CA, it might have been discontinued in early 2007. We last saw it being performed there in December 2006. Walt Disney World's version of this ceremony was discontinued in 2006.
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<And our poor friend--Merlin--hasn't been the same since.>> Oh? I thought Merlin moved his sword act over to Tomorrowland Terrace.
Originally Posted By SafariRob >>The sword is still there, and a great photo op...<< That will have to do. Actually, to a four year old kid, that will still be pretty cool. Do the PhotoPass CM's hang out there?
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Not as far as we know. It often seems the photoPass people don't take pictures of anything beyond yourself with a character--and not even ALL the characters. Only certain characters are assigned photopass photographers. The rest of the characters require that you have your own camera with you. ORWEN: I suggest you leave a comment at City Hall requesting that Merlin be brought back. We did that in December 2010 when we were there. We've done the same thing in Florida at the Magic Kingdom. If enough Merlin fans out there do the same thing it might rescue a poor old man from a jobless, homeless situation. (sigh) ORGOCH: Got clout?
Originally Posted By Bolna Merlin was one of the highlights of my first ever visit to Disneyland. I guess I really should take up the Witches' suggestion and leave a comment at City Hall whenever I might be in a park the next time...
Originally Posted By Scutr There's a shot of Darth Vader and a couple of 'Troopers at the Sword in the "Darth Vader Goes To DL" video.
Originally Posted By DlandDug I'm speechless! I had no idea that Merlin was no longer appointing Temporary Rulers of the Realm in Disneyland. My own ds was never so thrilled as the day he was (finally) selected for this great, great honor. Over the years they nibbled away at this charming little "in-between" experience. They lost their heralding trumpeters quite some time ago-- but I truly thought that Merlin and his carpet bag were still seen regularly in the Castle courtyard. I may cry.
Originally Posted By gadzuux It seems like it's certainly easy enough and inexpensive enough to do. And it's not exactly tough to draw an audience in the middle of Fantasyland, on any given day. So I wonder why they discontinued it - it's fun, it's unique to disney, it themes beautifully to the area, and costs essentially nuthin'.
Originally Posted By DBitz2 Merlin's got some competition regarding the Sword in the Stone now. Watch the Darth Vader visits Disneyland video!
Originally Posted By darcy-becker I got my picture taken at the Sword in the Stone by a Photo Pass photographer in April. It pretty early, probably within the first hour of park opening.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It is so sad that Merlin no longer offers this in Anaheim, Orlando or Paris. It was a highlight of my Disney life when I was chosen in 1984 (we tried many times after it arrived in the Fantasyland redo). And i had hoped to have it happen for my son (though he has at least battle Darth Vader and Darth Maul in DL). These are more magical experiences than lining up with a college kid in rubber IMHO.
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<It is so sad that Merlin no longer offers this in Anaheim, Orlando or Paris.>> Merlin must have gotten Gloria Albright to try and get a world wide copyright on his name and image and Disney simply backed away from the deal.
Originally Posted By bravebrother I got punked out my Merlin at the ceremony on the day of the 50th anniversary July 17, 2005... Great memory for me!!! It was fun!
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Punked out? What's punked out? Did you mean to say you were picked out by Merlin bravebrother, duckling?
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<I got punked out my Merlin . . >> I'm going with euphuism here, it's so much more fun.
