Originally Posted By disneylandfan8 I'm hyperventilating. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/11/disneyland-park-to-retire-billy-hill-and-the-hillbillies-act-january-6/">http://disneyparks.disney.go.c...nuary-6/</a>
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Thank goodness. They were funny the first couple of times, but that routine got stale pretty quick.
Originally Posted By darcy-becker I just read that myself. I was looking forward to mr brother in law seeing them on his first trip to DL next summer. I guess it's not to be. At least I'll get to see them one more time on my trip next month.
Originally Posted By oc_dean I'd like to know how this show measured up to the original show with Betty Taylor & Wally Boag. (I've never seen either show.)
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt They were very different. No showgirls, for one thing, which was the highlight of the original Golden Horseshoe show. The Billy Hill show was good, but it reminded me of the sort of thing you might see at tourist attractions like Pier 39 or South Street Seaport.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <but it reminded me of the sort of thing you might see at tourist attractions like Pier 39 or South Street Seaport.> Street performers are not on trial here!
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I've seen them a number of times and really enjoyed them. Quite apart from the comedy, several of the Billies--notably Mandolin Billy-- had some serious musical chops.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I agree with Hans. They are incredible musicians, but the schtick kind of ruined the repeatability for me. I love seeing the various musicians perform around the resort, but I could really do without the pros-teeth-is or the over-hyped train thang. I also think that they were somewhat in over their heads at the Golden Horseshoe, which always seemed like a large and awkward venue to try to have an intimate performance. I never saw them at the Big Thunder Ranch, but I wonder if they were able to interact better back there. I also wonder if moving them back there ultimately led to their demise (ironically, the group originated at the ranch during the State Fair promotion). They're a great group of musicians, but I could have done without some of the fluff that they added into the routine That said, I'm surprised to see them go and I'm sure that many people will be quite upset by it. They have a large and very loyal following of fans (possibly moreso than anything else at DLR)
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Thank goodness. They were funny the first couple of times, but that routine got stale pretty quick.>> I think that applies to most Disney shows. At WDW I've seen the much-loved Hoop-de-doo a couple of times. It was amusing then, but I have no desire to ever see it again.
Originally Posted By crazycroc This sucks. Love Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. I knew when they moved them out it would kill the show...I'm guessing they were drawing too many people into the show that weren't spending money.
Originally Posted By Pollyana I am gonna miss those Billy boys. They have become a family tradition over the years and I always looked forward to seeing them. Luckily for me, I will be back Nov. 19 for a couple days. I will have to get my fill of Billys....I guess the writing was on the wall when they moved the Billys out of the Horseshoe...
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "I never saw them at the Big Thunder Ranch, but I wonder if they were able to interact better back there." It was worse for them there. They never drew a real crowd there. Disney didn't help them with all the distractions around them. But I also got a sense that they were unhappy there; it affected their performance. I'm sad to see them go, but they had a good run.
Originally Posted By crazycroc You couldn't find a seat for a Billy's show half the time at the Golden Horseshoe. I can only hope they put something entertaining in there. Otherwise, we'll end up like the Diamond Horseshoe.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Does anybody know what's currently in the Golden Horseshoe? I know they did some sort of game testing a few weeks ago for a couple days, but is there any sort of regular entertainment going on? Or is it just a seating area for the snack bar now? In the past, when the Billys have been on break for a couple days, they've moved the Laughing Stock comedy group in there, but I don't think they would be a good permanent fit. As with the Billys, it's kind of awkward to have a big stage like that for a show with so much audience interaction
Originally Posted By ssturgeo We never missed seeing the Billies when at DL. A show and lunch at the Golden Horseshoe was something we worked into our plans at the beginning of our visit. Yes, we knew some of the routines by heart ... speaks volumes for tradition when visiting. Always happy to see new things too, but some things need to stay and be familiar. I will miss them...did not like the Thunder Ranch venue...distracting from their show. I never felt like the Golden Horseshoe was too big for their audience interaction and they did a great job of drawing everyone into the show. Of course we knew to get there early and get good seats close to the front! I knew when they moved them out that next would be phasing them out completely. So wish I could be there in January for their final performance. And...I did experience the old show too (obviously I am OLD!!) :>) It was totally different and a lot of fun too. And it too was the same every time, but again, that was half the fun...waiting, watching others reactions, etc. My youngest son, when he was around 5 got to go up on stage with Wally Boggs and be part of the act...he got a HUGE sucker and was thrilled!!
Originally Posted By chickapin I'm bummed by this news. I realize they have been around for a long time and entertainment needs to stay fresh, but I can honestly say I have just loved every one of their shows. Never got stale for me.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Wow - crazycroc must really be bummed. He's being SERIOUS. I loved the original GHR. Both Wally Boag and the underrated Dick Hardwick were terrific. Wasn't crazy about the Golden Horseshoe Jamboree (Bartender Sam) show that followed. It was okay, but lacked that certain something. But when the Billies came in, the GH was a must-see again.
Originally Posted By Pollyana As a regular Billy watcher, I have to say I did see a "flat" show at the Jamboree. That place is not a good fit for the Billys. Too many distractions going on around them. Went back again and the Billys were on top of their game. Every time I went to see them at the GH, I always had to get there early for a good seat, as it was always filled. JUst sayin!
