Originally Posted By tcsnwhite Hi there, I was wondering if anyone could tell what the show is like in the Mermaid Lagoon theatre at Tokyo DisneySea. I saw a little clip of it at the official site, and am wondering how the show is setup. it doesn't look like a normal stage setup. it looked like all the stuff happens around you and above you? thanks
Originally Posted By trekkeruss It's a "theater in the round," with a relatively small stange in the center. Every seat is good, but there is definitely a rush of guests when the doors open to get seats in the "front" of the stage, meaning the seats that face one of the major elements of the show. A lot of the show is aerial acrobatics and displays, but there is stuff that happens on-stage too, which serves as the sea floor. All-around (no pun intended!), it's a great show, IMO... MUCH better than the Little Mermaid show in WDW.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN MUCH much better than MGMs for sure. Very aerial and wondrous. Highly recommend it.
Originally Posted By Mr X Turns out, the Royal Princess of Japan, Aiko-sama, chose THIS show over Rhythms of the World the other day! Sorry for the off topic! Anyway, I LOVE this show, it's all above you and very nicely done imo. You feel "under the sea" NOT because of effects but because Ariel and others are swimming ABOVE you (not like the MGM version, there is no "stage" here). Yes, the seats in the BACK half of the theater are indeed better. Move towards the back (from where you enter when the doors swing open...do NOT take the closest seats but instead head past the "center" of the room and select a seat there...there is plenty of time and NO need to rush as MOST guests do not realize this and just sit down near the entrance (which is actually the BACK half). GREAT show. Perhaps my favorite Disney park show ever (DEFINITELY my favorite one involving characters!).
Originally Posted By leemac It was his puppets for this show that convinced the Finding Nemo:The Musical team to hire Michael Curry to do the puppets. He does have a way of conveying that you are underwater.
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ It is visually impressive I just find the story lacking. Strangely it is the same problem as the D-MGM version has. Both shows just revolve around Under the Sea and Part of Your World.
Originally Posted By irishfan Yeah I agree, the story is the weakest thing about the actual show, but the visuals IMHO makes up for it.
Originally Posted By SuperDry There's a story? Who knew? I guess not speaking the language well enough to follow the dialog, I had always just enjoyed the show for the music and eye candy.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I have always felt Disney's stage shows were lacking in the re-telling of the story part of the production. Aladdin at DCA is the best I have seen in that regard. I agree that the Mermaid show is visually exceptional.
Originally Posted By irishfan >>I have always felt Disney's stage shows were lacking in the re-telling of the story part of the production<< Well I guess it's not easy bringing a 70 minute animated story down to 20. Which is why Aladdin in DCA at over 40 minutes is much more indebth...story wise.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN "Aladdin" bored me to death. I wanted to leave the theater 15 mins into it. The Genie's antics (actor's own standup antics) didn't entertain me at all. Most of the kids in the audience were just as if not more bored than I was... too much crying and making noise.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I'd say you're definitely in the minority on Aladdin. Whatever the case, different strokes...
Originally Posted By irishfan Cant say it bored me, I found it very entertaining. I loved some of the Genies "uptotheminute" wise cracks.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I don't mind being in the minority, but if I wanted to see Broadway style shows, then I'd go to NYC. Not a Disney park.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss That's what I *like* about the Aladdin show... it's practically Broadway quality, and it's included in the price of DCA admission. Many if not most Disney shows are rather pointless... just actors in suits jumping around to music, etc. *That* bores me to death.
Originally Posted By irishfan ^^^ I agree, if you were to ask me to choose between Aladin at DCA or Beauty and the Beast at MGM.....lets just say it's not a tough decision.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney "That's what I *like* about the Aladdin show... it's practically Broadway quality, and it's included in the price of DCA admission. Many if not most Disney shows are rather pointless... just actors in suits jumping around to music, etc. *That* bores me to death." Me too. Aladdin is one of the best things DCA has going for it. The fact it isn't typical theme park drivel a la Beauty and the Beast or Tarzan Rocks is a very good thing.
Originally Posted By SuperDry Speaking of shows, I'd much rather see Aladdin again than Minnie Oh Minnie at TDL (ducks as TDLFAN takes a swing at me). The changing Genie dialog makes it something that can be enjoyed every few months.
