Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 When last we left off, your intrepid Spirit was on his way back into DLP to see the only REAL addition for the park's 15th anniversary: Disney's Once Upon a Dream Parade. Let me just get one thing, maybe the most important, out of the way right now: I LOVED THIS PARADE! Now, understand, I am not a parade person perse. If I enjoy a Disney parade it has to have a certain vibe ... like the Main Street Electrical Parade's Baroque Hoedown ... fun and dumb and wacky ... vs. SpectroMagic, which may be pretty to look at, but feels cold and self-important. I've hated far more Disney parades than I've liked over the past decade. Loved the Jammin Jungle Parade at DAK, enjoyed the original Tapestry of Nations at Epcot, enjoyed the 50th Parade of Dreams at DL ... pretty much hated every single other parade. I remember seeing the mockups for this parade back in 2006 and thinking it had the potential to be either very good or very not. Well, I'm happy to say it's got that intangible thing that just puts a smile on the most cynical Spirit's face. First, the music is great. 'Just Like We Dreamed It' is a great theme that just sticks with you and hours later when you're walking along the Seine you still hear it in your head. The floats show money was spent. And, more importantly, the creative team used it wisely. It's nice to see groupings of characters according to similar themes ... like having Peter Pan on the front of one, while the back half is themed to Mary Poppins ... or the front of one float themed to the Lion King, while the back is themed to The Jungle Book ... it just transitions so well. Nothing is jarring. And Ursula is way kewl too. (she reminds me of my grandmother, OK?!) I've often heard said the Paris performers aren't 'into it' or don't exude 'the magic' ... well, that couldn't be further from the truth. I can't tell you the last time I've seen such energetic parade performers that really seem to be having fun. Heck, the CMs along Main Street also were great. Clapping, singing, dancing etc ... they didn't have to resort to using hula hoops or giving stickers to brats so they could deface the park (like they do at the MK) to keep the guests into it. Two thumbs way up for this parade. It stands up nicely with DL's current offering and blows away the pathetic excuse that Phil Holmes has been trotting out at the MK since 2001. After that, it was back for another go on Phantom Manor. One minor complaint here was it felt kind of warm inside, like the AC was having problems. I would hope it isn't a WDW-like 'let's save money by not running the AC or turning it way up' move. Ran into a few Frontierland shops where I can happily state they actually sell western ware, some high end. (should I take the requisite MK shot by pointing out the Trading Post is now a pin shop ... or even take a shot at DL by pointing out there are no western products available for purchase in any shop?) We had tickets for the 5 p.m. Lion King show in Discoveryland, so we headed across the park stopping to see if a friend was working (she wasn't). It was then that I noticed the Nautilus walk-thru was open ... one of the attractions that had been closed on my two 2006 trips. WOW! What an incredible attraction Tim Delaney created. For those who want a DLP history lesson, originally the Space Mountain building was going to be about three times the size it is now. Inside was going to be Space Mtn, where you would have seen some of the rockets whizzing by, in the lagoon would have been a Nautilus that featured a high-end restaurant in Captain Nemo's Grand Salon and there would have been another ride as well ... the budget got cut and Space Mountain was built as is with the Nautilus sitting in a lagoon outside. You'd never know from looking that the water conceals a large show building that you enter to view the insides of the sub, including a run in with the giant octopus. The detail for a 20,000 Leagues geek is just amazing. I stayed for 15 minutes, but could have been in there another half hour. This is part of what DLP does so well. You have a modern 21st century version of Space Mountain right next to what many would view as a much smaller scale attraction. But the reality is it isn't. It's chock full of detail and story. You just have to look. I don't believe there's another MK-style park that comes close to this level of theming and setting. I know TDS has this in spades ... and in some ways, so does Epcot. But you won't get it at any other MK. OK ... moving along ... The Legend of the Lion King was great once again, although seeing a video for a song from High School Musical before the show on the big screens on each side of the stage was a bit weird. This was one of the highlights of my prior visits to DLP. It has incredibly high production values for a theme park show and is a lot closer to a real show than simple foamhead entertainment. I did think this cast was a bit weaker. The dude playing Simba clearly wasn't completely comfortable singing in English and it showed. My enjoyment of the show was also hampered by the constant flash of cameras. I don't recall this from last year, so I'm wondering if they banned flash photography and now they allow it. Either way, it's incredibly annoying ... just like the geeks (you know who you are) who tape/film/photograph attractions ... it's just plain rude. Anyway, the show is still terrific and I still put it above Nemo: The Musical -- WDW's best (by far) live show. Just one other 'this would never fly in O-town moment' ... the 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight' number ends with Simba lying provocatively on top of Nala on the stage ... no way that flies with all the repressed right-wing wackos who are the bread-and-butter of WDW's tourist makeup. With 20 minutes before my dinner reservation at Walt's (yes, I did have anti-convulsants on hand just in case last year's food poisoning wasn't an isolated incident), I decided to use a FastPass I had picked up for Buzz Lightyear. Time for more complaints ... first they have no CM at the merge point on this attraction, so you basically just cut in wherever you feel like and hope the folks there don't deck you for cutting. I definitely was getting some bad vibes from some folks, who legitimately may have thought I was cutting. Very bad show. ... I've also been told the DLP version is a carbon copy of DL's ... well, it's not. Maybe 80%, but not all ... and certainly not the queue, which is much larger and longer and had me wondering if I'd make my dinner ressie. 78,300 points later ... I was off and on my way to Walt's right as the weather was going to take a nasty turn. Provided you don't get food poisoning and then get abused by the resort management because of it, Walt's is a great place to dine. I compare it to Club 33 without all the pretentiousness. It's a beautiful restuarant on the second floor of Mai Street that features walls of Disney photos, including many of Walt in France and Europe, and rooms designed to represent each of the lands of DLP. The food is wonderful. I had tomatoes tartar (great), steak (very good) and an Oscar Sundae(ohmygodcouldigoforonerightnow!), which is one scoop of vanilla, one scoop of caramel, with a layer of very potent alcohol in between, freshly made whipped cream with chocalate shavings and a huge amaretto cookie stuck in for good measure. Yeah, dinner was great. And no one got food poisoning, although I'm sure Karl wouldn't have minded if we did. As we were having dinner, we noticed it getting progressively darker and about 6:45 it started pouring ... Florida-like ... it was very kewl to sit above the masses running for exits in their ponchos, while we slowly savored a fine meal with excellent service (I'd mention our terrific server here, but knowing management, he might lose his job for treating us so spectacularly). After dinner we went out and because it was so dark got to enjoy some of the fiber optic lighting on the banners rimming Main Street. We also got to enjoy some of the lighting effects on the castle. And with that we walked under the train station, under the DLH and out of the most beautiful MK of them all. So you think you're finished? There's nothing else to read? The Spirit has no ranting left? Huh! You guys/gals don't know me at all. Stay tuned as I come back with some final thoughts and an overview that answers some important questions like why did the Spirit only spend about $150 on merchandise ... why the Disney Village is basically a waste and why DLP bathrooms are so much cleaner than the MK's. All that and Andy Rooney coming up on Final Thoughts. If you read this far ... sincere thanks AND GET A LIFE!!!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Let me just get one thing, maybe the most important, out of the way right now: I LOVED THIS PARADE!<< Lucky for you, you got a full show. Unlike me, I waited for over 1 hr 20mins just to see a parade that went by quickly w/o a show mode, because of technical difficulties. I wonder how long it will be before they pull the plug on the cool things that make this parade as good as everyone says it is... I do disagree with you on the music. I felt that "Just like we dreamed it" is a very weak song... way too Radio Disney for me and the lyrics reflect no originality, instead choosing instead to quote every disposable line from any Disney movie on dvd out there... "Wish upon a star... and your dreams will come true just like you dreamed it! jada jada!" Been there, sung that. I bought the cd for collecting purposes and played it only once so far. >>Loved the Jammin Jungle Parade at DAK, enjoyed the original Tapestry of Nations at Epcot, enjoyed the 50th Parade of Dreams at DL ... pretty much hated every single other parade.<< That's because you have not seen the rolling epics presented at TDL. >>(At Buzz's laser blast) they have no CM at the merge point on this attraction<< This has been a major problem since the ride opened last year. I commented on this on my ride review, and was a witness to this again on my second and third visits there. VERY BAD SHOW!! Again, this is further proof that FP is not needed here. They have both FP and standby lines merging into one, so why not kill FP and make it just one single queue for all guests. God knows they have the space and queue set up outside the ride.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo And to add insult to injury, Omnimovers were designed to be people eaters. I agree, kill FP on Buzz.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Lucky for you, you got a full show. >> Yeah. I did. And with the show stops, the parade took a good 40-45 minutes, I'd say. None of this 12-minute stuff. I also liked the fact that it wasn't just one song playing over-and-over again, looping endlessly. Instead, you have the main theme with individual music (themed to the floats) with each unit. <<Unlike me, I waited for over 1 hr 20mins just to see a parade that went by quickly w/o a show mode, because of technical difficulties.>> They knew you were coming ;-) <<I wonder how long it will be before they pull the plug on the cool things that make this parade as good as everyone says it is...>> Well, how long did the ice/fog effect last on Everest? Or the turntable dancers on GMR? Or the lasers on SSE? (the ones that were recently fixed and discovered after 10-15 years of sitting) We all know Disney's history in these types of things, don't we? <<I do disagree with you on the music. I felt that "Just like we dreamed it" is a very weak song... way too Radio Disney for me and the lyrics reflect no originality, instead choosing instead to quote every disposable line from any Disney movie on dvd out there... "Wish upon a star... and your dreams will come true just like you dreamed it! jada jada!" Been there, sung that. I bought the cd for collecting purposes and played it only once so far.>> Well, I'll just chalk it up to different musical tastes because I really enjoyed it. It had a good beat ... and it (for a change) wasn't moppets singing about wishes, dreams and magic. Yeah, it did have a cotton candy sweetness about it ... but that's not all bad.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip << The dude playing Simba clearly wasn't completely comfortable singing in English and it showed.>> Why would they sing in English in France?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I also liked the fact that it wasn't just one song playing over-and-over again, looping endlessly. Instead, you have the main theme with individual music (themed to the floats) with each unit.<< Oh you mean.. like TDL's parades?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>They knew you were coming ;-) << Hmmm... maybe they did. Which reminds me...I saw Leemac talking on the phone after he spotted me...Hmmm...
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Why would they sing in English in France?<< For your information your cluelessness.. They perform this show in both english and french versions thru the day.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<For your information your cluelessness.. They perform this show in both english and french versions thru the day.>> And that wasn't reported, was it, you ishy bitch?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Why would they sing in English in France?>> Why? Because a large portion of guests come from English-speaking countries ... because DLP, moreso than any other resort, is multi-lingual in its show, parades, attractions etc ... I don't know if the speak Minnesotan though.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >>They knew you were coming ;-) << <<Hmmm... maybe they did. Which reminds me...I saw Leemac talking on the phone after he spotted me...Hmmm...>> 'Hi Karl, this is Lee ... TDLFAN was spotted on Main Street with his camera, you got the sharpshooters ready?'
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Who cares about Lee?? I was just called a B****! Best compliment I could receive!!! Let me soak up this happy moment!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Trippy, the official languages of DLP are French and English, and they are supposed to be used in equal measure. Remember the park was once EuroDisneyLand, and the use of English is not just for the British, Irish, American, Canadian, and Australian visitors, but also because there are more English speakers than French speakers in Holland, Germany, Italy, Spain etc. Although the French represent the highest visitor numbers, overall, English is spoken as much by the average guest if not more than French. Hence why DLP has a wonderful bilingual mix, and a number of attractions rely on music to carry a story. This is why attractions in the Style of An American Adventure, Carousel of Progress, Meet the World, Listen to the Land etc. would never fly (and one of the many creative reasons why they never created a jungle cruise for DLP)
Originally Posted By RoadTrip davewasbaloo, Thanks for the information. With the reputation the French have for preferring to not speak English, I was surprised that DLP shows would be presented in English. Having shows in both languages makes a lot of sense. Do you know what is done in Tokyo Disneyland? I always assumed everything was in Japanese, but maybe I'm wrong on that too. (If I am, I'm sure TDLFAN will tell me.) ;-)
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 "Do you know what is done in Tokyo Disneyland? I always assumed everything was in Japanese, but maybe I'm wrong on that too. " Yes, you are wrong on that too. However, unlike DLRP where there are many cultures visiting; TDR is maybe 99% Japanese visitors. Still, many shows, parades, and attractions have some English. Also, apparently park signs and announcements are made in Japanese and English. There is some Chinese on signage too, since some guests speak Chinese. Attractions like the former Meet the World and MicroAdventure had English headsets in the back rows. I have to admit, I have not found any logic to when TDR decides to use English in shows and parades yet. It seems very random, and some have even had Mickey speak Japanese, but Goofy speak English or something like that.
Originally Posted By u k fan <<<It seems very random, and some have even had Mickey speak Japanese, but Goofy speak English or something like that.>>> That happens at DLP too. I can't remember which way round but in Animagique Donald and Mickey have conversations with one of them speaking English and one of them French. The same also happens in Cinemagique!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Animagique - Mickey speaks French and Donald speaks English. Cinemagique - Martin Short speaks English and Julie Delpy speaks French. Winnie the Pooh - Christopher Robin and Tigger speak English, Pooh and Piglet speak French In Tarzan - Turk speaks both English and French, and Phil collins sings in English, French, Spanish, Italian and German In Le Visionarium - Jules Verne spoke French while H.G. Wells spoke English. PotC has French, english, Spanish, Italian and German spoken. And for a trivia bit of knowledge, when they were designing Fantasyland they considered presenting Snow White in German, Pinnocchio in Italian and Peter Pan in English. In the end they opted just for French on the Dark Rides. The Genie on Aladdin's Magic Carpets is bilingual.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>However, unlike DLRP where there are many cultures visiting; TDR is maybe 99% Japanese visitors. Still, many shows, parades, and attractions have some English. Also, apparently park signs and announcements are made in Japanese and English. There is some Chinese on signage too, since some guests speak Chinese. Attractions like the former Meet the World and MicroAdventure had English headsets in the back rows.<< That is correct for the most part..except for the Chinese signage. I don't recall seeing any chinese signage at TDR anywhere. Also, english is most prevalent in shows than rides...which are mostly in japanese.
