Originally Posted By yamabuki Good news! Per the Disney Parks Blog, Aladdin will not be closing in August as previously announced. Due to popular demand, it will be extending its run indefinitely. Just shows that the show is still very popular and still packs in the crowds. Great move by Disney. <a href="http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/05/your-wish-has-been-granted-genies-run-extended-at-hyperion-theater/" target="_blank">http://disneyparks.disney.go.c...theater/</a> >>Contrary to earlier reports, the Hyperion Theater won’t be setting the genie free just yet. By popular demand, “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” will remain at Disney’s California Adventure park. We received a lot of comments on the Blog asking for Aladdin to continue its run. It’s almost as if the Genie granted your wish! Although “Toy Story – The Musical” was scheduled to move into Hyperion Theater following Genie’s last bow, Buzz, Woody and their pals will stay focused on the new additions in Toy Story Mania…for now.""
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Although I'm glad we won't be getting the Toy Story Musical, I really don't know how much life Aladdin has left in it. Personally, I don't feel like I need to see it again, and I think I've only seen it 3 or 4 times. I can't imagine the casual visitor wants to see it more than that either. It's a good show, but I feel like it's run its length.
Originally Posted By yamabuki I disagree. The show is still very popular with guests, and thanks to the Genie the show is kept fresh and has great repeatability factor. I'm glad they're keeping it around for a while longer.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 Blah - as little as I wanted to see "Toy Story - The Musical", I also don't want to see Aladdin again. Disney has a habit of keeping these theater shows too long - see Beauty and the Beast and Voyage of the Little Mermaid at DHS. For a park that relies so heavily on repeat visits from locals and AP holders, you would think they would cycle the entertainment more often.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "...and thanks to the Genie the show is kept fresh and has great repeatability factor." I think that's part of it. For the most part, I really don't like the Genie. I know it's his character and the way the show was written, but I find him distracting from the overall show. I think I've seen the same guy playing him at most of the performances, and there's just something about him that rubs me the wrong way. I saw it with somebody else a few years ago and I liked him better. I also don't like how there are several parts where they break the fourth wall. I think that Aladdin asking if anybody in the audience speaks carpet is one of the worst moments in the show. It's not needed, and it takes away more than it adds. Maybe it's supposed to be for the kids, but I always hear adults answering instead.
Originally Posted By yamabuki That's really nothing new. Stage shows often break the fourth wall. Ever seen Lion King on Broadway? It happens there, and that's a real Broadway production. Happens in many other Broadway shows too. Personally, i'm glad Disney listened to the fans and decided to keep Aladdin around, even after they announced an official closing date. Has that ever happened before? As I said before, it gets very positive reviews from guest feedback and still packs in big crowds. It's ironic that this is called the LaughingPlace. This is perhaps the Disney website with the most complaining going on. You guys beat MiceChat, and that's saying a lot!
Originally Posted By plpeters70 <<This is perhaps the Disney website with the most complaining going on. You guys beat MiceChat, and that's saying a lot!>> No one is forcing you to post here...
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I didn't The Lion King on Broadway, but I did see the national tour a few years ago. I can't remember them breaking the fourth wall, other than when the performers were going down the aisles, which seemed fine. But if I don't remember it, that means that it didn't spoil the moment for me. In Aladdin, it completely spoils the moment every time I've seen it. I'm fine with them doing it in theory, but in the situations where its used, it just doesn't work for me, like much of the show. I know other people really enjoy it, but I think it's my least favorite DLR show. It's a lot of hassle and it just never really worked for me, personally (though I do love the elephant!). "This is perhaps the Disney website with the most complaining going on." I rarely just complain. I try to be critical of what they're doing, and see both sides to the issues. When everybody talks about how great things are, the conversations all start to feel the same after a while. If I was really upset about what they were doing, I would probably just stop spending my time and money going there and talking about it online. While Aladdin is not high on my to-do list at DLR, I would still rather see it than do a lot of other things in the real world. There's just so many other great shows and musical groups that Aladdin just can't compare. Yah, it's good, but it's never been a must-do. It's rarely even a do-if-it's-convenient. It's usually just a skip.
Originally Posted By yamabuki >>I didn't The Lion King on Broadway, but I did see the national tour a few years ago. I can't remember them breaking the fourth wall, other than when the performers were going down the aisles, which seemed fine.<< There's a moment in the show where Zazu starts talking to the audience. >>but I think it's my least favorite DLR show.<< In fact it's the only stage show in the DLR. They shut down the Fantasyland Theatre, Festival Arena, and Aladdin is the only major stage show left. Right now DCA trumps DL in the entertainment category (also featuring the only parade in the resort.)
Originally Posted By gadzuux I think the reason Aladdin has continued popularity is due more to the musical numbers than Genie's jokes. And I think that was the biggest concern about TSM - songs that are unknown and uninspired. As I've suggested before, a musical review would be the best replacement for Aladdin. Minimize the plot and keep the songs coming. Disney has a deep and enviable catalog of great music that is known and loved by millions. They could even keep the repeatability factor by having different rotating cast members who have specific songs that they sing. You could concievably see the show twice on the same day and still see variations in the show depending on who was in the cast. The 'Golden Mickeys' would be a good example of this kind of show. Loosely based on an awards show, it allowed for lots of song and dance and costumes and good ol' fashioned razzle dazzle, but without all the plot exposition and dialog. And finally, there are a lot of great songs that come from films that were less successful. This could allow them to give these songs an airing without having to slog through the whole story of 'Hercules' or 'Home on the Range' or 'Hunchback'. Let's hope that this news puts the kibbosh on 'Toy Story Musical' for good, and not just postponing it til a later date.
Originally Posted By xrayvision I'm happy for this decision, and for Disney Anaheim again listening to parks guests interests (or the consumers) on future additions intended to improve the DCA experience. The addition of Toy Story Musical would have overexploited the Toy Story brand at DCA.
Originally Posted By gadzuux >> We received a lot of comments on the Blog asking for Aladdin to continue its run. << I wonder how true this is. The Disney blog does nothing but blow sunshine and kisses. I can't imagine a posting on that board that would be anything other than fully enthusiastic about ANYTHING disney does or suggests. I'd rather read LP and all the cranky old SOBs here!
Originally Posted By xrayvision Gadzuuz, I agree that Golden Mickeys would be a better choice because of the: 1) Awards show format the would play well inside a Hollywoodland themed venue. 2) As you mentioned about familiar material - Live performances of great Disney music from several, providing diverse offerings, that's familiar to most park guests. These are the films that inspire many of the guests to visit the Disney parks to experience their favorite movies and characters in person. Most of the songs in Golden Mickeys are not included in World of Color, so there would be little overlap. And, there's a Toy Story number for Pixar fans. 4) The show could be easily updated to include new movie music and characters from upcoming animated feature films, keeping the show fresh and increasing the show's longevity.
Originally Posted By believe I don't know if I buy this "by popular demand" excuse. Because I think this is a great business decision. Aladdin could probably last another 3 years. Why? 0. It costs $$ to change out the show. 1. WOC. This show will bring in new guests that have never been to DCA and therefore have not seen the show. 2. Little Mermaid in 2011 will also bring in first timers to DCA. 3. Carsland in 2012 will also bring in new guests who have never been to DCA. So 2013 will be time for change. Yes, they can milk it that long.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 While I agree that Golden Mickeys or some other music-heavy revue type show would probably be preferable to Aladdin at this point (it's had a good, long run), I do think keeping Aladdin is preferable to the TS musical if most of the reviews I've read of it are accurate. It also would indeed mean too much TS at the parks.
Originally Posted By dl1956 Was it ever confirmed that the Toy Story Musical would have been a scene-for-scene copy of the cruise line show?
Originally Posted By cheesybaby I'm with believe on this (post 16). My guesses: 1) DCA is going to be packed due to WoC for the rest of 2010, and the scheduled Hyperion downtime transitioning to TS doesn't help. Keep Aladdin open to soak up the crowds, especially if HPB is used as a holding pen for WoC after-closing shows. 2) Maybe the "fixes" to the troubled TS Musical weren't working. Or the show needs more retooling. Either way, it is a win-win to keep Aladdin going.
