Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>>It always fascinates me that some of the most diehard fans aren't enamoured with the entertainment side of the parks. Both parades and shows are staples of my Disney theme park experience and I guess I always expect others to be the same.<<< Is Leemac quoting TDLFAN again? >>>(HKDL's Stitch float features a repurposed pirate boat swing that was used in TDL's Jubilation). It helps to reduce costs and convince the operator to invest in new parades.<<< Ok.. Lee, are you saying Jubilation's Peter Pan float and FOF's Stitch and frumpy Lilo are one and the same? Because if you are saying that, then can you explain how both floats ran for almost a year and a half at the same time at their respective parks? Oh.. and BTW.. Tell your friends in WDI they dropped the ball royally with some elements of TDL's Happiness is Here. I doubt many guests get the "merry go round" concept of that parade on their first few viewings, the parade initially comes across as a cheap WDW bicycle parades, with walking characters at ground level.. While the music and some floats stand out on their own, and it features a spectacular closing float, the front end is severely lacking a huge opening float and a chorus of skinny young dancers (unlike the ones at the MK) leading the spectacle. That sad first Mickey Toy float being pulled by the 3 pigs (someone please call ASPCA) can fit through Cinderella Castle's main corridor and front door. Overall it's a B- effort for an A+ park.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>>I love WaterWorks - it is one of the most entertaining parades out there - just pure fun without the annoying in-your-face stuff that the various Pixar parades have had.<<< >>>Mythica is still the best parade ever.<<< OK, WHO KIDNAPPED HE REAL LEEMAC and replaced it with a TDLFAN look-a-alike??? >>>I don't know if HKDL has made a decision about bringing it back this year (I think it skipped 2011 but otherwise has been a summer classic at the park)<<< It didn't skip in 2011. I saw it that year as well, in addition to FOF. I have been to HKDL the past three summers and Waterworks has performed, much to my giddy delight. BTW.. speaking of HKDL. Just wanted to thank the nameless friend who did me a huge favor last week when I was there. I will cherish that green wristband forever. I owe you big.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Ok.. Lee, are you saying Jubilation's Peter Pan float and FOF's Stitch and frumpy Lilo are one and the same? >> Sorry - I wasn't clear - same design.
Originally Posted By leemac <<>>>Mythica is still the best parade ever.<<< OK, WHO KIDNAPPED HE REAL LEEMAC and replaced it with a TDLFAN look-a-alike???>> I've always loved Mythica - I don't think I've ever typed a bad word against that parade. I'd prefer a nighttime version rather than Fantasmic! too which I've never particularly liked at TDS. Rather flat and unengaging.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Interesting to point out that you ^^^ refer to Mythica as a "parade", which it is, sorts of..but as a lagoon show, it does have a storyline as well.. so could this be in your eyes a parade that has a story from finish to end? Still.. doesn't seem to translate well for those disney ride commandos who skip parades and shows because they don't consider them integral to the spectrum like you and I seem to do. How many times those few non-Japanese guests at TDR who have watched Mythica come out of it unimpressed? Yet, to this day when I watch it, I am still marveling at the epic pageantry of it all, and the easiness in which the entire cast and crew perform the show without missing a beat. Yet, the MK can't handle putting on a show mode in their daily parade. Go figure.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Interesting to point out that you ^^^ refer to Mythica as a "parade", which it is, sorts of..but as a lagoon show, it does have a storyline as well.. so could this be in your eyes a parade that has a story from finish to end? >> It is a parade/show hybrid to me - the fact that it is a processional in water doesn't particularly cross my mind. Mythica has it all - and is the first (and only) TDS lagoon show that raises the bar with every Act - the reveal of the Sprits, the reveal of the gem goddesses and the manifestation of those spirits into the finale floats - it is also the first show to actually fill the lagoon with size and scale. The score is the best original work anywhere. I honestly couldn't enthuse more about the show if I tried. It is 7 years old and I still don't get bored of it. It is such a shame that Fantasmic! turned out so badly - the most sterile version by far. I'd probably even take BraviSEAmo! back just to hear that score again.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Yet, to this day when I watch it, I am still marveling at the epic pageantry of it all, and the easiness in which the entire cast and crew perform the show without missing a beat. Yet, the MK can't handle putting on a show mode in their daily parade. Go figure.>> No argument from me - there is a professionalism about the performing cast at TDR and HKDL that you don't seem to find in the US parks or DLRP.
Originally Posted By leemac <<It didn't skip in 2011. I saw it that year as well, in addition to FOF. I have been to HKDL the past three summers and Waterworks has performed, much to my giddy delight.>> I could have sworn it wasn't performed that year so apologies if mistaken. WaterWorks is a great summer parade - very infectious.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>Still.. doesn't seem to translate well for those disney ride commandos who skip parades and shows because they don't consider them integral to the spectrum like you and I seem to do.<< I've since begun stopping for shows and parades more often (having an AP for several years will do that), but wven in my ride commando days, I saw the big shows, parades, and fireworks as an integral part of the Disney experience: they made the lines for the big rides significantly shorter while they were going on! During my first trip to TDR (and only visit to TDL, which was the only park at the time), I'll never forget the baffled CM's reaction when we tried to go to the Tiki Room during MSEP. She just couldn't understand why we didn't want to see the parade, but eventually let us in. I think there were 4 other guests in the room for that show, and it was just as fun as ever! (and yes, I realize that the Tiki Room is a terrible example of using a parade to get on something that usually has a long line)
Originally Posted By tcsnwhite I think the 'merry-go-round' concept is more than obvious with Tokyo's "Happiness is Here" Parade. It may not be as grand in size and scale as Jubilation! overall was...but I think it works very well. I could see the opening of the parade needing a bit more of a 'wow' factor though... but a "cheap WDW bicycle parades"...please, not even in the slightest. And "walking characters at ground level"...not really. Most are one the carousel bikes or on floats.
Originally Posted By leemac <<It may not be as grand in size and scale as Jubilation! overall was>> This is the new OLC President I'm afraid. Uenishi-san is a cost cutter which is why so many of the seasonal events have been rolled over from year to year and elements cut. The 30th anniversary parade is the first to debut with a reduced budget. However it is a wonderful parade with some artistic flair. I think Jody Daily's style works well for a parade although his design style is so distinctive that too many parades with the motif is overkill - I think we have probably reached saturation with Happiness is Here in TDL, Soundsational at DL and Pixar Play Parade.
Originally Posted By dagobert OLC is cutting costs? I think it's the first time ever I've heard something lie that.
Originally Posted By leemac The most noticeable change has been the elimination of the castle stage shows in TDL - that has upset a lot of fans.
Originally Posted By dagobert Are they cutting costs to increase their profit or are they cutting costs, because of financial problems. Since OLC is investing 1,5 billions Dollars in their resort over the next years, I guess it's just for making more profit.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<The most noticeable change has been the elimination of the castle stage shows in TDL - that has upset a lot of fans.>> I know the Japanese love their shows, but I would love if WDW's castle show and stage disappeared never to return.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>I know the Japanese love their shows, but I would love if WDW's castle show and stage disappeared never to return.<<< I am glad that DLP got rid of the ugly stage on Central Plaza. It wasn't right in front of the castle, but it looked terrible nonetheless.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros It isn't the stage in WDW that bugs me so much, since you can still get a pretty decent picture of the castle in between shows, but rather the quality they're offering. The Dream Along With Mickey show is nothing short of dreadful. It's a shame that they're still presenting it several times a day in one of their most high-profile locations, since it's just so cheesy. If they could do a show that is less schmaltzy, but still doesn't require big sets/props, I really have no issues with the setup they use I never visited DLP when they had the stage in the plaza, but it did look rather out of place. On the bright side, it appeared to be at a height that made it easy to watch from the audience; however that came at the cost of views of the castle and plaza area when there was no show going on
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: I'm glad the Magic Kingdom in Florida still has a stage show in front of the castle. It's like a classic attraction that so many have come to expect. The current one is very good but it would be nice if we had a new one soon. Long live the Castle stage shows!
Originally Posted By leemac <<Are they cutting costs to increase their profit or are they cutting costs, because of financial problems.>> The former - the problem is generating sufficient growth in that market to satisfy investors. It is a very mature market so the easiest thing is to raise prices and reduce costs.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>I never visited DLP when they had the stage in the plaza, but it did look rather out of place. On the bright side, it appeared to be at a height that made it easy to watch from the audience; however that came at the cost of views of the castle and plaza area when there was no show going on<<< That's true, everyone had a good view, but it blocked the view of the castle from Main Street. It was also annoying because DLP had and still has a castle stage, but it was never used. I have only seen the castle illuminating show, which was a nice little show, especially the one during Christmas time. However I prefer Central Plaze without the stage and since Disney Dreams arrived, there will be no new stage. Luckily at DLP they can't put a stage right in front of the castle.
