Originally Posted By StitchDude I just want the old Lincoln show back. Fine, upgrade the sound system and animotronics. I think a lot of people do not even know it is(was) there. The Steve Martin thing was great for the 50th but it has to go now. The last time I was in there I almost got kicked out of the park because I got in an argument with a guest who was yelling and kicking the seats in front of him. His whole family was making fun of Lincoln, the man not the animotronic, and I just had enough of it and started giving the guy my three cents about his attitude and the fact that he could barely speak English. And those are the kind of people Disney is catering too these days.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I like the idea of putting a small scale live show in that theater. Of course, there is practically no backstage (the wall at the entrance is the other side of the back wall of the stage), so it would have to be a simple show, but it could work. I like the idea of a magic show, or possibly something that resembles a Vaudeville show. They could either have it running on a 20 or so minute rotation (like The Voyage of the Little Mermaid show at MGM in Florida that acts more like a movie than a show), and let people line up in the lobby area. Depending on how many performers they had, they could also run it as a continuous loop all day, but that could get pretty tiring for the performers, and awkward for guests as they try to find seats or leave between acts.
Originally Posted By USCSurfer "I would like to think that as a showman he would have dropped the Lincoln show at DLR a long time ago" And perhaps you're right. I guess we'll never know. Maybe he would have kept it as a tribute to history, maybe he would have modified it, maybe he would have gotten rid of it long ago. Heck, maybe he would have gotten rid of Tiki, or the Matterhorn. That's why I noted it's all pure speculation at this point. Nothing more, nothing less. Whatever our opinions are, it really has nothing to do with him seeing him as a "saintly grandfather" figure. It's pretty evident that he had a keen interest in history, whatever his choice would have been regarding the space.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt It's all speculation, of course. However, it certainly stands to reason given DL's traditions that the show could (and should) be replaced with something new and exciting appropriate for that particular location.
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster How about putting a George W. Bush skin on the Lincoln figure and turning it into a comedy show? Could be funny.
Originally Posted By avromark ^^^ Until the AA chokes on something and drafts a dodge. All kidding aside George W would date himself pretty soon though.
Originally Posted By pecos bill One thing I can say about Walt with confidence, he would solve the problem, and it really is a problem. Unfortunately the park just has too many management barriers to clear before anything can get done, and then things are resolved by taking the easiest, safest and cheapest course, as is typical corporate policy. Personally, I dont have a lot of optimism as to the eventual outcome of this situation.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I can say about Walt with confidence, he would solve the problem, and it really is a problem.>> I'm not so sure about that. When Walt was running the company, it was much much smaller than it is today. With so many things going on, you almost have to believe that some things would fall through the cracks. Maybe not Lincoln, but who knows? But at the end, he was pretty darn absorbed with his EPCOT vision.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Trying to create something that would be entertaining for kids AND adults alike, AND themed to turn-of-the-last-century 'main street usa' would be a real challenge.<< "Doggie Dialogue with Lady and the Tramp!" ; )
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>My one idea would be an old-fashioned magic show. The showroom could be rigged for specific tricks and illusions, so if there were actually a live CM hosting, they wouldn't necessarily need to be an adept magician - just keep up with the spiel and the illusions would pretty much perform themselves.<< I like this idea! It fits the theme of the area and live shows often develop a loyal following. Could even be a live, vaudeville variety show.
Originally Posted By MousieRoo Since the actual lincoln animatronic is such a big piece of hisory itself, they could display it as a history of technology piece and have it doing it's speech in the space before the theatre where that owl teacher was (is? I haven't been in there in a long time) with a couple of benches. I really liked the idea of putting an anamatronic of Walt in the theatre doing his opening day speech, I'd go see that. Being from another country, the Lincoln show just wasn't interesting for me. Out of curiosity, does anyone know what percentage of Disneyland guests are from outside the US?
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan The park really isn't a museum. Attractions are meant to change a lot more often than they do. However, I too am concerned with WHAT they are replaced with. The trend has been to replace anything edu-taining with something cartoony.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 >>My one idea would be an old-fashioned magic show. The showroom could be rigged for specific tricks and illusions, so if there were actually a live CM hosting, they wouldn't necessarily need to be an adept magician - just keep up with the spiel and the illusions would pretty much perform themselves.<< <I like this idea! It fits the theme of the area and live shows often develop a loyal following. Could even be a live, vaudeville variety show.> I'm kind of liking this idea too. After all, it's the "Opera House," right? Many towns had such a space, and at the turn of the last century they would have been legitimate (i.e. live) theatre houses. A live stage show could really work here, although as someone mentioned, there isn't much backstage.
Originally Posted By onlyme >>One thing I can say about Walt with confidence, he would solve the problem, and it really is a problem.<< Ahh, great point pecos. DL has many problems that have been ignored for years. One way or the other, he would have handled these issues. I doubt he would have left the empty/depressing-looking PM track up there for this long. It probably would have driven him 'nuts' the first few months.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I'm kind of liking this idea too. After all, it's the "Opera House," right? Many towns had such a space, and at the turn of the last century they would have been legitimate (i.e. live) theatre houses. A live stage show could really work here, although as someone mentioned, there isn't much backstage.<< It's been a long time since the Golden Horseshoe Revue. What was cool about that show is that it took you more or less to another time -- the show fit the theme of Frontierland. I like the Billy Hill Show, but it's much more of a contemporary thing. (You probably wouldn't seen an Elvis impersonation in the old west). To have something in the Opera House that is of the era that section of DL represents would be a nice touch. And heck, if it's a magic show, they already have the gift shop! : )
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <To have something in the Opera House that is of the era that section of DL represents would be a nice touch. And heck, if it's a magic show, they already have the gift shop! : )> Good point. I could imagine a magic show that looked deliberately old fashioned with the costumes and music, that nonetheless used the latest in magic technology to wow the audience. Interspersed with a period song or two (short - just to allow the magician(s) to get the next set piece ready) to further set the period mood. If it was well done, I could actually imagine it gaining a good following.
Originally Posted By JThad They should make a "barker Abe" (like the Tiki Room barker bird, put him under a canopy, and place him next to the flagpole at Town Square and let him do his thing. Maybe that would increase attendance. OR........ DL could reroute Main Street crowds in the morning and force everyone to watch Abe before they can do anything else in the park.
Originally Posted By pluto 222 I love Lincoln, i find it inspiring,I think in a park like disneyland is is a fiiting to walt and it can entertain and educate as well. Does anyone know what disney is actually planning for this or is it just in limbo with the steve martin show.
