Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 "This discussion forum SHOULDN'T be biased one way or the other." Edit feature, please!!!
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Aww..man! My first opportunity for a dalmatians post and I don't notice and screw it up....oh well...
Originally Posted By leemac <<Well, to be fair, Leemac is usually just as critical of the Tokyo parks as TDLFAN is of WDW, so...>> I think my tastes just aren't suited for the majority of the TDR entertainment. It is just too kiddie-targeted and character-heavy. Shows like One Man's Dream II are just appalling. There is only one redeeming thing about that show and that is a Tuck 'n' Roll character that is excellent. The show is probably the worst thing I have ever seen in a Disney park (it made Mickey's Detective School at DL look good). Minnie O Minnie is equally bad (and I made a blunder last week when we bumped into TDLFAN and he had one of the show singers in tow. I think my face must have crumpled up when he said he was in MOM. It was bad of me as I have nothing against the performers, just the material). Then at TDS you have a real mixed bag right now. Mythica is exceptional, Big Band Beat is excellent for a review show and there is some great live bands in the park. But you also have such trite fare as Over the Waves (just plain bad) and the new Lido Isle Meet 'n' Smile which has the most treacly theme song I have ever heard. It just isn't my taste but I appreciate that that character-driven stuff is hugely popular. Point-in-fact: If it was my call I would have made sure there wasn't a single Disney character in Mythica. It is wholly unnecessary. But you need to choose your battles with OLC....
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>If people like you, TDLFAN, etc. are going to be such goshdarn mean and hateful, then you're the ones who should leave this board and never return and not me!<< Who the ... do you think you are to take that tone of voice with me on this issue and on this board? Seems to me it's YOU who can't seem to be able to respect my opinions and take them for what they are, and it's YOU who is getting defensive and personal about them. So take your filthy little mouth to the sink and brush it with lava soap. If Doobie or Dave or anyone of the moderators have a problem with me, they can tell me so and I will leave LP. However, that is not up to you to decide since you do not stand up to my heels in experience and expertise when it comes to knowledge about our Disney parks Worldwide. Maybe it's YOU who needs to grow up and not be so fanatical about people in rubberhead costumes and other CMs playing Prince and Princesses all over the park. The Disney theme park experience is MUCH more than just 'characters'. So GROW UP and smell the coffee because you sure are old enough to be passed your 'I love characters' stage in your cronological developement. Remember this: as long as I am allowed to participate on LP, I will continue to post my opinions about Disney, be them good or bad, and continue to free-lance my reviews and photos from happenings and developements around the World from Disney parks. So you either respect the knowledge, opinions and efforts I bring to LP for all to enjoy or else, you should concider moving on, even though I would concider your moving on tragic since you make us laugh so much with your infantile romps. So one more profanity out of your baby mouth and I will tell your mommy, so you can go to bed without dinner tonight!! Oh and Leemac, don't sweat it. You have NO idea what my friend think of the MOM show and I think you would have been quite shocked. And elated, but I apologize if I put you in an uncomfortable position. It was not intended that way. It was just timing, otherwise I would have clued youin before hand. But don't worry. My friend would never take your opinions personally in the least.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros So I hear that the changes to the Share a Dream Parade really aren't that big....too bad it won't get a nice refreshening. What celebration was tied with this parade? Was it the 100 years of Disney thing?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>But you also have such trite fare as Over the Waves (just plain bad) and the new Lido Isle Meet 'n' Smile which has the most treacly theme song I have ever heard.<< Agreed and agreed. "Over the waves" was a big disappointment, and while I didn't get to see the new Lido Meet, I am sure hearing "Sea of Dreams" around the park in every other show more than made up for that. >>Point-in-fact: If it was my call I would have made sure there wasn't a single Disney character in Mythica. It is wholly unnecessary. But you need to choose your battles with OLC....<< I have to say that introducing the Disney Characters in Mythica was the slowest part of the show for me, but you may agree that OLC knows what the japanese audience wants: characters, and when they are used well.. they are entertaining. (Who knew Marie would be so engaging in "Big Band Beat"?) However, concidering that some people have already criticized Mythica for it's confusing storyline and other logistics problems, I am not sure the show would do as well if those few Disney characters weren't there. I mean.. how would the storyline be altered without the characters since they are the ones responsible to unlock the door into Mythica and bring back the mythical friends?? Would we loose the 5 floating stages if the characters were not there, reducing the show to only 4 big floats and not much else on the water? I could think of other reasons why "Mythica" would suffer without those characters there. I guess it all comes down to ... "why NOT?" After all, they do serve to engage the crowd with the show, so let them be. No? Just an obsevation.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>So I hear that the changes to the Share a Dream Parade really aren't that big....too bad it won't get a nice refreshening. What celebration was tied with this parade? Was it the 100 years of Disney thing?<< Yes, it was the official parade for the "100 yrs of magic" celebration that would have been better served at DL. I think Leemac had mentioned that some changes had already occured, like the removal of the snowblobe domes off the floats and new music. Personally, if it was up to me... a new more engaging and celebratory music would be used. New costuming, new choreography, some new little props added here and there and Presto. A decent parade to get us thru this dark "Million Dreams" period.
Originally Posted By leemac <<And elated, but I apologize if I put you in an uncomfortable position. It was not intended that way. It was just timing, otherwise I would have clued youin before hand. But don't worry. My friend would never take your opinions personally in the least.>> Phew! Glad to hear it! I'm such a klutz in those circumstances. At least he isn't in one Man's Dream II! )
Originally Posted By leemac <<I mean.. how would the storyline be altered without the characters since they are the ones responsible to unlock the door into Mythica and bring back the mythical friends?? Would we loose the 5 floating stages if the characters were not there, reducing the show to only 4 big floats and not much else on the water? I could think of other reasons why "Mythica" would suffer without those characters there. I guess it all comes down to ... "why NOT?" After all, they do serve to engage the crowd with the show, so let them be. No? Just an obsevation.>> Technically it is the gem goddesses that open the gateway to Mythica with our assistance. In the narration the characters are there to evoke the various spirits required to re-engage with the mythological creatures. Their role is thankfully as minimal as possible. I'm so missing Mythica right now. I had geared myself up for the last showing (in a while) on Saturday and then a storm had the whole thing cancelled even though it had passed before showtime. Very frustrating. Instead Mickey came out on the Key to "Sea of Dreams" (AKA "Krispy Kremes"). Oddily enough he was in his Porto Paradiso Water Carnival costume. So Friday's was my last viewing for a little while and I'm missing it. :-(((
Originally Posted By leemac <<I think Leemac had mentioned that some changes had already occured, like the removal of the snowblobe domes off the floats and new music. >> I'm not sure at what stage of the change-over the parade currently is. Although a lot of the creatives want the parade gone there are bigger priorities right now at WDW (there is a whole raft of new entertainment coming next year) so it will continue to limp.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>At least he isn't in one Man's Dream II!<< No, that would be my other friend Ed. >>Technically it is the gem goddesses that open the gateway to Mythica with our assistance. In the narration the characters are there to evoke the various spirits required to re-engage with the mythological creatures. Their role is thankfully as minimal as possible.<< You see? Even I am still confused about that storyline!! We need more english language on those show. >>Mickey came out on the Key to "Sea of Dreams" (AKA "Krispy Kremes"). << Hahaha!! Did you come up with that one?? It should be enough to lure the Witches of Morva to fly to TDS for one short visit. >>So Friday's was my last viewing for a little while and I'm missing it. :-(((<< Leemac having withdrawal symptoms from TDS. This is a first! I know just how you feel.. I can't wait to go see it again, from Lido next time I hope. >>(there is a whole raft of new entertainment coming next year) << Whatever they do, will be an imporvement over now. I am just not too sure about that "High School Musical" idea...
Originally Posted By leemac <<Did you come up with that one??>> Nope and it is best I don't reveal who did come up with that one!
Originally Posted By leemac <<Leemac having withdrawal symptoms from TDS. This is a first! >> Yup I guess so although I was so ready to go home on Sunday. Got home to turn right around and head out to Boston last Monday. Now roasting in the heat and humidity up here!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Join the club as we are roasting in heat and humidity down here in FL, but I may still go to EPCOT for a scroll later tonight, or maybe DTD.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I DO have things about WDW that I don't hesitate to complain about just like the rest of you (poor maintenance, things missing, not enough offerings for the guests, etc.), but don't be too hard on it, please.>> TOO HARD?!?! Please. The Disney fan community has been way too easygoing and accepting of the WalMarting of WDW and the entire Disney 'brand.' The Disney fan community as a whole is much too quick to jump on the bandwagon on anything from pintrading to FastPass to paying extra for what used to be included in admission while the things that matter --safe, top quality, cutting edge family entertainment in clean, maintained parks with happy, well-paid and respected CMs --don't even register on the 'what's your favorite character breakfast? or did you see the uber-kewl LE Minnie Rides Soarin pin? or what park is best for my toddler?' radar of most avowed mouse lovers. Go easy? Not likely. The other 90% of the online community can do that. I'm here to sober up those addicted to pixie dust before Disney totally loses its soul to clueless execs, consultants and MBAs. <<In regards to the WDW Entertainment staff, it's understandable that they get bogged down by limited budgets and choreography, but they do more in the dances than just "jumping jacks".>> WDW's entertainment has been decimated by a decade of magical cutbacks, marginalizations and a few beheadings (they don't talk about those much) ;-) <<At times like this, with people like TDLFAN, et al. not having any respect for other members' views and opinions, I don't think that Doobie and the other admins/mods here don't ever actually read these boards.>> Well, at least the folks in Anaheim, Burbank, Glendale and Orlando read them. And I must have missed the part of the community standards where it said you must resepct every posters views to post here. I may respect everyone's right to post whatever drivel they care to, but respect what they say? No. Respect has to be earned.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<The biggest issue is getting quality performers to come to Orlando in the first place. WDW has a very strict pay criteria for all grades and Disney Creative Entertainment are pushing EXTREMELY hard to get that mentality changed. If you want world-class entertainment you have to pay for it. It is significantly easier for DL, TDL and DLP to attract performers as they are closer to the heart of those areas.>> I don't think I've ever agreed with you more, Lee. The problem in Orlando definitely is a money one. The park execs, first and foremost, don't appreciate live entertainment and certainly not the kind you have to pay more than $10 an hour for. I have yet to see world-class live entertainment in a theme park. But DLP and DL are so far ahead of WDW, well ... it's laughable. When Al Weiss and his crack(ed) exec team decide that WDW needs to spend real money, that's when you'll see the high quality entertainment. They justify the lousy foamhead, Castle crap and character greeting as entertainment because they cost next to nothing to perform. <<I wholly agree with you though Dis-Philip as the criticism is extreme and not entirely justified. Things are changing and hopefully for the better. There are a lot of good things in the pipeline for WDW entertainment-wise.>> I don't know. I am hopeful the Nemo show at DAK is a step in the right direction. But I also have heard from execs (yes, some do talk to me still) that TWDC very much desires homogenized entertainment offerings throughout its theme park empire. That can't be a good thing.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I don't know. I am hopeful the Nemo show at DAK is a step in the right direction. But I also have heard from execs (yes, some do talk to me still) that TWDC very much desires homogenized entertainment offerings throughout its theme park empire. That can't be a good thing.>> That is true to a degree. However it is more about sharing what is actually out there rather than homogenization of the product. You won't see Finding Nemo: The Musical at every resort but when TDL's Dreams on Parade has finished its run why not send it somewhere else? It just makes more sense and you can spend more on the original product. Most LP-ers know that I hold Annie Hamburger in very high asteem and she really has a tremendous vision of what theme park entertainment can and should be. It isn't just about Finding Nemo or The Snow Queen at TDS. It is about convincing the right professional to become invested in Disney productions. Legend of Mythica is one example. An Oscar-nominated composer like Alan Silvestri being attracted to do a parade? That is virtually unhead of before. But DCE got him. And it works as the score is simply incredible. I get very worked up about it as I believe passionately that theme park entertainment has the capability to be original and stunning. Sometimes it doesn't quite gel like BraviSEAmo but it is worth taking the chance. Shows like Legend of Mythica should be the norm for DCE. Thankfully Annie is finally being given the opportunity to make great shows.
Originally Posted By leemac <<When Al Weiss and his crack(ed) exec team decide that WDW needs to spend real money, that's when you'll see the high quality entertainment.>> Spirit I could tell ya some telling stories about the battles to get Finding Nemo staged between WDI and WDW. This just isn't the forum. That said there is a lot of new product for WDW in the next year or so. An awful lot considering the dearth right now.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I'm not sure at what stage of the change-over the parade currently is. Although a lot of the creatives want the parade gone there are bigger priorities right now at WDW (there is a whole raft of new entertainment coming next year) so it will continue to limp.>> I find it so sad -- and predictable -- that WDW won't foot the bill for a new parade every FIVE years when they used to do it almost annually. To not have something truly different for the MK's 35th is typical. I still remember DL's Party Gras fondly ... but in those days they even gave a car (albeit a cheapo GM Geo) a day away. You think they'd ever do something like that now?
Originally Posted By leemac <<I find it so sad -- and predictable -- that WDW won't foot the bill for a new parade every FIVE years when they used to do it almost annually.>> It is all about priorities ultimately. MK gets the crowds irrespective of the parade. The money is better spent elsewhere. RoE is getting a fairly big overhaul for Epcot's 25th and there is a lot of upcoming entertainment at DAK (A LOT) and D-MGM (albeit no Block Party Bash for now). I'd prefer a new parade for MK but ultimately I'd prefer the cash to be spent elsewhere. But then I spend less time at the MK than the other three. There are plans for some changes to the entertainment offerings at MK but one of the projects is huge and I'd be happy to wait and make sure they do it right.
