Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<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. Forgot to add the folks in Marne-la-Vallee, Tokyo and -- most importantly -- Beijing do too. So shout outs to my homies across the globe!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<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.>> Oh, I don't have a problem with moving things around. Especially if they come from Tokyo to Florida in mostly original states. That's actually smart. But new product needs to be mixed in. And you just can't have stale parades running forever whether it's at WDW or DLP. <<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.>> Me too. I find her to be personally charming and she does have a vision of higher quality productions that is a VERY good thing for Disney. <<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.>> Your love for Mythica really is going to destroy your 'I hate everything they do in Tokyo' 'tude around here. I looked through TDLFAN's pics earlier today (when I was supposed to be working!) and I have to say, it looks like an amazing, large-scale production. And I share your admiration for Steve Davison, it seems like the man can do no wrong with his projects. <<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.>> I still greatly enjoy Aladdin 3 1/2 years after its debut. It truly raised the bar in Disney entertainment, that's for sure. I am not a fan of her Snow White production at DL ... she would have been better served to do a more traditional telling with her high production standards. It's just too weird for DL. The DLP shows are great too, although I am not sure how much she had to do with them and how much was Francois being hired and left alone.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<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. >> Hey, you might be able to come in from the shadows and buy you some veggies and wine for 'dem stories. But I can only imagine. And one thing I'm sure of is Nemo will be better than Tarzan Rocks and the even worse Jungle Book show the park opened with. It just can't be worse. <<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.>> I'm very happy to hear that. But until the press release gets sent out, I'm skeptical because I know how many great attractions/shows/parades etc ... werethisclosetohappening but didn't get the final approval. But WDW needs it. Badly. There are four parks and only one show I ever advise guests to see -- Lion King at DAK. I can't believe the execs can't see how awful Cinderellabration is (even the little princess costume buyers squirm thru it) and how very tired Beauty and the Beast is. <<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 understand the WDW mentality when it comes to the MK. I disagree with it vehemently, but I understand it. They look at it kinda like the DVC of parks, they can just print the money as the guests come no matter what. But it doesn't make putting out a crappy product the right thing to do creatively or -- long-term -- fiscally either. And what happened with BPB at MGM? I had heard that was pretty much a done deal. Does this mean more years of the horrendous Parade of Tacky Character Cars? <<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.>> Yeah, tell me about it. I hardly spend any time at the MK anymore because there's so little for me to see. I actually enjoyed being there last week because Pirates was refreshed and Splash Mountain had about 90% of its effects operating for the first time in years. But I never get that bored, stale feeling at DL. And I think I could spend a month at DLP without feeling that way. <<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.>> Any hints?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Hey, you might be able to come in from the shadows and buy you some veggies and wine for 'dem stories. >> That SHOULD have read : you might be able to GET ME to come in ... damn, no edit feature ...grrrrrr ... too many typos ... need edit ... mmmmmmm... cookies!
Originally Posted By leemac <<And what happened with BPB at MGM? I had heard that was pretty much a done deal. Does this mean more years of the horrendous Parade of Tacky Character Cars?>> Nope that is still going to Paris next year. BPB is evolving into something similar at D-MGM but contrary to some web folks BPB isn't and never was going to leave DCA.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Your love for Mythica really is going to destroy your 'I hate everything they do in Tokyo' 'tude around here. I looked through TDLFAN's pics earlier today (when I was supposed to be working!) and I have to say, it looks like an amazing, large-scale production. And I share your admiration for Steve Davison, it seems like the man can do no wrong with his projects.>> I love Steven. He is one of the nicest guys in the world and he totally gets Disney entertainment. Coupled with the other creative directors, Michael Jung and Shelby Jiggetts-Tivony I'm adamant that Disney Entertainment couldn't be in better hands.
Originally Posted By leemac <<<<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.>> Any hints?>> Nope. But TDLFAN let something slip earlier today on the boards (maybe even this thread?) that he shouldn't have. ))
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I love Steven. He is one of the nicest guys in the world and he totally gets Disney entertainment. Coupled with the other creative directors, Michael Jung and Shelby Jiggetts-Tivony I'm adamant that Disney Entertainment couldn't be in better hands.>> Yep. I just hope they continue letting him work his true magic. They could use him at DL for some new Halloween fireworks and/or parade ... and hopefully for something in the DCA lagoon. That park will never be successful closing at 6 p.m. for 2/3rds of the year.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>But TDLFAN let something slip earlier today on the boards (maybe even this thread?) that he shouldn't have. ))<< Oooops! Sorry >>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?<< I have no problem with that AS LONG AS, they ship it somewhere in it's entirety. Meaning: same number of floats and same number of performers. One thing that bugs me terribly is how all the Tokyo shows that have been exported, end up chopped up, reduced and simply destroyed, by changes to make them more budget-concious and operational-friendly. The screwed up with "It's magical" when it went to EPCOT, "Fantillusion!" when it crash landed in Paris, "Cinderellabration" is a BOMB at the MK, and even HKDL got a mini fraction of "100 yrs of Magic" without the continuity it had in TDL. >>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.<< That's all fine and dandy Lee, but she still has to keep some kind of connection to the brand, and way going off the proverbial Disney nitch can only hurt her visions. Maybe I am hard on her because of her needs for a makeover and a new hairdo, but Anne can shine as much as anyone else out there given the budgets to reach for the stars, don't you think? Same for Imagineering I'd suppose. But being a simple fan by the sidelines.. there is this nagging feeling in me that Anne sometimes tries too hard.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>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.<< Agreed. I have played the Mythica cd about 5 times already since arriving home from Tokyo. LOVE IT! I already have it in my Ipod as well. This score is right up there with Fantasmic! and Reflections of Earth. Highly recommended. >>Shows like Legend of Mythica should be the norm for DCE. Thankfully Annie is finally being given the opportunity to make great shows.<< And the budgets to do so. As for Mythica being the norm... I would be just as happy if we get the same budget for Costuming equaled to what I saw parading on that lagoon last week. Stunning to say the least!
Originally Posted By irishfan >>But TDLFAN let something slip earlier today on the boards (maybe even this thread?) that he shouldn't have. )) << Highschool muscial??
Originally Posted By leemac <<way going off the proverbial Disney nitch can only hurt her visions.>> This is where we disagree TDLFAN. I believe Disney should be going beyond the normal Disney niche to create innovative and exicting entertainment. Even the character stuff can be good if handled correctly (like HKDL's Golden Mickeys).
Originally Posted By leemac <<but Anne can shine as much as anyone else out there given the budgets to reach for the stars, don't you think? Same for Imagineering I'd suppose. >> Again I respectfully disagree. Money isn't the be all and end all. You need to have the creativity to do something with it. TDS's Tower of Terror isn't great because it is the most expensive Disney attraction ever built. It is great because of the incredible storyline that WDI have concocted to get over the fact that Twilight Zone is an unknown property in Japan. It could have been a bust. It definitely won't be. The budget simply helped WDI to tell the most compelling and engaging story possible with rich attention to detail and architecture.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I believe Disney should be going beyond the normal Disney niche to create innovative and exicting entertainment.<< Oh I definitely agree with that but you saw the reception "BraviSEAmo!" got, even when throwing Mickey as a narrator.. And based on comments I read here and there on sites I participate... not too many people seem to get Mythica, and not once have the characters being blamed for the show's overwhelming production. Granted, most people have not seen this in person and are only offering an opinion based on video and you know how that sabotages everything, especially "Mythica". But again... I am all out for Disney striving for the new anduntried...just not sure the audiences are as willing to accept, concidering many of them come expecting a "Disney" experience and at times "kid friendly" experiences as well. Just look how bored kids get in the Aladdin show at DCA... Twice I had to put up with kids getting out of their seats and making noises because they were not interested in the show at all. Speaking of... Any reasons why Aladdin's musical will be closing this Sept?? (Based on Darkbeer's posts) >>Money isn't the be all and end all. You need to have the creativity to do something with it.<< Well, I understand that. I didn't mean to imply that budgets are what make shows and attractions great, but a decent budget can only enhance the creativity as well me thinks. Reason why we are getting what looks like a great TOT both inside in storyline and outside in look? Also, how much validity is there to the initial reation by CMs on test runs that the ride is not scary or long enough??
Originally Posted By tcsnwhite "Any reasons why Aladdin's musical will be closing this Sept?? (Based on Darkbeer's posts)" That info is incorrect. The show is going down for a month or so cleanup, while a new cast rehearses. There are auditions coming up. So, the show is not going anywhere for a good while.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Just look how bored kids get in the Aladdin show at DCA...>> I've not ever seen that once at Aladdin and I must have seen the show dozens of times so I guess I have been lucky. The kids surrounding me each time seem to genuinely enjoy it. There is a place for kiddie Disney character-filled fluff and that is MK. Parks like TDS, Epcot and DCA should be more adult-focused in their offerings to counterpoint the MK. I think TDS is finally getting back to that place after 5 years of inane character shows like Aladdin's Whole New World and Rhythms of the World. Legend of Mythica, The Snow Queen and ToT are a push in the right direction. Hopefully DCA will get back into that mindset again soon too.
Originally Posted By leemac And tcsnwhite is 100% correct. Someone put 2 and 2 together and got 6. Aladdin is here to stay. I've no idea where that crazy Beauty and the Beast rumor came from either.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I've not ever seen that once at Aladdin and I must have seen the show dozens of times so I guess I have been lucky. The kids surrounding me each time seem to genuinely enjoy it.<< You have been very lucky then, or proabbly close to the stage where kids would be more entertained by how big it all looks from up front. >>There is a place for kiddie Disney character-filled fluff and that is MK. << Interesting.. Why the MK and not the other parks? >>I think TDS is finally getting back to that place after 5 years of inane character shows like Aladdin's Whole New World and Rhythms of the World.<< Yet you have pointed out two of TDS' most popular *special events*. Not sure that is fair to judge TDS' spectrum by just two limited time special event shows that obviously most everyone seemed to have enjoyed but you.
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ I didn't say that it was going to be a popular move. It is the right move creatively. Whether it is financially only time will tell.
