Starbucks in DL and Candlelight move in '13

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

"An enclosed superficial environment is never going to replicate the "night air" magic for me ... and how the show works in with the different Disneyland icons!"

I agree with this completely Dean, however there's something to be said about a fully enclosed environment that allows for a more theatrical performance, comfortable seating and clear sight lines. They could still have the processional before the show outdoors marching down BV to Hollywood Blvd for spectators who don't have tickets for the theater presentation.

 

Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan

>>So ... your theory is blown out the window 2oony. ;p<<

Unless my memory is completely wrong (and it might be) I recall being routed behind the Main Street shops onto the service road to exit during the Candlelight Processional, bypassing all the shops.

Either way, if I had two wishes it would be for Disney to put the fireworks shows back up in the skies, not focused on the castle so much and the other would be to leave Main Street less congested for such performances. Either that, or create some other entry/exit point to DL so guests could avoid some of the congestion.

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

I understand where you are coming from oc_dean. Illuminations presented in a football stadium would not be nearly the show it is using the Showcase Lagoon and surrounding buildings.

But in my opinion sometimes other factors over-ride the setting. I have NEVER viewed DL's Fantasmic because I absolutely cannot stand the crowding of that part of the park resulting from the show. I always park myself in Tomorrowland during that time, trying to stay as far away as possible! I've never been to DL when the Processional was held, but I can imagine the situation is much the same. Mainstreet can be easily overwhelmed by crowds making for a very uncomfortable (for me) situaiton.

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

"... if I had two wishes it would be for Disney to put the fireworks shows back up in the skies..."

And center them behind the castle please, they way they used to be. Currently they are shot slightly to the left, which I find very annoying.

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

>>I've seen some pretty awe-inspiring set designs for live theater stage productions through the years. Disney does this better than anyone. I think it would be different than what has come before, but it could actually be better.<<

The set at Epcot is entirely appropriate for the event, but I'd hardly call it impressive. It's a plain colored backdrop (yellow/gold), with a few church-like windows hanging on each side of the stage. It lets the performers be the set, which is how it should be, but on its own, it is rather underwhelming. Filled with 1,000 musicians, it's great. Working with a cast that large is a huge challenge, and I'm not really sure there's a good way to make an 'impressive' set for the event, without overshadowing the other elements of it.

>>I understand where you are coming from oc_dean. Illuminations presented in a football stadium would not be nearly the show it is using the Showcase Lagoon and surrounding buildings.<<

Okay, it's not quite the same thing, but how about Tapestry of Nations, featuring the Illuminations score, in a football stadium?
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSWrop2AXRA" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...rop2AXRA</a>

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

OK dammit. That's CHEATING. I LOVED the Tapestry of Nations Parade. Thanks for letting me hear the music and see a bit of it once again.

You wanna make a 60-year-old guy cry??

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

Woohoo! I think I just won the "Make an LPer Cry" contest! But in a good way! : )

I'm trying to figure out why those celebrities were chosen to perform together. It seems like some of them have a Disney connection, but I'm lost on the others. Given how strategic some of them appear to be, I imagine they weren't just randomly chosen.

Phil Collins obviously did the Tarzan soundtrack (randomly inserted into the Tapestry music). Toni Braxton had recently finished up a stint as Belle on Broadway (which I just happened to see in person!). Christina Agulera was in the Mickey Mouse Club, and somewhat-recently sang Reflection for the credits of Mulan, launching her carreer.

But Edward James Olmos and Enrique Iglesias? I'm stumped!

 

Originally Posted By mawnck

>>But Edward James Olmos and Enrique Iglesias? I'm stumped!<<

They're Hispanic, they're relatively famous, and they weren't doing anything else. (/cynicism)

I think "who's available" and "who's local" is more of a factor than "who's Disney", although I'm sure they consider all these things.

Besides, if the fans are happy with 117 year old Dick Van Dyke, why pay extra to get Carly Rae Jepsen? (/snark)

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<But Edward James Olmos and Enrique Iglesias? I'm stumped!>>

I don't remember why Olmos got the gig - but Enrique is a massive Disney nut - huge fan. He does a lot of stuff with Disneyland Paris too.

That show was produced by the WDW team behind Tapestry and RoE. They really were out of their comfort zone - the Georgia Dome isn't a great environment to work in. I think it was the 6th Disney-produced half time show but there weren't many experienced hands involved. It really showed - it was a bit of a mess. The two previous ones (IJA and a it's a small world-themed show) had far looser themes which meant they were mainly music concerts. This was trying to be something different.

Don Mischer has done most of the half time shows since then. His creds for these type of shows is second to none.

 

Originally Posted By DlandDug

The aspect of Candlelight and Main Street and Fantasmic! on the Rivers of America that I find most appealing is the way they magically appear in an otherwise completely familiar setting. I've never seen Candlelight at Epcot, but I really disliked F! at DHS.

Conversely, guests from the East Coast are somewhat baffled by Disneyland's F! I suppose they feel the same about Candlelight.

I thought it was fine at the Fantasyland Theater. And I know it could be majestic and moving in the Hyperion. It just wouldn't be the same, that's all.

 

Originally Posted By oc_dean

>>Conversely, guests from the East Coast are somewhat baffled by Disneyland's F! I suppose they feel the same about Candlelight.<<

Hard to imagine some people find DHS' version of Fantasmic! better in a condensed "stage" environment ... over the original in DL ... which encompasses a grander scale, taking place on the Rivers of America.

 

Originally Posted By tashajilek

"Hard to imagine some people find DHS' version of Fantasmic! better in a condensed "stage" environment ... over the original in DL ... which encompasses a grander scale, taking place on the Rivers of America. "

That would be because of the crowds and the chance to sit im guessing?. I have never had any trouble finding a half decent spot for F during a busy time of year last minute. I guess it all depends on if you are willing to look around for a few minutes.

 

Originally Posted By Dabob2

The fact that you can sit is the only thing WDW's F! has over DL's, believe me.

 

Originally Posted By Yookeroo

"The aspect of Candlelight and Main Street and Fantasmic! on the Rivers of America that I find most appealing is the way they magically appear in an otherwise completely familiar setting. I've never seen Candlelight at Epcot, but I really disliked F! at DHS."

If the Candlelight did magically appear, it wouldn't be so bad. But that infrastructure sits there 24/7.

 

Originally Posted By DlandDug

>>The fact that you can sit is the only thing WDW's F! has over DL's, believe me.<<

I always joke that they had to put in seats because no one would stand for the DHS version...

 

Originally Posted By DlandDug

>>If the Candlelight did magically appear, it wouldn't be so bad. But that infrastructure sits there 24/7.<<

It's magical when you are sitting in the middle of it during the performance. The rest of the time... not so much.

 

Originally Posted By tonyanton

I'll be heading to DL on Monday for an extended trip through Christmas and am a bit wary of the Candlight setup and crowds the first few nights, though another site has noted so far it has been managed well. I do look forward to being there once all the not-so-attractive daytime infrastructure is gone.

 

Originally Posted By Mickeysbestfan

I found there to be no issue with the candlelight set up during the day. The chairs were not set up all day, and the train station was easily accessable.
They did a great job "herding" people around the event in the evening.

 

Originally Posted By ksargen

Hi all! Yeah, I know I'm late to the party, but December was crazy busy...

Having now DONE the show, a few observations-
The show, as it stands, probably won't fit in the Hyperion, and the sight lines from the various groups on stage to the conductor, as well as guest narrator placement would be problematic. They're bad in spots on the train station set up, they'd be worse on a smaller stage. Unless the Hyperion is hiding an orchestra pit I don't know about, it's going to be really nasty to get everyone on that stage. The procession part could happen, but it would have to be from somewhere near the front gate, down through "Hollywood" to the theater, and then you sort out how everyone is getting on stage from there. Not fun.

I haven't been in it recently, but it would seem like the Fantasyland Theater at DL would be a better fit, since the stage is... well, less structured, particularly if they stripped all the princess foo foo out. The procession would be easier, too, since they could run folks from down by the hub (potentially the same gate we used this year) to the theater. It also means the raised viewing platform for folks to watch from along the way.

With the discussions of dinner packages which came up THIS year (but didn't happen), that's still problematic. More places to do that sort of dining in DCA than DL. I'm going to guess they'll hold off on that if the show stays in DL. I can't imagine moving it to DCA just yet...

All of that said, if they move it, they move it, and they change the show. It's something that's happened before.