Originally Posted By TDLFAN Ok.. so I finally made a mad dash side trip to TDL this past week to see the new castle show "Once Upon a Time". Frankly I was not expecting much. Even if DLP raised the bar with these types of projection spectacles, they remain lower budget than most other live shows in the parks. However, with fabulous results. Regarding TDL, the huge crowds and environmental restrictions in the Urayasu area and proximity to aircraft's final approach into Haneda, have somewhat put a little damper on the festivities, made worst by TDS' location that necessitated the fireworks launch to be moved to the left side of the park...an odd and off location for an enjoyable pyro show behind the castle as it should be for photographic purposes. But much to my delight, the show exceeded my expectations (like most everything does at TDR) in several ways.. First, I knew the fountains used in Paris would not be found here, and yet I didn't miss them at all. Maybe because the high caliber HD projections and vivid colors more than make up for this. Second, the more that expected amount of pyro during the show totally took me off guard, simply because this is something that has not been done at TDL with frequency. As of late, only castle pyro has been used during special events like Blazing Rhythms. And that's about it. While the original music is not too memorable, and I was surprised they are not selling a show cd yet, it is lovely enough to carry the many Disney sequences projected upon the castle. But the real deal here is the extensive and imaginative use of lasers in sync with the action being projected on the castle walls. The laser imagery is so vivid and colorful that it gives the show a 3D quality that's memorable and effective. Rounding up the spectacle is the use of colorful state of the art search lights with surround the castle vicinity with dynamic colors and movement. I think it's only fitting to mention that, even if other parks are doing similar stuff in their nightly shows, it was still TDL THE FIRST PARK TO USE CASTLE SEARCH LIGHTS, LASERS, PROJECTIONS, PYRO LAUNCHERS ON THE CASTLE AND EVEN REAL RUBBER HEAD PERFORMERS WITH PYRO ON THE CASTLE AND CASTLE STAGE ITSELF LONG BEFORE ANY OTHER PARK DID. Go search "Magic in the Sky (1993)" and "Starlight Fantasy (1997)" castle shows in youtube to see the proof. So in a sense, this show is a spectacular state of the art return to TDL's castle show legacies of sorts. Like in Paris, the show uses imaginative visuals and technologies in sync to create a palette of Disney moments. It's wonderful, moving and exciting. While at times the show may drag a little, when the segments pick up in speed, they are mesmerizing. My favorite moments (without giving it away, or if you must, see it on youtube) are the Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and the Gaston pursuing Beast sequences. The use of lasers to simulate lighting bolts is breathtaking, and TDL's exclusive massive fireball cannons on both sides of the castle are used here in perfect sync. Couple of things you should know before you go: There is a lotto system for both shows. If you don't win a seat in the lotto area, then park yourself early in a good spot. The night I was there the park was extremely busy, and by 6:15pm when I arrived, there were already huge crowds waiting in the "lotto looser" hub spots for the first show that began at 8:50pm. There are currently two shows nightly at 8:50pm and 9:40pm. Regular fireworks play at 8:30pm. as well. Please note the day I went I bought the after 6 passport to just go in the park at night and enjoy this show. But I was not prepared to see the HUGE amount of people doing the same thing which indicates that many non-APer locals are going into the park for the evening to see this new addition. I estimated at least 5,000 guests positioned in 6 different lines to enter the park at 6PM and these lines went as far back as the TDR Line station.. It was a massive after 6 pm crowd. Plan accordingly if you go late to TDL. So.. Do I recommend this show? ABSOLUTELY. It's yet another great thing to add to the already overly busy list of entertainment options within TDL park. Plan to deal with crowds and stake a place early if you want to get a decent view in case you don't win the lotto. They also have a nice selection of show exclusive merchandise (teeshirts, candies, pins, postcards, etc) for you to take home as a souvenir. The show is great so don't miss it. A young Japanese girl next to me was overwhelmed enough to be moved to tears by the end of it. When a projection show moves people to such state of mind, you can bet it is a special and magical experience. Sadly it makes the little projection show at the Magic Kingdom look ghetto and poor quality in comparison. The MK show has NO search lights, NO lasers, and only about 3 roman candle pyro shells are launched. It's bad and the MK needs to up the game here. TDL and DLP are leading the way in this department, and guests approve with thunderous applause at the end of the show. Anyways... when in Tokyo, do like the Japanese guests do and see this show. It's a must! TDLFAN rates it an "A". Go check it out.
Originally Posted By dagobert Thanks for your review. I've seen a video online and I like what I've seen. I love Disney Dreams at DLP and although you didn't miss the fountains in Tokyo, I really think they are a fantastic show element.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Yes they are and make the DLP show unique and exciting. I love Disney Dreams just as much as this new TDL version. I love that both are unique. I was concerned that TDL's version would feature a lot of recycled footage from DLP's show but that was not the case. I like that TDL's show has a narrative compliments of Mrs. Potts. The only sequence that seemed familiar was the Tangled song, and while many of the Japanese fans appreciated that moment based on the reaction, Tangled slowed the show a bit for me. Heck even the few seconds with Anna and Elsa from Frozen drew a huge reaction from Japanese fans. But the point is you don't have to have fountains to make either show better or worst. To be honest, the one moment where my jaw dropped to the floor in amazement was during DLP's Xmas version of Disney Dreams, when the entire perimeter of trees around the hub lit up in colorful lights and sparkling strobes.. now THAT is exceeding my expectations.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>Heck even the few seconds with Anna and Elsa from Frozen drew a huge reaction from Japanese fans<<< Isn't the movie one of the most successful movies in Japan? >>>But the point is you don't have to have fountains to make either show better or worst.<<< That's true of course. I just commented on it, because I'm a big fan of fountains. I loved the show in front of the Bellagio in LV and Dreams is such a fantastic show, which you wouldn't expect in Paris.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I was planning on skipping over this during my upcoming trip, but it sounds like it's definitely worth the effort to see. I really liked Dreams at DLP, so I'm looking forward to something similar-yet-different And I agree that the castle shows at MK are pretty ho-hum. Everybody seems to get really excited for them (perhaps because they've made Wishes such a big ordeal through the years, despite its mediocrity, and finally there's an alternate) but I've never had any interest in planning my time around seeing it. If I'm passing by when it's about to start, I'll watch, but that's about it
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Dago.. if you love fountains.. then have you actually seen World of Color? It's quite impressive when up close. and makes the Bellagio show look bland IMO.. and there are no Mexicans around pushing excort service cards on you.. the best part.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>>And I agree that the castle shows at MK are pretty ho-hum. Everybody seems to get really excited for them (perhaps because they've made Wishes such a big ordeal through the years, despite its mediocrity, and finally there's an alternate) but I've never had any interest in planning my time around seeing it. If I'm passing by when it's about to start, I'll watch, but that's about it<<< Exactly. This show at WDW is just a side show that many don't even know about. TDL has advertisement all over the city and even on the current shopping bags about this show, as it is considered a huge deal for the summer. Not sure if the water summer shows will impact "once Upon a Time". But if you plan to go to TDR, then by all means see this show. Truly spectacular, just like DLP's.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN One more thing Dagobert.. You should pay a visit to TDL during the summer months when they retrofit the castle with fountains for the Summer Splash shows, and see the castle come alive with fountain shooting up into the air and spilling sideways around the castle and on the audience.. Bring poncho or you will be drenched. I would hope for the summer castle fountains to be incorporated into a special version os "Once Upon a Time".. that would be so cool.
Originally Posted By dagobert I would love to visit TDR, but it will take two more years until we will be able to go there. Our next Disney vacation will be a Disney cruise combined with WDW and Universal.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Oh screw WDW. Universal's new Diagon Alley is what you need to come to Orlando for, and make sure you ride the train between the two parks. SIMPLY EXCELLENT. But can't spoil it here. BTW.. Universal Japan opens the Harry Potter ride from IOA in a few weeks this July as well and is a fabulous property to visit when you come to Japan. Their Magical Starlight Electrical parade is worth the price of the trip there.
Originally Posted By dagobert I can't wait for HP, although I didn't like the movies. The lands in both parks just look amazing. We will spend to or three days at Universal. However at the end of the day, we are Disney fans and that's why we will stay at a Disney hotel and will visit all four parks too. The highlight will be the seven night cruise. I can't wait to go to EPCOT again, I loved that park.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Epcot is definitely my favorite US park, but there seems to have been some sort of intangible change going on in the last ~5 years that make me like it less. It's still got a lot of good stuff, but it doesn't strike me as being as grand and spectacular as it did in the past Perhaps it's because I've visited WDW more in recent years than any other time in my life, so I'm getting more familiar with things, but it just seemed like some of the sparkle was gone, especially in January and February of this year
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I disagree with you^^^ Simply because I've been going to TDR for 25 trs on a regular basis, and still am in awe of the near perfection of the place in so many levels. I am yet to walk into TDS and be awed by the incredible feeling of escapism and adventure that will sure follow. EPCOT's Future World in particular has lost it's luster simply because it was built for the moment and has lost it's focus. Yet World Showcase I can still enjoy on it's own merits.
Originally Posted By vicenzo83 Thanks for the review TDLFAN. I can't wait to watch this. Might try to sneak in a trip to TDR before my wife gives birth. Thanks again for the review.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN My pleasure Vicenzo83. For anyone out there who is interested, the show CD is not on sale at the park. See here: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.disney.co.jp/records/parks/AVCW-63033.html">http://www.disney.co.jp/record...033.html</a>
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I meant the cd IS NOW on sale... And read my Hogwarts Express review in the Other parks section as well please.
