Where is Mr. Lincoln??

Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA

Maybe, to take up less of a footprint, they could have 'Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln in the Men's Restrooms on Main Street.'

Then, while standing in the urinal, one could have something to watch.

 

Originally Posted By SIR at X-S Tech

I agree that Walt would be disappointed that not only has Lincoln languished on Main st, but that the only changes to the show have been lateral. Let's do Hall of Presidents, American Adventure or something in that vein, a real tug at the Patriotic heart strings kind of thing. I know neither of those would fit in that building as they were built at WDW, but a similar show could be done. Lincoln can be upgraded with more than just a new soundtrack and slide show. That people were lukewarm about it's newest incarnation is sad, and hardly worthy of an attraction that Walt was so passionate about. Either the concept of a Lincoln show is irrelevant, in which case, get rid of him, or it's a valued attraction which needs to be given whatever it needs to thrive. But it shouldn't be allowed to just languish, like it has been.

 

Originally Posted By rafiki72

I know that mr lincoln was part of the disney exhibit in the Oakland(Ca) Musuem...he was completly naked too...he looked like the bionic man...LOL...anyways....

i think they could maybe put the WALT DISNEY Story in the theatre....people need to know who that man was...most kids have no idea what kind of man he really was ...and what he did....

Lincoln was cool and all ...i like the hall of presidents in WDW as well...

just my 2 pesos....

 

Originally Posted By DlandDug

The Mr. Lincoln in Oakland was the original World's Fair figure. Disneyland's Mr. Lincoln has been on stage at the Opera House all along.

 

Originally Posted By gadzuux

Maybe they could add a balcony booth to the opera house, place lincoln up there in it, then have something completely different on the main stage.

And for the big finale ...

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

...Lincoln will throw barbs alongside Statler and Waldorf?

 

Originally Posted By pecos bill

For some reason, I dont think putting Lincoln in a balcony booth would be too prudent.

 

Originally Posted By lasvegasgirl

oooooohhhh........ ouch.......

 

Originally Posted By lasvegasgirl

point taken

 

Originally Posted By wangaroa

Actually, Doug, I think Lincoln is in Tujunga right now...

 

Originally Posted By Kayoss

<<The Mr. Lincoln in Oakland was the original World's Fair figure. Disneyland's Mr. Lincoln has been on stage at the Opera House all along.>>

I've heard this rumor. Does anyone else find this kind of creepy if true?

 

Originally Posted By walt01

As to the Lincoln show, I, like many have a fond reverence for the original attraction...If the new show is not packing them in, then maybe it's because the new version lacks any sort of inspiration. What might save lincoln is the introduction of new technology. At the new Lincoln Presidential library in Springfield, the exhibits, designed by a former Disney Imagineer, include holographic imagery, a simulated battle, where theatre seats rumble to the sound of cannon fire, and other concepts, all told with a compelling story. The new version clearly was a Paul Pressler afterthought. It's often believed that history doesn't sell in today's market. Well those same voices thought that 300, Gladiator, and Saving Private Ryan, would fail as well. Business decisions may well force the closure of Mr. Lincoln, but as Disneyland increasingly becomes an all fantasy park, it still would be nice to have a little bit of Walt's vision retained; where people can learn about their country's history and be entertained at the same time. After all, even POTC is historically based. Just a thought...Best regards to all Walt 100

 

Originally Posted By Sweeper

I love history. Heck I teach it! Mr. Lincoln's last show was more about cute audio tricks and the message was lost. I'm not sure a patriotic, warm fuzzy show would actually fly anymore attendance wise. I am just very curious about the audience of today, given the events of the day, running to a yay America show. That's not a criticism, just an out loud wondering. Like it or not, Lincoln is about politics and L.A. isn't exactly Kansas. Disney has to be thinking about this.

 

Originally Posted By patrickegan

What? LA is very political, human rights, global warming and Obama for Pres. They just have to change the script, maybe even in Spanish???

 

Originally Posted By ChurroMonster

walt01 wrote:

"It's often believed that history doesn't sell in today's market. Well those same voices thought that 300, Gladiator, and Saving Private Ryan, would fail as well."

Or, ahem, that little historical arthouse film called Titanic.

 

Originally Posted By ChurroMonster

As far as restoring any version of the Lincoln show...I don't know. It was okay I guess. But I don't miss it (especially the freaky headphone version) and I really have no desire to see it again. The best idea I've heard so far on this thread is installing Mr. Lincoln in the men's room on Main Street. Will he sit or stand?

 

Originally Posted By gurgitoy2

"I've heard this rumor. Does anyone else find this kind of creepy if true? "

What's creepy about it? Two AA's in two different locations?

Oh, and as for history. I think it could still fly if done right. I don't think the newer "fly by" version meshed the historical message with the technology. It was too gimmicky. It is still possible though to entertain while educating...Disney has lost the nerve to do this though, and that's very evident at EPCOT. Disney doesn't seem to care about educating at all anymore, but I know they could really do it well again if they tried.

 

Originally Posted By Dabob2

I really hope they retain Lincoln, but it doesn't surprise me that after 40 years it can't fill the Opera House regularly any more. A single AA isn't a wonder any more, and most DL patrons have seen the show many times.

What might work is to shrink the theatre in the present location and create another presentation there. Thus Lincoln becomes AN attraction in that space, rather than THE attraction.

Another suggestion floated here was to move Lincoln to a smaller theatre in Frontierland.

Either way, when the time comes to re-work the show again, I hope they go with less gimmicks, and MORE hard-core history. After all, anyone who saw Ken Burns' The Civil War knows that you can bring a tear to someone's eyes with nothing more than still photos and compelling narration. I'd go whole hog for delving into the civil war, using film for much of it, not "dumbing it down" at all... and perhaps have Lincoln comment on various aspects at various points throughout the show, using both speeches and letters he wrote at the time. You could create a highly intelligent and yet emotionally compelling show from that if you wanted to.

 

Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt

I'm fine with the Lincoln show not returning. With that said, there should be some sort of tribute to the show (or at least the figure) in Disneyland somewhere.

At DLP there are some very cool vingnettes inside the mall that runs behind Main Street. One of them is a tribute to the Statue of Liberty. I could see a short Lincoln show installed somewhere in Frontierland or Main Street at DL in this manner.

 

Originally Posted By SIR at X-S Tech

Let's have Liberty Street!