Canadian Lumberjack Show to open at Epcot's Canada Pavilion in early October

epcot2004

Active Member
I can't even watch the video. From the group's website and the video still shot I can just see that this act is ridiculous. This is not even a discussion about multi trip or once in a lifetime visits, this looks like a show for a county fair, not a permanent world's fair. Although I was a huge fan of OK I do believe the replacement could have been on the same level. Maybe Disney's next step will be to turn Cinderella Castle into a White Castle.
Edit to add: I love White Castle, just not at WDW:hungry:
 

note2001

Well-Known Member
Isn't it still technically in a "soft open"?

I'd give it at least a few weeks (not that the first draft is particularly mind-blowing).

In some ways, this act is a dream come true to any person put in charge of improving the performance. There is only one way it could get worse, and that would be to harm someone in the audience or on stage. Just about anything changed up would be an improvement: costume, accents, timing, script, entire sections of the act, stage, safety measures.

That is not to say it will be up to Disney standards for entertainment even after changes are made. Just that it will be better than what is recorded here.
 

GrammieBee

Well-Known Member
Shoot. We have seen several Lumberjack shows and competitions and have found them to be quite entertaining. We were hoping this would be true for the Canadian pavillion show. Unfortunately, it was not. The whole show was rather sad and slow paced with poor staging, forced dialogue, and lumberjacks that somehow just didn't seem to quite fit the part. We can only hope it will get better. There are other contest events which are more exciting, but they do need more space.
 

note2001

Well-Known Member
Did anyone else get the feeling that the two lumberjacks in orange were put there as eye candy? If that was the case, shouldn't they have at least made their outfits a bit more... hmm... interesting?

And give those guys some acting/strutting lessons from the guy who plays Gaston over in the MK ;)

Edit: Apparently not only the younger/leaner guys wear the orange, as shown in some of the more recent performance pics.
 
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imagineer boy

Well-Known Member
Oh wow, I wanted to like this but this is laughably horrible. They could have made this more exciting, but their version is about as dumbed down as you can get for a lumberjack show. The poor trees :(

Yep, pretty soon Treebeard will storm the gates of Epcot for this poor use of his friend's corpse. There is no curse is Elvish, Entish, or the tongues of men for this treachery....

Honestly while reassessing the show, I think this would work much better as a small mini show rather than a major park show or maybe just an artisan making wood sculptures from a chainsaw.
 
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xdan0920

Think for yourselfer
Isn't it still technically in a "soft open"?

I'd give it at least a few weeks (not that the first draft is particularly mind-blowing).

That is my understanding.

If the show is the same 2-3 weeks from now I think it is safe to call it a bust. The pacing is just too slow and there is zero "wow" factor.

I get what you two are saying, BUT, this is not a new act. This is what these guys do, this is their show. Minor tweaks, or slightly better delivery isn't going to save this mess. They have limited space, and are limited in how cray cray they can get. Also, the pooh sized gentleman pretending to be french isn't going to be replaced by Ryan Reynolds. This is the group, this is the show.
 

ptaylor

Premium Member
I saw a couple of the shows on Saturday and have a few comments.

The show is clearly not up to Disney standards. Disney is one of the largest and best entertainment companies in the world, and guests expect top tier entertainment. The show is not thrilling, not exciting, and has a near zero-repeat viewing value. It is far too "country" for the Epcot audience.

The axe throwing was off-target - they were barely able to hit the target, nevermind the bullseye. The chain saw cutting logs - isn't that what they are designed, built and sold to do? And the cross cut saw - well again, seeing tools do their intended job is not impressive.

The jokes are not funny, the pacing in wrong, and the fake contest among contestants we don't know or care about it pointless.

I feel sorry for the performers. They have been put into a position where they are destined for failure. The act is fitting for a fair of some kind, but not a permanent show, 5 days a week, 5 times per day, in one of the most visited theme parks in the world.

It appears Epcot got exactly what was ordered. This is a third party outside show, that anyone can essentially order from the company behind it. There are no surprises, and plenty of YouTube videos of this particular show. My point here is that I don't see this show significantly changing, as it comes from a 25 year old pre-existing show. Disney took the easy and cheap options, and got exactly what they ordered. This was not a bad show based on opening day nerves, a new set of performers, or a still in development script. This is a long established show that just does not fit with Disney or Epcot. How did a show of this standard even make it to a soft opening in front of guests?

Now the interesting thing will be what happens next. I saw all of the Epcot entertainment managers at the opening shows. They surely must have seen the YouTube videos of their shows outside Disney, saw the rehearsals at Epcot, and then saw the actual opening day shows. So what are they thinking? They looked happy. Could it possibly be that in their eyes all is well with this new show? Will someone at Disney have the sense to pull the show, or have they given up? Do they even care anymore?
 

nolatron

Well-Known Member
I get what you two are saying, BUT, this is not a new act. This is what these guys do, this is their show. Minor tweaks, or slightly better delivery isn't going to save this mess. They have limited space, and are limited in how cray cray they can get. Also, the pooh sized gentleman pretending to be french isn't going to be replaced by Ryan Reynolds. This is the group, this is the show.

Yeah, looks like the show has been around for 28yrs according to their website:

http://www.lumberjackent.com/bio.htm

I just couldn't help but think... so what happens when one these guys loose their grip while flinging their axe around. Just seems like a very dangerous show for WDW.

What's also interesting is their description of their typical "5-man show". Note the size of the show area. Just shows how much they had to cram down to fit the stage.

Also of note is both their 4 and 5 man shows list WDW as a place it was performed at, including Pleasure Island. So it looks like they've had a history with WDW before this.

Wow! this show is exciting. Four world class Lumberjacks and a Emcee are the make up of this highly competitive, lots of humor, audience participated show. The events in this show include, axe throwing, underhand chopping, spring board chopping, crosscut sawing, a big relay race, obstacle pole, dragster chainsaws, precision chainsaw racing, chainsaw carving, log rolling.. Additional events may be substituted or added. (Tree climbing available to be negotitated).
Show per day: to be negotiated
Approximate running time: 45 to 50 minutes
Show area needed: 50' wide x 50' deep
You supply: 110 electricity, lights for night show, water for logrolling pool approximate 5000 gallons, 3 cubic yards of sawdust, dressing area, all passes for performers.
We supply: Four Lumberjacks, one excellent Emcee, all saws, all axes, logrolling pool, costumes, all stands and stage equipment, wood if needed, sound system if needed, all promotional material, $1,000,000 liability insurance.

Locations this show has performed at: Pleasure Island Walt Disney World, Six Flags, Wallaby Park Lyon France, and many more.
 
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PhilharMagician

Well-Known Member
I get what you two are saying, BUT, this is not a new act. This is what these guys do, this is their show. Minor tweaks, or slightly better delivery isn't going to save this mess. They have limited space, and are limited in how cray cray they can get. Also, the pooh sized gentleman pretending to be french isn't going to be replaced by Ryan Reynolds. This is the group, this is the show.


Replace Pooh with Martin Short! At least it could be labels as Canadian and should be funny.
 

SpaceMountain77

Well-Known Member
On one side of World Showcase lagoon we have this Canadian Lumberjack show, which perpetuates stereotypes and preexisting notions of Canada through flannel and logging. On the other side of World Showcase lagoon, we will have Frozen: Journey to Arendelle, which will take guests through Anna and Elsa's homeland.

I cannot understand why it is so difficult for Disney management to have some level of consistency in Epcot.
 

note2001

Well-Known Member
According to what I'm seeing online (and I'm not finding new data) back in 2003 Canada was fifth in the world to produce Timber. The US being number one, India a close second. Would they dare put something like this in a new India Pavilion (if they added one) I suspect the answer would be: "No way. That's not India." So, why is it Canada?

Teens from overseas will return home armed with their new knowledge that Canada is known for Lumberjacks. Not diversity, not humor, certainly not culture, not even the basic maple syrup.

I just couldn't help but think... so what happens when one these guys loose their grip while flinging their axe around. Just seems like a very dangerous show for WDW.


Yes, it's not just the danger IN the park that's concerning. I'm concerned kids will, despite their parents best warnings, want to mimic what they see on stage, because it's "entertaining", looks impressive, and well, it just has to be fun to toss an axe. Disney may give warnings such as "don't try this at home". Parents will warn 100 times over, but kids are kids, and some of them just won't connect the dots until it's too late.
 

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