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

[TyrantBoss]

I watched a few minutes of the video of this show. It looks awful. Can they find any other way to make Epcot more weak?

 

[TheRabbit]

Who thought this was a good idea? A show geared at kids all about throwing axes and chainsaw racing? Brilliant idea.

It looks like something you'd find in Pigeon Forge or Branson, Missouri.

It also reminds me of the famous Rolling Stone review of a critically-maligned Bob Dylan album.

It was four words long: "What is this" were the first three words. The fourth word had four letters.

Maybe kids will go home and try to fire up dad's chainsaw in the garage and play lumberjack with the real axe...hmm...yeah, this was a GREAT idea for entertainment. lol

 

[Phil12]

The athleticism of the lumberjacks is in stark contrast to a band wearing kilts. It's a refreshing change of pace that some guests will welcome. Do the lumberjacks wear kilts too?

 

[Horizons78]

...It's a refreshing change of pace that some guests will welcome...

Correct. Both guests will welcome it.

Only kidding...

 

[BrerJon]

OK, so you know when the Epcot Entertainment Cuts were first announced, the optimistic among us said "let's wait and see, the replacement may be even better". The cynical ones among us suggested that TDO would replace them with intentionally inferior acts, so that in a few months they could say guests weren't enjoying them so they're going to cancel live entertainment altogether.

I know it's only day one, but it's already looking to me like the cynics might have been on to something.

 

[BrerJon]

I'm sure this will be cancelled in a month or so after a misguided axe flys off stage..

Wow, something at WDW getting the axe that's not an attraction!

 

[BrerJon]

I envision 3 product offerings

1. I got morning wood at rope drop.
2. I got evening wood at Illuminations.
3. I got wood at the Lumberjacks.

Each on a t shirt with an image of SSE in the background.

Or a picture of Off Kilter (RIP) on one side, and the words "I Got Mourning Wood" on the other.

 

[Matt_Black]

Yikes.

Gonna have to whip out the Occam's razor here and offer another scenario.

I'm wondering why so many of us are talking about how this will play out or that TDO will manufacture good reviews? They cut payroll by switching out groups. You know what really cuts payroll? Cutting the live entertainment completely.

I'm not here with any proof or whispers of rumors, I just happen to think that it's plausible that these new offerings (the lumberjacks and the traditional Moroccan singers specifically) might be perfect for getting the low reviews that will "prove" that live entertainment at Epcot doesn't work so "why not save the money and cut the whole thing?"

It's essentially the plot of "Major League."

But no move to Miami...lol

That's... actually not what Occam's Razor means. It means the scenario with the least amount of assumptions is often the correct one.

 

[culturenthrills]

I will be sad to see Off Kilter go, but looking forward to a great time at Epcot

Hope you like the sound of chainsaws

 

[JeffH]

I ENDURED the entire video and it was horrible. I, for one, do base my trips to Epcot based on the entertainment. I've went there simply to see Christopher Cross (and others) sing in the American Pavilion (twice) and make it a point to catch the Voices of Liberty and Mariachi Cobre whenever I can, I used to enjoy Mo'rockin before their lead singer left, and enjoy all the entertainment to some degree throughout the park, however this is NOT entertainment and I will walk quickly past instead of slowing and stopping as I might for anything else.

 

[Nubs70]

Or a picture of Off Kilter (RIP) on one side, and the words "I Got Mourning Wood" on the other.

I think I (or someone else) need to spend some time with CafePress.

 

[mm121]

This is terrible!!!

its so slow and amateur, I couldn't even watch the video straight through without skipping.

You can't eve see the chainsaw part with those screens with super bad glare in the way.

And whats the point of the vertical logs i the front? they didn't use them for anything, and I doubt they ever will as they'd be too scared of lawsuits.

 

[mm121]

I am not against the performers, I really do want to see these guys succeed. I tried to watch the video, still have it open in another window, but, like others, I also keep forwarding the video.

Instead of complaining, I'll attempt to offer helpful criticism. The show needs an overhaul starting with the MC, dragging out the affair the way he does in this video isn't working. It needs more energy, keep it moving. Add in some music, and some pizazz. If Disney's committed to making this work, they need to change out some of the guys or at least teach them how to act in front of a crowd. Add a funny script, put in a log rolling setup, eliminate the chainsaws and, in general, make it something people are going to think: "I am so glad I saw that. I need to tell someone else to stop by and watch."

Oh, and stop with the phoney french.

this show needs major HELP, its not even worth saving though.

Watched the video. Hated the show and especially disliked the MC. I don't care how many trees one plants to replace the one tree cut down for only entertainment purposes--I still consider it wrong. Any one up for a peaceful protest dressed at Kodama's from Disney's Princess Mononoke on Halloween at Epcot?

trees are renewable, and if your going to do a protest theres way other places to protest
over the years disney has tried to get better enviromentally i many areas, not really for enviromental reasons usually, but for the bottom line.

How much LP gas do they burn up every night for Illuminations, just for entertainment? Unlike trees, LP gas isn't a renewable resource. How many trees are cut down to make park maps and times guides? Disney world "wastes" tons of natural resources just for entertainment purposes.

most paper is made from renewable trees and contains at least some recycled content.
there may still be alot of waste, but theres less than in years past as they've tightened up the bottom line

 

[Dubman]

So they replaced Off Kilter with something really "Off Kilter"... I watched the video and all I can say is that I am truly disappointed. My wife's only comment was "Seriously?" Not to take anything away from the people in the show, because I am sure this is a very big deal to them, but I don't believe it belongs in EPCOT, let alone a stage as small as the one provided to them. We would normally get a spot for Off Kilter a half hour before their show and sit and relax enjoying our favorite drinks while waiting. We may stop by just out of curiosity on our upcoming trip, but it in my eyes this show is something we will not go see every time in the park. We may actually try to avoid that area all together around their showtimes due to the turbocharged chainsaws..

One other comment... I know the shields are there to protect any wood chips from flying, but with them in place you could barely see their progress cutting the wood because of the glare..

We are big fans of Off Kilter and they have even played close to home(upstate NY) in a local Irish Festival a few years back. They will be missed!! Hope to see them back one day..

 

[Kay9196]

Seriously? They replaced Off Kilter with this...

Unbelievable!

 

[DManRightHere]

But there are only so many ways to cut wood

Do this and log rolling lol.

There really are lumberjack competitions.

 

[Horizons78]

That's... actually not what Occam's Razor means. It means the scenario with the least amount of assumptions is often the correct one.

Touché, Monsieur.

In my mind, I felt as though my scenario might very well be the simplest explanation of what is going on with the epcot entertainment changes.

That is indeed very different from the least amount of assumptions as you pointed out.

Mea culpa...

 

[tigger1968]

I am not against the performers, I really do want to see these guys succeed. I tried to watch the video, still have it open in another window, but, like others, I also keep forwarding the video.

Instead of complaining, I'll attempt to offer helpful criticism. The show needs an overhaul starting with the MC, dragging out the affair the way he does in this video isn't working. It needs more energy, keep it moving. Add in some music, and some pizazz. If Disney's committed to making this work, they need to change out some of the guys or at least teach them how to act in front of a crowd. Add a funny script, put in a log rolling setup, eliminate the chainsaws and, in general, make it something people are going to think: "I am so glad I saw that. I need to tell someone else to stop by and watch."

Oh, and stop with the phoney french.

I am doubtful there will be any creative input from Disney. This is a third party contractor so it's their content and their show. Having said that...I wish someone WOULD provide some creative input or advice. This is really painful to watch in it's current state. TDO wanted cheap and we got it by the truckload. Or logging truckload I suppose...

 

[Wags14]

Yikes.

They replaced Off-Kilter with this?!? This is boring and people are really going to get annoyed at some of these noises. I really am shocked at this...

 

[ssidiouss@mac.c]

dead trees being ripped apart and noisy chainsaws in epcot/world showcase.. big middle finger to the fans by disney with this one.