Characters scheduled for Circusland

[Ignohippo]

That's not a fair comparison, Ignohippo.

It's a perfect comparison, which is why I said it.:wave:

The Magic Kingdom is a show and Mickey is the star. You don't put the best part in the front. It makes seeing him anti-climactic.

I agree that the space is fantastic, but the location is not. It goes against every rule imagineering should be abiding by. I imagine every single imagineer would tell you the same thing.

 

[unkadug]

I absolutely 100% do not agree. Mickey and Minnie are destination characters - there should be anticipation to see them. Having them at the front of the park completely kills that.

It's like having a 2-hour movie and putting the very best part in the beginning.

My very first trip to the MK was back in March of '72. I fondly remember meeting Mickey Mouse outside the berm in front of the train station. And then again in Tomorrowland...and then again in Frontierland.

I thought that he just got around the parks fast because he knew his way around.

 

[jjharvpro]

I've been wondering what they're gonna do with the Princesses current (temporary) home at Town Square Theater after they move over to PFH. I really would love to see Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Chip & Dale in TST, and the rarer characters in Storybook Circus!

But here's the thing -- how do they attract all the young ones, first time Guests, etc. to Pete's Silly Sideshow with just the rare characters (no Mickey, Donald, Daisy, Goof, Pluto, etc.)? I want a M & G dedicated to the rare characters so much! What are your thoughts..?

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Is there any chance of Pete becoming a character?

My daughter LOVES him because of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

 

[The Duck]

Here's a video link from the soft opening. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aCoQCxsbc9o#! Many of you have probably already seen this but look carefully at the sign at the beginning. One of the characters being promoted is Humphrey the Bear. I don't know if they're planning a Humphrey M&G or if he's going to be part of an interactive experience, but how's THAT for a rare character?

 

[Yzma]

I also think that Pluto, Donald, Daisy and Chip & Dale will probably move into the Town Square Theater (where they would take over the current princess room once the princesses move out of there and into their new Fantasyland homes) instead of Storybook Circus.

It's already been confirmed by Imagineers that Pete's Silly Sideshow will include Donald and other VIPs:

"Pete’s Silly Sideshow will be a meet-and-greet featuring characters from 'all over the world' - all familiar faces with circus-themed appearances. As an example, Mallwitz offers The Great Donaldo, a new role for Donald Duck to play as a 'very famous snake charmer from the Far East'” (Inside the Magic).

I want a M & G dedicated to the rare characters so much! What are your thoughts..?

Oh My - I would LOVE this!!! Unfortunately, rare characters become that way because outside of a small percentage of Guests, most do not know who they are or care to meet them.

Example: Jiminy Cricket NEVER had a line at DAK, so he was cut last year. There were huge out crys throughout the web, but the vast majority of Guests never knew he was there and cared even less that he was gone.

If those rare characters could garner more Guest interest, then maybe we'd see more of them!

I walked right up to Br'er Fox and Gideon just a couple weeks ago (no line at all) because no one had any idea who they were. Gideon seemed ecstatic that I knew his name and storyline.

Is there any chance of Pete becoming a character?

The way Disney is promoting the area as his "Side Show" I would certainly love for his character to come back and have a presence. But alas, the character list I saw did not have his name included.

I noticed this too!!!! I'm wondering if he'll be the theme of a food cart or confectionery area... since he's eating a caramel apple in the photo.

 

[drew81]

I too heard Donald (which is confirmed by an interview with an Imagineer), Goofy and Daisy.

Had not heard Chip and Dale, but it makes sense.

I think rare characters (Pete, Oswald, etc.) were a dream for several regular Guests, but never a true hope.

Those were always just rumors. I hope they bring them at some point.

My understanding is that they are just moving and the current characters would be reorganized. I wouldn't be surprised if Woody and Jessie got moved into Donald's spot and Pinocchio got Daisy's spot. I haven't heard that, just pure speculation.

There are some rumored "tomorrowlandish" characters moving to MK which would likely replace Chip and Dale, but that means we would probably lose 2 characters elsewhere to make it an even swap. Maybe Stitch will get the boot when his attraction goes into rehab (rumored to be removed completely). The only other easy character I can think to cut is White Rabbit?



I'm the most interested in this. Peter was always a main staple in Adventureland (as was Hook and Smee), but once The Pirates League moved in, those characters were kicked out due to inconsistent storytelling. Jack Sparrow couldn't be there, since his show is so close, and that creates some Character Integrity issues.

On the other hand... the Jake option is rumored to be at the League within the month, so maybe Jake will get added... then again, Jake is in the same storyline as Peter... so many quandaries!!! The M&G is beautiful where it is, so I hope they find something!!

The one thing that's safe to say is that with all the expansion going on... I've heard nothing to indicate the character budget is expanding. So Entertainment has to be very resourceful with the characters they currently have and try to spread the wealth throughout the entire park.

Mike and Sulley???

 

[Vernonpush]

I absolutely 100% do not agree. Mickey and Minnie are destination characters - there should be anticipation to see them. Having them at the front of the park completely kills that.

It's like having a 2-hour movie and putting the very best part in the beginning.

Actually, I think that it makes perfect sense (especially with FastPass). For those that REALLY want to see Mickey, he's right there in the front, get to the Park early. If you're not one of the first and not willing to wait, get a FastPass. The FastPasses will then spread out the Guests who want a visit. They will HAVE to go back down Main Street (and past all those shops and restaurants) again. I think that it's one way to get Guests to the only place in the Park that has no other "attractions" other than "transportation to other areas". If their FastPass is close to a parade time, then guess what? They HAVE to go throught the shops to get to Mickey. And what happens when "Little Johnny (or Jane)" are "strolled" through the Candy Shop on the way to get their "picture with Mickey"? Of course Mommy and Daddy will buy something to make sure Johnny (or Jane) is happy for their picture [ which the child will never remember happening, just the candy, LOL].

 

[CountryBearFan]

It's already been confirmed by Imagineers that Pete's Silly Sideshow will include Donald and other VIPs:

"Pete’s Silly Sideshow will be a meet-and-greet featuring characters from 'all over the world' - all familiar faces with circus-themed appearances. As an example, Mallwitz offers The Great Donaldo, a new role for Donald Duck to play as a 'very famous snake charmer from the Far East'” (Inside the Magic).

Well, FYI, plans do and can change. The Silly Sideshow WILL have all obscure characters, hence the term "Sideshow".

The "VIP's" ("Great Donaldo", etc.) will probably just be in posters and such!

Oh My - I would LOVE this!!! Unfortunately, rare characters become that way because outside of a small percentage of Guests, most do not know who they are or care to meet them.

Example: Jiminy Cricket NEVER had a line at DAK, so he was cut last year. There were huge out crys throughout the web, but the vast majority of Guests never knew he was there and cared even less that he was gone.

That's not entirely true, my friend!

 

[wm49rs]

Well, FYI, plans do and can change. The Silly Sideshow WILL have all obscure characters, hence the term "Sideshow".

The "VIP's" ("Great Donaldo", etc.) will probably just be in posters and such!

That's not entirely true, my friend!

Did you even read the article he linked to?

"Not only is Dumbo part of the circus, but also a few additional acts as well. Pete’s Silly Sideshow will be a meet-and-greet featuring characters from “all over the world” - all familiar faces with circus-themed appearances. As an example, Mallwitz offers The Great Donaldo, a new role for Donald Duck to play as a 'very famous snake charmer from the Far East.'"

No, but true enough that the character was still cut without a great amount of uproar.