Overview
"Here is my concept for the pre-show to the Beauty and the Beast attraction. It would utilize a carousel of four theaters arranged in a “donut” which revolves around a fixed stage area. Except for the top row – to accommodate wheelchairs and motorized chairs – the rows of seats would be on a slight incline to afford maximum view. The entire pre-show experience (from load to exit) would take 12 minutes, with the theaters rotating counterclockwise.
This design presumes a ride capacity of approximately 2,400 guests per hour (40 guests boarding ride vehicles per minute). For reference, the Little Mermaid ride at Magic Kingdom has a 2,200 capacity per hour.
The queue would bring guests to the entry doors for what is indicated as theater #1 on the drawing. After the guests take their seats, there would be a short intro before the theater begins to rotate to the next stage position. (Theater #4 would then be in the “load” position and it would fill up, etc.). All four of the theaters would be in continuous use.
The carousel would rotate a quarter-turn every three (3) minutes, exposing the guests to a new portion of the pre-show. After the guests have rotated to the 4th stage position, that portion of the show would also be short, and guests would then exit to the ride.
As shown on the design, each row of seating would be a spacious 36” with the top row even more spacious to accommodate wheelchairs. The depth of each theater would be approximately 30’ from stage to back wall.
Although I want to give a lot more thought to the pre-show (possibly waiting until I see the live action Beauty and the Beast movie this Friday), for the pre-show part 1, I’m envisioning a large-scale gilded book, a drawing of the Beast’s castle on the left side and the words “Once upon a time…” on the right side. In the short introductory segment at position #1, I would utilize rear projection technology to change the words/pictures on the book.
Pre-show part two, would continue the book theme, with video screens providing a more dynamic presentation and an AA figure of Cogsworth to provide narration.
Pre-show part three, would once again continue the book, with Mrs. Potts and Chip there to narrate.
In the final pre-show scene, I’m thinking Lumiere would appear with the representation of the rose with the falling petals, which is certainly the looming timekeeper of the story.
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Show Description
I previously outlined a pre-show set up like the Carousel of Progress (using only four theaters instead of COP's six). The theaters will revolve around a fixed stage, with rotation occurring every three minutes. The first and fourth stage "scenes" will be short (approximately 45 seconds) allowing the remaining time for guests to enter or exit. Once guests exit the pre-show they will board the ride for the attraction.
We previously discussed the idea of the ride confined to scenes in the castle. Therefore, in the pre-show, I hope to convey the information about the spell on the prince, the transformation of servants into household objects, the story of Belle and how Gaston would like to pursue her, how her father becomes a prisoner in the Beast's castle, and Belle arrives to save him.
We also discussed relying on the look of the characters from the animated movie to accomplish this attraction. However, the new live-action movie creates such wonderful images, that perhaps part of that "look" can be incorporated for physical settings.
STAGE ONE
Guests enter the first theater and take their seats to familiar introduction music from the film. The stage is curved, and at the edge of the stage is a castle wall complete with vines and a stained glass window in the center. It would look similar to this image:
View attachment 195745
With forty-five seconds remaining before the rotation of the theater, the lights dim and a narrator gives a brief introduction. Using rear projection technique, the stained glass windows change to the three images displayed below, with the changes of the windows fitting the story of the narrator.
There once was a handsome prince who lived in a castle at the edge of a small village.
But one day a wicked enchantress arrived and put the prince under a spell.
She converted him into a hideous looking beast.
View attachment 195746
The theater rotates to Stage Two, while the stained glass returns to the original image for the next set of arriving guests.
(To be continued)
STAGE TWO
As the theater rotates to the second stage position, guests see another castle wall. It is an interior wall, and unlike Stage One, this wall is convex. In front of the wall is an audio animatronic of Cogsworth.
View attachment 195754
and next to Cogsworth is a giant storybook, similar to the one pictured here:
View attachment 195755
Over the course of three minutes, with the aid of the storybook, Cogsworth conveys the following information:
1. Not only was the prince transformed by the wicked enchantress, but all of the servants and household staff were transformed into objects.
2. He explains that he was once the butler.
3. He points to the storybook, which comes to life with the story of a girl, Belle, in a nearby village, who is enchanted by books.
4. She is thought of as strange.
5. Gaston has his sights set on her, and isn't happy when she rebuffs his attentions.
The storybook comes to life using video projection to unveil these elements of the story as recounted by Cogsworth.
Musical underscoring is played throughout.
View attachment 195763
After three minutes, the theater revolves to the next scene.
STAGE THREE
The theater rotates to reveal a stage very similar to the last one. A concave Castle wall with a large storybook. In this scene, audioanimatronic figures of Mrs. Potts and Chip are on either side of the storybook. Musical underscoring is heard.
View attachment 195782
Chip begins by asking his mother if they are always going to be "this way."
She explains that there is always hope. The curse will end when the beast learns to love and be loved in return.
Mrs. Potts tells chip about the girl who has come to the castle (at this point, the storybook shares the images of Belle coming to rescue her father, being discovered by the Beast, and taking her father's place).
She shares that this may be the only hope of reversing the curse. Perhaps the servants can convince him to give Belle a chance.
This segment ends with scenes of the rose in the West Wing, and Mrs. Potts explaining to Chip that they don't have much time. Once all of the rose petals have fallen the curse can never be reversed.
The theater rotates to the fourth stage.
STAGE FOUR
As the theater rotates, we see another castle wall with a stained glass window. The wall is concave this time, to provide room for an audioanimatronic of Lumiere:
View attachment 195783
This is the theater from which guests will exit from the pre-show and line up to board the ride portion of the attraction. Therefore, there is only about 45 seconds of time.
The stained glass window this time is the image of the rose left behind by the wicked enchantress.
View attachment 195784
Lumiere says, "Oh no, another rose petal has fallen. We will all be doomed." He shouts "off stage": "Cogsworth, did you see that? We must convince him. What if she is the one? She could be our only hope." He turns to the audience and says, "Come help us make Belle feel welcome."
Guests exit the theater to board the ride (similar to the way guests leave the stretching rooms at the Haunted Mansion to board their "doombuggies." Guests will walk down a corridor of the castle to the ride vehicles.
Beauty and the Beast - Dark Ride Portion
Rough Draft for Beauty and the Beast
I will be honest I haven't seen this movie in a long time and haven't seen the new remake yet, so if anyone else has more experience with this go ahead, but I figured I would get the ball rolling. (Taken from prior brainstorming as well)
Scene 1 - The Village
Guests ride past Belle in town. Villagers popping out from both side shouting Bonjour!) This is an important scene because it shows the villagers who play a role later and shows how Belle doesn't quite fit in here).
Scene 2 - The Forest
Maurice's ride through the forest (I pictured something along the forest chase scene in the old Snow White ride with glowing wolf eyes)
Scene 2.5 - Transition
Transition scene of Belle finding her father locked away.
Scene 3 - Be Our Guest
The major show scene of the film will elaborate and expansive AAs - the Be Our Guest will showcase the music and fun from the film on a large scale.
Scene 3.5 - The Window
Transition scene of traveling through the West Wing and seeing the Beast brood over a wilting rose
In addition, the transition scene goes past a window. Outside you see Belle and the Beast in the winter snow while an instrumental version of something there can be heard in the background.
Scene 4 - Ballroom Dance
Scene 5 - The March
The villagers marching through the forest with lit torches (popping out from behind rocks overhead) Transition (funny fight scene between villagers and furniture)
Scene 6 - The Fight
Beast and Gaston on the roof (could be condensed into a transition)
Scene 7 - Transformation of the Beast
Transformation (I like the idea of using the same ending tech as Mystic Manor when everyone swirls around the Monkey God.
Scene 8 - Finale
Ending (moving stain glass window.)
Also for the ending it would be cool to have there be a hallway which transforms from dark to light ( gargoyles, plants etc) and then past the stained window which first features a dark castle and the cursed inhabitants but then changes to the human inhabitants and belle and prince adam can be seen holding each other in the middle of the image. Possibly a human Lumiere and Cogsworth could wave at the guests and tell them to visit again soon.
Bonjour Gift Shop
Still Needed:
- Final Draft of Ride
- Gaston's Tavern
- Belle Story-time
Could you just remind me? I should be able to get to it tomorrow, thanks!
Great work as always red!
