I admit, I'm in support of tightening up the show.
I think the way they edited the Tiki Room was brilliant (other than the abrupt cut in the Hawaiian War Chant). I was particularly impressed with how they removed unnecssary dialogue and pauses and rearranged other lines to improve the pacing. Unless you held a script or had the original show memorized, you'd never know something was missing or different.
As I said years ago in support of the Tiki Room changes, this is not a matter of "short attention spans". Its a matter of audience sophistication and artistic timing. In the 1960's and 70's, audiences were amazed to simply watch robotic figures banter with each other. Both the original Tiki and CBJ have several spots where the show was stretched just to allow these figures a little more time to talk with each other. That's overkill these days. Also, most fans will tell you that the original Disneyland Fantasmic show is better than its "expanded" Florida cousin, in part because its pacing is much better without the lengthy "bubbles" sequence.
For example, the following sequence adds nothing to the show but time, and is even a bit confusing:
Aren't you going to help me out over there Henry? Goodnes gracious! What do you think we have you on the show fer.
Now Wendell.
You're supposed to pick.
Now Wendell please.
Ah, If you can't cut it, just lay out.
Well let's not fight now, cause we got work to do here.
Let's do it.
Also, as much as I despise things being done for politically correct reasons, I support the removal of "Little Buford".
My problem is that it takes me out of the moment whenever I hear it (and by the hesitant giggles and awkward glances from audience members, I think most others get distracted, too). I don't think "aww, a classic American folk song." I think "wow, its amazing that after Columbine, Virginia Tech, and Aurora CO a theme park is literally sticking to its guns with a song suggesting a kid should be shot." By no fault of Disney, a once-wholesome show takes on a new meaning 40 years later. And the last place I want to be reminded of such horrors--even if its just the momentary amazement that such a song is still being played--- is at a theme park. This isn't being politically correct. I don't think twice when I pass the shooting gallery on my way to see Jungle Cruise skippers and pirates firing guns. It's just that the biggest NRA supporter will tell you guns aren't meant to harm people who are simply stupid as Buford is. Sadly, in these modern times a funny folk song loses some of its comedic innocence. (For the record, I also get taken out of the moment whenever I hear the Three Caballeros sing about being "gay". Words and meanings change over the decades!)
