Festival of the Lion King closes January 5th

[Seabasealpha1]

Besides the stage lighting and the trapeze, what would there be?
The set is all basically parade floats and unless I'm missing something they tend to transport rather nicely.

eh...there's a LOT of speakers, PA gear, trussing to hold the gear with, electric lift motors, things like that...

My old man's owns a sound company...the amount of wiring something like that takes is incredible...and it's Disney, so everything they use is top notch expensive stuff...I'm sure they'll want to transport it over and use it...it's all good and sounds great...they won't waste that...and yeah, the lighting is also there...there are a lot of effects lights/intelligent lighting/garden variety stage lights. It takes a good bit of work to mount all of that as well...

Anyone have any pictures of the CURRENT state of the new theater? Or did I miss a post somewhere?

 

[twebber55]

eh...there's a LOT of speakers, PA gear, trussing to hold the gear with, electric lift motors, things like that...

My old man's owns a sound company...the amount of wiring something like that takes is incredible...and it's Disney, so everything they use is top notch expensive stuff...I'm sure they'll want to transport it over and use it...it's all good and sounds great...they won't waste that...and yeah, the lighting is also there...there are a lot of effects lights/intelligent lighting/garden variety stage lights. It takes a good bit of work to mount all of that as well...

Anyone have any pictures of the CURRENT state of the new theater? Or did I miss a post somewhere?

Orlando theme park news has some new pictures

 

[WDWYankee15]

FOLK will close January 5th and not reopen until Summer 2014.

Forgive me for not read all 90+ posts to see if this was commented on yet. Is it anticipated that Camp Minnie Mickey will also close on Jan 5? The meet and greet trails will be all that is left after FOTLK closes. I have seen mentions on other threads that Pocahontas is getting a meet and greet built for her and I assume they can through the other characters back on trail in the "jungle" on the path connecting Africa and Asia.

 

[JohnD]

Seems like a long time for it to be closed. I just hope that they keep the cast as it is. FOLK has such an amazing amount of talent.

Exactly right. I know one of the cast members in the show. It is one of the best if not the best show at WDW.

 

[JohnD]

You close the business entity known as FotLK. All employees are laid off. FotLK remains out of business of a mimimum of 180 days. FotLK opens under a different name as a non union entity. That's why you close a business for at least 6 months.

Who says the CMs in FotLK are only in that show and will wait around for 6-8 months with nothing to do and find that their jobs are at risk? Sheesh. What negative thinking. Did it ever occur to you that there are shows/performances/parades all around WDW? They'll shift around. The cast member I know is training for a holiday performance show, for example.

 

[Ignohippo]

I'm not really understanding the justfication of letting go of the performers to save 2-3 months of salary. I know TDO is cheap but that's insane.

FotLK is our family's favorite thing at AK. Sad to see it closing but happy it's getting a new home.

 

[JohnD]

Yikes! So their gonna be without a pretty popular attraction through Spring Break... What's that being AK down to, like 9 attractions total?

Unlike the other parks, AK is not meant to be a rush-through park -- i.e. hit every major attraction and leave. Of course, that's the philosophy of anyone following a touring plan. Not against those -- I did them myself. But, AK has a different feel. Slow down. See the animals. Walk the nature paths. There are still other shows to see also.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Question! When you say that it will be closed on January 5th, does that mean that it will be available to see on the 5th or that the last show will be on the 4th?

 

[JohnD]

Question! When you say that it will be closed on January 5th, does that mean that it will be available to see on the 5th or that the last show will be on the 4th?

MDE shows available times on 1/5. No available times 1/6 forward. BTW, it only goes up to 5/19 currently, or 6 months out from today. In another two months, we should be able to see the available times in July.

 

[Goofyernmost]

MDE shows available times on 1/5. No available times 1/6 forward. BTW, it only goes up to 5/19 currently, or 6 months out from today. In another two months, we should be able to see the available times in July.

Good...I'm tentatively planning a quick trip with my first day being the 5th. It would be nice to see it one more time before the change.

 

[JohnD]

Good...I'm tentatively planning a quick trip with my first day being the 5th. It would be nice to see it one more time before the change.

You should go to the last show of the day. They may do something special acknowledging it's the last show for 6 months. The last show is 6:30pm

 

[asianway]

Forgive me for not read all 90+ posts to see if this was commented on yet. Is it anticipated that Camp Minnie Mickey will also close on Jan 5? The meet and greet trails will be all that is left after FOTLK closes. I have seen mentions on other threads that Pocahontas is getting a meet and greet built for her and I assume they can through the other characters back on trail in the "jungle" on the path connecting Africa and Asia.

I cant speak to the date, but it is anticipated Donald and Daisy will be moved to a new, FP+ exclusive, MNG at the boat dock where Pooh and Tigger meet. The pooh gang will then be retired from AK.

 

[omurice]

You should go to the last show of the day. They may do something special acknowledging it's the last show for 6 months. The last show is 6:30pm

I tried to get a FP for 6:30 on 1/5 for that very reason. Got one for the 5:30 show but it wouldn't let me claim one for 6:30 maybe the last performance was already full? FP scheduling is weird, just weird. I'll keep trying... Yes I do know you don't NEED a FP to attend any show, but in case there is a crowd queuing up for that last day thought this was a good time to use FP.
This is a such a well-loved show, and I love it too. The performers are really having fun, you can see and feel that everyone is putting in 100%, from the narrators/singers to the acrobats. Even the people in black moving the set pieces and the CMs handling the crowd are all putting on a show.

 

[WDWYankee15]

I cant speak to the date, but it is anticipated Donald and Daisy will be moved to a new, FP+ exclusive, MNG at the boat dock where Pooh and Tigger meet. The pooh gang will then be retired from AK.

I believe that was already done but no FP+ yet

I believe Baloo, King Louie, Chip & Dale, Pocahontas are what are currently there

 

[mm52200]

The dancers and stilt walkers will most likely be assigned to other roles in the few remaining shows and parades that they are also trained in until the show reopens. It's disappointing that they are making all of the singers and I'm assuming any other equity performers re-audition for their roles though. Unless any of those performers are trained in any other shows at WDW they'll be jobless.

 

[RSoxNo1]

You should go to the last show of the day. They may do something special acknowledging it's the last show for 6 months. The last show is 6:30pm

I'm debating between that and seeing the Osborne Lights that night.

 

[asianway]

No Donald is still in camp

 

[JohnD]

I'm debating between that and seeing the Osborne Lights that night.

Depends on if that is your last day at WDW. If so, then pick an earlier showing of FotLK, say before lunch and hop to HS for the Osborne Lights which begin at dusk.

 

[ford91exploder]

I tried to get a FP for 6:30 on 1/5 for that very reason. Got one for the 5:30 show but it wouldn't let me claim one for 6:30 maybe the last performance was already full? FP scheduling is weird, just weird. I'll keep trying... Yes I do know you don't NEED a FP to attend any show, but in case there is a crowd queuing up for that last day thought this was a good time to use FP.
This is a such a well-loved show, and I love it too. The performers are really having fun, you can see and feel that everyone is putting in 100%, from the narrators/singers to the acrobats. Even the people in black moving the set pieces and the CMs handling the crowd are all putting on a show.

Thats WHY it's closing no one except for TWDC top brass is allowed to ENJOY their job, Having your soul crushed is a prerequisite to be a CM at todays TWDC.

 

[Bairstow]

I'm not really understanding the justfication of letting go of the performers to save 2-3 months of salary. I know TDO is cheap but that's insane.

It's not about saving on a few months' salary.
As others pointed out, Disney is keeping the show closed for 6 months because of labor union rules so that they can make the equity performers re-audition for their roles, or else not hire them again.