Frozen at Disney's Hollywood Studios for the summer?

[doctornick]

To reiterate what I said before, opening up a sing-a-long would be a nice addition. Even if it is small, it would be good to help capacity and add another family friendly attraction -- it's not like the Premiere Theater is doing anything right now anyway. M&G obviously goes well with this and would be a drawn and help out PFH in MK.

The fireworks would be a good addition; the park needs more larger scale entertainment offerings since the parades ended. I'd actually prefer something during the day, though, given that you already have Fantasmic! at night, but I won't complain with something being added.

My thought is that this low budget show could hopefully stick around and "bridge the gap" with attraction capacity while a proper full scale show for Frozen is developed for one of the VOTLM or BatB theaters. Have them all run concurrently during the summer which the bigger show is developed (sets, costumes, cast), then shut down (say) BatB in September during "slow" season for 2 mo while the theater switches over and then introduce a better Frozen show in the theater while shutting down the sing-a-long (ideally putting a new show in the future in the Premiere, but I'm not counting on anything) but keeping the fireworks. This would actually be a logical plan to get Frozen in DHS both quickly for the short term and properly for the long term. So, I doubt it would happen.

Oh, and put a new ride in Soundstage 1 while you are at it.

 

[StringBeanDream]

The audition posting that was posted on here states that they are looking for singers to portray Elsa and Anna at special events and conventions. Nothing about a show.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Part of the reason for that is that, after Tarzan, Disney Animation hit a bit of a slump. While many of the films of the 2000-2005 period were good, none came near the level of success of the Disney Renaissance films. After the Pixar buyout and Lasseter took over, they've been on a slow upswing. Now that Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen have kind of established that WDAS is "back", then we meet see what we did in the mid-90s.

After Tarzan, there were no musicals until 2004 and it was about cows - WDAS and Pixar produced a bunch of movies without songs, which don't lend themselves to in-park entertainment, which relies heavily on music. That has made them lazy, and now they are so completely risk averse that all they'll do is approve a couple new character costumes.

Frozen didn't even get a full character unit - costumes were only made for Anna and Elsa. It's obvious at least Olaf should have been in the mix as well. Big ball dropped. Kristoff and Hans would have been easy to add too.

Name of the game now is the minimum. The management culture has to change in order for the day and date entertainment of the 90's to return as new films are released. I have zero confidence that will happen, so I certainly won't hold my breath. Disney will be caught by surprise with their next hit as well, they can't help it as they are now.

 

[RayTheFirefly]

They didn't. Frozen caught Disney with their pants completely down.

Whereas, if this had been the mid-90's, a suite of in-park entertainment (parade/show, etc.) would have debuted on the film's release date.

Disney is now 100% reactionary, and it's sad as ****.

Oh, I know they didn't. I was just saying that's the only way it would be a possibility.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Part of the reason for that is that, after Tarzan, Disney Animation hit a bit of a slump. While many of the films of the 2000-2005 period were good, none came near the level of success of the Disney Renaissance films. After the Pixar buyout and Lasseter took over, they've been on a slow upswing. Now that Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen have kind of established that WDAS is "back", then we meet see what we did in the mid-90s.

One of the big things that was hyped with the Pixar acquisition was a desire to open attractions the day a [Pixar] film opened in theaters.

 

[Cesar R M]

One of the big things that was hyped with the Pixar acquisition was a desire to open attractions the day a [Pixar] film opened in theaters.

which never happened?

 

[gmajew]

I think people are still annoyed at how some people invent things out of nothing. All to Just get attention.
It has happened before, so no surprise many are wary of any leak.

You are 100% right but anything that makes it to these forums could be a lie! Don't blast the messenger especially one that is normally right or has multiple sources. I have friends that works in WDW but on the restaurant and hospitality side they have rumors but I never post them because I assume they just hear people talking the only time I believe them is when new restaurants etc get press.

 

[MikeyK72]

I'm sure I'm oversimplifying, but couldn't they launch fireworks from a backstage area in the park closer to World Drive? I'm guessing sightlines might be an issue, but I'd rather have less than ideal sightlines and a fireworks show and fully opened attractions than any alternative.

Was there a response to this? I apologize if I missed it...but isn't it possible to have a launch site outside of the park?

 

[GoofGoof]

even Pearl Jam is catching Frozen fever. Pretty cool.

Only Eddie could make that song seem cool

oohh love PJ , going to see them later this year at austin city limits music fest..

caught em last year in New orleans voodoo fest..outstanding band live

One of the best live rock bands of all time. Too bad they skipped touring all those years when they were fighting with Ticketmaster.

They played the very last Philadelphia Spectrum show on a Halloween night and dressed up as Devo.

My buddy has an extra ticket. My son was 2 and it was Halloween night. The things we give up for our kids.

The Only time i saw pearl jam was April 8, 1994.

Not sure you can top the emotion of that show.

I remember that day well. Sad time. If you get a chance to see them again go for it. The band has matured a lot musically since those days (even though I loved the crazy raw energy from their early shows). I still can't hear half of what Eddie V is saying when he's mumbling with the mike, but the shows tend to be long and bordering on epic and it a a slightly new experience every night.

 

[RSoxNo1]

To a degree I can back up what Dave is saying. I am not disputing his sources. I just don't have the same sources and I was on vacation when this thing went viral. Here's what I know from my neck of the woods.

Meetings and e-mails began showing up quite a bit recently demanding ideas. And I know for a fact HP was brought up in one of those meetings. Not as a sole reason, but someone from a middle management standpoint at least mentioned they were not happy about the PR Blitz it created on the heels of SWW.

Some ideas stuck out of those meetings, but again they were just ideas. However some ideas have legs because CMs are being slotted for hours even if they don't know whats coming. Anyone who hasn't already been approved for vacation time in the next few months will not get any at this point from an entertainment standpoint.

This is still a very fluid situation. From where I am, meetings are occurring daily to get whatever "it" is off the ground and quickly (right after July 4th). Getting the ideas from concept to paper/design was supposed to take place this week to see what feasible. I see CMs from the Fireworks realm daily and I know they are scrambling because the budget needed for daily shows at DHS is big. If it gets approved they are being given a small amount of time to create something from scratch

Really... management isn't happy that there was a PR blitz around Harry Potter? What could they possibly have expected to happen?

Middle Management: Hey have you guys heard of this Harry Potter thing? Why is this taking away from our lineup of D-list celebrities and merchandise event?
Employees: You mean the largest expansion to Universal Orlando since Islands of Adventure?
Middle Management: Say what?
Employees: Nevermind
Middle Management: So how do we fix this?
Employees: Spend money...
Middle Management: You know that's not allowed... you're fired
Middle Management: hmmm... what's popular right now... Frozen... what goes with Frozen? Fire! It's settled, Frozen Fireworks show. Now where's my bonus?

 

[asianway]

The audition posting that was posted on here states that they are looking for singers to portray Elsa and Anna at special events and conventions. Nothing about a show.

This would be a temporary special event

 

[mm52200]

The audition posting that was posted on here states that they are looking for singers to portray Elsa and Anna at special events and conventions. Nothing about a show.

Disney will sometimes be coy about what they're casting for if it hasn't actually been announced yet. This could just be a way of them holding auditions for this show without spoiling their plans. Happens all of the time.

 

[Rodan75]

They didn't. Frozen caught Disney with their pants completely down.

Whereas, if this had been the mid-90's, a suite of in-park entertainment (parade/show, etc.) would have debuted on the film's release date.

Disney is now 100% reactionary, and it's sad as ****.

I think this is a bigger issue than Frozen. TWDC doesn't seem to be prepared to monetize any of their recent acquisitions or revitalized Animation group. Thank goodness Lucas came with a strong domestic products group. DCP and P&R seem to be completely disconnected from the studio, no synergy whatsoever. This is where Iger has failed TWDC.

 

[Travel Junkie]

I have skimmed the thread so forgive me if some of this has been mentioned. From a pure business standpoint this makes sense. With DA opening up the road, vacationers are likely to skip one or more days from WDW to head up and visit Potter. More than likely the day or days they take away are DHS and/or AK. Frozen is their biggest Potter swatter at the moment and throwing in a show and fireworks is something they can do quick and relatively cheap.


It may not be what we were hoping for, but it is the best counter Potter programming they could do at this point.

 

[Cesar R M]

Really... management isn't happy that there was a PR blitz around Harry Potter? What could they possibly have expected to happen?

Middle Management: Hey have you guys heard of this Harry Potter thing? Why is this taking away from our lineup of D-list celebrities and merchandise event?
Employees: You mean the largest expansion to Universal Orlando since Islands of Adventure?
Middle Management: Say what?
Employees: Nevermind
Middle Management: So how do we fix this?
Employees: Spend money...
Middle Management: You know that's not allowed... you're fired
Middle Management: hmmm... what's popular right now... Frozen... what goes with Frozen? Fire! It's settled, Frozen Fireworks show. Now where's my bonus?

this reminds me of the famous "BOARD ROOM SUGGESTION" meme.

except in Disney case "make ads" is "build more attractions"


*edit*
here you go!
(the angry executive = Rasulo)

 

[PhotoDave219]

There's certainly a desire from higher up to do this.

More than a desire. More like an order. Not a confirmation by any means but there again I'm not TDO PR.

You make that sound like the emails mentioned on the last page are coming from the Chairman of P&R.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

I think this is a bigger issue than Frozen. TWDC doesn't seem to be prepared to monetize any of their recent acquisitions or revitalized Animation group. Thank goodness Lucas came with a strong domestic products group. DCP and P&R seem to be completely disconnected from the studio, no synergy whatsoever. This is where Iger has failed TWDC.

You're absolutely right. I will give credit to Steve Davison though - he was the only person who saw the potential with Frozen and built World of Color - Winter Dreams around it, which premiered at DCA two weeks before the movie was released. Steve is old school though, so he knows how it's supposed to be done.

There's a lot more willingness to cross-promote Pixar films as they're released, which in recent years has been useless because they've spit out dud after dud since 2011. P&R doesn't seem to be interested in WDAS product at all, despite the turned tables in their quality. Will be interesting to see if anything changes on future releases because of what happened with Frozen.

 

[mgpan]

Cross promotion for Frozen? After looking at pricing on verandah cabins for DCL Europe voyages (Scandinavia) for 2015, I am now thoroughly convinced (if I wasn't before), that TWDC is completely bat**** crazy and rabidly driven to extract every penny of revenue possible from the craze that is the twins and singing snowman.

 

[cw1982]

Cross promotion for Frozen? After looking at pricing on verandah cabins for DCL Europe voyages (Scandinavia) for 2015, I am now thoroughly convinced (if I wasn't before), that TWDC is completely bat**** crazy and rabidly driven to extract every penny of revenue possible from the craze that is the twins and singing snowman.

In all fairness, they are a business. Would it be smarter for them to waste the opportunity to make that money altogether? I'm as sick of Frozen as anyone else who isn't obsessed with it, but I can't blame TWDC for trying to cash in while they can.

 

[BiffyClyro]

My ears are already bleeding at the thought.