Mickey's PhilharMagic coming to DCA this April

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
D.A.s are back?!

367542
 

TP2000

Well-Known Member
The show is open and the reviews are in. We got the dumbed down, cheaper Paris version instead of the full-effect, expensive Tokyo or Orlando version. Pfft. :rolleyes:

Here's the review from Brady McDonald at the OC Register, but on the Press-Telegram website without the paywall.
https://www.pe.com/2019/04/26/revie...dventure-but-falls-short-of-florida-original/

"The 4D special effects in the theater were subtle and somewhat underwhelming compared to similar in-your-face and over-the-top productions."

“Mickey’s Philharmagic” uses rows of screens on the sides of the Hollywood Land theater to stretch out the experience beyond the front screen with limited success."

"The opening scene squeezes the screen size down with digital blue curtains so that the wide-screen feels more like a grand reveal when everything eventually goes haywire. But the effect is confusing and unsatisfying. In the original Florida version, the grand reveal brings a wow moment when the proscenium disappears and the wraparound screens are unveiled for the first time. The California compromise only leaves viewers wondering why the movie’s opening isn’t using the entire front screen."
 
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TP2000

Well-Known Member
This sudden and cheaped-out version of Philarmagic added to DCA only serves to tell me the rumors of increasing Star Wars Land panic in TDA are true.

If they really wanted to add Philharmagic to Anaheim, they needed to keep the same showmanship standards that Orlando and Tokyo has for this attraction. (Preferably the far superior Tokyo maintenance routines).

All this does is tell me the Resistance ride is nowhere near ready to open, and they know it, and they are adding stuff to the Resort that should have been greenlighted and budgeted properly two years ago instead of adding it in a panic two months ago.

The silver lining here is that the cheap and dumbed down version of Philharmagic is temporary. It can be ripped out without shedding a tear along with the rest of the pointless Hollywood Backlot area five years from now when TDA finally gets to build the Eastern Gateway and take over the East Esplanade for DCA expansion. The fall out from the Michael Colglazier presidency and his disastrous relationship with the City of Anaheim continues for years, with Mr. Damaro as only the first in a line of TDA's revolving-door presidents who will have to clean up that mess.

To add insult to the Hollywood Backlot's injury, when you exit Mickey's Philharmagic you can still find plenty of seating at the Hollywood Backlot Stage to watch 12 year old girls from the Phoenix suburbs do their modified bump and grind routines while a dozen Moms make "Woooo!" sounds. Hit it, girls!... :oops:

 
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brb1006

Well-Known Member
The show is open and the reviews are in. We got the dumbed down, cheaper Paris version instead of the full-effect, expensive Tokyo or Orlando version. Pfft.

Here's the review from Brady McDonald at the OC Register, but on the Press-Telegram website without the paywall.
https://www.pe.com/2019/04/26/revie...dventure-but-falls-short-of-florida-original/

"The 4D special effects in the theater were subtle and somewhat underwhelming compared to similar in-your-face and over-the-top productions."

“Mickey’s Philharmagic” uses rows of screens on the sides of the Hollywood Land theater to stretch out the experience beyond the front screen with limited success."

"The opening scene squeezes the screen size down with digital blue curtains so that the wide-screen feels more like a grand reveal when everything eventually goes haywire. But the effect is confusing and unsatisfying. In the original Florida version, the grand reveal brings a wow moment when the proscenium disappears and the wraparound screens are unveiled for the first time. The California compromise only leaves viewers wondering why the movie’s opening isn’t using the entire front screen."
You weren't kidding when you said the Tokyo version looked the best out of the other versions.


I love how the stage effect from the original WDW version is kept at the Hong Kong and Tokyo versions.

The original WDW version


Hong Kong
 

brb1006

Well-Known Member
So at WDI it takes a group of eight engineers to:
  • buy some banners/posters from Kinkos
  • paint a sign
  • put a DVD in a player
  • open/close a curtain to show a static duck butt.
At least the other versions had Donald Duck moving and eventually fall into the hole. The DCA version looked cheap with just a smoke effect and the red curtains didn't help since they closed to early. The effect worked better when it was in the dark.
 
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TP2000

Well-Known Member
At least the other versions had Donald Duck moving and eventually fall into the hole. The DCA version looked cheap with just a smoke effect and the red curtains didn't help.


Yikes. They've really ruined the whole point of this otherwise predictable 3D movie; it's amazing theater that changes and morphs magically.

Since I was in Tokyo last year, and am making a return visit in 2020 after the Olympics are over, I'm going to skip this one at DCA.

Seriously, how much of a panic do you have to be in to approve spending money on this? It's not a good sign for this summer. 🧐
 

Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
Not surprised at all to hear the DCA version is a quickie overlay.
Folks will still go and see it though, so TDA is probably satisfied in just the fact it will remove some bodies from the walkways.

Yes, it's disappointing...but we all expected this considering the short time span slotted for it's installation-to-opening.

Would have been nice if there was a little 'surprise' addition, but let's be honest -
This is clearly just a temporary space awaiting the wrecking ball once the proposed Marvel themed area begins construction.
No way that today's Disney was going to 'waste' money on this.

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Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
Meanwhile, live action Aladdin continues to taint the Opera House.

Wish they would move these types of movie tie in displays across the esplanade.
There is a swell spot that is sitting unused that would make a great place to display these types of set ups, in the former 'Blue Sky Cellar'.

The dignity and historic significance of the Opera House and it's main Attraction is brought down a notch with these blanant and unrelated movie marketing tie ins.


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