This is coming from the Cast Portal:
Putting the Disney in Disney's California Adventure Entertainment
Date: 04/02/2004
With The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ set to open in May in Disney's California Adventure, the Entertainment division is hoping to encourage repeat attendance to the Park with a new slate of atmosphere programs.
"With the opening of Tower of Terror, we want to drive the intent to return in a big way," said Joey Michaels, Entertainment Producer.
To accomplish this, Joey said the Entertainment team is adding more Characters into the mix, making the Park's entertainment more specific to Disney while still going along with the Park's California theme.
"We want everybody to know this is a Disney Theme Park," Joey said. "We're trying to influence a shift, so rather than it being Disney's CALIFORNIA Adventure, it's DISNEY'S California Adventure."
Increasing the level of Guest interaction is also a goal of the new acts, Joey said.
"We love it when Guests get involved," he said. "We want to get people to slow down and not run through the Park so fast."
As part of these changes, certain acts currently running will close April 18.
"We want to bid a fond farewell to Groove 66 and Chance to Shine," Joey said. "They were great groups, and we are sad to see them go, but we are excited to make way for new entertainment that will match our new objectives."
Six new acts will debut, ranging from Character meet and greet opportunities to Tower of Terror inspired 1930s swing musicians.
In front of Disney Animation, Guests will encounter a trio of Disney animators and see their creations come to life. While drawing identifiably Disney Characters such as the hero, the love interest and the sidekick, the animators sing a medley of Disney songs as well as a theme song called "Drawn to the Magic."
Also in Hollywood Pictures Backlot, Guests in line for Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ will be entertained by a few of the hotel's bellhops. Pushing a cart full of luggage, the bellhops will stop, produce instruments and play period music from the 1930s, as well as swing versions of familiar Disney tunes.
"The bellhops will be there to entertain those waiting," said Joey, adding that some of the luggage may even belong to some of the Characters visiting the hotel, such as a hatbox of Minnie's and bags belonging to Cruella De Vil.
Guests visiting the Golden State will see Characters from Mulan in a small cavalcade celebrating Chinese New Year in the San Francisco area. Equipped with a dragon prop, Characters and parade performers will invite Guests to take part, playing Chinese drums and twirling fabric wands. Over in Condor Flats, Minnie and Goofy will don aviator garb to visit with Guests by a prop airplane.
"They will add fun and humor to Condor Flats," Joey said.
In addition to the new acts, certain existing groups will be rethemed. Formerly known as the Barn Cats for their performances in Bountiful Valley Farm, the Park's bluegrass group will be relocated to the Grizzly Peak area and renamed Jedadiah Jones and the Miner 49ers. The group will play mountain themed songs and invite Guests to play along, using instruments such as washboards and spoons.
"Another great group that is being reworked is Department of Untapped Hilarity or D.U.H.," Joey said. "We've added new Cast Members to this improvisational group that now performs seven days a week on the Hollywood Pictures Backlot Stage."
Also among the existing groups being modified are the Trash Can Trio, which will be moving back to Disneyland® Park, and the mariachis, which will become an all female group called the Mariachi Divas.
"We can't wait to get these groups out on the streets of Disney's California Adventure and see our Guests' reactions," Joey said, adding that most acts will premiere in April and May.
Putting the Disney in Disney's California Adventure Entertainment
Date: 04/02/2004
With The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ set to open in May in Disney's California Adventure, the Entertainment division is hoping to encourage repeat attendance to the Park with a new slate of atmosphere programs.
"With the opening of Tower of Terror, we want to drive the intent to return in a big way," said Joey Michaels, Entertainment Producer.
To accomplish this, Joey said the Entertainment team is adding more Characters into the mix, making the Park's entertainment more specific to Disney while still going along with the Park's California theme.
"We want everybody to know this is a Disney Theme Park," Joey said. "We're trying to influence a shift, so rather than it being Disney's CALIFORNIA Adventure, it's DISNEY'S California Adventure."
Increasing the level of Guest interaction is also a goal of the new acts, Joey said.
"We love it when Guests get involved," he said. "We want to get people to slow down and not run through the Park so fast."
As part of these changes, certain acts currently running will close April 18.
"We want to bid a fond farewell to Groove 66 and Chance to Shine," Joey said. "They were great groups, and we are sad to see them go, but we are excited to make way for new entertainment that will match our new objectives."
Six new acts will debut, ranging from Character meet and greet opportunities to Tower of Terror inspired 1930s swing musicians.
In front of Disney Animation, Guests will encounter a trio of Disney animators and see their creations come to life. While drawing identifiably Disney Characters such as the hero, the love interest and the sidekick, the animators sing a medley of Disney songs as well as a theme song called "Drawn to the Magic."
Also in Hollywood Pictures Backlot, Guests in line for Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ will be entertained by a few of the hotel's bellhops. Pushing a cart full of luggage, the bellhops will stop, produce instruments and play period music from the 1930s, as well as swing versions of familiar Disney tunes.
"The bellhops will be there to entertain those waiting," said Joey, adding that some of the luggage may even belong to some of the Characters visiting the hotel, such as a hatbox of Minnie's and bags belonging to Cruella De Vil.
Guests visiting the Golden State will see Characters from Mulan in a small cavalcade celebrating Chinese New Year in the San Francisco area. Equipped with a dragon prop, Characters and parade performers will invite Guests to take part, playing Chinese drums and twirling fabric wands. Over in Condor Flats, Minnie and Goofy will don aviator garb to visit with Guests by a prop airplane.
"They will add fun and humor to Condor Flats," Joey said.
In addition to the new acts, certain existing groups will be rethemed. Formerly known as the Barn Cats for their performances in Bountiful Valley Farm, the Park's bluegrass group will be relocated to the Grizzly Peak area and renamed Jedadiah Jones and the Miner 49ers. The group will play mountain themed songs and invite Guests to play along, using instruments such as washboards and spoons.
"Another great group that is being reworked is Department of Untapped Hilarity or D.U.H.," Joey said. "We've added new Cast Members to this improvisational group that now performs seven days a week on the Hollywood Pictures Backlot Stage."
Also among the existing groups being modified are the Trash Can Trio, which will be moving back to Disneyland® Park, and the mariachis, which will become an all female group called the Mariachi Divas.
"We can't wait to get these groups out on the streets of Disney's California Adventure and see our Guests' reactions," Joey said, adding that most acts will premiere in April and May.
