Should the Castle Forecourt Stage be removed?

[asianway]

The daily, near constant shows are a recent development.

Your Typical rube started going within the last ten years & assumes it's been that way since '71

 

[kap91]

It has only been 15 years and it is an identity (expanding beyond just the shows) Walt Disney World would benefit to shed.

Stage shows at the castle have been going on A LOT longer than 15 years. They were going on in the late 80s and maybe even before then.

I do think the magic Kingdom in Florida has had shows as a part of its DNA from the beginning in many other ways in a way Disneyland never has (see how many attractions on opening day were large shows, also how many live shows it's had throughout its history) and I think castle shows are definitely something that should stay. (Hey even Disneyland puts really small shows on in front of their castle). But it's an issue of scale and assigned importance that is getting out of hand not the concept itself.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Stage shows at the castle have been going on A LOT longer than 15 years. They were going on in the late 80s and maybe even before then.

I do think the magic Kingdom in Florida has had shows as a part of its DNA from the beginning in many other ways in a way Disneyland never has (see how many attractions on opening day were large shows, also how many live shows it's had throughout its history) and I think castle shows are definitely something that should stay. (Hey even Disneyland puts really small shows on in front of their castle). But it's an issue of scale and assigned importance that is getting out of hand not the concept itself.

The scale is out of hand because the concept has changed to one of theme parks as a low form of brand experience not worthy of serious consideration. The result is poorly put together experiences constantly interrupting the actual themed entertainment experience.

 

[docandsix]

Yes. 100%, unequivocal, absolutely for certain. Please remove it.

 

[Victor Kelly]

It is the BAH of the Magic Kingdom. Destroy it with B52s, B2s, A10s, napalm, cluster bombs, and fart guns from Despicable me.

 

[SamN'Dean]

I don't see a reason to remove it, especially when so much remodeling has been done recently to support it.

 

[Mad Stitch]

In this video of Disney Mania from 1991, you can see guests walking around the stage during the show. Were they permitted to walk through the castle while the show was going on?

If I remember correctly only the left ramp (facing the castle) was open to guests and the right side of the drawbridge was roped off to provide a walkway for the performers to get to the stage from the utilidors entrance.

 

[DisneyJunkie]

Yes, they need to get rid of that castle stage area and let people walk through that section freely, including walking into Fantasyland through the castle. Not every section of the park needs a little stage performance area.

 

[boufa]

Your Typical rube started going within the last ten years & assumes it's been that way since '71

I'm not sure what you mean, but I haven't been going since '71 (mostly the last 10 years) and I don't care at all how it looked in '71. In fact if it looked like it did in 1971, I would likely never go back. You want Disney from 1971, look at pictures and enjoy your memory. Look in a mirror, you don't look like you did in 1971 either. The parks are a living breathing thing that change all the time. If they stopped changing they would die... a quick death.

As for the stage... never really noticed it as an issue. I have never watched the dream along show. I have taken kids to the MK ranging from 1- 12, I would think that is a target audience, and none have ever had any thought or care about it.

Having just spent a lot of money as a phase of the hub project, I can tell you with 100% certainty it ain't going no where any time soon.

 

[asianway]

I'm not sure what you mean, but I haven't been going since '71 (mostly the last 10 years) and I don't care at all how it looked in '71. In fact if it looked like it did in 1971, I would likely never go back. You want Disney from 1971, look at pictures and enjoy your memory. Look in a mirror, you don't look like you did in 1971 either. The parks are a living breathing thing that change all the time. If they stopped changing they would die... a quick death.

As for the stage... never really noticed it as an issue. I have never watched the dream along show. I have taken kids to the MK ranging from 1- 12, I would think that is a target audience, and none have ever had any thought or care about it.

Having just spent a lot of money as a phase of the hub project, I can tell you with 100% certainty it ain't going no where any time soon.

Like I said, rubes

 

[boufa]

Like I said, rubes

Wow, so anyone who isn't a 71er has to stay out out of YOUR park. Let me share a piece of fact with you, the size of the crowds from 71 put into the parks today would have them billed as a utter and complete failure. MY money, and "rubes" like me, do like newer things, and get in the way of your wonderful museum to Walt, keep the parks alive, keep them open, and keep them from being a memory and a cheap piece of swamp land in Florida.

Your park is dead... and has been since 72... get over it and grow up.

 

[asianway]

Wow, so anyone who isn't a 71er has to stay out out of YOUR park. Let me share a piece of fact with you, the crowds of 71 put into the parks today would have them billed as a failure. MY money, and "rubes" like me, ho like newer things, and get in the way of your wonderful museum to Walt, keep the parks alive, keep them open, and keep them from being a memory and a cheap piece of swamp land in Florida.

Your park is dead... and has been since 72... get over it and grow up.

Ho?

New things like the10 year old castle show?

 

[boufa]

Ho?

New things like the10 year old castle show?

Ho=do... sorry fast fingers don't mean accurate fingers.

The newer things that are always forgotten about and taken for granted by the people who complain about how the parks have changed, and insult those of us who haven't been coming to WDW since 71. I like the vast majority of the changes and the ones that have sucked are pretty easy to ignore. The stage show... I don't pay any attention to it. Country bears, hall of presidents, stitch, carousel of progress, tiki room... I've seen them all, and don't really go out of my way to repeat any of them. But I don't get an angry emotional reaction to them when I walk past them. I don't long for what was there, or complain about what is there. Many people like those things (except maybe stitch), and I am pleased they are enjoying them. The stage show is popular, and while its not for me (and obviously not you), I don't feel the need to insult the people who do like it. The stage show doesn't get in my way one little bit. My heart has continued to beat, even though I don't get to walk through the castle that often.

That was my point.

 

[fireworksandfairytales]

You know, I'd never really thought about it until I read this, but now that I'm thinking about it, I agree. I was so young when Cinderella's Surprise Celebration started (about eight years old) that I honestly don't remember a time when there wasn't an elaborate Castle Forecourt stage. But, thinking back to walking down Main Street in Disneyland compared to WDW, I think it was nice to have the subtle ambiance of an actual town as opposed to a loud, in your face stage show. Don't get me wrong, I think Dream Along is cute and I enjoy watching it as I walk by. I'd miss it if it left. But, I think the point of the article is valid.

 

[bethymouse]

I thought WDW was getting rid of the show Dream Along with Mickey, and that you'd be able to walk through the castle again. I thought that's what all of the new hub work and such was all about.

 

[DisneyManOne]

If I remember correctly only the left ramp (facing the castle) was open to guests and the right side of the drawbridge was roped off to provide a walkway for the performers to get to the stage from the utilidors entrance.

If that's true, then why doesn't Disney do something like that for Dream Along?

 

[BringMeTheHoriz]

I for one can't stand it when I walk through MK's gates, round the corner, and then all I heard is a castle show blaring through every speaker on Main Street. Absolutely kills the atmosphere.

Having just got back from my first trip to Disneyland, it's amazing what a difference there is. Much more relaxing experience, vehicles with drivers that you wave to and they wave back and welcome you, and a castle you can walk through into fantasyland all day. I know which of the two I'd rather have

 

[robonakabob]

I would love to see the stage gone. However, I don't think this will be a reality anytime soon because of the permanent lighting booth that was just built and infrastructure on stage that was just rebuilt.. le sighhhhh.. ...in the meantime, let's kick the "street party" to the curb.

 

[jbphotos]

I feel as if the stage show AND the parades kill the entire atmosphere of the park which is a very unpopular opinion.

 

[MattFrees71]

I agree the stage is an eyesore and it is annoying to have the beautiful walk through under the castle closed through much of the day. I remember when I first started realizing they were using that stage more and more and was very frustrated. I know it is unrealistic for them to stop doing shows up there, but maybe could just cut down on it some.