Stageshow Question?

[BrerVeritas]

I have never seen Festival of the Lion King or the Beauty and the Beast stage shows. I have seen The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast on Broadway multiple time. Everytime i go to WDW I skip these shows with the thought that why should I spend the time with thes while I could be doing something I can't do at home.

So, to anyone who has seen both, Am I missing out, or should I use that time for rides. Are the WDW shows better, significantly different, worth seeing as opposed to going on a favorite ride for a second time or having a relaxing meal. I always find things to skip so that I can slow my pace and really enjoy my trip. Is it a mistake to skip these two?

 

[marni1971]

Having seen the touring Beauty and the Beast and the studios version, I will say both are great. Obviuosly the studios version is shorter and not quit as elaborate, but it is a 2nd day must see IMHO. If you only have a single day at the studios, maybe pass on it if you really have to.

The Lion King at AK is fantastic - much better than I thought it would be. Another plus is that it is `in the round`, unlike the broadway version (plus its basis is costumed and uncostumed (no, not naked!) dancers. And with AK being, well, short of attractions, it is a must see even on a day trip.

 

[walt-sent-me]

i have seen all four shows and would say that lion king at WDW is significantly different that the broadway show. it is more acrobatic and has audience participation. the NY show is amazing for different reasons. now, beauty & the beast at WDW is more like a watered down version of the NY show. it's more musically inclined...song to song to song with very little acting. has less scenery, less spectacle, shorter. i have seen b&tb once; have enjoyed lk several times. why not try these shows out for something different?

 

[barnum42]

Beauty & the Beast at the Studios has it's fans, but it is not my favourite. It's a watered down version of the movie. It's not bad, but nothing special. If you go to see it, make sure you arrive at least ten or so minutes early to see the acapella group that goes on before the show.

Festival of the Lion King is a different kettle of fish. It uses the songs from the film, plus a new opening number and it is not a Readers Digest version of the film or the Broadway / West End show.

You can't see it at home and if you like theatre it is a must see. Singers, dancers, acrobats, flying and a fire act all combine for a brilliant half hour of theatre. I think your only gripe if you go to see it is that it took you so long to get to it

 

[pppapazo]

I have yet to see FotLK, so I can't comment on it, but I would argue that if you've seen Beauty and the Beast on Broadway, you would probably be very disappointed in the stage show at MGM.

If the show hasn't changed since the last time I saw it, the Enchanted Objects (Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Chip, et al.) and Beast are portrayed by people in "Big Foam Head" costumes who are therefore unable to do any of their own speaking or singing. Personally, I don't get the point of live performance if most of the characters are pre-recorded.

In addition, I recall the show starting with "Be Our Guest" instead of the incredibly atmospheric opening (the one with the stained glass) that the film and Broadway musical feature. I suppose that, in and of itself, this is not a bad thing. However, when I saw the Beauty and the Beast Live stage show presented years ago at Disneyland, it did follow the story chronologically and was, overall, the better production for it.

Really, there is no comparison but there shouldn't be. If you've seen it on Broadway, seeing it in a theme park is pretty much a waste of time. If you do decide to see it, though, I would recommend seeing it in the evening if at all possible. Since BatB, unlike FotLK, is not in an enclosed theater, the lighting and theatrical effects will have more of a full effect when it is darker out.

Peter

 

[barnum42]

In addition, I recall the show starting with "Be Our Guest" instead of the incredibly atmospheric opening (the one with the stained glass) that the film and Broadway musical feature. I suppose that, in and of itself, this is not a bad thing. However, when I saw the Beauty and the Beast Live stage show presented years ago at Disneyland, it did follow the story chronologically and was, overall, the better production for it.

I've never seen the show start with "Be Our Guest". They have fiddled with the start, but it's always been the narration from (or based on) the start of the movie which then goes into "Belle", just as it does in the film.

 

[DisneyrazZ]

Well, I have never seen either of those Broadway shows unfortunately

but....to start with Beauty and the Beast at MGM...i enjoyed the pre-show more than I enjoyed the actual performance...I have to say I hope the a capella group stays for a long time, but I hope they come up with a better stage show

Now, Festival of the Lion King is the BEST show i have seen at WDW! It is full of music, singing, dancing, acrobatics, fire, and even floats! This is a must see show for me everytime I go to WDW...I was actually lucky enough on one of my visits to see my old dance teacher performing in it and I got it on film. It was awesome! Anyways, back on topic....YES you must go see this show! You will regret never seeing it before because it is so different and so exhilerating! I still get chills everytime I go see that show and even when I watch it on my home video.

-=DisneyrazZ=-

 

[pppapazo]

I've never seen the show start with "Be Our Guest". They have fiddled with the start, but it's always been the narration from (or based on) the start of the movie which then goes into "Belle", just as it does in the film.

Granted, I may just be remembering incorrectly but I'm almost positive I saw an incarnation of the show where that was the case. Of course, it's been a while since I've seen it.

Peter

 

[tigger248]

I've seen all four shows and in my opinion they are all great. You should see the WDW ones at least once in my opinion.

WDW's Beauty and the Beast isn't as good as the broadway production, but I still think it is definately worth seeing. I wouldn't necessarily call it a "must see" but I would recomend seeing it, especially if you've been to WDW a lot. I think they did the best they could with what they had. A show that's performed multiple times a day obviously can't be as extravagant as a broadway production. That being said, I find the show very enjoyable.

Festival of the Lion King is both different from the broadway versian and in some ways is the same. Many of the costumes are similar to broadway with the puppets and stuff. But there are still the floats with the characters that look like the ones from the movie. WDW's has more acrobatics than the broadway play. I would put Festival of the Lion King on my "must see" attraction list. It's kinda funny to because it's an amazing show that I didn't even see until a year ago (out of numerous trips and a college program before it)

Anyways, my point is that you should see them both at least once. If after you see them, you don't like them or don't think they measure up to the broadway versions, then you don't have to see them again.

 

[barnum42]

Granted, I may just be remembering incorrectly but I'm almost positive I saw an incarnation of the show where that was the case. Of course, it's been a while since I've seen it.

Peter

I would not be surprised if there was an incarnation of it with a different start, it's be going for several years.

I know they have changed the start slightly with a couple of dancers and Beast prior to his tansformation now included. Also, when I first saw it there was a dance routine in the forrest with some bats that has been consigned to history.

 

[mkt]

I seriously have found no worthwhile WDW stageshow (Fantasmic! excepted) since The Hunchback of Notre Dame went away.

 

[JBSLJames]

I seriously have found no worthwhile WDW stageshow (Fantasmic! excepted) since The Hunchback of Notre Dame went away.

What a coincidence, the Gold Club stageshow hasn't been the same since Fantasmakass went away. . .




:hammer: