What happened to all the entertainment & theatrics?

[Model3 McQueen]

I was in Anaheim several weeks ago for Disneyland (spent 4 days there) with my family. My wife is pregnant with our 2nd and my 1st is only 2 years old so naturally we avoided all the bigger rides and gravitated toward the family friendly ones. There was something I noticed this time around though, and maybe it's been going on for awhile or i'm speaking well out of emotion instead of hard facts, but Disneyland is severely lacking in entertainment & shows.

I mean factually, Tomorrowland Theater, Golden Horseshoe, Fantasyland Theater, Hyperion Theater, Lincoln Theater, and probably more that're slipping my mind, have ZERO going on (Lincoln being the immediate exception because of the refresh).

Then subjectively, some other points I wanted to make: Mickey's Philharmonic is just a rehash of 90's movies with Donald, Muppet Vision 3D had so much more heart. We didn't notice any performances on Mainstreet or Buena Vista (other than Five & Dime). No bands, no dapper dans, no interaction other than R2D2 in SWGE. They took out ITTBAB. Where's all the character walk arounds? I know they're around, just didn't see them often.

The train wasn't open when we went, so we stuck around in lands for much longer than we would've, and i was shocked at how boring some of it felt. I feel like there was a time when there was much more to see..?

 

[Touchdown]

I was in Anaheim last week, saw the band, pirate band, Dans, saw plenty of characters around town square, by Matterhorn, and BVS (even rode the trolley with Donald.) Maybe you had bad luck? You are 100% right on the lack of indoor theatre stuff though.

 

[waltography]

I miss so much of the entertainment that used to litter the parks: Minnie's Fly Girls, Red Car News Boys, Mickey & the Magical Map, Jedi Training Academy, even show stops during the parades + the old projection shows on Small World!

 

[TP2000]

There is very clearly a purposeful decision to reduce and/or eliminate live entertainment in the parks.

Even the few events that still take place, like parades, are using 60% to 70% of the staffing levels they used to a decade ago. The Better Together parade uses several dozen less dancers/performers than the Pixar Play Parade did in the 2010's, as one example.

This is a purposeful and widespread decision by TDA, removing and eliminating small things like bands on ding patios to huge Broadway style productions in the Hyperion or Fantasyland theaters. It would have to be assumed this recent change is based on reducing labor costs and employing far fewer people to operate the park with. Especially people who have higher pay scales than the $18 to $22 an hour burger flippers and ride operators; jobs like stage technicians, audio technicians, lighting designers, stage managers, choreographers, physical therapists, costume designers, hairdo and makeup artists, etc., etc.

TDA has purposely scaled live entertainment way, way back. And it simply must be assumed to be a way to reduce labor costs.

 

[Model3 McQueen]

I was in Anaheim last week, saw the band, pirate band, Dans, saw plenty of characters around town square, by Matterhorn, and BVS (even rode the trolley with Donald.) Maybe you had bad luck? You are 100% right on the lack of indoor theatre stuff though.

I was there on a Tuesday through Friday, maybe it was a weekday thing? I know Fantasmic only took place near the end of my trip, so I also count that as possibly cutting entertainment. I don't recall a fireworks show on any of the nights but I could be wrong here, we didnt hang around long enough

 

[Model3 McQueen]

There is very clearly a purposeful decision to reduce and/or eliminate live entertainment in the parks.

Even the few events that still take place, like parades, are using 60% to 70% of the staffing levels they used to a decade ago. The Better Together parade uses several dozen less dancers/performers than the Pixar Play Parade did in the 2010's, as one example.

This is a purposeful and widespread decision by TDA, removing and eliminating small things like bands on ding patios to huge Broadway style productions in the Hyperion or Fantasyland theaters. It would have to be assumed this recent change is based on reducing labor costs and employing far fewer people to operate the park with. Especially people who have higher pay scales than the $18 to $22 an hour burger flippers and ride operators; jobs like stage technicians, audio technicians, lighting designers, stage managers, choreographers, physical therapists, costume designers, hairdo and makeup artists, etc., etc.

TDA has purposely scaled live entertainment way, way back. And it simply must be assumed to be a way to reduce labor costs.

Thank you for your insight, that's such a shame. All these cuts and they still raise prices annually like it's tradition smh

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I was there on a Tuesday through Friday, maybe it was a weekday thing? I know Fantasmic only took place near the end of my trip, so I also count that as possibly cutting entertainment. I don't recall a fireworks show on any of the nights but I could be wrong here, we didnt hang around long enough

Dapper Dans and the Marching Band were both there on Wednesday. I also saw the Marching Band this morning as I was coming over the DCA.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I mean factually, Tomorrowland Theater, Golden Horseshoe, Fantasyland Theater, Hyperion Theater, Lincoln Theater, and probably more that're slipping my mind, have ZERO going on (Lincoln being the immediate exception because of the refresh).

Hyperion is disappointing because Aladdin and Frozen were both very, very well done.

I have still noticed a pretty good amount of live entertainment here. There's a very good Mariachi band playing over at Pixar Pier. I passed a group playing 40s style music towards the front of the park.

Avengers Campus also has a bunch of live shows.

There's also Storytelling at the Royal Theater and of course, the Enchanted Tiki Room.

Then subjectively, some other points I wanted to make: Mickey's Philharmonic is just a rehash of 90's movies with Donald, Muppet Vision 3D had so much more heart.

Mickey's Philharmagic came out in WDW in 2003, hence why it leans heavily on the 90s movies. The one in DCA was recently added and they added the Coco scene when they opened it in other parks. It's also in a different location because the screen is bigger than Muppets. Muppet Vision still exists (for now) in WDW, but is even older. Mickey's Philharmagic was extremely well received at WDW, which is why it's been out elsewhere.

I was there on a Tuesday through Friday, maybe it was a weekday thing? I know Fantasmic only took place near the end of my trip, so I also count that as possibly cutting entertainment. I don't recall a fireworks show on any of the nights but I could be wrong here, we didnt hang around long enough

Unfortunately, they're only allowed to show fireworks so many nights a year because of laws surrounding pollution and control of wildfires. This includes Fantasmic. WDW shows fireworks nightly because they're not bound by the same restrictions; they only cancel if the weather is absolutely horrendous. World of Color should have been available on non-party nights. They save showing fireworks nightly for higher crowd times. So that is not a cost cutting measure.

I mean, it sounds like you were looking for a lot of live entertainment, in which case, I'd be pointing you to WDW (specifically Epcot), not DL. Fireworks are shown nightly in MK and Epcot, and Fantasmic is shown nightly (at least, sometimes twice) at DHS. Epcot has American Adventure, which is, IMO, far better than Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (sorry) and tons of live bands. Oh, and Voices of Liberty; they are amazing. Animal Kingdom has the bird show (used to be Flights of Wonder, can't remember what it's called), Festival of the Lion King, and Finding Nemo the Musical. DHS has Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and Beauty and the Beast, along with Muppets. MK has Tiki Birds, Country Bear Jamboree, and a stage show in front of the castle, as well as Festival of Fantasy (the parade). They also have Dapper Dans.

The trade off, though, is that there's fewer dark rides at WDW, it takes more planning, and the wait times tend to be longer. It's also hot there between May and October, which is not ideal for a pregnant woman (although my mother did it, lol). Do with that what you will.

 

[coffeefan]

Small World was being used for a short Encanto projection show not too long ago. Fantasy theater was used during Pixar Fest. TT is still being used for dance parties. DCA has a Coco street show too. DTD has some musicians perform too.
The Hyperion was used for Rodgers but nothing this year... Hopefully, there's more entertainment for the 70th though.

 

[disneylandcm]

I’m very disappointed that Disney ¡Viva Navidad Street Party has been reduced from daily performances to Saturday-Sunday only this holiday season.

 

[AndyS2992]

Went a few weeks ago from Monday to Friday afternoon. No fireworks, no Fantasmic, no parade just short Halloween cavalcade, no stage shows anywhere in either park except for the Tangled and Beauty and the Beast shows aimed at very young children in Fantasy Faire. After being used to WDW and Disneyland Paris having nightly entertainment, this was kinda jarring.

 

[Old Mouseketeer]

I still have a couple of friends who work in Entertainment. They haven't heard anything about new shows. Santa is moving into Fantasyland Theater because Bayou Country will be too crowded.

One factor at play is that there is just not enough support space for the amount of live entertainment we are used to. They lost rehearsal space and storage on-site. There's a lot of musical chairs to scrape up useable space and more is being crammed into smaller spaces. Performers are having to walk longer distances after getting dressed. Even the backstage space at Hyperion and FLT is put to use (even the Hyperion lobbies at times). For a time Marvel took over the Anna and Elsa rooms at Animation. The practice of endlessly closing and remounting parades is also challenging.

 

[John park hopper]

My guess it is a Disney cost cutting move

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Avengers Campus also has a bunch of live shows.

With Spider-Man rumored to end in November there really will not be any “shows” - just some glorified character appearances and the dance party.

I mean, it sounds like you were looking for a lot of live entertainment, in which case, I'd be pointing you to WDW (specifically Epcot), not DL.

Not at all…. Disneyland, even with the cuts, has way more live entertainment.

Disneyland Live Entertainment (not everything is daily) -

Dapper Dans
Strawhatters Dixieland Band
Disneyland Band
Pearly Band
Refreshment Corner Piano
Bootstrappers Pirate Band
Royal Storytellers
Jambalaya Jazz Band

Compare that to MK which has the band, dapper dans, and the piano player.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I was in Anaheim several weeks ago for Disneyland (spent 4 days there) with my family.

There have certainly been cuts - but I’m wondering if you checked the app / website for entertainment?

I was just out there in September and saw one of the best groups of Dapper Dans ever singing Halloween songs, Disneyland band, Main Street piano, pearly band, pirate band, etc.

 

[TP2000]

I’m very disappointed that Disney ¡Viva Navidad Street Party has been reduced from daily performances to Saturday-Sunday only this holiday season.

Oh... hell! And here I was having a perfectly lovely Monday.

That makes me so angry! Viva Navidad is/was one of the best pieces of entertainment Disneyland has produced in the last 25 years. If not longer. It's my absolute favorite, and long-time go to for a giant booster shot of Christmas cheer.

So of course they cut it back to weekends only. Add this as Example #47 how TDA is purposely reducing live entertainment in the parks to lower labor costs and reduce both salaried and hourly staffing levels of higher paid talent.

 

[TP2000]

It will be interesting to see what Paint The Night looks like when it returns next year after an 8 year absence.

I assume it will be missing at least several dozen performers compared to its original 2015-2017 run.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

It will be interesting to see what Paint The Night looks like when it returns next year after an 8 year absence.

I assume it will be missing at least several dozen performers compared to its original 2015-2017 run.

I’m also wondering if Magic Happens will continue…. I could see them doing just the night parade and not doing the day parade.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

Compare that to MK which has the band, dapper dans, and the piano player.

Don’t forget the stage show infront of the castle, the flag retreat, the cavalcade, festival of fantasy parade, and nightly fireworks. Plus the electric water pageant out front of the seven seas lagoon.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Don’t forget the stage show infront of the castle, the flag retreat, the cavalcade, festival of fantasy parade, and nightly fireworks. Plus the electric water pageant out front of the seven seas lagoon.

Well I’m not talking about parades and nighttime shows in either park.

The castle show does count though you are correct!

And Disneyland also has flag retreat, i didn’t list it cause it’s kind of entertainment / kind of tradition for both parks.