by davewasbaloo » Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:48 am
This is why I am very grumpy about DLP. In the early years, just like WDW, DL and TDL, DLP had the dapper dans on Main Street year round, as well as a keystone cops brass band, and a ragtime piano player at Casey's Corner. And the Marching band played in the bandstand or on the Train Station Balcony or at the hub.
Frontierland had shoot out stunts, mariachi bands at Fuente Del Oro, a full Cancan and comedy show in the Lucky Nugget that were free to all park guests. There were also wood work and indian sand painting/weaving displays.
Adventureland had the Tam Tam drummers in appropriate places (not in Discoveryland) and sword fights by pirates on the ship. Also, there were carpet makers and brass makers in the bazaar (now a restaurant).
Fantasyland had a sword and the stone ceremony and medieval juggling jesters. There were stage shows in the Fantasyland Theatre, the Castle Stage and in Videopolis (RocShoc in Videopolis was a great modern dance show).
And in Discovery, there were the jamminators and a futursistic musical group. You could also meet Chewbacca and C3PO.
And the fireworks were on the scale of the US parks.
I do love DLP, but most of what I love was the legacy of what was designed and built in the late 80's early 90's. And I like the European fusion. But there is no denying that this is a big part of why a lot of people can come away disapponted with DLP. What is sad, is DLP could be the greatest MK again if they brought this stuff back.
Thankfully we have this summer the marching band, a few small bands in the Frontierland Restaurants, the little princess thing in Fantasyland, and the Tamtams, but it is still a fraction of what they do at the other resorts. To me, the entertainment was always a huge part of the appeal of the original DIsneyland which is still loaded with live music and dancers. Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen is similar, and it was the one park that really inspired Walt.
But folks, this is why I get grumpy at DLP, the management, and the new fans.
Let's put the Walt back in Disney!
