Off beats closing early for remodeling

[rae519]

Received a PM from a recent cruiser that Off Beats will be closing on 9/20 for remodeling. This is a week before the scheduled dry dock.

Okay, so exactly what does that mean?

It means NO DUELING PIANOS.


It's bad enough that the SUITS have decided to eliminate the Dueling Pianos venue but now to close early so the 9/20 cruisers won't have that Family and Adult entertainment that is so popular?! Go figure.

Rae

[ColeenD]

We are on the 9/20 Eastern and I am really disappointed! I was looking forward to seeing Fidelio and finding out why so many people are his fans. :( No reason why they couldn't have waited 'til the END of the cruise for this.

[rae519]

A lot of people are going to be disappointed - please let Disney know this by writing a note to the Director of Entertainment.

I can not understand why they would take away a show that gives parents a chance to see their kids on stage (up close and personal) dancing, singing and laughing. A show that gives adults an evening of great music, laughing and sing-a-longs! I mean, what else is there but audience participation in these shows?
Audience being the people who are paying for their cruise.

Shall I be harsh and call this a "bone head" idea? Yes, I think I shall.

BONE HEAD IDEA!

Rae

[dis4me]

Rae who did you write to and what was there response?

[rae519]

While I was on the ship, I spoke to several SUITS who made it clear that they "appreciated the talents of Fidelio and Anton" but the decision had been made to eliminate Dueling Pianos from the entertainment on the ship.

This new information about the remodeling came as a SHOCK and so far no word from Disney. I imagine that the answer will be some placating nonsence that doesn't really address the reality of the issue.

Reality being two questions:
(1) Why eliminate one of the most popular venues on the ship?
(2) Why close down a week early?

Rae

[Doctor P]

Rae,

Obviously, you love Dueling Pianos and may have had a different experience, but we were told that Off Beat is by far the LEAST popular of the nightclubs (and peeking in a few times during our recent cruise, this would appear to be the case). However, the ESPN club was barren during the cruise, so putting it or another sports bar in Off Beat may not be justified either.

[mnmomof1]

We were on the August 23rd cruise and asked someone why dueling painos was being eliminated. The response we received was that it is NOT popular because it is not the right atmosphere or audience for a show like dueling pianos. I don't know if that is true but that is what we were told. We enjoyed the show but both this year and last year we went to the adult only show and found few people there watching with us. I thought both Fidelio and Anton are VERY talented musicians but did not see much chemistry between them as far as speaking to the audience. As a matter of fact, Fidelio did almost all of the talking but they played great together. The show we saw last year was a man and a woman and they went back and forth a lot more with jokes playing off each other. Personally, I enjoyed both shows. Kim

[markey]

I have been on 4 cruises and never went to the show so I can't comment on how good it is. Are you on this cruise that you are so upset because they are closing a week early? After all it is only going to be closed for 1 cruise. To be honest my husband is more upset because the ESPN club is closing, said good bye to it in August. Although with all the teens that were there being loud and anoying I think it's time to just give the space to them.

[MarkRG]

Ok, I think you may not be grasping this properly.

Off Beat is not closing for 1 week, it is closing permanantly. It is only doing it a week early now. And ESPN club is not going away it is moving. Here is a chart to help.

Off Beat ==> ESPN Cheers type sports bar
ESPN Club ==> New Teen Club
Old Teen Club(Common Grounds)==> Gourmet Coffee Bar.

And yes some people are upset that Fidelio is leaving. I've never seen him. The one time we looked in there was only a few people and we decided to move on.

[rae519]

We cruise three times a year on average. I am NOT on this cruise but was on the August 2 cruise and will be on the October 25 one.

I am a big fan of the venue as is my son (age 8), my husband (53) and my Mom (74). For us there is no other entertainment on the ship that we can all enjoy together as much as this one.

Dueling Pianos, as a title for the venue, might suggest that it is two people playing piano and telling jokes, etc. It is an interactive entertainment that requires both the talent of pianists AND the participation (ACTIVE participation) of the audience. If one or the other is lacking, then the entire "show" suffers.

I don't know who provided the information regarding the response you were given about Dueling pianos not being the "right atmosphere or audience" but that's pretty odd since the Family Show puts children on stage and has everyone singing, clapping and laughing - and the Adult show is just that ADULT - not raunchy, but a bit wilder and more mature. Plus it's a late night show which is perfect for some after dinner entertainment without the little ones!

As my mother has wisely stated, "Honey, it's all politics."

Rae

[rae519]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MarkRG
[B]Ok, I think you may not be grasping this properly.

Off Beat is not closing for 1 week, it is closing permanantly. It is only doing it a week early now. And ESPN club is not going away it is moving. Here is a chart to help.

Yes, I understood that.
I wonder how popular the changes will be.

Too bad you didn't stop in and see Dueling Pianos - as an audience interactive venue, it was great. But you had to actually come in and be part of it to enjoy it. Lots of people might not like that part - clapping, singing and laughing. Hey, to each their own - but for many of us - yes, Fidelio was and will always be DUELING PIANOS.

But as I said - time will tell.

Rae

[dis4me]

On all three of our cruises there was a pretty big crowd of people during the evening shows.I am sure there were a few seats available but it was pretty full and the audience was loving it. The thing I like about it was because of the audience participation the show was always different albiet similar. Unlike the variety shows where the 3 times I saw the ventriliquist and juggler the shows were identical down to the corny jokes.

[Gina]

I know that Fidelio has many fans here, and rightfully so, but attendance must be pretty hit-or-miss... Across two cruises, every time I wandered in there at night, there was hardly anyone there.

I found out some more details a couple days ago from a really neat, enthusiastic lady at the Castaway Club line (I just called with a question, and we ended up talking for 40 minutes!) and she told me a lot about the new changes that will be done to the Magic during drysock.

"Diversions," the tavern-type place that is replacing Off-Beat, sounds really neat. They are knocking out three big portholes where that bus currently is on stage, putting in plasma tv's all over the place with one big one for special sporting event viewing, and the whole place will have an "upscale pub feel." She said she saw the sketches of it recently, and that it looks really really nice.

The new teen club sounds like it's going to be a world of fun -- teens' KTTW cards will be coded to allow only them into the elevator that goes up there. No grownups allowed! :)

And the new coffee bar, with an additional internet cafe, also sounds very nice. I can't wait to see all the changes!!

-gina-

[Euphscott]

Count me as one not upset Duleing Pianos is going away. Ever since the Improv comedy left we've found Off Beats both sparsely attended and dull in content. Oh, occasionally a good crowd would show and the pianists would have an amusing show, but it was not up to par with Improv.

My suspicion is that this is a cost cutting move. Performers cost more than bar servers. Improv required 5 performers I seem to recall, Dueling pianos required two, and now a bar? Well, you do the math.

[rae519]

Originally posted by Euphscott
My suspicion is that this is a cost cutting move. Performers cost more than bar servers. Improv required 5 performers I seem to recall, Dueling pianos required two, and now a bar? Well, you do the math.

Now if only the cost of the cruises would go down!!!! Yes, I know that there is inflation but the state of Indiana has NOT given it's employees a raise in several years now so......maybe I'm just not too concerned over how much Disney saves - when it still charges for soda!!!!!

Rae

[sistert]

"Diversions," the tavern-type place that is replacing Off-Beat, sounds really neat. They are knocking out three big portholes where that bus currently is on stage, putting in plasma tv's all over the place with one big one for special sporting event viewing, and the whole place will have an "upscale pub feel." She said she saw the sketches of it recently, and that it looks really really nice.

If it allows smoking then I'll have to skip this one. The one time I went up to see the ESPN club it was so smoke filled, my eyes watered.

The new teen club sounds like it's going to be a world of fun -- teens' KTTW cards will be coded to allow only them into the elevator that goes up there. No grownups allowed! :)

Good for them! As long as there is some sort of supervision, this sounds like a marvelous idea.

And the new coffee bar, with an additional internet cafe, also sounds very nice. I can't wait to see all the changes!!


I hope the sell other drinks besides coffee as I'm a tea drinker. Oh well, can't have everything. Disney has to go with what's most profitable and popular, and a Starbucks kinda place would go over well I'm sure.

[kamgen]

On 4 cruises, we have gone to DP twice and there was usually no more than 10 people in there. So I can see attendance being low in our experience.
I am looking forward to the changes and hope they do well. I love new stuff! :)

I really hope the coffee bar is more like a starbucks, with frozen coffees, teas, etc...


Rae- I have to agree with you on the soda thing.....the fact that DCL charges for soda cracks me up....seriously! I will not pay for soda on the cruise...no way, no how....

[budwmn]

I'm thrilled with the changes to be made during dry dock. On our cruise, Dueling Pianos was a ghost town. So was ESPN zone. I think there is more interest in a sports bar, but the current location is so out of the way.

The new plan makes sense. Put the teen area up top near the outdoor rec. area, give families a coffee bar (with decent coffee, please!), and locate the sports bar/pub where the rest of the adult activities are situated.

Now, I only wish that they would make these changes to the Wonder before are next cruise (not a chance, but one can dream).

[keenercam]

Let's just hope DCL doesn't serve Nescafe coffee in the new coffee bar!!! YICK!!!

And, I sure hope there will be adult CM supervision in the new teen club, especially if parents are unable to peek in to make sure all is well.:rolleyes:

[figment52]

I am afraid the SUITS decided a long time ago to eliminate Dueling Pianos et al and then took the actions to justify it by saying it was pooly attended. Yes it was poorly attended in March when I was on board but what did they expect. DP received a small ad and listing in the navigator and IF it was announced at any other venue it was very incidential...big buildup for EVERYTHING in Rockin Bar D, big build up for anything in Walt DIsney Theatre; heck movies even received a bigger build up than Dueling PIanos which was mentioned but barely. Most people I talked to didn't even know what it was and with the crew not generating any excitement for it why would anyone want to go check it out.

I am on the 9/20 cruise and am very disappointed that DP will be gone after previously understanding that they would be there and that would be their final performances.

Will I get over it , yes. Will I find something else to do, most likely. Am I as excited about my cruise as I was yesterday - no. DO I wish Fidelio and Anton the very best ABSOLUTELY. I hope they have come to know how much we (DISers) appreciate them and continue to post here and keeep us informed as to their whereabouts so we can still enjoy their talents.

And to those Improv fans, I would most likely have enjoyed that too!!

[gometros]

Count me as one of those that won't miss Dueling Pianos. I was very disappointed when on our second cruise, we found that the Improv was replaced with DP. TO make matters worse, they left the original set as a sad reminder to what once was.

We've been in DP numerous times and while I never had the fortune of hearing Fidelio, I found it fun the first time, but repetitive each time after until I got bored.

I do believe that the performers have everything to do with how well it is received. While it demands some audience participation, it's up to the performers to draw the audience out. On the last cruise we were on in July, Tommy and Anton were the performers and they spent most of the time playing songs, without much of the comedy I was used to. If I wanted to hear piano music, I would have gone to Sessions. I even requested "You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille" cause I had heard it on a previous cruise, but they didn't get the request (anyone who has heard the DP version will know what I mean). Each time we went in there, the crowds were sparse.

Having said that, I'm concerned that with the planned changes, there will be less for adults to do in the evening. Hanging around in a smokey sports bar is not my (or my asthma's) idea of fun and I can't see what the difference will be between a coffee bar and a sports bar other than the type of beverage served. I love Disney, but other cruise lines offer more entertainment for less.

[tecdavidt]

Put us down for not missing DP. We tried it twice on two cruises and ended up walking out. The room did have good attendance both times. It just wasn't our thing. I like the changes I read about.

One place we never attended but did this last cruise was Studio Sea. It was great and it is for families. Why couldn't they offer a DP in Studio Sea? It couldn't be their every night during the whole cruise but DCL does mix it up in Studio Sea. Maybe the "suits" should do that. Then all would be happy.

Kathy

[SeaSpray]

We'll be taking our first Disney cruise next summer, when BOTH of our DSs will be teens. I'm very interested in the new teen lounge, which is where ESPN currently is. From what I understand, the teen lounge is now always staffed with counselors so I'm sure it will continue that way once it's in its new location. ONLY allowing teen KTTW cards to be able to access the new lounge? While I'm sure my DSs will think that's pretty cool, I'm not too sure I'm thrilled with that idea. I think once I meet the teen counselors and see that they're responsible people, I'll be OK with it.

As for soda, on the cruise DH and I took this summer, aboard Royal Caribbean's Nordic Empress, soda was NEVER free or included, so the fact that Disney includes sodas with sit-down meals is a plus for us. lol

I can't comment on Dueling Pianos since apparently I'll never get a chance to see it. There was a single piano and piano player onboard the Nordic Empress and it sounds like a similar kind of show; taking audience requests and joking with the audience. Personally it didn't interest me but that's because we were always passing through this particular lounge on our way someplace else. Sorry to all the fans of DP, though :(

Improv: Now THAT I'd love to see brought back! I love comedy and from what I've read, they had a great act on the Disney ships prior to their removal.

I'm really looking forward to our Disney cruise next summer, drydock changes and all :)

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by SeaSpray
I'm very interested in the new teen lounge, which is where ESPN currently is. From what I understand, the teen lounge is now always staffed with counselors so I'm sure it will continue that way once it's in its new location. ONLY allowing teen KTTW cards to be able to access the new lounge? While I'm sure my DSs will think that's pretty cool, I'm not too sure I'm thrilled with that idea.

This was my first though! I don't have teens yet but I'm not sure I'm thrilled with the idea of no access either. The teens will think it is super cool I'm sure. I guess DCL will have to see what kind of response they get from teens (and especially their parents) with this new system.

[Gina]

I thought adults couldn't go in Common Grounds now? I know if I were a teen, I wouldn't feel very independent and it sure wouldn't be cool if parents were dropping in and out all the time... And it's not like you go pop in and check on them when they're at the mall -- a place that is a gazillion times more dangerous and totally unsupervised.

I totally trust the kids' club counselors now, and I'll trust them when DS makes it to the teen club. :)

-gina-

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by Gina
I thought adults couldn't go in Common Grounds now? I know if I were a teen, I wouldn't feel very independent and it sure wouldn't be cool if parents were dropping in and out all the time... And it's not like you go pop in and check on them when they're at the mall -- a place that is a gazillion times more dangerous and totally unsupervised.

I totally trust the kids' club counselors now, and I'll trust them when DS makes it to the teen club. :)

-gina- \

Hi Gina:

First of all, I don't let my DSs wander around malls. Actually, they and their friends have no interest in just walking around malls (thankfully!) LOL

And secondly, yes you're right that Common Grounds is a TEENS ONLY lounge, BUT if I needed to find or get to my sons quickly, I would physically be able to go to Common Grounds to see if they were there. I have NO INTEREST in spending time or "dropping in and out of" Common Grounds (or whatever they'll call the new teen lounge up in the current ESPN skybox), but to know that I physically would be UNABLE to take the elevator to get there, that's what I'm not so sure about. I realize there are phones all over the ship, but again, that's not the point. I don't like the idea of being physically barred from a place where my sons will be spending their time.

I fully intend on allowing my DSs the freedom on the ship that they don't have here in the "real world", because I DO trust the counselors that Disney has put in charge of the teens on their ships. I also trust my sons to behave in a responsible manner. This is THE MAIN reason we chose Disney for our family cruise, and not Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Again, my point is that I'm not totally comfortable with the idea of physically being unable to reach my sons IN PERSON, in case of an emergency. I'm sure there won't be an emergency while we're on the cruise, but you just never know.

[DisneyNutMary]

I am by no means an expert on any of this, but I comment on what I heard. ESPN Skybox, to teen club- I think this is a very good idea. Keep the teens out of the way, and in a place that keeps the little ones out of their space. And making COmmon Grounds a coffee bar-seems like a good idea, but isn't the Promenade Lounge that place to get gourmet coffees now? Does the Magic really need 2 coffee lounges?

On our cruise, it was mentioned by Jacqui, the cruise director, that Off Beat was being turned into an english style pub....no mention of ESPN being moved there, but since I have no idea what 'an english style pub' is, I can't say whether this is a good idea or not. Since Sessions is more upscale, is there really any need for an upscale pub?

Also, please don't attack me for this comment, but my opinion is that if they made Off Beat a place where it is okay to smoke after 9pm, there would be more people going there. Rockin Bar D and Sessions were packed in the late evening with smokers. In fact, I saw quite a few people leave Off Beat to go have a smoke....some of the came back, most didn't

[Euphscott]

Sodas are going to be charged on Disney. That is just how it's going to work. It's a profit center and in order to keep the cruise price down, soda drinkers (and wine and so on) subsidize things. The only cruise lines that don't charge for these incidentals are the mega luxury lines where the prices are MUCH higher than Disney. So, pick your poison.

As for being charged for Sodas? My wife and I look at cruises as an opprtunity to dry out from a bad habit. Drinking all those sodas are bad for us anyhow and all the water we drink instead keeps us more hydrated. We usually stick to that plan for a few weeks after the cruise and feel better for it. Then we get lazy and go back to our bad drinking ways!

[WDWLVR]

Let me start by saying I'm looking forward to the changes they are making in dry dock. I'm not a coffee drinker, but the coffee house with internet access sounds like a nice place. I like the idea of the pub/sports bar better than off beat as well -never did care for that place.

Now as for access to the teen club - unless they really change things - you can walk up the stairs. I can't see Disney restricting parents from dropping in on the teens if they wanted. I think the elevator access (if it does happen - that would require a lot of re-wiring) would just be a "cool" thing for the teens. I don't see them getting rid of the stairway to get up there.

[Michelle]

Mary, you took the words right out of my mouth about the ESPN/Teen Club access...there are STAIRS right into the club as well, so most definitely adults would be able to go up there if necessary. Technically adults aren't allowed in the Teen Club but of course in an emergency they would be. They would never have a club that is only accessible by elevator for safety reasons.

As for the DP thing...in 10 cruises I think I've seen that show maybe 2-3 times. It was fun when we had our own large group in there interacting with the performers, but most of the time there were less than half of the tables filled and it's just not as fun. A Dueling Pianos show NEEDS audience participation...like Jellyrolls...to be successful. That is part of the fun.

I will be very interested to see what the new Diversions lounge will be like on our cruise in December. If it's just TV then I don't think I'm going to be very interested in going there in the evenings. But I will wait to pass judgment until I see for myself. :)

[SueEllen]

I guess I'm 3rd in line with the comments about the stairs to the current ESPN club. That was my first thought when I read the response about the elevator and only allowing Teens to use it to get up there--you can definitely access the club by steps.
As for DP--I have never seen Fidelo--but the 3 times I have cruised the DP have not had much of an audience. One night my DH & I tried to get some other people involved but it just didn't "take." The 2 pianists we saw on our last Magic Cruise were awful! We love dueling pianos and have been to many DP bars (we have 2 that we especially LOVE to visit) You have to have more than just piano playing talent to make that work--and unfortunately we did not find that to be the case on the ship. I don' t think we ever saw more than a handful of tables in there on any particular night--which is a shame.

I am looking forward to seeing what type of changes come about.

Sue Ellen

[Regina]

On the 8/2 cruise, we spent 5 of the 7 nights at Dueling Pianos enjoying the talents of Fidelio and Anton. On the last night, we said that we'd see them in January. I just broke the news to DD that this isn't going to happen. We're very disappointed.

While the theme nights are fun, I'm not interested in hearing YMCA for the umpteenth thousand time.

I think the real problem with DP was where it was. Off Beat is a poorly designed space. One night we had to change seats 3 times just to get a good view of both performers.

It's really a shame that they didn't try a different venue before making this decision. :( :( :( :(

[leanne2255]

I welcome the change. I thought DCL was lacking in nightly adult entertainment, and this might be a nice change. Even better is the coffee bar. I would have loved a nice Carmel Machiato on my cruise to be able to enjoy while sitting on deck.