Aladdin leaving Hyperion - Save the Genie

[ekdj]

It has recently been confirmed that Aladdin will be leaving the Hyperion Theatre at Disneyland in 2016. They're replacing it with Frozen.

Aladdin has been one of my favorite things there since I was old enough to remember it, and it is really, really special to me and my mom. I hope that I'm not the only one who feels this way. If you agree, you can help my feeble attempt at making a difference with the tag #savethegenie.

I'm so sad and I hope that the show and its wonderful cast and staff won't leave forever. Please help us keep the genie (and the rest of the cast) alive in the Hyperion!

 

[luisov]

I think Aladdin is a great show. It's better than other non-theme park shows I've seen and that are quite expensive. On the other hand, I have to say that I think it's time for something different at the Hyperion, regardless of what that is. DL locals tend to be very protective of the classics to the point where they'll defend a dated and dull ride from being replaced with something fresh (ahem Mr. Toad). I know that's an unpopular opinion, but that's how I feel.

Don't get me wrong. I totally respect your point of view and that you really like that show. I just think some change doesn't hurt anybody

 

[Bret Pritchett]

Has anyone seen Aladdin on Broadway? I'm curious how similar it is to the one at DCA.

 

[rteetz]

Has anyone seen Aladdin on Broadway? I'm curious how similar it is to the one at DCA.

From what I've seen the one at DCA is more comical. The genie works in references to current day. On Broadway it's more serious and has been very successful.

 

[wareagle57]

The Aladdin show was one of my favorite things from my one day Disneyland trip a couple years ago. The Genie was great. There is no way a Frozen show will be able to top this.

 

[rteetz]

Looks like the reactions on Twitter and parks blog have been less than positive. Apparently Disney has tried to replace this show before with toy story and fans revolted then.

 

[skier_pete]

Seen the show in California. I haven't seen Aladdin on Broadway, but while it is one of the better Disney Park Stage Shows, it is not near Broadway caliber. They also left a big hole in the show when they had an accident with the flying carpet a few years ago. When we saw the show, the "Whole New World" scene was terrible because the "Carpet" just came up from behind the stage and the characters stepped off of it. The genie "makes the show" in that he makes very topical jokes that change from show to show, and I would guess that if anything that's what people will miss the most. The rest of the show I would compare to Finding Nemo Musical level of quality with of course better songs being as they are Ashman/Menken. I don't feel strongly one way or the other on it, we saw it once, the second time we went to DLR we skipped it. I'm all for support of keeping a quality show, and lord needs it doesn't feel like we really need more Frozen around.

That said, I seriously doubt a twitter campaign will save the show. Your best bet is to try and get people to boycott the new show when it comes through. Likely that won't work either, as Frozen is very popular and all the 3-8 year old girls will be dragging their families to the theater. However, I think long-term it will be a mistake because it is unlikely the repeatability is there that it needs to have long-term popularity.

 

[rteetz]

That said, I seriously doubt a twitter campaign will save the show. Your best bet is to try and get people to boycott the new show when it comes through. Likely that won't work either, as Frozen is very popular and all the 3-8 year old girls will be dragging their families to the theater. However, I think long-term it will be a mistake because it is unlikely the repeatability is there that it needs to have long-term popularity.

Like i said tho they did try with toy story and that failed. Disneyland visitors definitely have more pull than WDW.

 

[luisov]

I don't think the negative reaction is towards Aladdin leaving as much as it is for Frozen being the replacement. Let's remember that the mini Frozen land they put where Mad T Party is didn't work quite well.

As much as I enjoyed Aladdin, I still think it's time for a new show in that particular location.

I wonder if the theater where the sing-along currently is will return to Muppet vision or if there's something else in the plans.

 

[anthony2k7]

grr. More frozen? Why don't they just go all the way and rename the places Frozen Land/Frozen California Adventure and Frozen World?

 

[DDLand]

grr. More frozen? Why don't they just go all the way and rename the places Frozen Land/Frozen California Adventure and Frozen World?

Frozen is actually pretty well contained. If anything, I think we should be criticizing Disney for not doing enough for one their biggest franchises with a sequel on the way.

 

[DDLand]

Like i said tho they did try with toy story and that failed. Disneyland visitors definitely have more pull than WDW.

I feel like Disney is beginning to gain leverage though. Disneyland is getting more and more WDW style visitors coming, that should change the dynamics. This is also a good time to do it because Disney has just got a whole bunch of positive feelings following the Fantasyland Upgrades, Paint the Night, Disneyland Forever, Hatbox, SW, etc.

Disneyland faithful can't complain.

They may have wanted to wait a little bit longer. The pop in interest following the passing of Robin Williams has got to play a part in this. One could easily say Disney played their cards too soon.

 

[jlwhitney]

Sounds good to me. Between it being on Broadway and The Disney Fantasty cruise ship, 3 places is getting over kill.

Wonder how far out the new show will be.

 

[rteetz]

I feel like Disney is beginning to gain leverage though. Disneyland is getting more and more WDW style visitors coming, that should change the dynamics. This is also a good time to do it because Disney has just got a whole bunch of positive feelings following the Fantasyland Upgrades, Paint the Night, Disneyland Forever, Hatbox, SW, etc.

Disneyland faithful can't complain.

They may have wanted to wait a little bit longer. The pop in interest following the passing of Robin Williams has got to play a part in this. One could easily say Disney played their cards too soon.

I agree but I think people are starting to see the milking of frozen hence the bad remarks on Twitter and parks blog. I don't think Disney will back down here and listen to the fans on this one but I wish Disney would've looked elsewhere for something more under represented such as tangled. Even the toy story idea could've been brought back to life. Pretty much everything I've seen people agree that Aladdin should go but frozen should not be the replacement.

 

[luisov]

I see this show as DL's response to Maelstrom becoming a Frozen ride. They probably don't have any plans for a Frozen ride at DL, and they are now looking at the Frozen presence at DLR in the long term. The sing-along wasn't made to survive for more than a couple of years. A show at they hyperion is.

 

[DDLand]

I see this show as DL's response to Maelstrom becoming a Frozen ride. They probably don't have any plans for a Frozen ride at DL, and they are now looking at the Frozen presence at DLR in the long term. The sing-along wasn't made to survive for more than a couple of years. A show at they hyperion is.

Strong point. That actually makes a great deal of sense. I have heard of other Frozen things being considered over at Disneyland, but this could be a lasting offering.

I agree but I think people are starting to see the milking of frozen hence the bad remarks on Twitter and parks blog. I don't think Disney will back down here and listen to the fans on this one but I wish Disney would've looked elsewhere for something more under represented such as tangled. Even the toy story idea could've been brought back to life. Pretty much everything I've seen people agree that Aladdin should go but frozen should not be the replacement.

If you think about, this is really a reawakening of the "synergy" of the 1990s. What have gotten in Disney Parks from Frozen, the biggest animated movie of all time, so far? A temporary show that became permanent, an on again off again parade, part time fireworks, and a place where you can play in the snow and buy stuff (now in Hong Kong).

It's true we're getting a boat ride too, but even then it's short. In the 1990s they had parades and celebrations for the movies that bombed! (Pocahontas parade?) This is proven successful. This should be getting something massive! Instead all we've gotten is the above, a meet and greet, and a whole lot of merchandise. I wish Disney was taking a more cash grab approach to the Frozen phenomenon, like building new attractions! Alas, all we get is a boat ride and a show.

Better than nothing.

 

[rteetz]

Strong point. That actually makes a great deal of sense. I have heard of other Frozen things being considered over at Disneyland, but this could be a lasting offering.
If you think about, this is really a reawakening of the "synergy" of the 1990s. What have gotten in Disney Parks from Frozen, the biggest animated movie of all time, so far? A temporary show that became permanent, an on again off again parade, part time fireworks, and a place where you can play in the snow and buy stuff (now in Hong Kong).

It's true we're getting a boat ride too, but even then it's short. In the 1990s they had parades and celebrations for the movies that bombed! (Pocahontas parade?) This is proven successful. This should be getting something massive! Instead all we've gotten is the above, a meet and greet, and a whole lot of merchandise. I wish Disney was taking a more cash grab approach to the Frozen phenomenon, like building new attractions! Alas, all we get is a boat ride and a show.

Better than nothing.

I wish we were getting what Tokyo was getting because that's what frozen deserves.

 

[ekdj]

I love Frozen too, I just think that Disney is using it for money more than anything else, and while it makes sense from their point of veiw. I don't really like it. I agree that they should build an attraction for their highest grossing movie, but I don't think replacing classics is the best way to go.

 

[sunflare]

They also left a big hole in the show when they had an accident with the flying carpet a few years ago. When we saw the show, the "Whole New World" scene was terrible because the "Carpet" just came up from behind the stage and the characters stepped off of it.

They brought it back a couple of years ago... it's been flying since at least 2013 when I saw it for the first time.

 

[Mazz519]

UUUGGGHHHH !!!! Frozen............ LET IT GO ALREADY !!!!!!!!!