Aladdin's got some issues

[Minuet888]

Well
even though I have an annual pass I hadn't seen Aladin in about a year so we went to go see it.
No....flying carpet during A Whole New World???
I had heard a rumor that a few months ago one of the cables snapped in midflight causing the carpet to topple yet no one was hurt because they are of course belted to the thing and the safety precautions acted accordingly.
No idea if this rumor was true but if it was it could explain why no flying carpet.

Then there was the part where Jasmine broke her head.
At the end in the wedding scene Aladdin and Jasmine were supposed to come rolling out on this bed/carpet thing? From where I was sitting you could see it rolling towards the stage fast then right as it was about to hit the stage the wheels locked or something and Jasmine went FLYING onto the stage head first and hit her head on the stage, Aladin came tumbling after and landed on top of her. There was a collective gasp from the audience as pretty much everyone saw it. The actors who play the guard came running over and helped her up and they stayed out for the remainder of the end but came out for curtain call (albeit Jasmine had a messed up wig at that point).
Glad she was ok though.

Genie was good, I have a feeling it is the same actor I always see, same voice, same body build....just a feeling.

 

[KCmike]

That's too bad for you showing.

Does anyone know if they will ever bring back the flying carpet?

 

[Minuet888]

I asked a cast member who said the carpet undergoes routine maintainence and tests and once she finishes the tests she will be flying again but we don't have a time as to when that will be.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

The cable DID break and the flying carpet hasn't flown since then. I haven't hear any news of when it will be fixed and return.

 

[DryCreek]

We saw the show twice last week. The first time something happened during the magic carpet scene, so they reset the props and picked up after that scene. We never knew what was supposed to happen, so we went again the next day. It went all the way through without a hitch.

I saw two different actors playing the role of Genie and Jasmine, so it appears that they rotate through.

OK, am I the only one that pays close attention to the scene props? During the magic carpet ride scene, when they fill the stage with theatrical smoke to simulate clouds, and then bring out all of the "landmarks" they'd see as they fly over - someone comes through carrying an Eiffel Tower. An Eiffel Tower? Really? Is the magic carpet also a time machine that takes them into the future too?

Still a pretty good production, though. Easily as great as the Finding Nemo presentation at AK. I'd rank it as a close second to the Festival Of The Lion King at AK.

 

[KCmike]

Wow really? I think it destroys FOTLK. It is far and away the best stage show in any disney park for me.

 

[BecBennett]

OK, am I the only one that pays close attention to the scene props? During the magic carpet ride scene, when they fill the stage with theatrical smoke to simulate clouds, and then bring out all of the "landmarks" they'd see as they fly over - someone comes through carrying an Eiffel Tower. An Eiffel Tower? Really? Is the magic carpet also a time machine that takes them into the future too?

YES!! I am always driven crazy by this! So much so that afterwards I start to wonder if I imagined the Eiffel tower!!

 

[DryCreek]

Wow really? I think it destroys FOTLK. It is far and away the best stage show in any disney park for me.

I like the acrobatics that are displayed during FOTLK. Some of those trampoline stunts are amazing (yes, I am a fan of the monkeys). It also seems that the show is designed to incorporate the audience more as the performers and stage props enter from all four corners, and each "team" encourages interaction from the audience.

Now, that being said, I really enjoyed the silent and very nimble performance of whoever it was that portrayed the magic carpet.

 

[HydroGuy]

I like the acrobatics that are displayed during FOTLK. Some of those trampoline stunts are amazing (yes, I am a fan of the monkeys). It also seems that the show is designed to incorporate the audience more as the performers and stage props enter from all four corners, and each "team" encourages interaction from the audience.

Now, that being said, I really enjoyed the silent and very nimble performance of whoever it was that portrayed the magic carpet.

I think FOTLK is the best stage show at WDW and agree with all the things you like about it. The reality though is that it has no story. It is just a musical and acrobatic celebration.

Aladdin at DCA has a complete story. But what really makes Aladdin is the genie. Hands down. For that matter the genie is what made the animated Aladdin movie go as well. I think Aladdin is much better for that reason.

 

[gardener14]

I have to agree that Aladdin is superior to Festival of the Lion King. Aladdin is a first class musical production of Broadway quality (only lacking a live orchestra). FOTLK is more comparable to a one ring European circus with some quality vocalists. The overall concept and staging is much simpler. Aladdin is quite a complex show with extreme talent, especially the Genie. They're both excellent, but Aladdin's level of quality, talent, and execution beats FOTLK any day in my mind.

I do hope they're working on the flying carpet scene and that they find a way to bring it back or a suitable replacement. When I saw the show without it, that scene was lacking. They could at least bring up the carpet with the performers from the back of the stage while the cloud/flying scene is going on. Hearing Aladdin and Jasmine sing but not being able to see them until the end of the song felt awkward.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Aladdin vs. FOTLK is a personal judgment depending on what you like. Genie makes it my favorite Disney show. IMO, once you've seen FOTLK, you've seen it. Genie's improv riffs means it's a different show every time.

 

[gokdog]

I think FOTLK is the best stage show at WDW and agree with all the things you like about it. The reality though is that it has no story. It is just a musical and acrobatic celebration.

Aladdin at DCA has a complete story. But what really makes Aladdin is the genie. Hands down. For that matter the genie is what made the animated Aladdin movie go as well. I think Aladdin is much better for that reason.

We just visited WDW for the first time in December and saw both Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, both were great, but did not have the residual, lets go see it again Factor that Aladdin has and it was absolutely the Genie that makes it so good, every time.

 

[Minuet888]

I have to agree that Aladdin is superior to Festival of the Lion King. Aladdin is a first class musical production of Broadway quality (only lacking a live orchestra). FOTLK is more comparable to a one ring European circus with some quality vocalists. The overall concept and staging is much simpler. Aladdin is quite a complex show with extreme talent, especially the Genie. They're both excellent, but Aladdin's level of quality, talent, and execution beats FOTLK any day in my mind.

I do hope they're working on the flying carpet scene and that they find a way to bring it back or a suitable replacement. When I saw the show without it, that scene was lacking. They could at least bring up the carpet with the performers from the back of the stage while the cloud/flying scene is going on. Hearing Aladdin and Jasmine sing but not being able to see them until the end of the song felt awkward.

I haven't been to WDW (well once back in 2003 but didn't go to the animal park) so I can't comment on FOTLK but I do love the genie in Aladin and that is truly what makes the show for me.

You should have seen me during the Whole New World Song as I heard them singing but couldn't see them. I'm looking all around the ceiling, I turned around in my seat, I couldn't find them and it was driving me crazy. I wasn't the only one though, the audience was full of people looking all around, looking up for the invisible flying carpet.

 

[c5mjohn]

YES!! I am always driven crazy by this! So much so that afterwards I start to wonder if I imagined the Eiffel tower!!

I always imagined Disney's version of Aladdin was set in the 1800s. The middle east didn't have electricity, trains, or motor vehicles until the 1900s so I imagine 1890 Iraq didn't look much different then 1490 Iraq. Makes the whole new world that Aladdin is going to show Jasmine much more interesting.