Are live action attractions on the chopping block?

[jkh36619]

Any rumors on Voyage of the Little Mermaid @ HS or Finding Nemo The Musical @ AK not coming back? With cuts all over the place I wonder if the powers that be are considering axing attractions like these.

 

[rteetz]

No, the big issue right now of course is the virus. The live actors interact quite a bit and the actors equity union which these actors are a part of have demands that Disney has yet to meet.

 

[jkh36619]

gotcha. But I'm not surprised by anything anymore when it comes to cuts..

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

little mermaid was originally supposed to only last a few years and it became a few decades, i think nemo is safe. The reason mermaid is still there is it stayed popular and keeping it saved money over replacement i know that area of dhs was going to be on the update list for the next few years but now i dont see it happening soon... i thing monsters inc, fantasmic, and tiki room are in the most danger of going away

 

[jkh36619]

little mermaid was originally supposed to only last a few years and it became a few decades, i think nemo is safe. The reason mermaid is still there is it stayed popular and keeping it saved money over replacement i know that area of dhs was going to be on the update list for the next few years but now i dont see it happening soon... i thing monsters inc, fantasmic, and tiki room are in the most danger of going away

Yeah. I think Festival of the Lion King is still wildly popular. Little Mermaid is ok and last time I saw Nemo I didnt make it to the end (but Ive seen both of those many times). I can still sit through F! and Lion King tho. Was just thinking Nemo and Mermaid were kinda on their way out as it is.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

I think Nemo is not due for a replacement for a while. I would bet The American Adventure is high on Disney’s list for a reimagining. Im a history teacher and struggled to make it thru without falling asleep. Disney should team up with Lin Manuel Miranda and do a hamilton type show for the founding fathers or great americans... could you imagine the hype?

 

[skeeter31]

I think Nemo is not due for a replacement for a while. I would bet The American Adventure is high on Disney’s list for a reimagining. Im a history teacher and struggled to make it thru without falling asleep. Disney should team up with Lin Manuel Miranda and do a hamilton type show for the founding fathers or great americans... could you imagine the hype?

That would be a lot of work and money to change those animatronics. Plus that’s a people eater of an attraction. To take it down for the year+ it would require to do that update would be horrible on the crowds in world showcase.

 

[BrianL]

little mermaid was originally supposed to only last a few years and it became a few decades, i think nemo is safe. The reason mermaid is still there is it stayed popular and keeping it saved money over replacement i know that area of dhs was going to be on the update list for the next few years but now i dont see it happening soon... i thing monsters inc, fantasmic, and tiki room are in the most danger of going away

I may be crazy, but I just LOVE that Little Mermaid show! I know it's dated, but there's just something about it. I always enjoy it.

 

[Luxurious_Lumiere]

I do believe that the live musical productions in the parks could remain closed until a vaccine for this virus becomes available. AEA (Actors Equity Association, the union that all of those performers are a member of) has strict safety demands to protect its members, which cannot be met by the current state of these shows.

Part of the problem is that singing has been found to be one of the most dangerous activities in terms of spreading the virus. That's because of the extra support singers use to project their voice, it creates way more droplets in the air that extend further out from a person versus if they were simply talking. There are many news items which have reported high volumes of coronavirus infections being traced to choir rehearsals. Most notably, a Washington State choir who held socially distant rehearsals...yet the 6 feet spacing did nothing to stop 87% of them become infected. And then it spread throughout the town.

So while Disney could easily decrease the capacity of shows to protect guests, there is no easy way to protect the performers on stage. All it would take is one infected actor singing on stage to basically infect the whole cast (and even potentially audience members).

Nemo is incredibly popular and successful, so I don't think they plan on removing it. But it will be extremely difficult to bring those shows back during this pandemic.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Sorry, but I would not miss Nemo in particular. Boring, the bench seats are not comfortable, and it takes up a good chunk of time. Something about the puppeteers with the puppets too. Some people love them, I find it really distracting. The Lion King Broadway musical would be the only exception. Don't get me started on the Frozen stage show in DCA - I thought that was comically bad.

 

[Moliphino]

Sorry, but I would not miss Nemo in particular. Boring, the bench seats are not comfortable, and it takes up a good chunk of time. Something about the puppeteers with the puppets too. Some people love them, I find it really distracting. The Lion King Broadway musical would be the only exception. Don't get me started on the Frozen stage show in DCA - I thought that was comically bad.

I still miss Tarzan Rocks. Ok, mostly just the flying wildman in a loincloth.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

I still miss Tarzan Rocks. Ok, mostly just the flying wildman in a loincloth.

Oh Jane. XD

 

[cgattis]

Oh man, I love the Nemo show! I could see the puppeteers with masks (appropriately camouflaged) and the voices coming from elsewhere (heck, maybe they already do??). But Lion King would be hard; it’s fantastic too, so I hope they both stick around. Not to mention how much they need to bring back Burudika Band!!

 

[OSUZorba]

No, the big issue right now of course is the virus. The live actors interact quite a bit and the actors equity union which these actors are a part of have demands that Disney has yet to meet.

Hasn't the union said they are more of requests? As in, they are making the request, but they are not preventing Disney from recalling any of the actors.

 

[rteetz]

Hasn't the union said they are more of requests? As in, they are making the request, but they are not preventing Disney from recalling any of the actors.

I am not positive but if that was the case I feel some of them would've been called back already.

 

[OSUZorba]

I am not positive but if that was the case I feel some of them would've been called back already.

I remember reading it in a story a week or so ago that the union president was very clear they weren't prevent Disney from recalling anyone or talking to anyone.

 

[Helvetica]

I may be crazy, but I just LOVE that Little Mermaid show! I know it's dated, but there's just something about it. I always enjoy it.

I enjoy it too. It's been there so long that it's become retro.

Where else are kids going to see laser light shows?

 

[ParrotBill]

My understanding is the union made a stronger statement than a request, that it was viewed as a demand, to provide daily Covid testing for performers. Disney's response was to withdraw the recall notices. Who is being more obstinate? Who can ever tell in union negotiations.

 

[tlmadden73]

It's probably not a BAD thing the live-action shows aren't going on (from a safety standpoint).

Some are speculating the reason the virus is spiking in the south and california so much is the prevalence of A/C. Honestly I am surprised Disney opened up some of the non-actor theater attractions (like Philharmagic). I don't mind walking around an outdoor theme park .. but sitting in a theater with hundreds of people for 15+ minutes breathing the same recirculated air .. just doesn't feel good right now.

And really .. until Disney's attendance goes up (and who knows if it would even if Disney wasn't limiting capacity) .. there is not much need (except at DHS) for those attractions anyway.

No need to pay a lot of money to actors for several shows that will probably be barely full.

So while Disney probably wanted them back to be able to offer guests a complete experience, they probably are fine with the money being saved by not having them back yet.

 

[yulilin3]

I know Terry Ward is anxious to come back but the union/ Disney issue has prevented him from doing that