New Magic Kingdom Welcome Show & Main Street Opening UPDATE: Page 15 - Post #281

[PopGirl26]

So can anyone confirm yet what time BOG PPO people are allowed into Fantasyland? On our prior trips, we were typically ushered into the 7DMT queue at 7:50, about five minutes before the rope-droppers seemed to arrive. I would be so grateful for anyone who knows how it's working now!

 

[BrianL]

I can get over the change to a welcome show at the castle, but I watched a little of the video, and that show just doesn't hold a candle to the one at the Train Station. It needs some music! I do not think they did it as a cost saving measure, but as part of the security overhaul. Still, I'd like to see them step up their game for this new show.

 

[cjparker0110]

I watched the video and decided my kids will enjoy it when we go (it will be their first time). I'm not too impressed with it. I think the train welcome show was better. I like the music and songs that were part of that and the great sense of awe waiting for the train to come rolling in. I know WDW doesn't seem to be very attuned to the desires of vacationers any more, but I'm hoping that as they hear the "meh" responses from the veterans that they will either expand this into something special or make plans to go back to the train at some point.

 

[wifeofjh]

So can anyone confirm yet what time BOG PPO people are allowed into Fantasyland? On our prior trips, we were typically ushered into the 7DMT queue at 7:50, about five minutes before the rope-droppers seemed to arrive. I would be so grateful for anyone who knows how it's working now!

I read on another site that BOG PPO were able to ride 7DMT, hopefully this continues to be the case.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I watched the video and decided my kids will enjoy it when we go (it will be their first time). I'm not too impressed with it. I think the train welcome show was better. I like the music and songs that were part of that and the great sense of awe waiting for the train to come rolling in. I know WDW doesn't seem to be very attuned to the desires of vacationers any more, but I'm hoping that as they hear the "meh" responses from the veterans that they will either expand this into something special or make plans to go back to the train at some point.

For the security issues, I really don't think they will ever go back to the train welcome show. However, it seems that this new show may have been put together in a rush. There was VERY little public notice that the train welcome show was being retired, and a new show taking its place. While the train refurb was known for awhile, there was no notice that the welcome show would go on, just without the train.

I think that they made a determination that the old welcome show and rope drop procedures was a security issue, and thus made the change ASAP for safety, and thus put together a new welcome show quickly as a result.

Therefore, it is highly likely that we will see changes to the new welcome show. While dialog can be written quickly, music and choreography can take a bit longer to work out. I expect we'll see music and dancing added in the coming months.

 

[BrianL]

Therefore, it is highly likely that we will see changes to the new welcome show. While dialog can be written quickly, music and choreography can take a bit longer to work out. I expect we'll see music and dancing added in the coming months.

That is some wishful thinking knowing Disney these days, however I will choose to wish with you. If they revise the show into something better I will be very, very happy!

 

[Jennasis]

Why couldn't they have modified the existing show? They could have kept the Good Morning song and the most Magical Place on Earth song as well as the dancers.

 

[AngiTN]

I wonder if they thought the show was getting stale and just used the need to move for security as a reason to do something new?

 

[mom2rtk]

Why couldn't they have modified the existing show? They could have kept the Good Morning song and the most Magical Place on Earth song as well as the dancers.

I would have preferred that.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Why couldn't they have modified the existing show? They could have kept the Good Morning song and the most Magical Place on Earth song as well as the dancers.

I loved the welcome show, but I don't think this would have worked. The Castle is the entrance to Fantasyland, and thus needs a Fantasyland themed show. The old show is a Main Street themed show.

 

[Jennasis]

I loved the welcome show, but I don't think this would have worked. The Castle is the entrance to Fantasyland, and thus needs a Fantasyland themed show. The old show is a Main Street themed show.

OTher than the Casey Jr. part of the song, none of the old show was specific to anything other than "welcome". The new show isn't specific to Fantasyland (there were characters and princesses in the old show) and the welcome show should be a welcome to the Magic Kingdom, not any one specific land.

IMO of course.

 

[BrianL]

I loved the welcome show, but I don't think this would have worked. The Castle is the entrance to Fantasyland, and thus needs a Fantasyland themed show. The old show is a Main Street themed show.

I'd have kept the "Welcome, welcome, welcome" part since that is pretty Fantasyland-ish, then transition to a more different suite of music. Casey Jr. is about the train, but also a song from Dumbo. They could use a song from one of their fantasy films as a finale, like a peppy version of "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo" as the magic that will open the park. I dunno, I'm no song & dance man, but it needs something.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

OTher than the Casey Jr. part of the song, none of the old show was specific to anything other than "welcome". The new show isn't specific to Fantasyland (there were characters and princesses in the old show) and the welcome show should be a welcome to the Magic Kingdom, not any one specific land.

IMO of course.

Characters meet and greet on Main street, so I thought having them in a MS themed welcome show worked. But, it was primarily MS theme, regardless. Not just in content, but in tone as well. Even if you don't agree on this, I know you do agree that the show worked using the station as the backdrop.

Changing the backdrop from the station to the castle should result in a change of the theme and tone of show.

 

[John Marecek]

Watched the stream with my DD's, 6 and 10, who were very excited for the new show. Their reaction was that's it, and where is the family of the day. If you never saw the train station show, you don't know any different and this will be fine I'm sure. If you saw the train station show, guessing a large majority will think this is boring with zero energy. The train station show was fun, high energy, got you excited, and actually opened the park. This opens the park guest have been in for an hour, and in some cases, has already been fully operational for an hour.

Does anyone know, has the family of the day been completely scrapped? Always thought that was a really cool element of the show, and quite the experience for a family. Too bad if it has.

I'm sure changes will come, I look forward to seeing how they adjust when they see the reviews. Here's to hoping for a modified version of the old show.

 

[yulilin3]

I have no clue how scheduling/hours work for entertainment staff.
The same dancers that did the welcome show on the train station did the trolley show that starts at 9:15am (same outfits I believe) which fits with Main Street I'm assuming these dancers also work the Festival of Fantasy Parade but of course I could be mistaken.
The dancers that work the Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire start at 10:30am, or at least that's the first show
So I'm wondering if they just don't have or don't want to schedule dancers for the 8:55am welcome show?
I totally agree that the welcome, welcome song could still be used, and then add something else, without having any insight on entertainment it's hard to be completely sure about why this show had no dancers when they put dancers in everything else

 

[JonesFamilyTravels]

We are hitting Magic Kingdom early tomorrow with Couponing to Disney to check out this new show. We will let you know if we like it or not!

 

[AngiTN]

I have no clue how scheduling/hours work for entertainment staff.
The same dancers that did the welcome show on the train station did the trolley show that starts at 9:15am (same outfits I believe) which fits with Main Street I'm assuming these dancers also work the Festival of Fantasy Parade but of course I could be mistaken.
The dancers that work the Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire start at 10:30am, or at least that's the first show
So I'm wondering if they just don't have or don't want to schedule dancers for the 8:55am welcome show?
I totally agree that the welcome, welcome song could still be used, and then add something else, without having any insight on entertainment it's hard to be completely sure about why this show had no dancers when they put dancers in everything else

What about the First Family? Any one have any insight on if they'll have one anymore

 

[Jennasis]

Characters meet and greet on Main street, so I thought having them in a MS themed welcome show worked. But, it was primarily MS theme, regardless. Not just in content, but in tone as well. Even if you don't agree on this, I know you do agree that the show worked using the station as the backdrop.

Changing the backdrop from the station to the castle should result in a change of the theme and tone of show.

They could have the princesses and the characters singing the good morning song and most magical place on earth song. Or they could have had the existing dance troupe just wear Fantasyland costumes.

Instead we get the visual equivalent to that "womp womp" noise they play on the price is right when a contestant loses.

 

[calablovedisney]

Watched the stream with my DD's, 6 and 10, who were very excited for the new show. Their reaction was that's it, and where is the family of the day. If you never saw the train station show, you don't know any different and this will be fine I'm sure. If you saw the train station show, guessing a large majority will think this is boring with zero energy. The train station show was fun, high energy, got you excited, and actually opened the park. This opens the park guest have been in for an hour, and in some cases, has already been fully operational for an hour.

Yes, I agree with this comment about the energy level. That is what was missing. Not enough energy, which could be gained from music for sure. It just didn't seem as magical when I watched a video. However, I was left thinking that if my kids were still young, that they would probably enjoy the show. I really missed the "Good Morning" song and "Most Magical Place on Earth". I wonder if, and hope that, they will at least add something similar to ramp up the excitement. I am grateful that I got to see the old welcome show, even though it was just one time.

 

[dkrauss]

Why couldn't they have modified the existing show? They could have kept the Good Morning song and the most Magical Place on Earth song as well as the dancers.

This would have been my preferred solution...........what made the welcome show "gitchy" was the Mayor.........Smokey Miller.......the singing/dancing...............all in a non-normal location. Ok.......I appreciate the security issues.....I guess.........but the replacement was "Uninspired.........." Its just another castle show....and a short one too! Many say it takes some of the spontaneity away from entering the MK...........I guess you have to be there for that.

From my perspective..........we won't be getting up early to view it. Nothing special............which does make me sad. Now I'm really glad I got to meet Smokey Miller in November. Ya know sometimes its the little things that make the magic.

Doug