Off beats closing early for remodeling

[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.