Shows that cannot be missed!!!

[davidc1]

I'm going to DLP in August and was wondering which are good shows that i should watch and cant be missed?!?! Thanks fellow DISNey FANS!

 

[davewasbaloo]

Oh, you will be spoilt for choice when you go in August. Here is a run down from my perspective:

Tarzan - this show has been dark for the last 2 years, but ran for nearly 10 years to huge crowds and acclaim. It is my fav show to grace the stage at any theme park (only rivalled by Aladdin in DCA and maybe the Finding Nemo Musical in DAK). It uses circus arts and the wonderful sound track to tell the story of Tarzan. The ariel ballet between Tarzan and Jane is pure magic, and makes me feel all goooey inside.

Moteurs Action - this show is marmite, people either love it or hate it. It shows you behind the scenes of how they film motorcycle and car stunts, and was designed by Remy Julienne who designed stunts for many James Bond movies, the original Italian Job and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Awesome

Cinemagique - if you love cinema, this is a must. It has won international awards for good reason. Part film, part special effects. It is a must sea IMHO.

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show (chargeable dinner show worth every penny, and the best dinner show Disney has done anywhere IMHO). 90 minutes of horse stunts, native american dancing, real buffalo all while you enjoy a BBQ dinner and drink or coke. There is a souvenir cowboy hat to take home!

Stitch Live - cute especially if you have little ones, the audience talk with Stitch.

Those for me are the must sees. The others include:

Animagique - a blacklit puppet/character show where Donald disobey's Mickey and ends up travelling through the Lion King, Jungle Book, Dumbo and the Little Mermaid. My kids adore this one.

Art of Animation - a 4 part attraction, the first is exploring the early animation forms, the second is a film presentation of the Disney classics in different languages, the third is an animator and mushu explaining how characters are developed, and the forth is a hands on area where you can learn to draw a character, colour animation, add sound effects and record dialogue.

Captain Eo in Discoveryland is a mixed bag. I love it for nostalgia sake as I was at the grand opening at Disneyland in 1985 when digital 3D was very new. And enjoyed it at DLP's grand opening in 1992. So there is a lot of nostalgia for me. The script and acting are poor, but it is a great 15 minute Michael Jackson music video in 3D, done by George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola. Mileage may vary.

There will be a new show on the hub in DLP, but no one has seen it yet. This year's was ok. Not a must, but ok IMHO.

If you have any under 5's, Playhouse Disney Live is excellent for them.

Hope that helps.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Also the Fantillusion light parade (as well as the normal Once Upon a Dream Parade and Stars and Cars Parade in WDSP) will be on. And the fireworks too.

Fanti is best viewed from in front of the castle towards Adventureland, but the fireworks are best viewed from near Casey's Corner.

And look out for the streetmousephere in August, cowboy bands, TAMTAM African drummers, marching band etc.

 

[davidc1]

Good Advice!! How long do the parks stay open to btw? And is the tarzan show in DL or WDS?

 

[davewasbaloo]

It always changes, but typically in August, DLP opens at 10am (EMH at 8am) and closes at 11pm. Studios is anyone's guess, but 10-7 (maybe 9pm) is likely.

Tarzan is in Frontierland in DLP, near to the train station.

 

[davidc1]

I'm thinking of seeing the Fantiillusion parade and fireworks. I'm also gonna see Cinemagique, Animagique and Tarzan. For the shows is it recommended to show up early in line? I devoted a day of my trip just for the Cine/Animagique, tarzan shows too. Would i be able to squeeze another one along with the three for that day?

 

[DLPdaft]

you'll easily have time for loads more in your shows day if you are only planning for those 3 shows - their showtimes are no more than half an hour each, and you only have to queue for each of them for around 15 minutes beforehand.

for example, right now Cinemagique shows each day at 11.30, 12.15, 13.00, 13.45, 15.45, 16.30 and 17.30 midweek, with an extra show on the weekend at 18.15. Animagique is on at 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 15.15, 16.00 and 17.00. Tarzan is likely to follow the Mickeys Winter Wonderland timings (they take place in the same venue, Mickeys in winter, Tarzan in summer), so likely 11.00
, 12.00, 13.00, 15.30, and 16.30.

Lets say you catch the first Tarzan show of the day at 11.00 - you'd be out of there and in the Studios for around 12noon easily, time to catch the 12.30 Cinemagique then lunch, couple of hours for rides/more studios shows, then 15.15 Animagique. So you'd be done with your 3 preferred shows by 4pm.

If you picked up the pace a bit after the Tarzan show at 11am, you could be in the Studios in time for the Animagique show at 12, then catch Cinemagique at 13.00, and could be done with those by 13.30!

 

[davidc1]

THank you so much for the times! That helped me a lot in planning my day! I'm going to try and see as many shows as possible...prob wnt be able to do the Buffalo WIld West Show though...

 

[davewasbaloo]

You will be fine. I would recommend getting to Tarzan 15 minutes early, and Moteurs Action 20 minutes early, but Animagique and Cinemagique you can normally get there 5-10 minutes before and will be fine. enjoy!

also, if you do like shows, I highly recommend Parc Asterix which is 30 miles north of DLP. They have an amazing stunt show about the attempts to steal the Mona Lisa, a dolphin show, and an asterix gladiator show. All very worth while.

Also, 30 minutes south of DLP is Provins, a 13th century UNESCO heritage town where they have amazing horse displays, falconry displays and medieval siege weapon displays.

 

[davidc1]

With all these shows, which of these should i not miss? I know Tarzan is one of them but you had to pick 3 more which ones would you recommend? Thanks!

 

[davewasbaloo]

With all these shows, which of these should i not miss? I know Tarzan is one of them but you had to pick 3 more which ones would you recommend? Thanks!

Oh it really does depend on personal tastes, but for me, I would go for:

1. Buffalo bill's
2. Tarzan
3. Moteurs Action
4. Cinemagique

 

[Ware Bears]

You should have plenty of time to see all the shows and even revisit any favourites. The parks are so close to each other that you'll have no problem popping in and out to catch a show/parade.

 

[davidc1]

How's the motour stunt action show? the same as florida? and wat are the times for that show?

 

[davewasbaloo]

I love Moteurs Action! But it is pretty much identical to the show in Florida, only it is bilingual here and after April 6th, Lightening McQueen will be making an appearance.

As for times, they do change, but typically there are 2 showings during the week and 3 at the weekend.

 

[davidc1]

So the motor show is quite popular, Ill try to add that into my schedule! =)