The 2008 Flower Power Concert Series Review/Info Thread

[jamstew]

I thoroughly enjoyed the Searchers. Tokens were just okay. Davy Jones was fun

 

[Otter49]

I'm not so sure about reviewing the summer series since they're only cover bands, but here's a little preview based on previous years.

If you like the Eagles then you'll enjoy Hotel California. These guys are completely faithful to the music and the spirit of the original group.

Ditto for Abba/Bjorn Again, as well as Bon Jovi/Slippery When Wet.

For reasons I don't actually recall, we were pretty lukewarm about Stayin' Alive and the Elton John/Billy Joel guy.

The U2 and Supremes tributes are new, so no comment there yet.

In any event, we'll be over there a lot, sweating our brains out.

 

[DenverDave]

I enjoyed this thread - thanks to everyone who submitted reviews and comments. Just some thoughts to wrap things up:

The Flower Power concerts are really terrific in my opinion. Think of it - Disney brings to Epcot some of the greats of 60's and 70's Rock and Roll. The show are absolutely free - and there are three each night. You can take a stroll around the World Showcase, stop for dinner, then drop in and see such legendary performers as Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Ventures, Jose Feliciano and Peter and Gordon. Does it get any better than that? Thanks to the Disney folks who put it together each year!

As time marches on, many of these performers from the Flower Power era will no longer be performing anywhere - take advantage of the chance to see them now. Sure - the talent of some of the performers may have eroded, but it's still a major thrill to see Petula Clark sing "Downtown" in person for instance.

With the Eat to the Beat concerts in the fall moving dramatically away from older classic perfomers like the Beach Boys, Little Richard, etc.; Flower Power becomes even a higher priority for fans of old rock and roll like me. I can't get very excited about the fall lineup, with the exception maybe of Kool and the Gang, but I'm anticipating and hoping for another lineup of Flower Power perfomers in 2009 similar to this year's group.

I wish I could come more often to Disney World! I envy you locals who can attend a lot of the concerts and hang around at your leasure. One trip during the spring is all for me - I'll make it a long one in 2009. I wish that Disney would announce at least some of the FP lineup a bit earlier to allow for earlier trip planning. I really do plan my trip dates based largely on the Flower Power schedule. They ought to announce the dates they know along the way - even if they are subject to change.

I can't emphasize enough how great I thought The Ventures were in their first WDW appearance this year. Talk about a bunch of 70+ year old guys rocking out - man were they good! If they come back in 2009 (please Disney, get it done!) I will schedule my entire trip around seeing them - even if they get scheduled during spring break. I hearby swear. If you ever get the chance - don't miss them.

Is there some way that Disney could publicize the FP concerts a bit more? I always feel sorry that many seats go unfilled at some of the the concerts as lots of folks walk by not even knowing what is going on. The concerts are listed in the daily activity schedule and also in the Flower and Garden Festival booklet. There is a small sign at each entrance to the theater - and that's about it. Not that I want to make it harder to get a good seat for myself, but it's a shame so many people don't realize what they are missing.

Finally - a tip. By trial and error I discovered that there are some spots in the theater where the listener gets blasted with sound that's way too loud. On more than one occasion I have had to put my fingers in my ears, and seen others doing the same. I believe I figured out where these are - see if any of you agree. Picturing the seating arrangement - there are about 7 rows of seats right up front by the stage. Then there is a wide aisle parallel to the stage. Just above that aisle are three groups of speakers - one in the center and one on each side. You can easily see them. I believe that the location of those three speaker groups creates areas of extremely loud sound in the first few rows of the section just above the big aisle. If you sit in the first seven rows up front it doesn't seem to be a problem, but if you sit below the speakers in those first few rows of the main section, you get blasted out. Anyone else notice this?

That's it for me for this year. Long live Flower Power, don't miss the Ventures, have fun and see you at the America Gardens Theater!

 

[NancyIL]

Dave, yesterday I found a good airfare to Orlando for next April, so I'll be back! I chose my dates to coincide with my birthday, and I'll be happy to listen to whoever is scheduled to perform the 8 days I'm there.

**I wanted to add - if you're at the first show - DON'T side on the right side of the theater looking towards your left unless you have REALLY good sunglasses! The setting sun made it very difficult to see and photograph the performers when I was at Peter and Gordon's first show.

 

[DenverDave]

Thanks Nancy -

Excellent tip about the sun! It really is an issue - sometimes even at the 7:15 show too.

 

[Otter49]

You can take a stroll around the World Showcase, stop for dinner, then drop in and see such legendary performers as Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Ventures, Jose Feliciano and Peter and Gordon. Does it get any better than that? Thanks to the Disney folks who put it together each year!

As time marches on, many of these performers from the Flower Power era will no longer be performing anywhere - take advantage of the chance to see them now.

Well said Dave. I'm guessing five to seven years max and Flower Power will be a thing of the past. Hopefully replaced by something else we can enjoy, but these great acts will be hanging it up.

Is there some way that Disney could publicize the FP concerts a bit more? I always feel sorry that many seats go unfilled at some of the the concerts as lots of folks walk by not even knowing what is going on.

Yeah, isn't it funny - we wind up feeling bad for the entertainers that they're not filling the theater. And of course feeling bad for guests who don't have the chance to see them. It's amazing the number of people who come up to us and ask what's going on, who's performing, etc.

You'd think that for something that is clearly a special event, an extra, there'd be signage at the front of the park.

 

[BethC1952]

......
As time marches on, many of these performers from the Flower Power era will no longer be performing anywhere - take advantage of the chance to see them now. Sure - the talent of some of the performers may have eroded, but it's still a major thrill to see Petula Clark sing "Downtown" in person for instance.
.....

I totally agree with you. I'm lucky enough to live in a city which provides oldies concerts during the summer, featuring some of the same performers who do the FP series. I work for the office which provides this concerts and have had the thrill of a lifetime meeting my teen idols. I love the FP series, and was lucky enough to see Jose Feliciano, Gary Puckett and Felix Cavaliere a couple of weeks ago. I've had the pleasure of meeting both Gary Puckett and Felix Cavaliere when they appeared here, as well as people like Johnny Maestro, Little Anthony and others. If you're in this area and are interested in attending our summer series, send me a PM. I can't wait to see next year's FP concert line-up!

Beth