Update! Tarzan Rocks Closing -Replacement Rumor on pg 8!

[Towncrier]

Believe it or not, Tarzan Rocks is one of my favorite parts of the Animal Kingdom. When we were there in April, I was overjoyed to see Juan was the lead singer performing that day. He may not be Phil Colins, but he can sing as well as any live performer that I have ever heard. I bumped into Juan as he was leaving the Animal Kingdom once and told him face to face that I thought he was an outstanding singer and performer. He is one of the CMs that make Disney trips special.

I will make it a point to take my video camera with me in June and try to capture the show just in case the rumor is true.

 

[PrincessDana]

In the Spring 2005 issue of The Disney Magazine there is an interview with the lead male singer--Billy Flanigan.

When asked if he ever plans to retire (from Tarzan Rocks) he answers, "I don't see myself stopping. One day they'll say, 'Billy, you're eighty-two and you can no longer sing Tarzan Rocks.'

I'm kind of in the middle with this show. We saw it our first trip, skipped it the second time and went back to it this past 12/2004. The noise never really bothered me and I liked the acrobatics, but I like Phil Collins way too much to enjoy anyone else singing his songs.

 

[treesinger]

I'll take Phil Collins as Genesis drummer/singer and early in his solo career before the modern incarnation of his music. If you thought he is talented today, then I bet you would all really enjoy him when he was starting out and then hitting his prime. Just MHO.

 

[Tink n Poohbear]

Thank goodness were going before it closes! My DS 3 can't stop talking about how xcited he is to go see Tarzan....not Mickey, not Pooh Bear....just Tarzan. Since you can't find him in the parks or at a character meal, I'm grateful for the show!

 

[NotUrsula]

I didn't care for it, but I will agree that a big part of the reason probably was that it was so loud. I have tinnitus at the best of times, and "rock concert" volume is something that is positively excruciating for me, which is why I carry foam earplugs to use any time that volume is cranked up too high. Even with the plugs it was a bit painful.

However, y'all will love this anecdote: DS is an extremely sound sleeper (takes after his Mom). Back when he was not quite 3, he wanted to see the show, so we agreed to take him. Mom slips in her Hearos, child flat refuses to use any earplugs. OK, this is going to be loud. Show starts, DS is enjoying it. After 5 minutes or so my chest is starting to hurt from the concussion when I notice that I am being leaned on. DS has fallen asleep in the middle of Tarzan Rocks! Yippee, we get to leave! (We were in one of the rear side sections that the skaters don't circle.) As I carry him out, I notice people pointing and even taking our photo; as NO ONE can believe that a child is sleeping through this music! He woke up two hours later, having slept through several character photos, too. (He hates characters and normally won't go near them. Tee hee.)

 

[tinkerbell of winter]

They are worried about the noise from Expedition Everest? Yikes there isn't a place in that park, except for maybe the safaris that you can't hear Tarzan Rocks when it is playing! We were on the other side of the park in Africa and could hear that racket. I won't miss it, we didn't even go this year to the show. It would be nice to put something in there with kid friendly characters, jungle book sounds great! I saw Disney on Ice, 3 Jungle Adventures a few years ago, something like that would be great.

 

[MidNite]

I really enjoyed Tarzan rocks both times I saw it. It's a very unique and creative show that I think plays nicely to the spirit of the film. I will miss it when it's gone, guess I better make sure to see it one last time in two weeks!

We expect (beg for?) a long, detailed, quickly-posted trip report from you!!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Out of all the times we've visited in the past few years we've only seen Tarzan Rocks once- we enjoyed it! But we'll probably love Jungle Book too. We'll just make sure to see Tarzan Rocks in June before it ends. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[agnes!]

Uh, Agnes, have you been to a rock concert recently?

Not too recently.
IMO, just because a concert/musical experience is loud doesn't make it necessarily "good", the experience is just that..."loud". The decibel levels on modern concerts/musicals/extravaganzas/theme park attractions/theme park rides/etc, etc... are dangerous to the (so-called) listeners' hearing. Deafness can creep up upon a person unawares after years and years of cranking it up, because hearing loss is usually a gradual/experiential process. If decibel surveys were done in some of these settings, I think that people would be shocked & folks who work at these concert halls/theatres/whatever would have grounds to sue the promoters/theme park owners for additional compensation.
I have great hearing and I guard it jealously. I'm a performer & want to be able to hear music and my family and my life in the years to come.
Usually, once you notice hearing loss, it's too late. (Isn't the guitarist from the Who almost profoundly deaf from years of being so close to the amps?)

agnes!

 

[jnrrt]

Not too recently.
IMO, just because a concert/musical experience is loud doesn't make it necessarily "good", the experience is just that..."loud". The decibel levels on modern concerts/musicals/extravaganzas/theme park attractions/theme park rides/etc, etc... are dangerous to the (so-called) listeners' hearing. Deafness can creep up upon a person unawares after years and years of cranking it up, because hearing loss is usually a gradual/experiential process. If decibel surveys were done in some of these settings, I think that people would be shocked & folks who work at these concert halls/theatres/whatever would have grounds to sue the promoters/theme park owners for additional compensation.
I have great hearing and I guard it jealously. I'm a performer & want to be able to hear music and my family and my life in the years to come.
Usually, once you notice hearing loss, it's too late. (Isn't the guitarist from the Who almost profoundly deaf from years of being so close to the amps?)

agnes!

Yes, this is random, and has very little to do with this thread (sorry!), but one of the most common and ironic problems for musicians is hearing loss. Even if you don't use amplified sound, you can have trouble just from practicing for 40 or 50 hours a week in little rooms (like practice rooms at universities), so people have to be careful. And certainly, those who use amplified sound have to be very careful. I know I am, and I'm also careful when I'm in venues listening to others. I would bet money that at least some of the performers in Tarzan Rocks! are wearing ear plugs, and if they're not, they should be.

 

[SoCalKDG]

They are worried about the noise from Expedition Everest? Yikes there isn't a place in that park, except for maybe the safaris that you can't hear Tarzan Rocks when it is playing! We were on the other side of the park in Africa and could hear that racket. I won't miss it, we didn't even go this year to the show. It would be nice to put something in there with kid friendly characters, jungle book sounds great! I saw Disney on Ice, 3 Jungle Adventures a few years ago, something like that would be great.

I have to agree that the music of Tarzan Rocks would ruin the theming of Everest, as well as other parts of the park you might be if you were hearing the music. I thought the music was decent, but the show was missing something. I saw it in April, it won't be missed, and definetly hope there will be a replacement that is more enjoyable.

 

[skiwee1]

Thank goodness! This is one Disney show that I am happy to see go. The Jungle book possibility sounds promising.

 

[vmkids]

I LOVE Tarzan Rocks. WE all love Billy and does anybody know if he will be in the new show that will replace Tarzan. MY kids are teenagers and Tarzan was there favorite show of all. I really wish they would leave it alone. Why would they have put Billy in the Disney magazine and then pull the show? Billy sings great and is soooo funny. He is also the one that does the parade at Christmas taping. And if anybody was there for the celebration, he was the MC that introduced Wayne Brady. MUST SEE BILLY< MUST SEE BILLY!

 

[Mykelogan]

SO glad I am going back soon now so I can see this show again! It is one of my WDW faves. In fact I was just listening to some of the Tarzan soundtrack. hehe

Mike

 

[skuttle]

Wooo Hooo!! DH and I cannot stand this show! It is the ONLY show/attraction/parade/etc that we actually thought about getting up and leaving during the middle of it...we thought it was *that* bad. We didn't leave, of course, but we sure wanted to!

 

[skuttle]

If you don't get chills enjoying the music, you're not really into the Disney magic.

That is SO not true!!

 

[cocowum]

And man, if you don't get the chills listening to....

Come stop your crying, it'll be all right.
Just take my hand, hold it tight.
I will protect you, from all around you.
I will be here, don't you cry.

For one so small, you seem so strong
My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm
This bond between us, can't be broken
I will be here, don't you cry.

Oh my gosh, I just got chills reading your post.

I love Tarzan Rocks. We didn't get to see it last week while we were there. I'm so glad we decided to go back in Aug for DD's B-day I'll get to see it one more time.

 

[justhat]

I'm one of those sad that the show is going. I loved the music, but am even more upset that my daughter didn't really see the show and I know she'd love it. She loved FOTLK and loves characters, music, dancing, etc. so i know she'd like the skating monkeys. We tried to see it on our last trip, but it was naptime and my daughter was grouchy, very grouchy, and wanted to walk up/down the ledge in the 1st row of the 2nd section (where the monkeys skate). Well she totally freaked out when I told her no and held her. She calmed down when it started, but then got too tired, started really crying so my husband left with her while my BIL (17yo) and I stayed. He really liked the show so it was worth staying for. Maybe we will take advantage of the pin code to go back in early September and take Madison to see the show!

 

[welovedis]

OP-do you have the link to this rumor? I tried googling it but it keeps taking me back to their current news page on MP. I wanted to send it along to a friend who was shocked at the idea of it closing. Thanks in advance!

 

[RyMickey]

OP-do you have the link to this rumor? I tried googling it but it keeps taking me back to their current news page on MP. I wanted to send it along to a friend who was shocked at the idea of it closing. Thanks in advance!

Here you go.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/parkupdates/wdw/wdw050502.htm

It's just a small little blurb on the top of the page.