Very Dissapointed

[Cindyluwho]

We cruised last year during the week before Thanksgiving and were looking forward to doing the same thing this year. We booked while we were still on the ship and were very happy with the discount, etc. The cruise was amazing, the best vacation we've ever had; and we've traveled all over the world. But reading through this message board it seems that the Magic is still doing the same shows on the ship?? Hercules and Disney Dreams. How can that be? It's been a whole year and I would never have guessed that they wouldn't change the shows. There's so many return cruisers you'd think they would change the shows AT LEAST every year, if not every 6 months. I haven't had the guts to tell my husband, he hates to sit through anything twice, even a year later. So, when exactly, do they change their shows??

 

[mmouse37]

That seems to be the million dollar question. WE have sailed DCL 6 times and have seen the same shows with a few exceptions like Voyage of the Ghost Ship which DCL took away.

But, basically the shows are the same. What we do now is go to the Welcome Variety and Farwell Variety shows and use the other show times to do other activities.

We still enjoy the cruise very much but do wish they would change the shows also. They can keep Disney Dreams because that is their signature shows, but definitely change the other ones around.

MJ

 

[PammyK]

Even though it seems like there are hordes of return cruisers, they really do make up a fairly small percentage of the passengers on most sailings. Of course certain dates will have more return cruisers than others.

It would be great if they changed the shows more often, but unfortunately it just isn't the case. I can understand your disappointment, however, there are so many great things to do on the ship I'm sure you'll find something to occupy your time. I know in my experience there times when I had to choose between the show and some other activity.

For example, if you have late seating you can spend more time in port on port days rather than rushing back to the ship to see the show. Or you can have a nice nap in preparation for nighttime activities in the clubs.

 

[ppiew]

I also think that some work needs to be done on the show entertainment - but then I didn't care for Hercules and loved Dreams!! I guess it is the wonderful music in Dreams! But yes, we have seen them twice now and that is enough. Dreams has to continue because of the Disney experience, but the others should be updated. It would also encourage repeat cruisers to entice them to return for another trip.

 

[KMovies]

While it is true that we expect the shows to change more often, let's consider this:

- most are only cruising for the first or second time
- look at how often the shows change at the parks - everyone cried when Hunchback closed after 7 years at MGM, Mermaid and Beauty have lasted even longer
- It's expensive to change out the shows
- While Dreams has stayed the same; all of the other shows have been updated from time to time. There was at least a couple of versions of Ghost Ship and Morty the Magician. The jokes in Hercules change some - it's the little changes that are fun to see.
- If you cruise once a year or so - what is wrong with seeing the same show again? I mean, how many times have people seen the same episode of Cheers, Fraiser, or Mash and watch them again and again.
- It may soon be time to move out Hercules for a replacement - but the shows have changed much more than the parks.

 

[tecdavidt]

Disney isn't the only line guilty of this. We cruised on the Fantasy twice and saw the same shows. We have been on the Imagination three times and it was the same shows. So to get new shows one must sail on different ships or learn to do whatever activity they missed out on because they went to the show.

I for one love the Disney shows so I always see them. It is like a "park expeience" for me. I still ride the same rides over and over and I always see the Lion King show at Animal Kingdom.

Kathy

 

[CamColt]

We have sailed twice, the first time it was VOTGS, Herc, & DD. Second time, Who Wants to Be a Mouseketeer replaced VOTGS. I was glad that there wasnt much rearranging of the shows. If there had been 3 new shows I would have felt I had to go see them all. This way, we skipped Hercules and had more time to do other things(I also skipped WWTBAM, because I cant stand the millionare show). Theres so much to do on the ship, I cant imagined being bored, even if the shows dont change much.
And they had better NEVER replace Disney Dreams!

 

[jlmcantwait]

Hey CamColt..............
Is it cold enough for you this morning? I left for work it was 35 degrees....ouch

 

[SC Minnie]

We just got back from the 3day after doing the 7 day eastern in January. We had just seen Hercules 9 months before and although I enjoyed then there were other things on the ship I wanted to do this time. We didn't go to the second night either but we did see Disney Dreams on the last night.

My point being if you decide not to see the shows there are plenty of other ways to entertain yourselves during that time.

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

When DH and I went on our honeymoon in 1998 we saw VOTGS, HTM and DD. Personally I loved VOTGS but as the nights went on the shows got better and better. I am a bit sad that we will not see VOTGS but I can't wait to see DD. HTM is okay but we are going to see that again since we haven't seen it in such a long time.

I think it would be difficult for them to have a new show because when would they train for it? The people in the shows work other areas of the ship.

Lisa

 

[kamgen]

I would be devastated if they did away with Disney Dreams! I cannot imagine not seeing it each time I cruise....
Also, Hercules is different each time we see it. We have cruised 4 times and each time there were new jokes, which helps to keep it fresh.
JMO.

Kamy

 

[LarryC]

New shows might be nice, as we also have seen the same ones in July 2001 and June 2002. We are booked again in July 2003.

If I like a song, I'll buy the CD so I can listen to it often. I have seen many movies time and time again. And I have also been known to re-read a favorite book.

Some Broadway shows have been known to run for decades.

I like the shows. I am fine with seeing them all again. I know they will be good.

 

[jrabbit]

As for when could the cast train for a new production, they could every 6 months. That is how often the casts rotate onto the ships. A new cast is formed and they spend months in Toronto rehearsing the shows. Then they come on board, watch their predecessors perform and they practice during the day when the theater isn’t being used. It has got to be different performing on a stationary stage on land vs. a moving stage at sea. I don’t recall how much overlap time there is when both casts are on the ship.

As far as the shows go, I wish they would bring back “Ghost Ship.” The first half of it was pretty good, but I had too much to eat at dinner and fell asleep during the last half – I still don’t know what happened!! I do know that it ended with lots of applause - it woke me up

Now if they could do a condensed version of their Broadway shows “Beauty and the Beast” and “Lion King” that would be great. Lion King would probably be difficult on the moving ship.




Oh … better idea, they could do Beauty and the Beast and present it over 2 or 3 nights on the 7 night cruise so it wouldn’t have to be condensed!! - Just consider it "LONG Intermissions". With the stage they have on the ship, they could pull that off. OK DCL feel free to use this great idea

 

[ppiew]

How about rotating Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, and Aida?
Every 3 months or so. WOW! Better not - can't afford that many cruises!

 

[alexandrew]

as stated above, Herc and Dreams are outstanding. I think work needs to be done to premiere a new show in lieu of Who wants to be A Mouseketeer and Morty. The show ran it's course on prime time TV, and I feel the same about the show on the ship. I find it slow, boring, and influenced too much by the audience....As for Morty, in my opinion it seems it was just thrown together....and as an afterthought, they threw in Sorcerer Mickey to let folks know it's Disney...

I think the menus actually need more work than the shows. In my opinion, I think the rotation dining menus are mediocre to good at best., and need to be updated. 3 straight years we cruised, 3 same menus...

Does Disney think that their repeat cruise customers are so loyal that they wouldnt care about the menus and shows being the same year after year after year? I think yes, and from the responses from many of the people posting on this board, it is proof...you'd have to think from Disney's perspective, as long as business is good, and the ships remain full, why go through the expense of updating anything?

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, I agree with BOTH sides!!

Some shows/park attractions are classic, and run for a long time... Although I have not cruised yet, from all accounts, Dreams is one of those.

However, at the same time, some are not quite classics, and should be replaced with more timely shows and themes. Same goes for the Menu's!

If you look at the Parks, yes there are always new attractions, parades, etc... Just look at Orlando now, compared to when it all started!!! And the BIG difference with the parks is that there is SOOOOO much available there, even without changes, you could go every year for several years and find new stuff every time..... NOT so while onboard a DCL cruise ship.

And, I don't buy the 'expense' argument either. Yes, a new production does cost a little, but what are we paying for with these high DCL rates!!! We are not asking for a whole new ship or attraction to be built from the ground up... The basics are all there. DCL has no real reason to be lacking here.

Here is my biggest concern, as I looked at the enterainment on DCL while deciding whether to choose DCL. Hey, Mickey Mouse is great!!! We would all be disappointed without the classic Disney. But at least once on ALL sailings, (especially the 4 and 7 nites!!!) I feel that there should be an exciting all adult show. Maybe not exactly, but along the lines of what you would see on other cruise ships.

In the end, anybody knows, in any business, you sit still for too long, you get left behind... Disney should always be looking for new and exciting ideas. And they should always try to stay fresh and cutting edge... Isn't that what Disney innovation is all about? Let's see what they have in the works!

 

[suwoogie]

Can someone tell me if the music for the shows is provided by an live orchestra or is it taped?

 

[outahere]

The music is taped, but they have a fantastic sound system.

 

[prymsu]

this is the main reason i can not get my husband to go on another dcl cruise...

 

[thebecka]

I had asked about the changing of the shows a few months ago and got pretty much the same response as what I see here today. Now I am looking forward to seeing the shows and looking for those subtle changes...I really want to do Who Wants to Be A Mouseketeer again!I got picked and had a blast - just please don't let that little boy who kept yelling the wrong answers and confusing me back on board again!