We want Fidelio back on the Magic~!

[rae519]

Jim - point well taken. Thankfully, this is America - where we can agree to disagree!
; )

Hope your cruise was wonderful and you are looking forward to another!

Rae

 

[amtmommy]

Is there a website at Disney Cruise that we can post a protest. I am going on my first Cruise in April and was looking forward to the Dueling Pianos and my hubby was looking forward to the ESPN experience.
I think we should post the concerns to someone at Disney, maybe then when they know how much everyone enjoys the shows it may force some type of change.
I agree with the person who wrote if they keep getting rid of mature entertainment I would rather go on a ship with gambling.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I have to believe Disney is trying to make the best cruise experience for its passengers. If this act was popular, Disney would not be changing it. It's as simple as that. Yes Fidelio has his fans, and his fans have a right to speak out. BUT Disney did not do this on a whim, I am sure there was some matrix designed that determined other entertainment would draw in more people. Time will tell if it was the right decision or not. And if you are so outraged by the change, perhaps you would be better off just writing to DCL .

 

[amtmommy]

Excuse me.
I was simply stating that I was disappointed in the change.
I thought these boards were a freindly open forum to discuss all things Disney (Cruise).
My mistake.

 

[Lisa F]

Turtlekrawl,

You're not alone. On our first magic cruise we really enjoyed dueling pianos. I THINK it was Jeff and Julie but the guy may have had a different name. Anyway, it was their last cruise together, they had worked up a really great rapport with each other and even though we first caught the show on the second to last night there, it was completely packed for both adult shows and they were just terriffic.

On our second cruise a year later, it was Fidelio and some other guy. We also missed the first show and felt like by the time we made it to a show, the "clique" had formed and everyone else was an outsider. *shrug* we just didn't have a very good time and except for a few people who stayed for the entire show, people kept wandering in, sitting down and wandering back out again. I kept thinking Fidelio might've been better with another partner, and obviously he is the one that I remembered, but overall we were not impressed with the show the second time.

I guess if enough cruises had shows like ours (mostly empty) I can see why Disney might think it's time to freshen things up. I can identify with people who grow attached to a favorite CM (we have a few of our own) but overall it's good to see that Disney is willing to make changes to keep the experience fresh and new for repeat cruisers as well as first timers. We are looking forward to our Wonder trip coming up especially because of new menus and the golden mickeys show. We will be sure to catch dueling pianos as well because who knows how much longer they will be there. I hope it's a good show this time!

Lisa

 

[dianedisney]

Anyway.....last time I looked it was a free country and if I want to hail Dueling Piano's and anything else I feel needs to be defended. I will also agree with Lisa and Turtle....some venues are not for all people, me I loved the Piano Guys and hated the live show Hercules. Most people loved Hercules.....difference is what makes the world go around.

 

[turtlekrawl]

Lisa,

Thanks for posting your experiences....I was really looking forward to Dueling Pianos, but the two shows I saw just weren't what I was expecting.

It's never easy when Disney makes changes....they're always going to make someone unhappy. And I really feel that the performers were extremely talented, and the DP concept was a good one.

I see you're taking a New Years' cruise...how exciting! I've heard great things about Golden Mickeys...I hope they decide to bring that to the Magic before my August cruise.

Jim

 

[Regina]

I'm going to ask that this discussion return to a respectful exchange of thoughts.

Your cooperation is appreciated.

 

[DARWIN91]

Question everyone! With the dualing pianos's show did they ever play seriously? The reason I ask is because on the 3 cruises I went on I always wanted to go in and listen to some serious "rock n roll" piano playing. My DH is in a band and we appreciate and like to enjoy other musicians. Each time we went in and everyone gives requests - it seems they would start the song and and then "poof" they would kind of make the song into a joke. I enjoyed the show but I would have preferred some strictly serious piano playing and singing. Do they do that at all? Does it depend upon who is playing? I have never been impressed with the band on the ship either. They are just okay not awesome. I have enjoyed some of the Promenade duos however it stays a bit mellow in there and sometimes I want something a little harder than that.

 

[rae519]

Lots of good old rock and roll was played - I guess most of us have been to more than a few Fidelio Dueling Piano shows and have a great respect for both his talent and the venue. It does require a similiarly talented and personality compatibility to have a fantastic Dueling Piano venue - with Anton, Fidelio had it and their shows were beyond fantastic.
OF course there were jokes - he did a parady of "My Way" for us for our anniversary called, "HER way". It was hysterical!

Yes, I am sure that there have been some shows that were not as good but remember this show does rely on "audience participation" and how many people are (1) tired, (2) stuffed from dinner and lethargic, (3) shy and a bit apprehensive to be boisterous during audience participation or (4) DRUNK (and many are at this time of night).

We all have our opinions, and some of ours have a large basis due to our experiences in being at more than one Fidelio Dueling Piano show.

Fidelio and Anton ask for requests nightly and they will play for you - I even asked Anton, who is from Austrailia to play "Waltzing Matilda" for me. This is NOT rock and roll, but he graciously did it at the end of one evening. I like the song, he did it exceptionally well and afterward, Fidelio joked with me about why I wanted a song about a sheepthief!!!! Just part of the fun.

I have several video's of Fidelio and Anton playing serious rock and roll songs - truly amazing to see their fingers flying over the keys!! But it's an interactive show and that means jokes, audience participation and audience interaction.

My family (ranging from 8- 74) did not care for the Morty or the Disney Dreams or Hercules, after seeing them once, what's the big deal - yes, OUR opinion. Some people love these shows - and other evening entertainment, but we didn't. I think after all the cruises we have been on, I can honestly say we have been to everything. Dueling Pianos was and remains our favorite.

As for notifying DCL, believe me - that has also been done and this is a friendly, open forum and I thank Regina for her moderating it to be so.

Rae

 

[Laura24]

Darwin91,
I would have to say that the seriousness really played upon the type of audience that was in attendance. Our crowd really had a blast making requests and went along with the spoofs as well as the serious performances. Any performer knows how to read their audience and should work it accordingly. Here's a thought of the issue with DP...could it be it just doesn't produce much revenue, as in alcohol, as say the PL or RBD. It's just a tough task entertaining us adults....57 channels and nothing on!

 

[rae519]

Laura - hhahah!!!! Yes, the $$$$$$$ from the alcohol and soda sales! That probably is the bottom line here ....how much revenue does it bring in?????

You are so right on the mark when you say that an entertainer needs to read his audience and we all know that energy produces energy.

Sad because I don't drink soda often and I'm more of a one drink a day person...if that. Sort of a "cheap date"!!!

Rae

 

[dianedisney]

I agree with Rae on the selection of songs. Fidelio had mentioned they do alot of the same songs and wanted to know if anyone had different requests. WRONG QUESTION......after the show I went to the computer and printed out a 3 page request list for them to play...lol. This was when Jeff (Bon Jeffrey) was Fidelio's partner. We had Boheimian Rapsody by Queen on the list and Jeff did the whole thing...it was awesome, after the song he collasped on the floor but he did a wonderful job. It is that kind of showmanship that (to me anyways) put them over the top. They loved audience input even after the show, that is the best time to chat with them. As again...as Rae mentioned...letters have been written but have never received a reply from DCL in anyway. As someone mentioned in an earlier post, they didn't see that many people in Off Beat, but when I would go next door to the Rockin Bar D they never had much of a crowd either. Anyway ...... just my 2 cents worth AGAIN.

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by dianedisney
I agree with Rae on the selection of songs. Fidelio had mentioned they do alot of the same songs and wanted to know if anyone had different requests. WRONG QUESTION......after the show I went to the computer and printed out a 3 page request list for them to play...lol. This was when Jeff (Bon Jeffrey) was Fidelio's partner. We had Boheimian Rapsody by Queen on the list and Jeff did the whole thing...it was awesome, after the song he collasped on the floor but he did a wonderful job. It is that kind of showmanship that (to me anyways) put them over the top. They loved audience input even after the show, that is the best time to chat with them. As again...as Rae mentioned...letters have been written but have never received a reply from DCL in anyway. As someone mentioned in an earlier post, they didn't see that many people in Off Beat, but when I would go next door to the Rockin Bar D they never had much of a crowd either. Anyway ...... just my 2 cents worth AGAIN.

I had posted this on another thread. I received the following message from a DCL exec after sending in a copy of anonther thread regarding Fidelio a few days ago.

Andy - The entertainment on the ship will always continue to evolve. Dueling Pianos was here for awhile and some day it may come back, but we believe the other changes we are making will be better for a larger number of guests. So, we always listen - but in this case there are many others that wanted us to try other things.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by dianedisney
Icrowd either. Anyway ...... just my 2 cents worth AGAIN.

I like your two cents.


Andy, as we all know, there were politics afoot in the move. It's sort of like military intelligence....

Rae

 

[Laura24]

I am also a *cheap* date. One drink does it for me most times, but I love to be entertained and along with that enjoy the humor in any situation, show, or gathering. Serious or not, just possibly OB is too large of a place to entertain a select group and a down-sized venue may fit the bill. It's all about the $$$. How popular is Sessions? I've popped my head in at times and it looked pretty deserted in there. This just may be the place for a combo show. And there's my .02

 

[Elton Joel]

The comments being made about Dueling Pianos is most interesting. I find them all correct, depending where you are from and what your experience has been. When I first experienced Dueling Pianos I was visiting my Aunt in Orlando(67yrs. old; Sorry Auntie if you're reading this). Anyhow she, my cousins and their friends (22yrs.& up) ranted & raved about how I needed to "experience" Dueling Pianos: @ Howl at the Moon Church St. Station, Blazing Pianos at the Mercado International Dr.
and Jelly Rolls Disney's Boardwalk. The first night was at Howl. Here I am, a New Englander watching a show in which the audience is asked/demanded to sing along, come up to the stage picked on and made fun off/insulted, not to mention not always finishing a song or making it into a parody. I Hated It! The next day I told my cousins & their friends I didn't need to go out the next two nights for more abuse. Laughingly they explained "first timers" usually feel that way. Especially us up-tight, conservative, over sensitives who can't seem to let go no matter where we vacation. "You're always at work" "you're trying to analize and troubleshoot". They compared Dueling Pianos to Las Vegas Acts
like Don Rickles, Richard Pryor, Jackie Mason etc. They're known for their making fun and insulting the audience. Dueling Pianos format is getting us All to sing, joke, and get plain stupid at times!
It is an adult show that helps release alot of the stress and burdens that seem to plague us all. It's Not what you Drink that makes you lower those self righteous defenses; rather what you Think. That night we went to Jelly Rolls it was similar to Howl but more PG-13. Oh, that's right...It's on Disney turf. I had a fun time but now being able to compare I liked Howl. Blazing Pianos the next night was "Wild West" Rock & Roll. Like the World Wrestling Federation's claim "No Holds Barred". What a Fantastic time(by the way Blazing Pianos is gone. Moved to Vegas where it's called New York New York). Lines around the building every night to get in. If you go on line www.Dueling Piano Bars you'll find that it is the fastest growing "live show" venue occuring. In fact corp. chains such as Sing Sing, Howl, Little Ditty's, Rum Runners, Crocodile Rocks etc. are offering franchises. One very important note they are mainly interested in opening stores in the Mid-West,
South East and West Coast of the U.S. So depending on what floats your boat/ship; it's like mother's cooking. Your Mom's seems to be the best. But everybody's Mom is the best when it's their way in their home or tradition.
Open mindedness and levity seems to be slowing diminishing along with the "art" of a "fun night out on the town". We're all watching ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and Cable who dictate the same scripted material night after night. The only differences are if it's not a Heteral couple then it gay, if not Anglo then Afro, Hispanic, Italian, Asian etc. or a big city wise guy, country bumpkin, southern redneck, new england socialite or west coast free spirit.
We all can sit, watch and laugh at these suggestive situations. Yet, when go out to see a couple guys try to read, please and entertain a mixed bag audience. Doing their best in a restricted venue. Live off the cuff(no background cd's or script) & getting all kinds of music requests. The strict well traveled knowledgeable Critic surfaces in us all.
Yo' Dudes & Dudettes, cut 'em some slack!

 

[rae519]

Elton Joel - that's the best comment I've read about Dueling Pianos - thanks so much for sharing it with us!

Yup, loosen up and let it ROCK ON!

Rae

 

[dianedisney]

Nice one Elton....I liked it....I liked it alot.