Disneyland Resort

[Jon Fu]

Frozen looks like a spectacular show, but its running length is apparently 70 minutes long.


Holy cow.


http://www.mouseinfo.com/new/2016/05/review-frozen-live-at-the-hyperion-debuts-at-disney-california-adventure/

 

[RyanTTD]

Sigh, is it too late to bring back Aladdin?


This Frozen show looks a huge step down from Aladdin.

 

[Jon Fu]

Sigh, is it too late to bring back Aladdin?


This Frozen show looks a huge step down from Aladdin.

Have you seen it yet? I get not liking the show's theme, but that's a bit harsh considering only a handful of people have seen the new show in person.

 

[Wesker69]

Hmm... yea, I'm not crazy about the execution for the production itself. I have no problem with the projection use, because yea.. it works. But the fact that it doesn't seem to have full blown sets kinda bugs me because it screams "cheap" & "high school/college production". Maybe after seeing a full show video it will be better than it looks. I guess I just expected something a bit more grand than what I saw in the pics/B-roll...


The casting for Kristoph... yea, that doesn't really work. I'm sure the guy is great, but ehhh... characters are supposed to look a certain way for a reason.


I look forward to seeing a full show video of the show when I get home from work today. I just hope Disney didn't drop the ball with this show.

 

[Ryan]

Right now I'm waiting on full show footage to make any actual judgements but so far everything from pics to small clips has looked sloppy. Almost like this is a dress rehearsal and the blocking isn't finished yet. Projections look spectacular. 


I like the idea of colorblind casting but ummm young Kristoff to present Kristoff... that's an interesting decision.


The real problem with the show objectively, as Jon mentioned, is the INSANE 70 min running time. That's way too long. Aladdin was about under 50, usually starting 5 to 10 min late. So guests were in the theatre about slightly over an hour from seating to leaving. Add that in with the 30 to 60 min in advance of showtime required to arrive to get seats and of course the 30 min line it will have to grab FPs. Now add 20 minutes to that. This show has now become nearly a 3 hour commitment... if you can get in, of course. There's only 3 shows per day due to the length, meaning only 6000 guests can experience it per day (as opposed to the 5 to 6 shows that Aladdin could offer)... And for those who have kids they will HATE this. The Hyperion doesn't have bathrooms, and you're going to have to hold them in there for nearly 90 min. No little kid will be able to hold it in that long. So that means going all the way out, down the stairs, all the way to the restrooms on the other side and then back and up. Hopefully this gets enough complaints to finally get restrooms installed, as they were supposed to.


This is an operational nightmare waiting to happen, so I would not be shocked if the show gets cut down significantly.

 

[Ryan]

Sure enough, FPs are already gone. Guests are being told "very limited standby", whatever that means.


Sigh...

 

[Ryan]

This will be a third post, so I'll make it brief: I watched a full video and I liked it. Really liked it. There's some kinks to work out in regards to speeding up transitions and blocking to knock down that running time (and get more showings!), but otherwise this is a slam dunk. Amazing effects, great singers and wonderful projection mapping. Thumbs up to Disney, who I'm sure will get another 13-plus years out of this.


...now if only they could add those restrooms and indoor lobby...

 

[TechDir]

Hmm... yea, I'm not crazy about the execution for the production itself. I have no problem with the projection use, because yea.. it works. But the fact that it doesn't seem to have full blown sets kinda bugs me because it screams "cheap" & "high school/college production". Maybe after seeing a full show video it will be better than it looks. I guess I just expected something a bit more grand than what I saw in the pics/B-roll...

Unfortunately, this is the way even Broadway shows are going now.  The last tour I saw of Les Miserables, I was so excited to see the moving barricade set again, etc. but unfortunately, a lot of the large scenic pieces were replaced with projections/LED walls...so it's not just DCA that's doing this.  Newsies too had a LOT of projection...they have the main set that "changes" but again, projections are the way even large Broadway shows are going.


 Since they hired Broadway directors...and this is how it's going...I can see why they did it.  

 

[peasoupprincess]

As a theatre kid and former Fantasyland cm, I'm stoked for it. Everything I've seen so far has been spectacular! (Aside from vocals on "Let it Go" but frankly, it's not an easy song to sing. Idina Menzel can't even sing it. Then throw in the three shows a day. Not sure if they rotate casts through the day like Aladdin did.) I was the most sick of Frozen, between work and having a little sister. But I knew this production was going to be good and I'm not disappointed. I know they've had a few technical difficulties, but once they're in the swing of things I'm sure the kinks will be ironed out.


As for the color blind casting: Thank GOD. After watching every white Jasmine and Aladdin, it's nice to see Disney actually including some representation. The characters "looking a certain way" does not apply to the Hyperion because it's meant to be a "Broadway style show" according to Disney. Now if it was a face character doing meet'n'greets, that's a whole different story. Disney takes character integrity VERY seriously. Kristoff/Anna/Elsa/Hans being black is not going to confuse a kid because a kid will literally not care, unless they have been taught to care. And they might ask, but once they're given an answer they'll move onto the next shiny object.

 

[Ryan]

Unfortunately, this is the way even Broadway shows are going now.  The last tour I saw of Les Miserables, I was so excited to see the moving barricade set again, etc. but unfortunately, a lot of the large scenic pieces were replaced with projections/LED walls...so it's not just DCA that's doing this.  Newsies too had a LOT of projection...they have the main set that "changes" but again, projections are the way even large Broadway shows are going.


 Since they hired Broadway directors...and this is how it's going...I can see why they did it.  

They have a turntable lke Les Mis, which is absolutely my favorite theatrical set device so it won me over there.


And yes, projections are the way of the future for theater, and it's for the best. More and more shows get to express grandeur better even if that means sizing down the big ones. It's all about execution

 

[Jon Fu]

I just saw the show this weekend and it's phenomenal. Huge props to the director for working with a difficult film.


For those who are judging it based off photos or videos: you need to see it in person. This show does not translate well on video, point blank. For those who are crying cheap, it appears - at least to me - that Disney has increased the number of singing cast members in the show on top of the larger technical crew to handle all the show's new technologies. That's almost unheard of when you consider that theme parks typically trim and downsize when it comes to new shows.


Finally, this show is Broadway and its running time reflects that. It's an ambitious move on Disney, and we'll see if it pays off.


Kudos to them for trying something new. They definitely took a risk with this one.

 

[foodstampsFTW]

Now if it was a face character doing meet'n'greets, that's a whole different story. Disney takes character integrity VERY seriously. Kristoff/Anna/Elsa/Hans being black is not going to confuse a kid because a kid will literally not care, unless they have been taught to care. And they might ask, but once they're given an answer they'll move onto the next shiny object.

Can you elaborate on what you mean here. Are you saying that Disney would never do that but if they did, kids wouldn't care. If that's the case, you're completely wrong. Disney would never do something like that because one, it's extremely offensive, and two, the kids would care, if they go to meet there favorite character and it looks nothing like the character, they will be confused as all hell. And for you to say that they'll only care if they've been taught that way is ridiculous, all the kids have to do is look and they'll notice something is wrong, you're acting like kids have no intelligence at all.

 

[Allia]

Disney has been casting different races for characters for awhile now. They had an asian Aladdin in the last production.

 

[Allia]

Also, does anyone know if they're still using/running out of fastpasses for this on weekdays? Or how early I would need to show up for an evening showtime?

 

[Jon Fu]

Also, does anyone know if they're still using/running out of fastpasses for this on weekdays? Or how early I would need to show up for an evening showtime?

You need to arrive before park opening. They sell out by 9-10 AM.

Disney has been casting different races for characters for awhile now. They had an asian Aladdin in the last production.

That's true, but I still think they were trying to fit a certain profile for Aladdin and Jasmine.

 

[foodstampsFTW]

Disney has been casting different races for characters for awhile now. They had an asian Aladdin in the last production.

I know that, but you seem to not understand what I'm talking about, I only quoted the part about face meet and greets because that's where I disagreed

 

[Ryan]

Finally, this show is Broadway and its running time reflects that. It's an ambitious move on Disney, and we'll see if it pays off.

Yes, but with a longer running time comes operational issues especially when you flow over an hour that comes with a theme park, especially Disney. Most Broadway theatres, even those which play Disney Theatrical shows, are strict about babies, toddlers and have built-in facilities (lobbies; restrooms), plus ease of access. The Hyperion has none of that. Everything about the theatre contradicts ease-of-use because they slashed the budget in 2001, it's half-built. Combined with the obvious push to come for more showtimes (as of now only 6K of guests can see the show in a day), I can't help but think that even when they trim the "fat" (those currently bloated transitions) as they continue to rehearse, Disney will force about 5 to 10 min of the running time to be cut so that it matches closer to Aladdin.


The instant the 70-min running time was put out there on Twitter, most of those with kids (such as HateToFly) were gobsmacked and instantly knew that the majority of parents will hate that aspect. This could've been alleviated by restrooms and lobby nooks but instead we have doors that flood to the bright outdoors onto bare, hot blue steel staircases, trailing down to a terrace. The left is Tower of Terror (with little shade) and to the right is a trolley/parade route, and then finally all the way down are restrooms. Not to mention dealing with the CMs patrolling the area as well as the hoardes of crowds lining up for the next show. If I had a kid, I'd be furious.


None of this is the show's fault. Zero. Zilch. But I just have to wonder that when push comes to shove, what's going to happen. Disney sure as hell is not going to open its wallet to build that lobby, especially when they have to start expanding showtimes to meet capacity. (and y'know, the fact that it would restrict access to theater) I could very much see them rerouting the nearby restroom complex to the theater itself, but that would cause some issues for the dumb parties they keep throwing back there. Not to mention if it becomes Marvel Land.


What I'm basically saying here is... you suck, Paul Pressler.

 

[Horror Lover]

Yes, but with a longer running time comes operational issues especially when you flow over an hour that comes with a theme park, especially Disney. Most Broadway theatres, even those which play Disney Theatrical shows, are strict about babies, toddlers and have built-in facilities (lobbies; restrooms), plus ease of access. The Hyperion has none of that. Everything about the theatre contradicts ease-of-use because they slashed the budget in 2001, it's half-built. Combined with the obvious push to come for more showtimes (as of now only 6K of guests can see the show in a day), I can't help but think that even when they trim the "fat" (those currently bloated transitions) as they continue to rehearse, Disney will force about 5 to 10 min of the running time to be cut so that it matches closer to Aladdin.


The instant the 70-min running time was put out there on Twitter, most of those with kids (such as HateToFly) were gobsmacked and instantly knew that the majority of parents will hate that aspect. This could've been alleviated by restrooms and lobby nooks but instead we have doors that flood to the bright outdoors onto bare, hot blue steel staircases, trailing down to a terrace. The left is Tower of Terror (with little shade) and to the right is a trolley/parade route, and then finally all the way down are restrooms. Not to mention dealing with the CMs patrolling the area as well as the hoardes of crowds lining up for the next show. If I had a kid, I'd be furious.


None of this is the show's fault. Zero. Zilch. But I just have to wonder that when push comes to shove, what's going to happen. Disney sure as hell is not going to open its wallet to build that lobby, especially when they have to start expanding showtimes to meet capacity. (and y'know, the fact that it would restrict access to theater) I could very much see them rerouting the nearby restroom complex to the theater itself, but that would cause some issues for the dumb parties they keep throwing back there. Not to mention if it becomes Marvel Land.


What I'm basically saying here is... you suck, Paul Pressler.

A-FRICKIN'-MEN!! I still don't see how re-doing the Hyperion has been so low on Disney's agenda, especially when they had designed it to not only be DCA's show space, but they were also planning on holding movie premieres and actual industry awards shows in the theater.

 

[Ryan]

Well, they do hold movie premieres, corporate concerts and award shows in there but not nearly as much as Disney originally had hoped. When the theatre also had its lobby intact in planning, guests were originally going to be able to travel off Harbor Blvd and be able to enter into a side entrance with the park doors shuttered after hours for public concerts. It could've worked, but we'll never know.


Ironically with Frozen's more simplistic, projection-based proscenium design (along with those pull-away curtains) along with various tech upgrades, the space may be even more ideal than it has before. But it'll never be what it could be, and sadly I think Disney is fine with that.

 

[peasoupprincess]

Can you elaborate on what you mean here. Are you saying that Disney would never do that but if they did, kids wouldn't care. If that's the case, you're completely wrong. Disney would never do something like that because one, it's extremely offensive, and two, the kids would care, if they go to meet there favorite character and it looks nothing like the character, they will be confused as all hell. And for you to say that they'll only care if they've been taught that way is ridiculous, all the kids have to do is look and they'll notice something is wrong, you're acting like kids have no intelligence at all.

Well first off, I meant kids wouldn't care with Hyperion shows. Because again, the actors aren't supposed to BE the characters. They're playing the characters in a show and it's presented as such. Meet'n'greet/face, Disney wants you to look as much like the character as possible. Granted, that has never stopped them from all the white girls as Pocahontas and Jasmine but. I'm not saying kids have no intelligence. I have a younger sister and have experience with little kids, aside from working at Disney for a few years. Kids are not as critical as adults in the sense that they will question things, but you give them an answer and for the most part they will accept it. "Why is Rapunzel's hair long when her hair was cut in the movie?" Disney answer: "There was just enough magic in it to let it grow back again." And kids typically don't press the issue past that. That doesn't make them less intelligent.


What I'm saying is they're less likely to take offense to Elsa being black in what is meant to be a staged production with actors playing characters. They might question it, but they're not going to be like "That's WRONG." Because it's not wrong. I've seen more white Marias in West Side Story than I have Puerto Ricans, but you don't hear people screeching about that. Colorblind casting happens in theatre. It won't with meet'n'greet characters, aside from white/Mexican/Asian girls passing as Pocahontas/Jasmine and that's just laziness on Disney's end.