by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
October 6, 2021
With the COVID positivity rate in Florida finally falling below seven percent this week (half of what it was back in August), it’s welcome news to hear about some of the entertainment returning to the Walt Disney World Parks in the coming weeks.
At our house, the return of the “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular” at Hollywood Studios was cause for celebration, even if performances don’t start until December 19. (With the stunt show perennially rumored to be on the chopping block, it is a bit of a relief, actually!)
Another relief is the October 14 return of “Yeehaw Bob” at the River Roost Lounge at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. It would be hard to imagine Disney without Bob! The piano man’s high-energy and rollicking performances are always a ton of fun for the whole family. He’s been sorely missed.
In addition to Indy and Bob’s returns, a number of live performance cast members are showing up in the parks. On October 1st, the first day of the 50th anniversary celebration, the Magic Kingdom kicked off the day with a new opening show, “Let the Magic Begin,” on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage. Mickey and friends welcomed guests to the park with a short opening song and dance number, a feature missing since the park’s COVID reopening.
Over on Main Street, Casey’s Corner is once again home to the musical stylings of its ragtime piano player, entertaining visitors several times a day while guests chow down on their favorite Casey’s hot dogs. EPCOT has also seen the return of some of their live performers, including “Sergio” in Italy, “Alberta Bound” in the Canada pavilion, and the “Taiko drummers of Matsuriza” in Japan. “Chakranadi,” “Kora Tinga Tinga,” and the “Tam Tam Drummers” will soon be returning to Animal Kingdom.
And perhaps of the most interest to families with small princess patrols in tow, Disney Parks Blog has announced that Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom will once again be inviting pint-sized princess wanna-bes, and their grown-up sidekicks, to visit the Disney Princesses in their themed rooms, beginning in November. The blog reports that while the visits will still be somewhat distanced, guests will be able “to have individualized time with some of your favorite characters, getting to visit with them in a themed location and snap a photo or two.” Though with COVID protocols, they still will not be able to collect an autograph or offer up a hug. Until now, most character sightings have been at a greater outdoor distance and unscheduled.
In addition to Princess appearances at Magic Kingdom, November will also see Mickey Mouse back in residence at his backstage dressing room at Town Square Theater on Main Street, and guests will get to meet with him while he is wearing his 50th Anniversary EARidescent party clothes.
At Hollywood Studios, Minnie Mouse will greet folks at Red Carpet Dreams, and the stars of Disney Junior will meet you in Animation Courtyard. And in case you are wondering, even though new character meet-and-greets are happening, the Character Cavalcades will continue to take place throughout the parks as well.
EPCOT’s nighttime show “Harmonius” has finally, after a years-long wait, debuted with the 50th anniversary celebration, and Magic Kingdom got a brand new fireworks-and-projections show, with its projections snaking their way all the way down Main Street. Beginning November 7, Hollywood Studios’ “Disney Movie Magic” nighttime show will also return, adding a new sequence from Mulan.
Disney promises more news on live entertainment options soon.
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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.
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