As you read this, the final performance of the original Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show at Disney Village has come to an end. This Friday, a new set of stars arrive to disturb the natives…
Whilst various aspects of the build-up to Mickey’s Magical Party have been met with a little concern from longtime Disneyland Resort Paris fans — there’s a PR-friendly way of saying it — none have been met with that classic Disney fan anger more than the plan to introduce Mickey Mouse and friends to the usually very historically-accurate Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
The bad news for those fans? The final performance (at least for this year) of the original show was at 21:30 earlier tonight, Tuesday 17th March 2009. And, after two days’ break, this Friday 20th March 2009 will see the very first “soft opening” performance of the new Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show… with Mickey and Friends, as it will now be titled.
The marketing visuals we posted previously have been given their final treatment:
So what exactly has changed? A full press release was recently published in French, which we’ve translated below:
MARNE-LA-VALLÉE, France — It’s a grand premiere! From 4th April 2009, Mickey and his friends, Minnie, Goofy and Chip ‘n’ Dale invite guests to join them at Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
They allow the audience to relive the conquest of the American West and to meet Buffalo Bill, Sitting Bull, Annie Oakley and the cowboys of the Wild West.
Right from the moment they arrive, guests will be welcomed by Mickey and invited to step into a souvenir photo to capture a memory of this evening filled with adventures and unforgettable encounters.
Before entering the arena, the audience can enjoy a festive ambiance in the company of Sheriff Goofy and a live musical act.
It’s showtime!
Just as Walt Disney presented his film to the public, Auguste Durand-Ruel, the master of ceremonies of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, presents the show alongside Mickey, Minnie and their friends Goofy and Chip ‘n’ Dale.
All throughout the dinner show, Mickey and his friends will take part and join the audience in their epic adventure across the wild American West.
Wearing their cowboy hats and encouraged by Mickey and his friends, parents and children will support the colour of their “ranch” in several games and events held in the area.
The unique participation of Mickey and friends in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show will transport the audience into a grand celebration of the West!
The exact concept of the characters’ introduction still seems open to a little interpretation, but should the idea actually be that Mickey and the gang are visiting and taking part in the show with the audience, as spectators rather than stars, the transition may not be as painful as thought.
However, from a behind-the-scenes blog of the show, we can learn that “The Cattle Trail scene has become a full-blown Disney Character Ho-Down Musical” and that the characters “dance, sing, wave, and “speak” via recorded bites in various scenes.”
With word that the Disney Hotels have been offering tickets to the show discounted by 50% upon check-in in recent months, though, it may be that Buffalo Bill fans can’t be too picky about the invited guests. Nevertheless, the Native Americans in the cast still planned to sing a traditional native song to commemorate the end of the show as we know it.
http://www.dlrptoday.com/2009/03/17/final-call-for-buffalo-bills-wild-west-show-natives/
This is fascinating. First of all, I love the phrase "full-blown Disney Character Ho-Down Musical."
ReplyDeleteI think an entire American Studies course could be built around Disney and how historical events, literary characters, and myths are "Disney-fied."
Lou,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I need to admit that I have a little blog envy. Your site is of interest both visually, and in content. Now that I have that off my chest, I can write specifically on your latest post.
There are groups of people out their constantly looking for signs of the Apocalypse. I think you may have found it in Euro Disney’s newest version of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West. Here I am, writing critical opinion about Limerick’s concern over Disneyland California’s Pioneer Land, and Dickinson, Ott, & Aoki’s concern about the Buffalo Bill Museum. I’ve argued that we weren’t ready for anything more historically accurate when the ride and the museum were constructed. Plus, people don’t go the Buffalo Bill Museum (it’s not called the American Frontier museum), or Disneyland for educational experiences, do they? I’ve wanted everyone to relax, because slowly but surely, we’re getting to the point in time when we can handle the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I’ve been suggesting that our nation seems to be ready for some more reconciliation with our past. Any time now, Disneyland and the BB Museum are welcome to peel back the protective coating of myth a little further and expose a little more of the open sore. It will never completely heel unless we give it a little more air, right? But is there any hope of coming back from a new version of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West featuring sheriff Goofy? How can a 1st grade teacher win a historical argument with Mickey? I think we know who will have the bigger impact on the young, impressionable mind.
Here’s a completely different thought. Is the new BB Wild West extravaganza at Euro Disney nothing more than the French and lots of Disney creators (who are known to include plenty of sarcasm and humor in much of their work) poking fun at our past, and at our own nation’s acceptance of the myth of the American Frontier? Maybe we can use the Euro Disney show as a way to reinforce that Buffalo Bill was nothing more than show business. The answer is probably much simpler. Audiences will still pay money to accept, and participate in, the perpetuation of myth.
Matt
Thanks, Matt. I find this whole blogging thing to be pretty cool, but after this class is over, I am afraid I will have nothing whatsoever to write about! I love your posts too - especially the rhetorical questions. Keep up the great work!
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