We’re Concerned About This New Disney Park Trend…and You Should Be, Too

There is a new trend in the Disney Parks that is making us a little nervous.

Unfortunately this is not a new food trend or merchandise line, but instead, it has to do with live entertainment throughout the parks. Live entertainment makes the Disney parks so magical and helps bring them to life! We love getting to catch Belle and the Beast at “Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage” at Hollywood Studios. And how about “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire,” which lights up the castle stage throughout the day at Magic Kingdom. As much as we love all the live entertainment offerings, it seems that Disney is slowly taking away certain live entertainment.

It was recently reported that Disneyland would be ending the run of “Dr. Strange: Mysteries of Mystic Arts” in Avenger’s Campus at Disney California Adventure. This seems like a “strange” move for Disney to make, considering they built the Ancient Sanctum for this show. 

This show is performed multiple times throughout the day and helps bring Avenger’s Campus to life. The last show is set for June 30th. Disney said that Dr. Strange would continue to make appearances in Avenger’s Campus by walking around and meeting and greeting those visiting the Campus. 

Disneyland is currently celebrating Pixar Fest, and in California Adventure, you can find Club Pixar. This area of the park, located in Hollywood Land, was supposed to have dancers and a DJ, but Disney removed them from the nighttime party. Officials say that these changes were made due to “guest feedback and operational considerations.”

Club Pixar will still be open from 4:30 to 8:30 PM and will have photo opportunities and games without the dancers and DJ. 

While it is not confirmed, there is speculation that Disney is making these changes in response to the 1,700 Disneyland entertainment Cast Members who voted to unionize under the Actor’s Equity Association. 

Disneyland has also not had a show in the Hyperion Theater since last summer when “Rogers: The Musical” performed a limited run of shows. The Hyperion Theater used to be home to “Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular,” and then after, it was home to “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion.” It seems with the trend of current entertainment cuts at Disneyland, it could be a while until a new show makes its way to the Hyperion Theater in Disney California Adventure.

We also recently checked the Disneyland daily events calendar and we were surprised at what we saw. On June 29th, the entertainment is listed as the following:

• Avengers Assemble!
• The Amazing Spider-Man!
• Club Pixar
• Citizens of Buena Vista Street
• Dr. Strange: Mysteries of the Mystic Arts
• Five & Dime
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!
• Operation: Playtime! – featuring the Green Army Patrol
• Paradise Garden Bandstand
• Warriors of Wakanda: The Disciplines of the Dora Milaje

And then on June 30th, the calendar only has the following listed:

• Dr. Strange: Mysteries of the Mystic Arts
• Club Pixar
• Citizens of Buena Vista Street
• Paradise Garden Bandstand

While Disneyland has not confirmed that these shows will not be making a return, it makes us very nervous. Entertainment seems to be going strong at Disney World as a brand new stage show just opened at the new CommuniCore Hall and Plaza. “¡Celebración Encanto!” performs daily on the CommuniCore Plaza stage from now until mid-September.

We hope this trend does not stick around for long, and entertainment continues to grow at Disney World, and that Disneyland entertainment can start to make a comeback. As always, stay tuned to AllEars.net for more Disney news!

Our Ranking of All of Disney World’s Stage Shows!

What do you think about these changes that Disney is making? Let us know in the comments!