Aladdin on Hold?

brentm77 said:

That is so disappointing. How do they remove the one Broadway level show without planning ahead with a replacement? And to do it without warning to those who have paid in full is really bad form. One of the selling points for those we invited to travel with us was the quality of entertainment, but they are going to get another class B show instead. Seems like every time I turn around Disney is giving me less for more money.

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SG131 said:

This is my thinking too. The broadway quality shows people rave about was a selling point for us. I can’t imagine they couldn’t figure out ahead of time this was going to be an issue and make sure to have a proper replacement instead of just downgrading the entertainment on specific cruises after PIF date. Our travel dates were extremely flexible so I would have 100% picked a different date if I would’ve known we wouldn’t get the same level of entertainment.

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brentm77 said:

Yes, it very much might have affected the date we chose and even the ship I am pretty upset that we are paying a premium for Disney, but getting its second rate entertainment.

And they are still selling the cruise on their website with the show: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/onboard-activities/aladdin-show/. Even though their contract would allow them to make changes without warning, it is terrible form. Nobody would mind if a comparable replacement was provided, but they just switched out a five course meal with a Happy Meal without so much as an apology. Talk about taking your customers for granted.

Don't get me wrong, I am still thrilled to be going in two weeks, but this just really rubs me the wrong way. I expect better from Disney and it will be a consideration in future decisions.

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Dug720 said:

Well, if they are replacing all of them with Disney on Broadway at Sea like they have this week with Josh Strickland, you are getting a legitimate Broadway performer who has originated (in Josh's case and a few others) or at least starred in Disney on Broadway productions. A concert that outside of Disney you would be paying a pretty penny for. I wish I could sail on the Fantasy while this is going on - not only have I always loved the people Disney chooses for these series, but Aladdin is the one show I avoid. Never liked the movie other than the Genie, and when your "11 o'clock number" is well before intermission (for the Broadway show...well before halfway for the ship-based), there's a problem.

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DisneyMom2000000 said:

I’m sure the broadway performer will be amazing. I just hope it appeals to children as wel.

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brentm77 said:

Yes, it very much might have affected the date we chose and even the ship I am pretty upset that we are paying a premium for Disney, but getting its second rate entertainment.

And they are still selling the cruise on their website with the show: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/onboard-activities/aladdin-show/. Even though their contract would allow them to make changes without warning, it is terrible form. Nobody would mind if a comparable replacement was provided, but they just switched out a five course meal with a Happy Meal without so much as an apology. Talk about taking your customers for granted.

Don't get me wrong, I am still thrilled to be going in two weeks, but this just really rubs me the wrong way. I expect better from Disney and it will be a consideration in future decisions.

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Dug720 said:

Sorry, but performers like Josh - who has originated Tarzan in every live production of it starting on Broadway - are not “second-rate” by any stretch of the imagination. Those performing in the Disney on Broadway at Sea are legit Broadway performers; all of whom originated or played main roles in Disney in Broadway prodictions.

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Dug720 said:

Well, if they are replacing all of them with Disney on Broadway at Sea like they have this week with Josh Strickland, you are getting a legitimate Broadway performer who has originated (in Josh's case and a few others) or at least starred in Disney on Broadway productions. A concert that outside of Disney you would be paying a pretty penny for. I wish I could sail on the Fantasy while this is going on - not only have I always loved the people Disney chooses for these series, but Aladdin is the one show I avoid. Never liked the movie other than the Genie, and when your "11 o'clock number" is well before intermission (for the Broadway show...well before halfway for the ship-based), there's a problem.

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Dug720 said:

Sorry, but performers like Josh - who has originated Tarzan in every live production of it starting on Broadway - are not “second-rate” by any stretch of the imagination. Those performing in the Disney on Broadway at Sea are legit Broadway performers; all of whom originated or played main roles in Disney in Broadway prodictions.

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Dug720 said:

Sorry, but performers like Josh - who has originated Tarzan in every live production of it starting on Broadway - are not “second-rate” by any stretch of the imagination. Those performing in the Disney on Broadway at Sea are legit Broadway performers; all of whom originated or played main roles in Disney in Broadway prodictions.

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SG131 said:

He just did quite a lot of free shows at Epcot. So there’s somewhere on property I can see a show exactly like that for free, but not a broadway quality performance for free. While he is very good, a concert is much much different than a full show and to me a concert is a downgrade. I much prefer a show and had I known there were cruises getting a concert instead of the show earlier I would have switched my dates. Everyone has a preference, some people really like concerts, they aren’t my thing. I like a show with the story and the characters and sets and costumes and special effects.

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brentm77 said:

It sounds like we won't even have the same singer in two weeks, and we don't have any idea of who we will have since Disney is not giving us the courtesy of announcing the change.

There is a major difference between a full musical with acting, sets, special effects, etc., and a musical medly of Disney songs. I get that some people like concerts, but I prefer theater. Many people would be unhappy if they bought theater tickets, but when they showed up to the theater, it was announced that a singer was going to perform a medley of Broadway songs instead.

Every other ship has one legitimate theatrical production except the Fantasy for now. Just because some people would prefer the change doesn't make it OK for Disney to do a bait and switch to the rest of us who really care about seeing a theatrical production as a family. It would be very different if Disney announced this change far in advance so people knew what they were buying, or replaced it with the same type of product.

Again, I am more that thrilled to be taking my second cruise, but I genuinely expected better from Disney given the premium we pay for the Disney experience. With children too old to enjoy the characters, the entertainment was one of the few things left that elevate a Disney cruise over the competition. We will move on and make the best of it, but it will absolutely factor into future purchasing decisions.

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TortoiseTaughtUs said:

I'm devastated as well. This will be our first time on the Fantasy and we're traveling with first-time DCL cruisers, so none of us have the luxury of being jaded about the previous offerings. Obviously all things are subject to change but we were all really looking forward to that show. A concert is in no way comparable to what we were sold, and finding out through the grapevine is a huge insult. After a great first DCL experience I convinced my husband's whole family to go on this trip in lieu of our usual Spring Break plans, and since we booked in October everything is more expensive, there's no real main show in the theater, I'm going to have to fight for paper Navigators, and they still don't even have the decency to put Coke Zero in the drink stations.

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