09 May 2011

Song, dance and celebration

There has been a lot of discussion about dance parties for young guests popping up all over property. While some of these parties were tests, such as the Truckosaurus dances in Dinoland U.S.A., or seasonal operations for the busy Easter period, their regular inclusion in Walt Disney World is becoming more and more prevalent. There are two real questions coming out of these parties that I feel need to be explored. One, what is the benefit of these dances to the overall park-going experience? Two, what is lost due to the inclusion of these events?

Similar to the various adventure playgrounds, including Tom Sawyer Island and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Play Set Adventure, the dance parties create break points for families. These time-outs give children a way to blow off some steam and parents a chance to sit down and rest their weary, stroller-pushing legs. The high energy events usually involve games, such as hula contests, line dancing and popular music/videos, and keep children engaged and moving during their time at the experiences.

As much as can be expected, these dance parties are thematically tied to the areas they inhabit, such as the inclusion of Pocahontas in Camp Minnie-Mickey’s Good Times Gathering Spot and the futuristic gab of characters present at Tomorrowland’s Club 626. The musical selections, however, is where the inclusiveness of story begins to unravel.

The thumping bass of the dance music in Camp Minnie-Mickey can be heard and felt all the way across the area’s bridge towards Pizzafari. Similarly, the semblance of culture and history is shattered in World Showcase with a DJ led party in the American Gardens Theatre. The bright, bubbly future of Tomorrowland is washed away in wave after wave of music videos from today and yesterday. The list goes on, but you get the point. These dance parties ruin the illusion of place and time that has been so precisely crafted by the teams that built them.

As with all things, there are exceptions and models which could, and should, be replicated. In this case, dance parties would do well to follow the Frontierland Hoedown. A staple of western entertainment for years, the song and dance celebration never fails to draw an audience and holds true to the spirit of the land it occupies. In a similar fashion, Dinoland could host a live DJ broadcast featuring the music and talents of the local radio stations WBONE or WDINO, Club 626 could focus on “futuristic” dance music, such as She Blinded Me With Science or the stylings of Daft Punk’s TRON Legacy soundtrack, and as for World Showcase, well there are so many wonderful dances from around the world that could easily be incorporated into an interactive dance party.

In the end, it isn’t the dance parties that I have an issue with, it is their execution. Parents and children need free-form entertainment and dancing is one of the purest forms of expression and movement, and an easy way to bring smiles to the whole family. However, grabbing the latest, or easily accessible, music videos and tunes and slapping them into whatever venue happens to be available is not the way to showcase industry leading talent and storytelling. With a bit of forethought and planning, these newfound dance events could easily become staples of memories and magic, just as the Frontierland Hoedown has been for children year after year.


Julia Stewart said...

I've always disliked the Dance Parties for just exactly this reason!!! I remember the first time I heard one. I was on the WEDway, enjoying the sights and sounds of Tomorrowland and then it was all covered up by crappy Pop dance music. :-( I feel the same about the Beach Parties that the resorts host. I don't need dance music blasting through the tranquil setting of the Poly while some kid yells into the microphone every few minutes.... grrrrrrr

Gator Chris said...

Hi Ryan.


WDW could take a page from Disneyland's book and incorporate more live, theme-appropriate, entertainment in the parks in a way that enhances the environment instead of creating audible intrusions.

- Chris.