The HKDL Source

Overture, curtains, lights...

Walt Disney always used to refer to Disneyland as a big 'show', so the idea of a stage show within a Disney Theme park seems like a crazy idea. In fact, The Golden Mickeys doesn't find its origins in Disney's theme parks at all, but rather in the Disney Cruise Line. Appearing on both the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder cruise ships, The Golden Mickeys is a live stage show in the grand tradition of Golden Age Hollywood. The production at Hong Kong Disneyland is the first time it has been seen outside of the Disney Cruise Line and inside a Theme Park.

Taking its inspiration from lavish awards ceremonies, The Golden Mickeys are a tribute to - and a parody of - the Golden Globes. Shown at the Storybook Theatre in Fantasyland, it features a cast of 24 singers and dancers highlighting all the best bits from Disney films of the last century. Tributes are paid to classic characters from Disney and Pixar films, and songs from films such as Lilo and Stitch, Tarzan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Toy Story 2 and Mulan cane be heard.

Even more spectacular are the animated backdrops, creating a 3D illusion of such sets as the Notre Dame Cathedral or 'under the sea' with The Little Mermaid. This is one of the most ambitious and technically impressive shows in all of the parks.

Under the sea...

The show is 25 minutes long, evidently cut down from the 60 minute version found on the Disney Cruise Line. Following Bebe, an up and coming entertainment reported, we get a running narration in Cantonese, although all of the songs are performed in English. To increase your understanding of the show English surtitles are provided on a screen to the right of the theatre and Putonghua surtitles are on a screen to the left.  The Storybook Theatre has 1000 seats, and is suitable for all ages.

With jokes ranging from the physical to knowing winks at film-savvy audiences, The Golden Mickeys is one of those nice shows that is truly for the whole family. It is also a great place for the little ones to spot all their favourite Characters in one convenient spot, which will satisfy those who just want to see some of their heroes in a "live setting".

The enjoyment of The Golden Mickeys is going to be largely dependent on your tolerance level for a 25-minute faux stage show with one of the most annoying/hillarious (it's a love or a hate thing) hosts in stage history. While there are several different people who regularly play the role, the woman tends to grate on one's nerves after a while. However, we assume that if you are in Hong Kong Disneyland, you'll already be ready for unadulterated Disney action. After all, this was originally played on the Disney Cruises, and nobody has reportedly jumped overboard as the result of it (that we know of). Like all things in Disneyland, simply check your cynicism at the door and sit back and enjoy the show.

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