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Tag Archives: World Showcase Players
The Street Entertainment of Epcot’s World Showcase
When we tour the World Showcase at Epcot, we are so impressed by the beauty of the surroundings and the majesty of the buildings that we tend to think that’s what it is. There is so much more in the World Showcase that when you stop to consider the scope of the place it’s mind boggling. Today I’ll cover the current entertainment opportunities and tomorrow I’ll deal with what is beyond the facades of the various buildings.
There is some type of “street entertainment” or diversion at virtually every pavilion and it is really only in the last few visits to Walt Disney World that I have begun to appreciate them (I think that as we get older we appreciate these things even more). I’ll start at the Mexico Pavilion and go clockwise around the World Showcase. Please remember that there is so much and things are always changing so I may miss one or two:
Top 5 Streetmosphere Acts at Disney World
Some theme parks may have better roller coasters. Some theme parks may have your favorite non-Disney animated characters. Some theme parks may even have tastier food. But no theme park in the world has better Streetmosphere than Walt Disney World!
And to prove it, here is my short list of the Top Five Streetmosphere Acts:
5. Walt Disney World Band
You know – the one that marches in Parades and performs at special occassions and when dignitaries visit. But any band, from the full marching kind to the trios or quartets that strut their stuff and play their music, will all give you an earful of musical goodness! The best part of these performances is that they tend to be spontaneous! The fun part is being surprised by them when they appear.
4. World Showcase Players
Fortunately, these players do hold to a schedule, so you should be able to plan to see them during your next trip. When you pick up your Park Map at the entrance, just ask for a performance schedule. The UK, China, and France Pavilions have all had excellent shows. And most of the other Pavilions have cultural music or crafts to round out the experience.
3. DHS Streetmosphere Actors
As good as the EPCOT Streetmosphere is, I feel that no Park does it as well as Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Maybe it’s because of the sheer number of different characters and skits that are offered. You may find yourself auditioning for a movie, being a contestant in a dating game, or simply accosted by any number of weird and wonderful oddballs! And be warned: These wacky ‘people’ just love to drag unsuspecting spectators into the ‘act’! But then again, that’s the fun of it.
Dora Nesmond: “I’m NOT dead!”
2. DiVine
Take a stroll through the passages of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and you just may catch a glimpse of something strange and magical. She’s somewhat shy, but comes out of the foliage when the mood strikes her. Towering over the guests, DiVine walks, but never talks. Her graceful movements (all done while on stilts) will move you to awe! If you’ve seen her come to life, you are among the lucky few.
1. Dapper Dans
I make no apologies for placing the Dapper Dans in the top spot, as I am a rabid fan. I love music from all eras, but the Barbershop Quartet configuration of singers is one of the best, and is not to be missed! These colorful straw-hatted men never fail to entertain as they interact with the crowds (especially the children) while they sing period specific tunes along with select Disney classics. And if you visit at the right time of year, you just may see the Dagger Dans or the Cadaver Dans (depending on which Park you visit), an eerie variation that is simply spooktacular!
So there you have my Top Five Streetmosphere Acts from Walt Disney World. But don’t let me get away with leaving out one of your favorites! Set me straight in the comment section and let everyone know what to look out for during his or her next trip to The Vacation Kingdom!
Oldies But Goodies – World Showcase, More Than A Bunch Of Buildings Part 1
When we tour the World Showcase at Epcot, fellow Oldies, we are so impressed by the beauty of the surroundings and the majesty of the buildings that we tend to think that’s what it is. There is so much more in the World Showcase that when you stop to consider the scope of the place it’s mind boggling. Today I’ll cover the current entertainment opportunities and next week I’ll deal with what is beyond the facades of the various buildings.
There is some type of “street entertainment” or diversion at virtually every pavilion and it is really only in the last few visits to Walt Disney World that I have begun to appreciate them (I think that as we get older we appreciate these things even more). I’ll start at the Mexico Pavilion and go clockwise around the World Showcase. Please remember that there is so much, I may miss one or two:
- Mexico – Mariachi Cobre, a wonderful group of Mariachi musicians who perform with all of the energy that those who are familiar with this music have come to expect.
- China – Don’t miss the young Chinese acrobats, they are absolutely spectacular!!
- Germany – Oktoberfest Musikanten recreates Oktoberfest excitement several times each evening at the Biergarten dinner buffet. It’s worth the price of dinner for this very fun experience.
- Italy – There are two opportunities here, Sergio is a very talented juggler who puts on a twenty minute show and the Ziti Sisters put on a comedy show and they manage to involve you/us the audience. Lots of fun!
- American Adventure – There is truly good stuff happening here. The Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps (pictured above) puts on several inspiring shows each day and the Voices of Liberty, a wonderful a capella singing group entertains inside the building prior to the stage show.
- Japan – Talk about high energy, Matsuriza, a traditional Japanese Taiko Drummer group puts on amazing demonstrations of their talent while Miyuki, a “candy artist” with incredible abilities creates art out of candy and gives her creations to kids in the audience.
- Morocco – Inside Restaurant Marrakesh, during lunch and dinner there is a traditional Moroccan music ensemble playing and during the show there is also a belly dancer (G-rated). Outside, a group called MoRockin brings a very contemporary flair to the traditional music.
- France – In front of Les Chefs de France there is an performance that is a bit difficult to describe. It’s a little bit of juggling, a lot of balancing, and tons of fun. It’s called Serveur Amusant (comic waiter), don’t miss it. For you Ratatouille fans Remy makes appearances at lunch and very early in the dinner hour six days a week.
- United Kingdom – Lots of opportunity here. The World Showcase Players perform and here again is your opportunity for fame, audience participation. The Hat Lady at the Rose and Crown pub will make you think you are in a pub in the UK, she’s a very exciting entertainer. Finally, The British Invasion revives a lot of the sixties British Rock that we Oldies really enjoy. This is a definite do not miss for Oldies (both the music and US!!).
- Canada – Off Kilter is one of the favorites in the World Showcase. They play progressive Celtic music with an amazing flair. Yes – they do wear kilts!! This is one of the very best!!
See, I told you there was a lot of stuff in the World Showcase. We, as Oldies, are in a unique position to take our time and enjoy all of it as we tour the World Showcase. There is a website that maintains current days and times of performances and is updated each Friday or Saturday covering the following Sunday through Saturday. You can find Steve Soares website by clicking here. There is a lot of information there covering all of Walt Disney World. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!
Ken
Related articles
- Oldies But Goodies – Don’t Pass Up Epcot’s United States Pavilion (chipandco.com)
- Oldies But Goodies – Don’t Miss Holiday Experiences For Oldies (chipandco.com)
Audience Participation Comedy at Epcot – the World Showcase Players
Do you have what it takes to be King Arthur? Well, apparently my husband does because he was chosen out of the audience during our last visit to play the part. In the United Kingdom at Epcot’s World Showcase, there is a three-person comedy improv team called the “World Showcase Players.” If you are in the area during one of their scheduled performances, stop by and check out the show. There is no seating available as it is held in the middle of the street by the Rose & Crown. But you won’t notice because you will be laughing too hard.
If you are really lucky, you might even be chosen to be part of “Arthur’s Quest for the Holy Grail.” This is a live comedy show where they choose several people from the audience to play different parts: King Arthur, Sir Galahad, and the Wicked Witch Pellum. My husband had a great time playing King Arthur. Every time the actors said, “King Arthur,” the audience followed with a loud salute “Long live the king!” and then my hubby’s line was “Yahoo, that’s me baby!” It was hilarious.
I stayed right in the front to capture it all on video. I can be heard in the video also because the show is totally an audience participation show, where we had to learn phrases like, “grail, grail, grail, uh!” The actors really get the crowd going and it is evident that they truly love what they do. No two shows are the same since you never know what the “guest stars” will be like.
Currently, the show is held on Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 11:30am, 12:30, 1:30, 4:00 and 5:00pm in the United Kingdom. The length of the show is 25 hilarious minutes. I don’t know if there is a script or if they just “wing it” and I think that is what makes it so great. The street comes to life with the sound of laughter, especially the laughter of children which is all the music that is required. It is worth watching for adults and kids alike, especially when King Arthur is your dad.
