It’s no secret that many of us here at Touring Plans are big fans of Billy Hill and the Hillbillies; in the 2013 Unofficial Guide to Disneyland we give their musical comedy show 4 1/2 stars and call it “not to be missed.” Originally a street show created for the opening of Critter Country in 1989, the Hillbillies have been the most frequently featured act in the Golden Horseshoe Saloon since the Golden Horseshoe Jamboree ended its run in December of 1994.

While the Hillbillies have had the Horseshoe stage to themselves for most of the last 17 years (with the exception of Woody’s Round-Up’s run from 1999 to 2000), lately they’ve been on the move. Over the summer, they were shuffled out to the arena stage behind Big Thunder Ranch as part of a seasonal promotion, while the Laughing Stock Co. improv players took their place. More recently, Billy and the boys returned to Big Thunder for the Limited Time Magic resurrection of the beloved Golden Horseshoe Revue, albeit in the form of a “Salute” tribute show.

The Hillbillies’ hilarious bluegrass hijinks consistently draw a capacity crowd to the Horseshoe on the five days each week they perform, but all the performances of theirs I’ve seen at the Ranch have seemed much more sparsely attended. The answer as to which venue is the better location for them might seem obvious at first. But over the summer, I sat down with a highly-placed member of Disneyland’s entertainment team who gave me a different perspective.

This upper-level employee (who must remain anonymous, as our lunch was an off-the-record social meeting) is a lifelong fan of the original Revue, and was instrumental in advocating for its (temporary) return. He/she argued that, though the Billy’s are brilliant at what they do, their act is thematically inappropriate for the Saloon’s 19th century setting, because they “know they are in a theme park” and “break the fourth wall” with modern pop-culture wisecracks.

After attending a recent show in which the Hillbillies referenced American Idol, YouTube, and the Columbia House Music Club, it’s hard for me to argue with the premise. Yet, the packed audience around me (especially the special-needs boy blissfully dancing in the front row) didn’t seem to mind at all.

Should Disneyland’s favorite funny fiddlers have a permanent home in their most popular locale? Or should the Saloon return to presenting authentic 1800′s entertainment full-time like it did when Walt sat in the opera box? If entertainment and thematic integrity conflict in a theme park setting, which should win out? Join the debate, and leave your opinion in the comments below!

Disneyland Debate: Where Do Billy Hill and the Hillbillies Belong? is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

All images copyright Disney

Last week, Disneyland Resort bid farewell to the Christmas season and sailed into 2013 with festivities, fireworks, and fierce crowds. The end of the holidays brings a brigade of closures and refurbishments, but also arriving are a wave of limited-time events and merchandise to welcome the new year.

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Wednesday 1/2 was a 6 out of 10 at the resort, with 5.1 at Disneyland, and 5.1 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Monday 12/31 was a 10 out of 10 at the resort, with a 10.0 at Disneyland, and 10.0 at DCA.

Subscribe to the Touring Plans Disneyland Crowd Calendar for full details on predicted attendance for the next 30 days.

Special Events

• New Year's Eve was celebrated on 12/31 with special entertainment, fireworks, and massive crowds. Disneyland's Holiday season concluded on 1/6/2013.

• Jeff Reitz and Tonya Mickesh visited Disneyland on all 366 days of 2012, and were rewarded on 12/31 with honorary Disneyland citizenship and a stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite.

  
• A Cars Land themed float was a highlight of the 124th Tournament of Roses parade on New Years Day.
• New 2013 themed souvenirs are now on sale throughout the Disneyland resort, and new limited-edition pins featuring fragments from Disneyland attractions will be released throughout the new year.
• Disney announced that Mickey and the Magical Map will debut in the refurbished Fantasyland Theatre this summer. The new stage show will feature “a fantastic adventure through worlds of music, color and beloved characters” as Mickey explores the sorcerer Yen Sid's enchanted map.

• Disneyland celebrated the Hispanic holiday Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos) with special food and entertainment at Big Thunder Ranch on 1/4-6.
• As part of the 2013 Limited Time Magic promotion, a tribute to the classic Golden Horseshoe Revue will be performed Thursdays through Mondays from January 10 to February 4. Details were released on how guests can request same-day tickets to the show, or purchase Annual Passholder dinner packages.
• 5 new “couture” ear hats (including a steampunk style one) are now on sale around the resort. As part of the Year of the Ear, Disney will introduce new ear hats for sale each month.

• Beginning 1/5, Disneyland Annual Passholders receive one hour early entry into both parks on Saturdays and Sundays through April 14, 2013 (except 1/19, 1/20, & 2/3). Advanced registration is not necessary, and the benefit may be used more than once.
• Artist showcase events were announced for each weekend in January from 1-4 p.m., beginning January 12 at WonderGround Gallery.
• A modest “holiday village” of merchandise and snack vendors continued operating near the ice skating rink in Downtown Disney through 1/6.
• Disneyland Resort is still checking photo IDs for all guests holding multi-day tickets. This results in slow entry procedures; be prepared to arrive extra early (at least 45 minutes pre-opening) to be one of the first people into the park.
• Disney recently confirmed that the Market House on Main Street USA will close later this year for conversion into a Starbucks. No word yet if the tradition of free coffee refills will remain.

• Exclusive viewing areas for Glow With The Show hat holders have been established for Disneyland fireworks, Fantasmic!, and World of Color performances. Originally intended for the holiday season, they seem to be sticking around until further notice.

  

Openings, Closings, and Refurbishments

• Construction continues through Summer 2013 on the new Princess Fantasy Faire and Fantasyland Theatre.
• MuppetVision 4D was temporarily replaced with the Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice 3-D short film for the holiday season. The Muppets returned after 1/6.
• Big Thunder Mountain is closed 1/7 through 10/30 for a major refurbishment of the track and scenery.
• Big Thunder Ranch is closed 1/7 through 1/17 for holiday decor removal.
• Haunted Mansion is closed 1/7 though 1/17 for holiday decor removal.
• Fantasmic! will not be performed 1/7 through 2/14.
• The Mark Twain Riverboat is closed 1/7 through 3/28 for refurbishment.
• Grizzly River Run is closed 1/7 through 2/28 for refurbishment.
• Silly Symphony Swings are closed 1/7 through 2/17 for refurbishment.

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (12/30/2012 – 1/5/2012) is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

As mentioned in our latest Disneyland Resort news roundup, a “Salute” to the classic Golden Horseshoe Revue show will make a temporary return to Anaheim's Frontierland starting next Thursday as part of 2013's Limited Time Magic marketing campaign.

Disney has recently released additional info on how you can attend this sure-to-be popular show, which will run Thursdays through Mondays from January 10 until February 4.

All guests may request tickets to the show in person at the Golden Horseshoe. Seating requests are for the day of performance only (no advanced reservations) and are distributed for that day's performance on a first-come/first-served basis, subject to availability. There is no additional charge for tickets, other than standard park admission.

If you want to be guaranteed of a seat before arriving at the park, special dinner packages are now available for purchase by Annual Passholders. Participating guests will receive a cold meal, souvenir gift, and seating at a 6:30 performance, in exchange for $35. You must reserve in advance by calling (714) 781-7277, and have a valid annual pass to participate. If your pass is blocked out on the day of the show you want to attend, you'll need to purchase “Blockout Day” ticket.

See the following information from Disneyland's website for more details on the program. We plan to have Touring Plans representatives on site next week to bring you images from this special presentation — hope to see you there!

Golden Horseshoe Dinner Show for Annual Passholders

Inspired by the world-famous Frontierland show that Walt Disney himself began in 1955, A Salute to the Golden Horseshoe Revue features a variety of songs and dance numbers from past productions and is an homage to fun-filled, family friendly musical entertainment.

This show enjoys a brief run at the Disneyland Park.

Limited Time Annual Passholder Magic

Annual Passholders have additional and exciting Limited Time Magic opportunities. And here's the first: the Golden Horseshoe Dinner Show for Annual Passholders.

Dinner Show Details

The evening performance (on select days) will be exclusively for Annual Passholders — and will feature special dishes inspired by the original show's menu.

Plus, at this event, Annual Passholders will receive a commemorative musical keepsake and souvenir Golden Horseshoe boot mug.

Event Schedule for Annual Passholders

• January 10 through February 4, 2013
• Thursdays through Mondays

Time

6:30 p.m. is the special Passholder performance

Prices

$35 per Passholder (ages 3 and older) per show

Separate Theme Park admission required

Includes tax

Book Dining Package

Please call (714) 781-PASS (7277)

Space is limited!

Once a dining package is purchased, the purchasing Annual Passholder will receive a confirmation email

Please print and bring your confirmation email to the Disneyland Park check-in location as identified in the email; With a valid confirmation email, each Passholder on the reservation will receive an event wristband upon presentation of their valid Passports

Admission

Separate theme park admission required.

For admission to the show, each Annual Passholder must have a valid Disneyland Resort Annual Passport and event wristband. Valid photo ID may be required.

If needed, please also present a Blockout Day Ticket or valid ticket media. Blockout Day Tickets can be purchased at the Disneyland Resort Main Entrance on the day of the event.

The Passholder performance of the Golden Horseshoe Revue will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Guests will not be allowed entry to the show after 6:30 p.m. and show tickets will be forfeited.

Location

The Golden Horseshoe in Disneyland Park

Menu

Starter: Corn chips in a souvenir Golden Horseshoe boot mug

Entrees: Black forest ham and roast beef sandwiches

Sides: Golden raisin and carrot salad, Yukon golden potato salad, Very Berry fruit salad

Children's Menu (available upon request): 2 PB&J sandwiches with sides

Vegetarian Option (available upon request): Vegetable and cheese sandwiches with sides

Beverages: Mint Julep, water, coffee

Dessert: Walt & Lilly's 30th Anniversary Celebration Cake

Limited Time Magic

Limited Time Magic will bring fanciful experiences, big and small, to Guests at the Disneyland Resort throughout 2013. Each experience will appear briefly and then… disappear.

Additional Information

• Limit eight (8) Annual Passholders per dining package reservation (ages 3 and older), per show.
• Separate dinner and commemorative gift will not be provided to Guests under the age of 3.
• Guests must be at least 18 years old to call and book a dining package.
• Dining package purchases are nonrefundable. Reservations may not be sold or transferred for commercial use and are only valid for admission to the show date and time specified in the associated confirmation email.
• Information and shows are subject to restrictions, change and cancellation without notice.
• Menu items subject to change without notice.

Annual Passholder Dinner Packages For Golden Horseshoe Revue Now Available is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

All images copyright Disney

Happy New Year! 2012 saw some of the most substantial expansions in the history of the Disneyland Resort; with nothing on the scale of DCA’s reimagination on the horizon, 2013 can be seen as somewhat of a transitional year for the resort. Even so, there are a parade of updates, temporary additions, and notable refurbishments on their way in the coming months. As the signs of the holiday season swiftly disappear over the next week (shortly followed by the heavy crowds), look for some “limited time magic” to light up a historic Frontierland venue.

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Weekdays after mid-month should see some of the slowest crowds of the year. Thursday 1/17 is predicted to be a 1 out of 10 at the resort, with 1.2 at Disneyland, and 2.8 at DCA.

Busiest Day: The Tinkerbell Half-Marathon over Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend will bring the biggest crowds since New Year. Sunday 1/20 should be a 10 out of 10 at the resort, with a 9.8 at Disneyland, and 8.1 at DCA.

Subscribe to the Touring Plans Disneyland Crowd Calendar for full details on predicted attendance for the next 30 days.

Special Events

• Disneyland’s Holiday season concludes on 1/6/2013, with the Holiday Fantasy daytime parade performing daily until then. Guided VIP tours of Disneyland’s holiday offerings are still available through 1/6.
• A Cars Land themed float was a highlight of the Tournament of Roses parade on New Years Day.
• The Tinker Bell Half Marathon and associated running events will be held at Disneyland Resort on 1/18-1/20. Registration for the races is already sold out. Expect extreme crowds around the resort that weekend.
• New 2013 themed souvenirs are now on sale throughout the Disneyland resort.

• Disneyland will celebrate the Hispanic holiday Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos) with special food and entertainment at Big Thunder Ranch on 1/4-6.
• As part of the 2013 Limited Time Magic promotion, a tribute to the classic Golden Horseshoe Revue will be performed Thursdays through Mondays from January 10 to February 4. No word yet on how admission to the sure-to-be-popular revival will be distributed.
• Also as part of Limited Time Magic, the Year of the Ear will introduce new ear hats for sale each month, begining with Disney Couture designs in January.

• Beginning 1/5, Disneyland Annual Passholders receive one hour early entry into both parks on Saturdays and Sundays through April 14, 2013 (except 1/19, 1/20, & 2/3). Advanced registration is not necessary, and may be used more than once.
• Now through 1/6, the Believe…In Holiday Magic fireworks show at Disneyland Park interacts with Glow With The Show light-up mouse ear hats. Temporary exclusive viewing areas for Glow With The Show hat holders have been established for Believe, Fantasmic!, and World of Color for the next couple weeks.
• A modest “holiday village” of merchandise and snack vendors continues operating near the ice skating rink in Downtown Disney through 1/6.
• Disneyland Resort is still checking photo IDs for all guests holding multi-day tickets. This results in slow entry procedures; be prepared to arrive extra early (at least 45 minutes pre-opening) to be one of the first people into the park.

Openings, Closings, and Refurbishments

• Construction continues through 2013 on the new Princess Fantasy Faire and Fantasyland Theatre.
• MuppetVision 4D has been temporarily replaced with the Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice 3-D short film for the holiday season. The Muppets should return after 1/6.
• A Prep & Landing sequence has also been temporarily added to World of Color performances through 1/6.
• Big Thunder Mountain is closed 1/7 through 10/30 for a major refurbishment of the track and scenery.
• Big Thunder Ranch is closed 1/7 through 1/17 for holiday decor removal.
• Haunted Mansion is closed 1/7 though 1/17 for holiday decor removal.
• Fantasmic! will not be performed 1/7 through 2/14.
• The Mark Twain Riverboat is closed 1/7 through 3/28 for refurbishment.
• Grizzly River Run is closed 1/7 through 2/28 for refurbishment.
• Silly Symphony Swings are closed 1/7 through 2/17 for refurbishment.
• World of Color will not be performed 1/28 through 1/31.

This Month at Disneyland Resort: January 2013 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Did you get all the gifts you asked Santa for last week? The Disneyland Resort found exactly what it wanted under the tree this holiday season: record-setting crowds overrunning both its parks. Heavy attendance will hang around for the first couple weeks of the new year, when the resort returns to its pre-holiday look as the Cristmas decor comes down.

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Monday 12/24 was an 8 out of 10 at the resort, with 7.6 at Disneyland, and 7.9 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Thursday 12/27 was an 10 out of 10 at the resort, with a 10 at Disneyland, and 10 at DCA.

Subscribe to the Touring Plans Disneyland Crowd Calendar for full details on predicted attendance for the next 30 days.

Special Events

• Disneyland's Holiday season concludes on 1/6/2013, with the Holiday Fantasy daytime parade performing daily. Guided VIP tours of Disneyland's holiday offerings are still available through 1/6.
• The Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade was broadcast on ABC, featuring footage of Disneyland Resort.
• Players from the Wisconsin Badgers and Stanford Cardinals college football teams toured Disneyland together on December 26 prior to their Rose Bowl face off on New Years Day. A Cars Land-themed float will be a highlight of the Tournament of Roses parade on Tuesday.

• Disneyland will celebrate the Hispanic holiday Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos) with special food and entertainment at Big Thunder Ranch on 1/4-6.
• Check out this cute video of the “roastie-toastie” dolls found inside Disneyland's popcorn vending carts.
• The Disney Parks Blogs released compilations of their Top 10 YouTube Videos and Top Disneyland-related stories from 2012.
• As part of the 2013 Limited Time Magic promotion, a tribute to the classic Golden Horseshoe Revue will be performed Thursday through Monday from January 10 to February 4. No word yet on how admission to the sure-to-be-popular revival will be distributed.

• Now through 1/6, the Believe…In Holiday Magic fireworks show at Disneyland Park interacts with Glow With The Show light-up mouse ear hats. Temporary exclusive viewing areas for Glow With The Show hat holders have been established for Believe, Fantasmic!, and World of Color for the next couple weeks.
• Holiday decor, seasonal songs, and nightly “snowfalls” have been added to DCA's Mad T Party now through New Years. The party will go to midnight on 12/31 with pyrotechnics at 12.
• The final 2012 days for freshly-made candy canes were 12/24 at Disneyland and 12/25 at DCA.
• Santa Claus posed for (paid) photos in the mornings at the Paradise Pier hotel, and in the evenings at the Grand Californian and Disneyland hotels.
• A modest “holiday village” of merchandise and snack vendors continues operating near the ice skating rink in Downtown Disney through 1/6.
• Disneyland Resort is now checking photo IDs for all guests holding multi-day tickets. This results in slow entry procedures; be prepared this holiday season to arrive extra early (at least 45 pre-opening) to be one of the first people into the park.

Openings, Closings, and Refurbishments

• Construction continues through 2013 on the new Princess Fantasy Faire and Fantasyland Theatre.
• MuppetVision 4D has been temporarily replaced with the Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice 3-D short film for the holiday season. The Muppets should return after 1/6.
• A Prep & Landing sequence has also been temporarily added to World of Color performances through 1/6.

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (12/23/2012 – 12/29/2012) is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.