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

Are you a Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder?

Do you love the Disney animated classic Peter Pan?

Would you like to spend a couple extra hours in Fantasyland this week?

If your answer to the following questions is “all of the above,” head over to Disneyland on Wednesday night (February 27, 2013) for the latest Limited Time Magic event. For one night only, Passholders can see a special screening of Peter Pan at the Main Street Opera House, in honor of the film’s recent Blu-ray release.

As an added bonus, select Fantasyland attractions will be open to participating Passholders for 2 additional hours past the park’s public 8pm closing time. Be warned, however, that my recent experience with extended Passholder hours at Disney California Adventure did not result in light crowds and short queues; in fact, it was exactly the opposite.

Film screening start at 11am on Wednesday. Passholders may register for the event in person at the Opera House beginning at 10am on the day of the event; online and advance registration is not offered. See here for details on the event direct from Disney.

Peter Pan Passholder Event at Disneyland this Wednesday 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 Inauguration Day! As America’s President retakes the oath of office in chilly Washington, the sun is rising over Anaheim on a warm Martin Luther King Day. Unlike some Superbowl stars, Obama probably won’t end his victory celebration by shouting, “I’m going to Disneyland!” But if you are visiting the Happiest Place On Earth this week, why not honor our Republic by spending some great moments with Mr. Lincoln as you enjoy this season’s short lines in Disneyland.

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Wednesday 1/16 was a 2 out of 10 at the resort, with 2.5 at Disneyland, and 1.1 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Saturday 1/19 was an 9 out of 10 at the resort, with a 9.9 at Disneyland, and 7.5 at DCA.

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

Special Events

• The annual Tinker Bell Half Marathon on 1/20 brought tens of thousands of running enthusiasts to Disneyland last weekend. Registration opens on 1/22 for the Disneyland Half Marathon in September.
• As part of the 2013 Limited Time Magic promotion, a tribute to the classic Golden Horseshoe Revue opened on 1/10. The show will be performed Thursdays through Mondays until February 4. Guests can request same-day tickets to the show, or purchase Annual Passholder dinner packages. Watch this new video featuring Disneyland employees involved in the new production reminiscing about the original Golden Horseshoe show.
• Also as part of Limited Time Magic, Disney announced a Lunar New Year celebration will be held in DCA’s Pacific Wharf area on February 8-11.

• Disneyland Annual Passholders now 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 began January 12 at WonderGround Gallery, and continue each weekend in January from 1-4 p.m. At the nearby Vault 28 store, new couture HARVEYS handbags will be released on February 9.
• New merchandise featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is being released, including a limited edition pocket watch exclusively sold at DCA’s Elias & Sons store.

• The Fossil store in Downtown Disney closed temporarily for remodeling.
• As part of the the Limited Time Magic campaign, the New Orleans Bayou Bash returned on January 18, bringing Mardi Gras food and music to Disneyland on weekends through February 12.

• Disneyland released this video of Imagineer Marty Sklar’s 2009 retirement ceremony, in which he received a coveted window on Main Street USA.
• The Blue Sky Cellar near Cars Land reopened on 1/19 with new exhibits previewing the new Fantasy Faire in Disneyland Park. Newly released concept art depicts the interior of Fantasy Faire’s Royal Hall meet and greet.

• A new online special currently offers a 3-Day Disneyland Park Hopper for $220, a $30 savings. Tickets must be purchased online by February 27 and used by March 11.
• This video from the Disney Parks blog celebrates this months 10-year anniversary of DCA’s Aladdin stage show.
• Disneyland Resort is still taking photos of 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 on the new Princess Fantasy Faire and Fantasyland Theatre through spring 2013.
• Big Thunder Mountain is closed 1/7 through 10/30 for a major refurbishment of the track and scenery. Due to construction, the Big Thunder Trail connecting Frontierland and Fantasyland will be closed on weekdays.
• Big Thunder Ranch was closed 1/7 through 1/17 for holiday decor removal.
• Haunted Mansion reopened on 1/17 after its holiday decor was removed.
• Fantasmic! will not be performed 1/7 through 2/14.
• The Mark Twain Riverboat is closed 1/7 through 3/28 for refurbishment.
• The Main Street train station is closed 1/7 through 3/28, and the Primeval World portion of the ride is under refurbishment 1/7 through 1/23.
• Grizzly River Run is closed 1/7 through 2/28 for refurbishment.
• The Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar was closed 1/7 though 1/18 to install a new exhibit.

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (1/13/2013 – 1/19/2013) 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.