Chernabog and Aladdin: The Contemplation

Doing my normal run in Disney's California Adventure last week, I had noticed that the Chernabog structure for World of Color was missing the black flame thrower parts as well as the water nozzles.  

picture taken 5/20

What could this mean? Is Chernabog's fate the same as Alice with his segment being cut from the show?  Or is Chernabog still in the show, but the structure itself isn't being used? There is a video of the first test run for the executives back at the beginning of April, and the Chernabog effect looks to stiff.  His "body" is stationary while his head, that looks to be the cut out paper usage, is the only thing that moves.  Maybe the effect isn't as effective as they thought it would be.  Chernabog may still be in the show, but probably just on a mist screen.

It seems that there are a number of changes happening with the World of Color show, so with what one test run will show may be different that another test run show.  With all the time needed to test and tweak the show, I wouldn't be surprised if the show changes slightly even after it's official opening of June 11, 2010

And speaking of changes....

It wasn't too long ago that Disney announced that the Aladdin Musical in Disney's California Adventure was going to have its last showing on August 15, 2010

It seems that a number of people in the Disney online community were a little upset. Mostly because they didn't want to see the show leave, but also because it was being replaced by a musical based on a Pixar movie. Toy Story: The Musical, the same show that could be found on the Disney Cruise Lines. Some people thought it was just a bit of over kill. With Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters in Tomorrowland, Woody's Round-Up in Frontierland, Toy Story Midway Mania in Paradise Pier, and the recently opened Toy Story Parking Lot, it seemed that was just a bit much Toy Story for a number of those in the Disney community to take. Couldn’t Disney place another musical for the Hyperion Theater?

Then on May 12,  Disney Park Blog reported that Aladdin will be staying for now. It stated that "they received a lot of comments ... asking for Aladdin to continue its run". A lot of Disney fans were thrilled that it was staying and they could only think that the reason was because they had voiced their concern. Did the Disney fans really have the power to stop Toy Story: The Musical from taking over the Hyperion Theater?

There has to be more to this story. Why would Disney just give in and basically say “OK, we will keep it”. Typically once Disney has decided on something, they pretty much go forward with or without the support of the Disney fans. Something else must have happened. But what could it be? Well... we know World of Color is opening up shortly. Could that have anything to do with Aladdin staying?

I would say "possibly". The past month, word has gotten around about World of Color doing full shows for the executives. And it was reported that after Iger saw the first run of World of Color, he wanted changes to be made. Maybe with all the changes, World of Color could possibly be going over its budget.  And if that is the case, there may not be enough money to bring in a new show right now

"Can't get rid of us this easily"


When I found out that Aladdin would be closing, I was happy.  I can count the number of times I have seen the Aladdin show on one hand, and it is relatively the same number of times I had seen the two former shows, "Blast!" and "Steps in Time".  But I wasn't too thrilled with "Toy Story: The Musical" taking up residence at the theater.  As much as I enjoy Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Toy Story Midway Mania, I don't think I would have gone in to see "Toy Story: The Musical".


There are a number of Disney movies that could be turned into a show for the Hyperion. Pinocchio, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Princess and the Frog could have been some possibilities. Or do revival of shows that Disneyland once had like "One Man's Dream"