Playhouse Disney
(photos below)

The "revised" Playhouse Disney: Live on Stage is open and running--pulling lots of little kids (and their adult parties) in for the several shows scheduled throughout the day. The "new" version includes characters from several of The Disney Channel's kids programming lineup. On Sunday, February 12, 2008, Aronda stopped in to check out the show. 

Unfortunately for the adult set, the seating is all on a carpeted floor--there are no seats--so those who have trouble sitting down and getting up from the floor may wish to approach this show with caution. At 22 minutes, it seems like this one will never end when your back is hurting from sitting in an uncomfortable position!

The story is about Mickey and the gang (Donald, Daisy, and Goofy) planning a surprise birthday party for Minnie. Everyone eagerly offers to pitch in to make the party happen, but then each realizes that he or she is uncertain about their abilities with respect to their tasks. Mickey has a solution--look to stories to find the solutions to life's little problems. The show then launches into three substories, each of which is supposed to give one of the volunteers the tools they need to accomplish the task at hand. Now, while this seems like a reasonable premise, the substories don't, in Aronda's opinion, have the substance to actually help any of the characters to solve their problems. It seems to take huge leaps of logic to extract the solutions from each of these stories. 

In the end, the party comes off, Minnie's happy, and all is well in Mickey's Clubhouse. 

It's been a while since Aronda viewed this show. Perhaps the programs have changed, but it seems that the Bear in the Big Blue House was much more entertaining than the characters in this new version. A major problem, in Aronda's opinion, is that, unlike with Bear, there are no real characters up on stage--they're all--except for one "human"--puppets operated from below the stage. This makes the action very low, a big distraction for the viewers. Aronda noticed that there wasn't as much enthusiasm from the audience as there once was. Perhaps this is because of a poorer story, less appealing characters, the low-to-the-stage action, or just tiredness as the performance was late in the day. Regardless, be aware that this one seems less-than-optimal if you're taking your younger ones to a show. Have a look at Aronda's photos below for more details.

From WDW 's press department: 

The stars from "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Handy Manny," "Little Einsteins" and more entertain Walt Disney World guests with animated graphics, music and songs in a new interactive, fun stage show, "Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!" at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Casey, the "Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!" host, assists the audience in a variety of dance and sing-along activities, encouraging children to join in the fun throughout the show. The stars of the entertaining new show are characters from the Disney Channel's hit Playhouse Disney programming block geared to preschool audiences.

The 22-minute stage show, performed several times daily at Disney's Hollywood Studios, hosts some of the world's most popular children's TV characters, where they come to life as never before in the all-new "Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!" Children are invited to sing, dance and play along as their beloved friends from "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Handy Manny," "Little Einsteins" and others appear in a new live adventure.

Mickey's colorful clubhouse opens up with delightful characters and marvelous special effects to make kids a part of the interactive magic -- helping their pals create the best birthday party ever for Minnie Mouse. In addition to the bubbly, breezy effects, music also fills the air as youngsters join the gang in singing along with catchy tunes that make Playhouse Disney such a fun place every morning -- only this time, they're a part of the wonderful new fun.

• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" -- The ever popular "Fab Five" Disney characters -- Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and the ever-silly Goofy -- pop out in new life-like animated puppetry for young audiences at the new show.
• Little Einsteins" -- Leo, Annie, Quincy and June are joined by Rocket, a fully animated on-stage toy rocket with all the bells and whistles. Together they battle their nemesis, Big Jet, in a high-speed rocket race to the finish line.
• Handy Manny" -- From his first Hola, Handy Manny and his handyman tools are front and center in the new "Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!" show for yet another busy day of helping his friends. When the bubble-making machine conks out on stage, Handy Manny and his animated tools save the day.

Disney's Hollywood Studios immerses guests in the glamour of show business 365 days a year with thrilling attractions, incredible Broadway-style shows, world-class entertainment and interactive film, television and radio production facilities.

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