THEME PARK INSIDER - Pasadena Star-News

THEME PARK INSIDER

The Hyperion is among Disneyland Resort theaters that have been largely dark for years. Nothing has played at the Hyperion since “Rogers: The Musical” closed in 2023. Jeff Gritchen STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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Disney is spending billions to add new attractions at its theme parks around the world over the next decade, including at the Disneyland Resort. The company has announced plans for new rides based on “Avatar” and “Coco” at Disney California Adventure. With the DisneylandForward plan approved, the company now has the legal OK to expand the footprint of its theme parks in Anaheim, as well.

But as Disney moves forward on new construction, I hope that it does something to fill in its current empty spaces as well. It’s time to reward fans by returning shows to the empty theaters of the Disneyland Resort.

One of those theaters will be coming back online this spring, as “Walt Disney: A Magical Life” debuts in the Main Street Opera House. The longtime home of “Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln” will welcome Disney’s first audio-animatronic representation of the company’s founder in this new show that opens May 16. At some point, Lincoln will return to play in rotation with the new production.

Right now, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and “Storytelling” at Royal Theatre represent the only sit-down theater shows playing at Disneyland. The park’s huge Fantasyland Theatre remains empty, save for special occasions such as this month’s Celebrate Soulfully event. There are no major productions in the Golden Horseshoe anymore. The old Carousel of Progress/America Sings space could use something fresher than Star Wars Launch Bay. It’s been years since anything played in the old Tomorrowland Theater, which many fans may have forgotten exists.

Over at Disney California Adventure, Hollywood Land offers several theater shows, including “Mickey’s PhilharMagic,” Animation Academy, “Disney Jr. Dance Party” and “Turtle Talk With Crush.” But that park’s Hyperion Theater has not hosted a regular production since “Rogers: The Musical” closed in late 2023.

Disneyland in the past has removed theaters to make way for new rides, including Winnie the Pooh evicting the Country Bears, The Little Mermaid replacing the old “Golden Dreams” show and Spider-Man taking over the old “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” space. Maybe that’s the plan for some of the resort’s now-empty theaters.

I hope not. A well-balanced theme park should include live theater, animatronic shows and short films among its thrill and family rides. Broadway is now part of Disney’s creative DNA, and theme park fans should have the opportunity to see live Disney theater productions in every one of the company’s theme parks.

Plus, it’s just nice to be able to sit down and watch a show in the middle of a day of walking and standing in lines for other attractions.

I wish other parks would step up and produce more theater shows, too. Knott’s has great venues with the Walter Knott and Bird Cage theaters and the Calico Saloon, but they do not all host daily shows anymore. At least Knott’s is not tearing down its theaters like Six Flags Magic Mountain just did to make way for its next roller coaster. Universal also tore down two theaters for its new “Fast and Furious” coaster.

New rides help draw new visitors, but I hope parks’ leaders have not forgotten that great new shows can do that, too.

Robert Niles covers the themed entertainment industry as the editor of ThemeParkInsider.com.