Written by 6:57 pm Disneyland, Musical, Review, Uncategorized

Cartography, Disney Style : Mickey and the Magical Map @ Disneyland in Anahiem – Review

Written by Alina Mae Wilson 

I WENT TO DISNEYLAND!!! Despite my status as an Orange County local, it has been many years since I have visited the Happiest Place on Earth. It has even been a long time since I saw one of the Disney classics I watched as a child. So when I discovered a few characters were performing, I charged in, eager to reminisce.

flm128514LARGE

Photo Courtesy: Disneyland.com

Mickey and the Magical Map made its debut in Fantasyland Theatre in 2013. It’s still going strong. This live-action adventure starts with the great one himself –the symbol of all that is wholesome and good in the Disney universe–Mickey Mouse! Mickey is decked out in his apprentice garb and wants to move on from performing tedious chores to map painting (this is some magic reserved for more advanced wizards like Mickey’s employer, Sorcerer Yen Sid). When Mickey decides to finish painting a spot on the map to prove himself ready to be a real mapmaker, the spot takes him on a musical journey featuring both beloved classics (like “Under the Sea”) and some more recent hits (like “I See the Light). What’s that? You don’t know a song called “I See the Light”? Don’t worry, and modern-day children will be…  No, they won’t, but they will recognize singers Princess Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from the 2010 film Tangled, and if that’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me.

Let’s talk about the atmosphere. The day I went to see the show, it began to rain, so huddling in Fantasyland Theatre’s massive tent provided some much-needed respite from the recent downpour. As you may suspect, many other people felt the same way. Never fear –it is Disneyland, after all –so they anticipated a huge crowd. The audience is spread out nicely to counter any overt feelings of being cramped, and the stage is set up so that I don’t think there is a bad seat in the house. This statement can also be taken as a directive for people chaperoning young children–don’t stress! The biggest concern in finding a good seat is finding a seat. As stated, it will get pretty crowded, so if you are with a big group unwilling to split up for the show, try to get there early to find room together.

For the most part, the visuals are lovely–Mickey goes back and forth between being a solid being in front of us and being an image on the screen. This is obviously to enable him to do a few magic tricks for our benefit, and it manages to not detract from the story –this is probably because these transitions are seamless. I mean, they are good. The previously mentioned screen serves as a giant backdrop for all the action and shifts from being the magical map to being the colorful setting for various songs—no complaints to be found here.

The performances are good, but the music itself is in doubt for me. From a reviewer’s standpoint, I recognize the need to check all expectations at the door. From the viewpoint of a nostalgic fan, I wish the songs sounded more like the originals. Please don’t panic, it’s not like they changed everything to Disney Channel Pop, but they did change the voices of some of the singers. One difference in particular sticks in my mind. Sebastian is now less baritone and more tenor. I realize that the singers will not sound the same as the originals, but as someone who doesn’t think people with lower registers get enough love these days, this is important to me. Also, I came here to reminisce about Disney! If I wanted to re-imagine these films, I would have stayed home and watched Once Upon a Time. But I digress. For the most part, the songs are accurate to the originals.

Nothing negative to say about the featured princesses. Their voices are all well-suited for their respective tasks. Pocahontas, Mulan, Rapunzel, and Tiana all make appearances. Their songs sound good separately, but despite some songwriters’ best efforts, they sound weird when meshed together at the end. And, of course, there is the fact of Rapunzel singing “I See the Light,” which is forgettable even in the context of her movie. Tiana’s song “Dig a Little Deeper” isn’t great, but it encourages audience interaction and increases energy.   This is a very good way to spend twenty or so of your minutes during the trip.

The music is not perfect, but it’s pretty darn close. The energy onstage is captivating, and people of all ages can enjoy seeing these characters they have grown to love. There is something very interactive about the whole experience. The excellent views of the stage and comfortable environment add to the feeling that the cast members are performing exclusively for you. The ending is just about as pleasantly Disney as it gets,  and the story before manages to keep the attention of adults and kids alike. This is an excellent way to rest your feet without stopping the day’s entertainment. Ask Disney cast members (employees) about Mickey and the Magical Map. 

My Review
8.8 Overall
9.7 Users (1 vote)
Story0
Acting0
Set & Design0
Costumes0
Entertainment0
What people say... 1 Leave your rating
Amazing show!
This is an absolutely stunning 24 minute long production found near the entrance between Toon Town and Fantasyland!
July 1, 2020, 7:07 am
Story8.5
Acting10
Set & Design10
Costumes10
Entertainment10
0
0
Leave your rating

(Visited 147 times, 1 visits today)
Tags: , , , , Last modified: December 5, 2022
Close