The Paul McKenna band

[WEDWDW]

The "refreshment" of World Showcase is complete.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...-opens-at-epcot's-united-kingdom-pavilion.htm

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

Anyone seen these guys? What did you think? I want to really like it, but I don't know if I can forgive Epcot its current lack of bagpipes...
...not Paul McKenna Band's fault, though...
But why is the [scotch] gone? (their recent Germany tour included scotch - just sayin...)

 

[f19810]

I just listened to the video and if you like gaelic music, you will like this. In my opinion, this is better than the lumberjacks (hard to believed ,right) and better than the Morocco replacement. I do wish that they kept one of the comedy troupes, since it is a nice brake from the music.

 

[Micca]

Not as good as he was in The Beatles.

 

[disneyholic family]

not the best example of the genre, but whatever...i'll just keep walking by...

 

[kaytieeldr]

Not as good as he was in The Beatles.

Where's the groaning smiley?

 

[GatorChris]

Not as good as he was in The Beatles.

Rubbish! Oh...too soon?

While this does bring some culture from the UK, it can't come close to replacing the comedy of the WSPs. Yes, they have talent, but where in the heck is the charisma? You want the audience to cheer, dance, get involved. This seems more like a band on the stage in the corner at "Murphy's Tavern" that is playing while you try to talk over them and woof your shepherd's pie.

Bring back the World Showcase Players. They had something this new crew doesn't: an audience.

 

[Bluegrrl]

DH, a huge Celtic music fan (celtic punk as well as traditional) like the band when I played it for him. I liked them too.

He said that it would be great if they put them in the pub and he could have his Guinness while he listened to them. According to him, they were the best entertainment at EPCOT that he has seen. Or at least the one that he dislikes the least?

This is also coming from a man who likes lumberjack shows.

 

[GatorChris]

According to him, they were the best entertainment at EPCOT that he has seen. Or at least the one that he dislikes the least?

This is also coming from a man who likes lumberjack shows.

Man, they must really be tough to listen to

 

[MakiraMarlena]

They had something this new crew doesn't: an audience.

Doesn't matter to Disney that they had an audience. What matters to Disney is that they don't have to pay them anymore, provide props and costumes, etc. this group wears their own clothes and brings their own instruments/sound equipment, since they are contractors, not Disney employees.

 

[GatorChris]

Doesn't matter to Disney that they had an audience. What matters to Disney is that they don't have to pay them anymore, provide props and costumes, etc. this group wears their own clothes and brings their own instruments/sound equipment, since they are contractors, not Disney employees.

I guess this is the part I don't get. The main reason I used to fly from CA to WDW is because of Epcot. And I loved Epcot for all of it's great nation-themed entertainment. That seems to be gone and replaced with some fairly dull and non-entertaining acts. Sure there's Illuminations every night, but without the Players and fun stuff like that, I'm not coming back. For all execs who may be reading, I'm having a great time at Disneyland - you know where things get refreshed with acts that entertain. Ah, nevermind.

 

[AquaDame]

I am SO glad we caught the players during our last trip... we had never seen them before and it was SO funny! unfortunately I now know what we'll be missing.

 

[maclondon]

I got all confused

"Paul McKenna is a British hypnotist and an author of self-help books. McKenna has written and produced books and multimedia products, hosted self-improvement television shows"

ah not THAT Paul McKenna!

 

[maclondon]

oh i just watched the world showcase players on youTube



erm well it's not really comparable - street theatre (I'm being kind) vs a trad celtic band - apples and oranges.

I guess WSP have a hint of british panto / vaudeville comedians - but erm, yeah, knock yourselves out.

I think its nice to have more acts and variety of acts in epcot - and swap them around - why have the same things for years and years ?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I am not impressed.

 

[Ceryssa]

I like it. I never saw the previous act so I can't compare the two though. I'm just glad they added in some new stuff; I got concerned when I kept reading about them removing entertainment without replacing it.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

They have "replaced" everything but Fife & Drum it seems. There is some concern with "beloved" acts being removed, and some with the quality of the succeeding act (*lumberjacks*) but the removal without replacement stuff is kind of exaggerated at least when talking about World Showcase.

 

[realfolkmusic]

Obviously some of you people wouldn't know good music if it hit you in the face. Seriously people get a real life

 

[GatorChris]

Obviously some of you people wouldn't know good music if it hit you in the face. Seriously people get a real life

It's not about the music. It's about presentation. When I go to the local celtic/highlands fair, I hear OK music but they're dressed up in Celtic attire and dancing and spinning around on stage. The McKenna band is good for their genre, but they come out dressed like everyone else in the crowd and stand and play. I get it - that's what folk music is supposed to be. But this is Disney where paying customers expect entertainment that gives them a buzz.

When Off Kilter performed, it was in kilts. When British Invasion plays, it's in Beatles-type attire. When the Fife&Drum corp came out, it was in colonial garb. When the World Showcase Players did comedy, it was in 1800s British-common costume. I guess why everyone is so down on the new show is people are visual first. If they look like the band that plays at the downtown cafe' every Friday night, people simply won't be impressed.

The other side is this - I miss the comedy show that preceded Paul McKenna's act and the 50-150 people that would congregate and have a hilarious time. As good as PMB may be, it's seems more of "mood music" then a show. And Disney can play that over the speakers - in fact, they already do.

 

[realfolkmusic]

That's nonsense! Rather than some rubbish bands who have been manufactured by Disney this is a real band. They are from Scotland aren't they? So therefore this is obviously the way folk bands dress and act while performing. That video is also probably from the first day. You're right, it's not a show, it's not meant to be. I think you're missing the point completely. Kilts and dancing around the place? This is actually good music and if you need people dressed like idiots to find something entertaining then there's somethjng seriously wrong with you. Do you do anything out side of Disney? I will definitely be back to see them again and will be showing my support.