The latest Betamouse podcast (Q: Gee, Strat, stop talking about Betamouse! A: No, they are awesome, go listen to them right now.) made me decide to create a post compiling my opnions and ideas on who should be the next Living Character and what is the best current Living Character show. Here are some videos to get you STARTED on the LCI:
QUESTION Nº1: How can a Living Character improve your trip?
Since the beginning of Disneyland, we kinda knew that Walt wanted to make things different.
Picture from wdwinfo.com
He wanted to create experiences that were enjoyable to parents and kids alike, so he created Disneyland and a little somethin’ somethin’ that inovated Theme Park Entertrainment. Now the question basically is: when you get characters to interact with you live and at the spot, you clearly can understand: I have achieved something. The Living Characters are not animatronics with recorded voices on a track, with a script to follow. Sure, there are the usual corny jokes, but, look at the bright side, you can always count on something different and special just for you to happen at that exact moment. And thats how a Living Character can change your day at Disney. With a big smile on your face as he says hi, tells you a joke and then says goodbye- its not just another Disney character, its a live Disney character, right there, talking with you.
And thats magic.
Question Nº2: Whats the best Living Character?
Picture from mickeyxtreme.com
It has to be Crush.
I don’t know if Crush was really the first Living Character on the Parks, but darn, he is the most famous one. We see Crush at DCA, at EPCOT and (in the future) at the Disney Cruise Line. The main reason for this is that you just mixed Pixar’s awesome character with live interaction and Disney sure has noticed that this is one hell of an formula (hence why they made the Monsters Inc Laugh Foor) and they have also noticed that kids are most likely to love the Pixar characters than the Disney characters (congrats Disney, way to go!), so you are taking amazing characters, live interaction and children, who are most likely to remember these magical moments, you give them a reason to say “Hey Dad, remember Crush? I want to go back and meet him again!” And remember, Disney only cares about kids these days.
Question Nº3: What should be the next Living Character?
Guess what, its not a Pixar character!
Picture from certain.com
Figment has to be the next Living Character. He’s so charming, funny and wacky that its just the best choice for live interaction. Now, if people can make an Andrew Stanton impression for Crush and a Billy Crystal impression for Wazowski or anything else, they sure can make a Dave Goelz impression. So, go ahead, with the newest Imagination refurb, kick out Mr Idle and bring a Live Figment to the show.
