I had intended to post this review earlier, but held off to see if it would change through the season, in part because the original post from Silverwood Entertainment on IG showed what had been previously described as an interactive show between a live host and the animatronics animals:
We were intrigued. And hopeful.
To be honest, the show the previous two seasons was the weakest link on the Entertainment side. We still liked it, and it was a good resting time with some good interaction, but it wasn't anything like last season's High Moon Saloon Variety Show or the train shows. As my teen daughter would say, it was mid.
At the time we saw it, all it ended up being was a pre-recorded show with the animatronics. And it was...well...not good. First, the room was less than 1/3 full. There were several attempts during the recording where they tried to solicit audience response and received silence in return. Even from Evanna. And everyone in the room.
The worst part is that there were moments that held a lot of potential--parodies of songs like Bohemian Rhapsody, that started great, but got off tempo really quickly, and consistently.
As for the reason for the change from a live-hosted show, there wasn't anything posted or announced that I saw. The performer shown in the picture above did give notice at some point early on in the season after only doing a few shows, which we hadn't caught. Wish we had. I have heard in part why the performer left, though I haven't verified that information with the performer...therefore will not post it. But I do believe the reasons are--in part at least--emblematic of the issues observed this season.
(Previous reviews from the 2024 season here and here and indirectly here.
The business side of me hopes that someone is looking at the numbers associated with, for example, revenue at the High Moon Saloon this season compared to the previous two seasons, month to month and week to week. As that indirect link above's post mentioned, quality entertainment at theme parks leads directly to revenue...the more people that pack in to see a show and take a short break, the more food and drinks they buy. This season, though, the Saloon was more often like the Deadwood set along the train ride than the packed and busy location it was the previous season.
Entertainment matters. Quality entertainment even more so. Going back to the original review post from this season and its poorly developed football analogy, I sure hope this was a rebuilding season for the team, because it feels like we went from the Super Bowl last season to missing the playoffs by a long ways this season.
