Today was the first day of operation for the new “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” at Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland, but it was a hard day for Cast Members and guests alike. Due to the overwhelming popularity of Bluey, a lot of changes and operational issues unfolded as the day went on.
Operational Shifts
Yesterday, during the preview performances of the new show, we saw lots of kiddos getting up and dancing during the numerous dance breaks. While Cast Members today, as far as we know, never expressly told anyone they had to sit and couldn’t dance, audiences today were mostly seated—even in the dance area. Seating took up most of the dancing area due to overcrowding in an attempt to let in as many people as possible. The exception to that was the very first show of the day, which was capped at the “desired capacity.” All the other shows today had increased capacity, which eliminated most of the dance space.
According to our reporter at the park, the biggest operational issue had less to do with dancing and more to do with the atmosphere of the show itself.
Unlike other shows around the park, like Mickey’s PhilharMagic, “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” has a less strict end time. With the play area, photo ops, and food in the theater area, audiences are less inclined to just leave after the show. Cast Members seemingly had a hard time maintaining crowd control or stopping people from just staying after the show. Eventually, Cast Members started to try to clear out audiences after the shows ended. Though that didn’t always work either, as it was reported to us that some audience members would just walk out, appear to walk towards Troubadour Tavern to get in line, but then just rejoin the theater line again—seeing the shows numerous times in a row.
The two shows running back-to-back also seemed to cause audiences to leave during the performances. Guests weren’t always expecting a 30-40 minute show, which was too much for some younger viewers.
First Day Woes
The excitement for the new Bluey show was evident from the crowd sizes around the Fantasyland Theatre. Guests were so eager to get to the performance that the last four shows reached double their desired capacity, according to our reporter. Additionally, the shows are supposed to run in order between Show 1 and Show 2; however, today the order was Show 1, Show 2, Show 1, Show 1, Show 2. We wonder if this confused audiences who stayed to see the alternating show.
Lines were so long that, after the second show, Cast Members had to close the line for capacity. It stretched all the way from Fantasyland Theatre to Matterhorn Bobsleds. They reopened the line three times while the shows kept running at double capacity. Guests were even turned away after the final show for the day was seated. Our reporter saw dozens of managers and executives trying to help Cast Members with crowd control.
Beyond the lines themselves, Troubadour Tavern was swamped. The dining location, with most of the Bluey-themed food, had to stop walk-up guests by 9:30 a.m., and the only guests allowed near the area were those with Order Ready screens for existing mobile orders. Return times for mobile orders were gone for the entire day by 10 a.m. A random time would sometimes pop up; however, for the most part, they were gone. Even our reporter spent an entire hour refreshing mobile orders at Troubadour.
This was also an issue for anyone looking for Bluey sippers as guests seemingly did not know they were items they could order from Troubadour until it was too late, and the mobile orders were gone. Our reporter was informed by Cast Members that the Bluey sipper will be available at other locations besides Troubadour tomorrow. However, the Cast Members did not specify where.
When the last “Bluey” show of the day ended, Cast Members tried to reopen Troubadour for walk-up orders. But the wait time for mobile orders was 90 minutes, and they close at 6 p.m. At the time of writing, we were told it is unlikely that the walk-up will reopen.
“Bluey’s Best Day Ever!”
“Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland park will celebrate the heart and humor of the critically acclaimed animated series, Bluey.
The theater will become the grounds of Bluey’s school, hosting a fair with games and music from Bluey episodes. Bluey and her sister Bingo will appear live on stage throughout the day with a troupe of comedic actors and musicians. Themed foods will be at Troubadour Tavern.
Are you going to head out to see this new show? Let us know on social media!
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