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On Stage - Off Stage |
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| You may ask yourself: "Ok, So what
is this 'On Stage ~ Off Stage' I keep hearing about?" Perhaps you've
hear it mentioned during our Tuesday meeting. The 'off stage' area
of our site is loaded with references to 'on or off stage', heck even the
banner bar at the top of this page says 'offstage'! Well, before we give you our definition, allow me to share a story that inspired this perspective: It all started many years ago, thousands of miles from Champlin Minnesota.... |
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| Ok, I admit it, Diana and I are recovering Disney junkies! We been to the theme parks more times than I care to mention. We've spent countless hours shopping in Disney stores. We own practically every Disney Video. We wear Disney clothing and sport the Disney logos. We even enjoyed our Honeymoon in Disney World! I've been told, by more than one person, If I should ever change careers I should look at becoming a Disney "Imagineer". (Disney calls their engineers "Imagineers" = Imagination + Engineering) Anyway, you're probably wondering what Disney has to do with Champlin Park On & Off Stage..... | ||||
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On Stage / Off Stage at Walt Disney World |
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| The terms and concept of 'on stage' or 'off stage' comes directly from our Disney experience. Many years ago, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to experience Disney World as very few have ever seen it... behind the scenes! We were part of a small, 10 guest envoy, that were invited to go places that are NOT open to the public. During this 7 hour excursion, we walked beneath the streets of the Magic Kingdom, in the maze of utility corridors and tunnels that enable the Magic Kingdom to appear so magical! | ||||
| Over the course of this tour, we learned that Disney has it's "On Stage Area" and it's "Off State Area". And if I had not experienced it myself, I would not have believed how absolutely DIFFERENT these two "areas" are. | ||||
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| On Stage is exactly what Disney wants you to see, hear and experience. They orchestrate everything perfectly. Disney goes to great lengths to insure you NEVER experience Disney OFF Stage. | ||||
| That said, 'Off Stage' is a TOTALLY difference experience! Walking in the tunnels beneath Main Street USA, we encountered many employees dressed in only the lower half of the costume, of the character that they play "on Stage". We saw Alice, from "Alice in Wonderland", in the break room, chatting with man in a 'headless' Pluto costume, both having a Pepsi! We saw TWO Mickey Mouse characters walking together, one dressed as normal Mickey, the other as Tomorrowland Mickey! You would NEVER see this "on-stage"! The off stage "scenery" is very boring and gray. No frills, very industrial and efficient. | ||||
| Perhaps the greatest impact from this whole
experience was when we were touring "Main Street
USA". We were 'offstage' Our guide brought us to a sunny, open area, behind
one of the Main Street buildings. The area had ladders, glue buckets
and clutter. The back side of the building was like a pole barn.
Certainly not what you would call the "Disney Experience".
Then the tour guide had us take ONE STEP through a gate.... In that
one step, we were instantly "On Stage". No ladders, clutter or pole
barns. We were standing on Main Street USA just as everyone else saw
it. Bright, colorful with rich architecture. We spent the next
half hour going back and forth. Taking one step: "On Stage to Off
Stage" then back again "Off Stage to On Stage". Then repeating
the process, all the while studying how Disney controlled everything!
All the sight-lines were perfect. If an area was off stage, it did
not receive even a coat of paint! It truly was amazing!
By the way, you can image that Disney is going to keep their "Off Stage" area truly off stage, NO Cameras were allowed on the tour.... sorry! |
