Disney “Retires” the Billys a Piece of
Disney Magic Lost
Billy Hill and the
Hillbillies has been entertain guests at the Disneyland Park for over 20 years.
There unique blend of bluegrass, rock and even classical music with comedy
brought smiles to tens of thousands of people to the park over the years.
The humor of the
Billys is not for everybody, and those that don’t like it can easily avoid it.
Their humor is clean with just enough “adult” content to keep the adults in the
audience interested without leaving mom and dad explaining things to the young
uns. Kids love the physical slapstick humor and the music captures their minds.
This is the type of classic entertainment Walt Disney wanted in his park. It
fits in the Golden Horseshoe of Disneyland’s Frontierland perfectly! The Golden
Horseshoe was designed with this type of show in mind.
On November 6th,
2013, in the Disney Parks Blog, Disney announced they were going to “Retire”
the Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show on January 6th, 2014. Fans
of the Billies reacted quickly and decisively. Petitions were set up on line,
calls and visits to Disneyland’s Guests relations were made. As of today
Disneyland management has not listened to the guests. It is obvious to those of
us that have been around the Billys and watch their Facebook page that the boys
do not want to retire and love being at Disneyland. The Billys never said
anything against Disney’s decision but it is clear they would rather stay.
I’ll not go into
details here as I’ve shared the story before. Just let me say the Billys hold a
special spot in my heart as they helped me keep my daddy alive for an extra 9
years by giving him something other than the daily pain and disappointment to
think about. The Billys gave dad a reason to get out of bed and live. Thank God
for the Billys! God Bless them!
Yesterday was the
final show of the Billies at Disneyland. The crowds packed out the Big Thunder
Ranch stage area and tears were shed as the Billies gave their last performance
at Disneyland. Nobody was disappointed at this amazing bands final show.
So what is next
for the Billies?? Kirk Wall, one of the founding members of the Billies and
other members of the Billies played New Year’s Eve at Knott’s Berry Farm!
People flocked to the park to see them. Many people that usually go to
Disneyland headed to Knotts to see the Billies perform as Krazy Kirk and the
Hillbillies. It is possible the Hillbillies will perform at Knotts instead of
Disneyland in the future.
There is still a
chance that Disneyland will change their opinion. The amazing show of support
by the fans yesterday may make Disneyland Management rethink retiring such an Guest
pleasing show! The only way Disney will change their mind is if the fans keep the
pressure on. Keep calling and going into City Hall and telling Guest Relations
you want the Billys back!
I want Disney to
keep the Billys but I want the Billys to be respected! Disney’s first mistake
was taking the show from being a free flowing show where the Billys could adapt
the show to the guests reactions to a tightly scripted repeating event. It is
not as much fun to go see the Billys now that they are forced to sing the same
songs in the same order with the same patter.
The second mistake
was to put them in the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree Stage. Yes, there is room for
more people to see them but fewer and less comfortable seats. There is little
shade and constant distractions from the show. At all times there are
characters walking around during the show. Kids see Mickey, Minnie or one of
the other characters walking about and they go screaming with joy (as they
should). This is ok but distracting to those that came to enjoy the Billys
music and humor. Besides the characters there are games and crafts going on.
The Disneyland Railroad runs just the other side of a hedge and blows its
whistle as it goes past, it does not matter if the show is going on. The train
must blow its whistle there for safety purposes.
During the
holidays things get even worse. There is the Conjure a Villain Tent behind the
audience during Halloween. Every 25-30 minutes there is a great BOOM from the
Villain Tent, even during the middle of a show. There is a pumpkin carver and
again more games and crafts. Christmas brings Santa along with even more games
and crafts!
I say that all the
distractions and the poor seating is disrespectful to the guests and the
Billys! I believe if Disney will let the Billys go back to the quality show
they were doing 3-4 years ago and return them to the Golden Horseshoe where
they belong it is a win win for fans, the Billys and Disneyland. If they will
not respect the guests and the Billys by allowing the Billys to do what they do
best then God bless the Hillbillies wherever they perform! Hopefully Knotts
will hire them.
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