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Hello everyone,
Today's dining review is of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show with Mickey and Friends, at Disneyland Paris' Disney Village.
We have experienced Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show (BBWWS) several times over the past few years, most recently in October 2013 with family members who were visiting Disneyland Paris for the first time.
BBWWS is located in the same building complex as the Gaumont Cinemas and IMAX, which is at the "front end" of Disney Village (nearest the parks and Marne La Vallee Chessy train station).
To begin your experience you have to wait in the lobby area; there are double doors which people usually start forming a line in front of about forty five minutes before showtime, though Disney suggests arriving an hour in advance. There is some vague theming and the menus are displayed. Once it is time for you to enter, the doors will open and you will proceed down the line to the check in area. You'll be assigned a coloured zone and given a straw hat with the appropriate coloured band on it to wear during the show and keep afterwards.
Once checked in and with your groovy new hat on your head, you'll find yourself in the Colonel Cody's Saloon. There is a bar selling alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, a stage (which I'll explain in a moment) and a character greeting area. You'll often find Mickey Mouse meeting his fans wearing his special BBWWS costume if you arrive early enough, or sometimes another character, but nearly always Mickey. There is also a store selling Western Disney themed merchandise.
The stage in the bar area comes alive shortly before the main show with a band and lasso demonstrations performed by a talented stuntman. Near the end of the show Goofy joins them on stage for a few minutes, before it's announced the main show is about to begin.
Once you're allowed into the main arena you'll have to follow the coloured signs to your appropriate section. You'll have to go up some stairs on the bar side, and down stairs into the arena on the other side. If you have a disability when you check in they'll assign you the green section, and once in the bar you can ask a cast member to use the elevator to the arena, where you'll be seated at the top of the green section.
The main show is quite lengthy and features Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip, Dale, alongside historical figures William Cody (Buffalo Bill), Chief Sitting Bull, Auguste Durand-Ruel and Annie Oakley. There are several different acts, featuring stunts which include live animals (buffaloes and horses), so if you have allergies or asthma you should be aware that the dirt and sand can be spread throughout the arena. You'll get to see stunts such as lassoing, rough riding, gun slinging, races, buffalo herding and competitive cowboy games between the performers and characters.
During the show you'll be presented with all your food and drink directly at your bench. You'll get a chilli starter, cornbread, a main consisting of potatoes, sausage, chicken and ribs and a dessert which is usually ice cream and crumble. The food is actually pretty good (the pictures don't do it justice really), but it is hard to eat in the dark while trying to watch such a lively performance! Some may find picking at the chicken on the bone a pain while watching the show. There are vegetarian and pork free options available, too.
The show lasts for about an hour and a half, and while enjoyable I do feel that it needs some updating. About three years ago they added the Disney characters, after having the same show for nearly 20 years, but even now I feel that the show needs some reworking. Some scenes last too long, and it can feel a little drawn out. Having said that, it is fun, and I do recommend it for first timers.
During seasonal times of the year, such as Halloween and Christmas, the show usually receives an overlay meaning you'll get to see a slightly altered, festive version.
The show runs up to twice nightly during peak times (6.30pm and 9.30pm), but off peak it often only operates a few nights per week, or even only one performance per night. Reservations are encouraged, though the show is rarely sold out. Typically, shows are daily, except Wednesdays and Thursdays, but this can change with season and demand.
There are two tiers of seating; first category and second category. Prices for 2nd category seating start from 59,90€ for adults and 46,90€ for children. Prices for 1st category seating start from 74,90€ for adults and 61,90€ for children. Disneyland Paris quite often have special offers for the show, with tickets occasionally even as low as 20€ per person, so be sure to keep an eye out for those.
Annual Passholders receive up to a maximum of 20% discount, depending on the pass they hold. Shareholder Club members also receive up to a maximum of 20% discount on presentation of a valid Shareholder Club card and ID.
Reservations can be made 60 days in advance by calling the Disney Dining line on +33 1 60 30 40 50, by visiting the BBWWS box office at its Disney Village entrance, through any Disney Hotel concierge, or by stopping into guest relations at either theme park.
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Dan. |