Credit: DisneyThe Walt Disney Company just broke one of its own cardinal rules: character integrity. In a recent YouTube video, Walt Disney Imagineering shared a behind-the-scenes look at the Disney Cruise Line entertainment rehearsal studio in Toronto, Canada, and it included footage of a Disney cast member rehearsing for his role as Peter Pan.
The video pops into a few of the 19 studios at the Toronto facility, starting with the 50th Disney Wonder entertainment cast rehearsing choreography and vocals for on-board performances of “I’ve Got A Dream” from Tangled (2010) and “Prince Ali” from Aladdin (1992).
Next, Disney Parks fans got a sneak peek at “Disney Hercules,” a show that will debut on the Disney Destiny when it sets sail this November. The video shows Disney cast members practicing choreography with the advanced puppetry created by Disney for Hercules’ battle against the Hydra.
Ironically, the Disney Cruise Line studio’s “green room” features a mural of the five keys that cast members must follow during their time at The Walt Disney Company: Safety, Courtesy, Inclusion, Show, and Efficiency. Did Walt Disney Imagineering just break the “show” key by unmasking a Disney character performer who will play Peter Pan for the Disney Cruise Line?
“We’re going to head down to our Peter Pan stunt room, and we’re going to see Peter Pan fly,” the video host said. “…We’re going to pop in and take a look at one of our performers who has learned the profile of flying on the Walt Disney Theater stage.”
The host introduces guests to Max, a Disney character performer who uses the flying rigs to fly up and away. He sings “I Can Fly” as he strikes several of Peter Pan’s iconic poses mid-air.
Typically, the Disney parks and Disney Cruise Line would never allow a character performer to directly reveal which characters they perform as – instead, they would say they’re “friends with” Peter Pan or Mickey Mouse, so as not to ruin the magic for guests. They’re also not supposed to share backstage footage, though, understandably, the rules are different for the official Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube channel!
What do you think of Walt Disney Imagineering sharing an out-of-character video of this Peter Pan performer? Inside the Magic would love to hear from you in the comments!