A Look at The Golden Horseshoe Revue Dinner & Show: Annual Passholder Event

DAPs Magic Disney News – by Peter Barilla

 

Howdy folks and all you DAPs-lander’s out there! My name is Peter and Mr. DAPs asked if I would write up a review about my experience at the AP event held at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon. So why don’t you pull up a bar stool or belly up to the bar and rest awhile.

As most of you have seen here on DAPs Magic, the amazing video and pictures of the “Limited Time Magic A Tribute to the Golden Horseshoe Review show.” It is truly a rip roaring good time by all and I recommend that you catch the show before it disappears. I will just be telling you about my experience at the event.

To begin, as soon as I found out about the AP event on the Disney Parks Blog, I knew I had to sign up for it. I didn’t think that the $35 charge was expensive for what I knew, was going to be a limited run and very popular. I thought that for all those old timers that had seen the original show and for those newbie’s like me that had always wished I had seen it, that each performance would be filled quickly. I knew that especially on the weekends, Fri/Sat/Sun, I would have trouble getting in unless I got there early to get tickets. I called a few friends to see if they would be interested in joining me at the event and ended up with a party of 8. I reserved tickets for Sunday January 13th, 6:30 show.

On the day of the show we needed to get our wristbands which started at 3pm just outside the Westward Ho Trading post. There was already quite a line forming heading out into the hub. You need to have your entire party with you and each person needs to be an annual passholder with their ID. The line moved rather quickly and we were informed to start lining up by 5:00/5:15. Of course some people starting lining up at 3. There was no push back from the Cast Members at people wanting to line up early, myself included. We were the first group in line.

As the time approached some of the Cast were coming in and out of the Horseshoe during the 5:00 performance stopping and saying a quick howdy as they hurried back inside. That performance ended at 5:30, giving Castmember’s time to clean up and set up for our 6:30 show. At 6:00 we were let into the Horseshoe, of course in an orderly fashion, no running PLEASE! We were able to get the 2 front and center tables, just behind the band. This was the first time I had ever seen a band in front of the stage. It was very exciting in anticipation of what was to come.

When we all sat down, we found on our tables 4 large clear plastic souvenir Golden Horseshoe boot mugs, filled with “Frito’s Corn chips.” (A nice tip of the cowboy hat to the Frito Kid from the past.) There were also 4 small bottle of water for each of us. The castmember’s were all very helpful and started asking if we wanted “Beef or Veggie” for our meals.

When I first read the menu being offered I thought we had to make a choice between each item, I was very happy to find out that we received the entire menu listed, 2 small sandwiches, ham and roast beef with a side of mustard and horse radish sauce, 3 salads, raisin carrot, potato salad, and a nice fruit salad. Also we were able to belly up to the bar and get complimentary mint julep, water, or coffee. Everyone in my party was very pleased with the meals and thought they were very good. I didn’t hear a negative thing from anyone, all smiles!

After giving us a half hour to eat our meals the show promptly started at 6:30. Again you can see the video and pictures here on DAPs Magic from the first performance. I must say what a show it was!! It was so amazing to see; those castmembers worked so hard and give us a great show. What a great tribute!

During the show, Ms. Lilly apologized to her special guests saying “that she knew that everyone in this group knew about the history”, and then told
us about Walt and his booth and contributions to the Horseshoe. I will say, that it did not bother me in the least to hear it. I always welcome stories about Walt and Disneyland. There was not a sound in the Horseshoe as she talked about him, and when she was finished there were thunderous cheers!! I LOVED IT!

At the end of the performance, Ms. Lilly invited us to stay around awhile and now enjoy our desert. The desert was a copy of the cake that Walt and Lillian had for their 30 wedding anniversary. Each cake was about the size of a cupcake, with an image of Walt and Lillian on the top. It was a white cake with strawberry filling. It was good, everyone liked it. Of course I saved mine; I didn’t have the heart to cut into Walt and Lilly.

As everyone started leaving the Horseshoe we were presented with a special gift, a CD copy of the original Golden Horseshoe Review show, with Wally Boag and Betty Taylor. I was so excited! I was geeking out totally!

Well there you have it folks! Was the $35 charge worth it? YOU ARE DARN TOOT’-IN!! What a great tribute and show. I would like to thank all the performers’ and the Cast Members, for working so hard to make this AP event as special as it was. Another “Disneyland Magical Moment indeed!” Thanks y’all!

See you at the park and the piano!

Peter.