It was popular among young children and families who were fans of the TV series. The show received positive reviews from critics and guests, who praised its humor, music, and educational value. It was also nominated for a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Live Show by the Themed Entertainment Association in 2000.
Background[]
The attraction opened on June 7, 1999 and ran until August 4, 2001. It was soon thereafter replaced with Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!, which features characters from several other Playhouse Disney shows and is bookended by Bear in the Big Blue House segments. The show was located in the Animation Courtyard section of the park near the theater that hosted Voyage of The Little Mermaid. The theater had a capacity of 1,000 guests and was equipped with special effects such as bubbles, confetti, and scents. The show was approximately 25 minutes long and was performed several times a day.
It was created by Jim Henson Productions and Walt Disney Imagineering, in collaboration with the TV series' creators Mitchell Kriegman and Alex Rockwell. The show used audio-animatronic puppets that were controlled by both performers and computers. The puppets' movements and expressions were synchronized with pre-recorded voices and songs from the TV series. The show also featured live performers who played hosts and interacted with the puppets and the audience.
Closure[]
The show closed on August 4, 2001, to make way for a new show called Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!, which featured characters from several other Playhouse Disney shows, such as Rolie Polie Olie, Stanley, and The Book of Pooh. The new show also included segments from Bear in the Big Blue House at the beginning and end of each performance. The new show opened on October 1, 2001, and ran until January 29, 2011. It was then replaced by another version of Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!, which featured characters from newer Playhouse Disney (later Disney Junior) shows, such as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Little Einsteins, and My Friends Tigger & Pooh.
Welcome to the Blue House • Goodbye Song • What's That Smell? • The Bear Cha-Cha-Cha • Dear Grandma • Happy, Happy Birthday • Good Morning • Brush Brush Bree • Look at You Now • That's My Name • Everybody Say Ah • Great to Be at Home • Go to Bed, Sleepy Head • Take Time to Smell the Cheese • Clean Up the House • Oops! I Goofed Again • Quiet Time • Otter Love • Shape of a Bear • Baby, Baby • When You Make Yourself a Friend • Oh, Boy • You Go, Ojo • Need a Little Help Today • What's in the Mail Today? • Making Sense of the World • The Grandma Mambo • Remember When • The Otter Dancing School • Shadow's Lullaby • When I'm Older • Everybody in the Tub • Rhythm in the Air • Why Can't the Dirt Just Leave Me Alone? • Imagine That • Smellorama • When I Find the Great Lost Cheese • Under Your Blanket • Love is Incredible • Your Grandma and Grandpa • What Kind of Mouse Am I? • Picture This • Hello Doctor • Worth the Wait • Friends Forever • Surprise! • What's Mine is Yours • The Toileteers • Next Stop, Dreamland