There is a lot of Disney that has become a part of the Disney archives due to the fact that future has forced changes to be made. Some attractions just become outdated. Other attractions wear out their welcome and aren’t as popular as they once were. Then there are those that need to be taken out and have their space given to something else. With that being said, there is a lot of my Disney past that is no longer around and therefore, it has caused me to start a new series titled “Doctor Disney Remembers.”
Well, this series has to begin somewhere, and it is going to start with an attraction/show that has been gone for seven years already, and that is far too long even though it’s still fresh in my memory…and it is Tarzan Rocks.
The show was over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and took place in the arena that now houses Finding Nemo: The Musical.
- Location: Dinoland U.S.A.
- Opening Date: July 9, 1999
- Closing Date: January 21, 2006
- Capacity: 1500 people
- Theme: Tarzan
- Show: Live actors, characters, and extreme sports done to the story and songs of Tarzan
Tarzan Rocks was an incredibly great show that featured Tarzan, Jane, and Terk dancing around on stage and telling the story of the film to the great music of Phil Collins. Rollerbladers and other types of acrobats went all around the stage and the arena to entertain guests during the show.
The show just had so many elements, and it was rather difficult to keep up with everything going on, but that was a big part of the fun. Don’t get me wrong, Finding Nemo: The Musical is a great show and very moving, but there was just something about Tarzan Rocks and the way that I could watch it over and over again.
Seeing the rollerbladers fly across the stage. Watching Tarzan and Jane grab hold of ropes from the ceiling and spin around seamlessly. Listening to the phenomenal sound track sung out loud. Tarzan Rocks was an absolutely wonderful show, and one that wasn’t around nearly long enough.
Yes, it is understood why it isn’t still there. The movie is now almost 14 years old, and things need to change at Disney. I get that, but it doesn’t mean that it has to be one of my favorite decisions made by the “happiest place on earth.”
The performers of the wonderful show will always live on, the music will always ring on, and Tarzan Rocks will always…be in my heart.
Yes, I had to say it.
