Rhythms of Raglan 2018 is Coming to Disney Springs
If you want a pint of Guinness, head to Raglan Road. If you’re looking for great entertainment, it wouldn’t be my first choice. Hey don’t get me wrong, the traditional Irish pub in the heart of Disney Springs has been offering step dance shows and live Irish musical acts for as long as I can remember, and it’s great dinnertime background entertainment. When I think ‘dinner and a show’ though, my mind immediately calls images of Hoop Dee Doo and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ where a Disney-casted group performs a set and rehearsed show. Even though Raglan Road’s entertainment lineup isn’t one that pops into my mind, my opinion is certainly not the only one out there. The lively acts have drawn families to the restaurant for years, and after the hot new announcement straight from Walt Disney World Resort, my guess is that Raglan Road’s entertainment game is about to take a major step up with Rhythms of Raglan 2018!
Rhythms of Raglan 2018
With most entertainment offerings airing on the Disney character-heavy side, authenticity is often called into question by guests who seek real, honest, and traditional theatrical experiences. If you’re one of those guests- or if you love quality entertainment in general- the luck o’ the Irish has fallen into your lap! Rhythms of Raglan 2018 spent its entire workshop and rehearsal prep period over in Ireland, and director David Hayes promises “an authentic cultural journey that’s both ‘lyrical and rollicking’ … it will take us from Ireland’s Ancient East to the most contemporary of Irish traditional musical content and ideas, all topped off with dance routines that punch and float in equal measure.”
Like I said, Raglan Road has been producing quality entertainment acts for quite a few years now (look out for Strings and Things and Reel Republic this summer!) and in order to not let the performers outshine the venue, Raglan Road’s newly updated LED video screen stage backing will play a huge role in the new show. No word yet on what will be played on that big video screen during the performance, but judging from Mr. Hayes’ description, we think it’s going to be packed with traditional Irish homages with a modern slant! No one can summarize the new offerings better than Disney themselves, so I’ll let them take the wheel; here’s what to expect in Rhythms of Raglan 2018 now running at Disney Springs:
- 4 new shows throughout each evening, plus a new weekend Rollicking Raglan Brunch show
- 16 musicians (11 new and 5 returning musicians, including two Scots)
- 1 “absolutely cracking” new Raglan Road dance troupe with 8 new Irish dancers and one troupe veteran, many who have toured the world
- 16 new dance routines and 14 new songs
- 55 new pieces of musical content from songs and instrumentals to jigs and reels that show the journey of Irish music throughout the world from Trad to Celtic Rock to Funk, Latin, Bluegrass
- A suite of stage shows telling the musical and visual stories of Ireland’s culture that spans thousands of years from ancient times to today
- A brand-new tech department and 3 new engineers
- 2 video production designers whose vibrant set pieces include a black-and-white musical hero tableau through the ages that include Luke Kelly, Van Morrison, The Dubliners, Sinead O’Conner, U2 and many more
- Nearly 70 hours per week of live Raglan Road entertainment – 80 hours on the Grand Room stage, 80 on the patio, plus additional performances in the Raglan Room and Music Room
Is Rhythms of Raglan 2018 on your must-do list? Have you ever caught a performance at Raglan Road in the past? What is your favorite spot to see a dinner show? Let us know in the comments below!
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Special thanks to Maria Salerno for writing this article: Hiya pal! I am a NYC-based writer thrilled to be bringing you all things Disney! I’m a WDW Annual Passholder, so you can find me in the parks regularly throughout the year. In addition to being a Disney Parks loving girl, I’m also a Disney toy and merchandise collector, a runDisney enthusiast, and Disney music and movie aficionado. You can follow me on Instagram: NYCtoAP and find me on YouTube: NYCtoAP. Thanks for reading, hope to see ya real soon!