Disney's Believe: Reminding Parents "What Makes the Garden Grow"
This article is the fifth installment of 5 (or more) articles detailing original stage productions in the cruise line, theme park, or broader themed entertainment industry.
Disney's Believe is the signature show aboard the Disney Dream and Fantasy and has been running since the ships began operation. With clear inspiration from the signature show aboard the Disney Magic and Wonder, “Disney Dreams - an Enchanted Classic,” this show follows a clear formula but is incredibly touching, especially for parents. While much of the spectacle is aimed to appeal to kids, the emotional heart of the show focuses on the special relationship between parents and their children, and the precious moments they share together.
Disney's Believe begins with a projection of a scientific drawing of a flower labeled Filliola Fabulae. On the stage is a garden with various contraptions, chemicals, and fertilizer strewn about as the protagonist Dr. Greenaway toils over his flower in preparation for the photographer from the Journal of Horticulture who is evaluating his flower in a few hours. His daughter Sophia comes out with her new magic kit which she received from her Dad today for her birthday. Through the very catchy song “What Makes The Garden Grow” we see them interact and learn that Greenaway does not believe in magic and belittles his daughter’s belief that fairies make the garden grow, but we see Greenaway join in the singing and dancing at times. It’s clear that he loves his daughter, but he is too focused on his work to participate in his daughter’s play at this time. Sophia leaves dejectedly and states that she wishes he believed in magic.
As Greenaway monologues about the situation, he states “if only this watering can were a magic lamp with a genie inside.” This being a Disney musical, when he rubs the lamp, out comes the Genie from Aladdin, who performs a shortened “Friend Like Me.” This number notably features puppeted tap-dancing mini-genies. In the tradition of Disney Genies, he makes a litany of pop culture references that do not age well and can definitely be grating to the adults in the audience. A confused Greenaway states that he must be hallucinating, and unintentionally makes his three wishes, the only important one being that “for his daughter’s sake, he wishes he could believe in magic.”
If you’re familiar with this style of Disney Cruise Line signature shows, the formula is largely the same. Various Disney characters come out and perform their signature song, and slowly the protagonist learns the lesson they need to learn. In the backyard, Merlin from Sword in the Stone sings “Higitus Figitus” and trashes his garden, but Mary Poppins and the Chimney Sweeps come into fix it, dancing to “Step in Time.” Greenaway then is transported to a Jungle where he dances to “Bear Necessities” with Baloo and then is serenaded by Pocahontas with “Colors of the Wind” in a forest. Moving to a savannah, Rafiki comes out and strikes him with some wisdom and sings “Circle of Life” with accompaniment by drummers and dancers.?
Unknowingly, Greenaway is raised up to the top of a tree and is now trapped, and is told by Genie that the only way to get down is to believe and fly. Who better to teach someone to fly than Peter Pan, who flies around the stage singing “You Can Fly.” This doesn’t quite work. While he does try to fly, it seems he needs to "Dig a Little Deeper." On the screens on each side of the Proscenium, Mama Odie talks to him briefly, and he is transported to New Orleans surrounded by all the beloved characters from Princess and the Frog including Tiana, Naveen, Charlotte, and some very skilled tap dancers. They all briefly sing “Gonna Take You There” and then perform “Dig a Little Deeper.” Mama Odie tells him to “think of the most precious, most wonderful magic you hold in your heart.” Without hesitation, Greenaway quietly states “Sophia” and then begins to fly.?
After a brief talk with Genie, he is transported to a nondescript area where he finds a magic wand. In this section, the change in his character is clear as day, as he takes the challenge head-on and greets Fairy Godmother with excitement as she begins to sing “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo.” At this point, a series of Disney Princesses and Princes come out and briefly sing their signature song. It begins with Aurora and Prince Phillip with “Once Upon A Dream,” then Cinderella and Prince Charming with “So This is Love,” then Jasmine and Prince Ali with “A Whole New World,” then finally an adult Sophia comes out, and Greenaway sincerely reprises “What makes the Garden Grow.” This is the emotional climax of the show and is what this musical has been leading up to the entire time. Greenaway and Sophia dance as Greenaway sings “Baby Mine” in a heartfelt manner.?
After this, he is returned to his garden, and we see him have a look of recognition and go to check his laptop. He is relieved that “he didn’t miss it,” implying he is talking about his flower evaluation, but then reveals that he is talking about Sophia’s birthday and that he now plans to throw a birthday party for her. Greenaway is outright giddy, and Genie officially declares the third wish granted and brings in the best party hosts that he knows: Belle, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, and other enchanted objects from Beauty and the Beast who sing “Be Our Guest” and surprise Sophia with their presence (and a massive cake, which is immediately taken offstage, to Greenaway’s disappointment). The two of them ask Tinker Bell and the fairies to help his garden grow, which works, and when the photographer from the Journal of Horticulture arrives, he decides to rename his “Filliola Fabulae” to “Sophia.” Sharing this accomplishment with his daughter, the show closes with Sorcerer Mickey and Minnie coming through the floor to close things out.
As someone who considers themselves to be quite cynical, Disney’s Believe has resonated with me for a while even without having children, though I was initially not much of a fan. The simple fact is that magic isn’t real, no matter how much the characters in this show try to convince you, but that’s how the show gets you to identify with the protagonist Dr. Greenaway and go on this journey with him. The more grating and frustrating you find the beginning of the show, the harder the end of this show will hit. I can’t emphasize how striking the “Baby Mine” section is. Ultimately, the reality of magic is irrelevant, as the magic of life and the close interpersonal relationships we have with each other are life’s magic. The show forces you to see how important it is to prioritize those you love, and I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a short, enjoyable, theatrical catharsis. While there is no official way to view it outside of boarding this Disney Dream or Fantasy, it is only one google search away.
About the author: Brady Snyder is an Entertainment Management senior at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management with a certificate in Theme Park & Attraction Management, where he also holds the title of Secretary of the Cruise Line Industry Leaders of Tomorrow. This article was written as part of an assignment for the Entertainment Management program’s capstone class “Entertainment Portfolio Management.”???
Brady currently works at the company where this show was produced, Disney Live Entertainment, as an Entertainment Project Analyst Intern. All opinions and views stated in this article are the author’s own and in no way reflect the opinion and views of their employer or school. ?