Popeye Village provides Cheesy, cheery goodness
This story of Popeye’s Village uses information gathered from a 10 Nov. 2014 visit. Attractions change seasonally, including Halloween decorations and activities and Santa’s Village. The summer has several different water features that include a pool ad changing rooms.
Sometime around 1979, Robert Altman directed the filming of Popeye the musical starring Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall in Malta. The movie was released in 1980 and is considered a hit (in spite of my recent review). The set still stands at Anchor Bay and has been turned into an amusement park.
Popeye Village offers visitors the chance to star in a movie with Popeye. The Take 2 attraction takes place in the Main Square. Once enough participants have been found – anywhere between 10 and over 20 – the filming begins. Popeye and Bluto were the directors on the day that I went.
It is important that participants throw themselves into the roles. The film is shot and pieced together all in one setting. There is no editing, so the storyline depends on cuts between action sequences. The result is hilarious. (The afternoon had a couple that gender swapped the roles, which resulted in something better than funny.)
A one-time public performance is set up for the comic museum where there are a few Popeye related items and Popeye cartoons at other times. The DVD is copyrighted (so no posting it on the Internet), but is a nice way to remember your starring role in Malta.
The cast plays their parts well and provide convincing atmosphere. Even when they are not performing for the camera, they are helping to make guests welcome. They also work hard at having fun so that everyone can be a part of and/or enjoy their antics, which are true to their character.
A nine-hole mini golf course is available. Those who play mini golf well are doing it wrong. It is more important to focus on the fun rather than winning. The 15-minute boat ride goes beyond the confines of Anchor Bay to the waters and caves near Popeye Village.
The set itself is reasonably well preserved, though a fire did cause some damage to buildings (that has been repaired) and the Oyl’s house had to be rebuilt after Bluto went ballistic. Visitors are left to explore on their own with few restrictions on wanderers.
The atmosphere is drawn with music from the musical. Seeing Popeye may or may not enhance the actual experience of Popeye Village. What will definitely make the visit better is the willingness to enjoy a cheesy good time.
Entrance is 10.50 Euro. The fee includes a free alcoholic punch drink and postcard. Lunch at the restaurant will run between 8 and 22 Euros per adult. There is a silver filigree artist on site who can turn silver into your name.
As long as no one expects Disneyland and everyone agrees to participate with enthusiasm, Popeye Village can provide a nice day’s worth of activities.
Sometime around 1979, Robert Altman directed the filming of Popeye the musical starring Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall in Malta. The movie was released in 1980 and is considered a hit (in spite of my recent review). The set still stands at Anchor Bay and has been turned into an amusement park.
Popeye Village offers visitors the chance to star in a movie with Popeye. The Take 2 attraction takes place in the Main Square. Once enough participants have been found – anywhere between 10 and over 20 – the filming begins. Popeye and Bluto were the directors on the day that I went.
It is important that participants throw themselves into the roles. The film is shot and pieced together all in one setting. There is no editing, so the storyline depends on cuts between action sequences. The result is hilarious. (The afternoon had a couple that gender swapped the roles, which resulted in something better than funny.)
A one-time public performance is set up for the comic museum where there are a few Popeye related items and Popeye cartoons at other times. The DVD is copyrighted (so no posting it on the Internet), but is a nice way to remember your starring role in Malta.
The cast plays their parts well and provide convincing atmosphere. Even when they are not performing for the camera, they are helping to make guests welcome. They also work hard at having fun so that everyone can be a part of and/or enjoy their antics, which are true to their character.
A nine-hole mini golf course is available. Those who play mini golf well are doing it wrong. It is more important to focus on the fun rather than winning. The 15-minute boat ride goes beyond the confines of Anchor Bay to the waters and caves near Popeye Village.
The set itself is reasonably well preserved, though a fire did cause some damage to buildings (that has been repaired) and the Oyl’s house had to be rebuilt after Bluto went ballistic. Visitors are left to explore on their own with few restrictions on wanderers.
The atmosphere is drawn with music from the musical. Seeing Popeye may or may not enhance the actual experience of Popeye Village. What will definitely make the visit better is the willingness to enjoy a cheesy good time.
Entrance is 10.50 Euro. The fee includes a free alcoholic punch drink and postcard. Lunch at the restaurant will run between 8 and 22 Euros per adult. There is a silver filigree artist on site who can turn silver into your name.
As long as no one expects Disneyland and everyone agrees to participate with enthusiasm, Popeye Village can provide a nice day’s worth of activities.