Special Effects Stage

[William]

Springfield?

Interesting suggestion, but I don't think so. These look more like possible improvements to compliment Springfield, or simply minor handy-work that needed to be done. Wouldn't really make sense to Simpson-ize the side of the street featuring Production Central and SES. Haha.

 

[ItsAtrap]

I think it's work on the Animal Show cover. Moving the anchors, maybe?

 

[...]

Those pillars are so in the way of the new artery through the park that it's ridiculous.

 

[William]

That pathway is kind of a mess in general, in my opinion. Springfield will certainly freshen it up, but until Potter comes, that's undoubtedly the biggest bottleneck in the park. We only got a taste of that last summer.

 

[...]

Well, once Flintstones goes, the funneling of the path won't be that bad. And if anyone visits the park in the next few days, I believe that the arch for Hogsmeade is beginning to begin skeletal form so it's pretty interesting to see how much wider the path will be eventually.

 

[William]

Can't wait for Flintstones to get booted (sorry to those who like it!). I'd imagine they'll get rid of it once Springfield opens up, we're already lacking in dining venues.

If Hogsmeade's arch really does begin to rise, I'll freak.

 

[Allen The Actor]

I agree, it'll be nice to see Flinstones get booted soon. It'll open up the area so much. And the more of Hogsmeade that pops up, the more my imagination is gonna run wild!!!

But interesting what's going on with the construction around SES and the Production store. I highly doubt it has anything to do with Springfield. Maybe new themeing and placemaking?

 

[Freak]

I agree, it'll be nice to see Flinstones get booted soon. It'll open up the area so much. And the more of Hogsmeade that pops up, the more my imagination is gonna run wild!!!

But interesting what's going on with the construction around SES and the Production store. I highly doubt it has anything to do with Springfield. Maybe new themeing and placemaking?

Looking at the way the structures are formed, it looks like Flinstones will take up around half of the entrance way to Potter.

 

[Allen The Actor]

^ I've actually known where the entrance will be for quite a while During my big family trip in March, I stopped my family at the approximate spot of the entrance and told them "now just imagine in two years, you'll walk towards Hogwarts from this spot". They got chills.

 

[William]

Even by looking at The Three Broomsticks' footprint, you can tell where the entrance will be (if you're familiar with Japan and Orlando's layout).

 

[Ryan]

A live version with musion effects of this needs to replace SES: 

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152943983390746&fref=nf

 

Anyone else agree? I know one person might! 

 

[Allen The Actor]

That would be a DISASTER!!!!

See what I did there??? aha

But in all honesty, I'm big on musical theatre, but I think Peter Pan would be ridiculously cheesy for Universal Parks. I wouldn't be against it, I love the show, but I'd honestly rather not have that in the park. I don't know, not a bad idea, but I'd rather have Wicked, it would be a much better decision in my opinion. A lot more popular (forgive the pun), and would be especially cool since a movie version is in the works! Would kind of be like free advertisement.

Also...no Musion please! I'd like to see real actors, thanks!

 

[Bonkers]

Japan had a show called Peter Pan's Neverland (based on the Universal version) not sure how it was received.

I agree with Allen, and let's not forget we already have a Peter Pan attraction at Disneyland.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Maybe a fun idea could be a "Best of Universal Musicals" production???? It could be a 30-45 minute production featuring songs and numbers from many Universal released or produced musicals! Here's a list they can choose from:

The Producers

Wicked

Phantom of the Opera

Dr. Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas

The Wiz

Thoroughly Modern Mille

Bombshell (the Marilyn Monroe musical from Smash)

Les Miserables

Sound of Music

Peter Pan

Mama Mia

Jesus Christ Superstar.

How perfect would "Bombshell" be for Universal Studios Hollywood though?! The songs and numbers from the show were fantastic, but it was never long enough to be a realistic full length musical on Broadway. But it'd be perfect for a theme park audience! And Marilyn Monroe is a prominent character in the park, so it'll be very "Hollywood" to have it! Ideally I'd put it in a new "Broadway theatre" that would replace Shrek but it could work in the Castle Theatre!

 

[Ryan]

That would be a DISASTER!!!!

See what I did there??? aha

But in all honesty, I'm big on musical theatre, but I think Peter Pan would be ridiculously cheesy for Universal Parks. I wouldn't be against it, I love the show, but I'd honestly rather not have that in the park. I don't know, not a bad idea, but I'd rather have Wicked, it would be a much better decision in my opinion. A lot more popular (forgive the pun), and would be especially cool since a movie version is in the works! Would kind of be like free advertisement.

Also...no Musion please! I'd like to see real actors, thanks!

Japan had a show called Peter Pan's Neverland (based on the Universal version) not sure how it was received.

I agree with Allen, and let's not forget we already have a Peter Pan attraction at Disneyland.

Haha I wasn't actually serious. Just some Walken-related fun.

 

[Allen The Actor]

^ I know I know, but I actually like a little fueled conversation about what kind of new show they can put into SES I sincerely hope Universal won't be hesitant to ever again put a musical back into the Castle Theatre because of "Black Lagoon", since that was the fault of the material, and not simply because it was a musical. Lots of proven properties they can use.

 

[ItsAtrap]

I get the impression the reason is cost. A musical needs a larger cast (then the current 3) and a larger crew. USH doesn't like to spend money on those things. I would LOVE to see something along the line of "Flintstones" again at USH

 

[Allen The Actor]

I don't think USH has a problem with spending money on a cast. Conan, Spiderman, Black Lagoon, WaterWorld, Flintstones, T23D and almost any other shows have had either sizeable casts or lots of cast members in rotation.

The recent issue in my opinion has been Bad material used for a show (creature and fear factor...). If they put on a show based on something that is a hit for the whole family, I'm sure it'll be extremely popular.

 

[Miss Betty Juice]

Part of why they cut the other shows is cast size and the union. They hated conforming to union regulations and it's expensive to hire unionized actors. But the other part is indeed lack of quality material. The head of the entertainment department should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[ItsAtrap]

You're right, Allen. In the past they had shows with big casts. They had lots of shows. Today they have 3 shows; one of those has 3 actors and 5 crew another with 4 actors and 1 crew. WW is the only show of the glory days left - 9 cast,12 crew. AGVA allows $50 per show which is what I've heard the BB's make. SES actors are hourly. Not saying that is "nothing" but it's not like SAG-AFTRA rates. Yep, doing live shows is more expensive than the min. wage they pay those who enable the "Shrek" automation. That's why I think we won't see live stage shows at USH for a long time. Costs above min. wage makes them crazy.