Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[Teebin]

Wicked costs $800,000 per week to run. Spiderman: Turn of the Dark cost just shy of $1m per week. And this doesn't even count initial outlay production costs. Wicked's best week to date had it bring in $3m in bookings for one week (an 8-show week before Christmas). These are the numbers of a large-scale musical, and they're unsustainable in a setting like this.

I hear you, but then how does La Nouba continue to survive? What is the difference?

 

[Cole]

I hear you, but then how does La Nouba continue to survive? What is the difference?

Exactly, as much as I'm not a fan of wicked I know millions that will come to see this just for the fact that it's wicked in a new venue. People are OBSESSED with this show and to have a year round nighttime show that would be easy to get tickets to would be just for them. Another thing is the local actors would latch onto this show like flies to a lightbulb. I don't know one thespian in my friends who wouldn't move to orlando to do this show. To settle off costs I don't think it would be a nightly show like Broadway but a couple nights a week would do. It's a giant show that'll bring in a giant crowd especially with the new movie coming out to reach to new audiences

 

[Teebin]

I think I know the difference now after a bit of thought. It has to be original, as great as the most popular broadway musical at any given moment, but one of a kind, to be seen nowhere else on earth. The subject matter has to be big, something like a musical version of Gone With the Wind or Where the Wild Things Are. Something so big that the entire theater has to be engineered just for that show only, with epic effects never seen before.

Tall order huh? But doable.

 

[Cole]

I think I know the difference now after a bit of thought. It has to be original, as great as the most popular broadway musical at any given moment, but one of a kind, to be seen nowhere else on earth. The subject matter has to be big, something like a musical version of Gone With the Wind or Where the Wild Things Are. Something so big that the entire theater has to be engineered just for that show only, with epic effects never seen before.

Tall order huh? But doable.

Despicable me the musical would work? You are right it has to be a one of a kind show with one big draw (a puppet, set piece ect) King Kong the musical could work after it's broadway run....I GOT IT!!! A musical based on creature of the black lagoon

 

[Teebin]

King Kong the musical could work after it's broadway run....I GOT IT!!! A musical based on creature of the black lagoon

Never been done before. Both have. Black Lagoon was a massive failure. Big, perhaps a whole new story.

Fantastic Beasts might lend itself... yeah... something like Fantastic Beasts. A new original story reimagined with an epic soundtrack and vocal pieces.

Ok... print that.

 

[DufflesMcGee]

Never been done before. Both have. Black Lagoon was a massive failure. Big, perhaps a whole new story.

Fantastic Beasts might lend itself... yeah... something like Fantastic Beasts. A new original story reimagined with an epic soundtrack and vocal pieces.

Ok... print that.

How about... A theatre for traveling broadways....

Book of Mormon, anyone?

 

[Cole]

How about... A theatre for traveling broadways....

Book of Mormon, anyone?

Doesn't orlando already have one of those, I should know this. I worked at the performing arts center in Tampa for christs sake

- - - Updated - - -

Never been done before. Both have. Black Lagoon was a massive failure. Big, perhaps a whole new story.

Fantastic Beasts might lend itself... yeah... something like Fantastic Beasts. A new original story reimagined with an epic soundtrack and vocal pieces.

Ok... print that.

I'm joking on creature, no way in hell. And that'll do, if JK allows it...

 

[quinnmac000]

I wouldn't go see Wicked just because I'm at Universal because i can see it just about anywhere and everywhere. If Universal had its own one of a kind stage musical based on properties they own like to Kill a Mockingbird,The Sting, Fast Times of Ridgemont High, Sixteen Candles, Scarface,BACK TO THE FUTURE, Weird Science, Out of Africa, Schindler's List, Happy Gilmore, The Nutty Professor, American Pie, Inglourious (name for a fatherless child), Bridget Jones Diary, The Breakfast Club, Scott Pilgrim Vs The World or the original James Bond films. Like they have so many tools in their own arsenal they can use.

Totally forget Universal does co own the rights to Pitch perfect which already lends itself to becoming a stage show.

 

[Cole]

I wouldn't go see Wicked just because I'm at Universal because i can see it just about anywhere and everywhere. If Universal had its own one of a kind stage musical based on properties they own like to Kill a Mockingbird,The Sting, Fast Times of Ridgemont High, Sixteen Candles, Scarface,BACK TO THE FUTURE, Weird Science, Out of Africa, Schindler's List, Happy Gilmore, The Nutty Professor, American Pie, Inglourious (name for a fatherless child), Bridget Jones Diary, The Breakfast Club, Scott Pilgrim Vs The World or the original James Bond films. Like they have so many tools in their own arsenal they can use.

Totally forget Universal does co own the rights to Pitch perfect which already lends itself to becoming a stage show.

Damn good list man!!! I'd see a ton of those

 

[Teebin]

I wouldn't go see Wicked just because I'm at Universal because i can see it just about anywhere and everywhere. If Universal had its own one of a kind stage musical based on properties they own like to Kill a Mockingbird,The Sting, Fast Times of Ridgemont High, Sixteen Candles, Scarface,BACK TO THE FUTURE, Weird Science, Out of Africa, Schindler's List, Happy Gilmore, The Nutty Professor, American Pie, Inglourious (name for a fatherless child), Bridget Jones Diary, The Breakfast Club, Scott Pilgrim Vs The World or the original James Bond films. Like they have so many tools in their own arsenal they can use.

Totally forget Universal does co own the rights to Pitch perfect which already lends itself to becoming a stage show.

Quin has the idea... new, original, one place on earth it can be seen and it must be outrageously epic in scope and design.

 

[Universal Bob]

Orlando United the musical !!!!!!!!!!

 

[quinnmac000]

Examples: To Kill a Mockingbird: use lighting effects to take the life out of everything and make it grayscale. Can not be a musical though.

The Sting is kind of a Chicagos Gangster comedy based in 1936, so the music would be very much ragtime with elaborate sets of Chicago and humor and special effects. not so much one of a kind though.

Fast Times of Ridgemont High is a teenage coming of age story that became a classic based on the outrageous situations held in the film. Problems lie in the fact its very very very much not family friendly

Sixteen Candles: a family friendly comedy based off the John Hughes classic. Very fun, very silly and could very much easily be made into a fantastical musical. However, advertising it to get teen and preteen males may cause a little bit of trouble.

Scarface: Will just say not at all family friendly and though could make an awesome stage show not the best choice to fill a theater.

Back to the future: family friendly comedy with a buttload of special effects and three movies you could choose to take parts from to combine and make the ultimate musical stage show thats one of a kind. Problem will only be managing the special effects.

Weird Science: Like Sixteen Candles a John Hughes classic. Positive can be geared towards preteen and teen boys however not as family friendly as sixteen candles

Out of Africa: Long as crap but a classic. Not family friendly and casting could cause problems. International talent would be needed.

Schindlers list: Classic not family friendly but could very well lend itself to being a dark musical like Les Mis and the Phantom of the Opera. Could be Universal's key show that people rave about if done really really well.

Happy Gilmore: Family friendly comedy...works well as a musical for families. No real unique qualities.

The Nutty Professor: Family friendly comedy that would work well as a musical kinda Avenue Q, key special effect would be the transformation into Buddy on stage.

American Pie: Comedy about teenagers coming of age. Lends itself easily to being a musical however highly not family friendly nor special enough to be one of a kind and done nowhere else

Inglourious Basterds: Not family friendly, However easily lends itself to being a musical and a stage show. Music style will be very much Mel Brooks style and add humor and a great bit of special effects can be added. Also a possible winner of a destination show.

Bridget Jones Diary: Not family friendly but very very very much woman friendly. This will be the date night show that girls will be their friends to and girls also drag their boyfriends to go see with them. Very much lends itself to being a poppy fun musical. Not many special effects or one of a kind moments but very easy to make fun songs out of it that will get people to come.

Scott Pilgrim Vs the world: Family friendly and highly highly unique. Funny but Juvenile. With all the 8 bit and kung fu fights and music and cartoon moments in the film translating to stage would make a one of a kind show. Does not have super popular apppeal based off the film however, wicked the novel didn't become popular til after the musical was released. Another possible winner for Universal

Pitch perfect: See what has already been done with Bring it On the Musical and Legally Blonde. Simple easy fast money maker.

James Bond: Not true musical but some kind of live action extravaganza set to an awesome soundtrack. Posibble winner for Universal

 

[DufflesMcGee]

Examples: To Kill a Mockingbird: use lighting effects to take the life out of everything and make it grayscale. Can not be a musical though.

The Sting is kind of a Chicagos Gangster comedy based in 1936, so the music would be very much ragtime with elaborate sets of Chicago and humor and special effects. not so much one of a kind though.

Fast Times of Ridgemont High is a teenage coming of age story that became a classic based on the outrageous situations held in the film. Problems lie in the fact its very very very much not family friendly

Sixteen Candles: a family friendly comedy based off the John Hughes classic. Very fun, very silly and could very much easily be made into a fantastical musical. However, advertising it to get teen and preteen males may cause a little bit of trouble.

Scarface: Will just say not at all family friendly and though could make an awesome stage show not the best choice to fill a theater.

Back to the future: family friendly comedy with a buttload of special effects and three movies you could choose to take parts from to combine and make the ultimate musical stage show thats one of a kind. Problem will only be managing the special effects.

Weird Science: Like Sixteen Candles a John Hughes classic. Positive can be geared towards preteen and teen boys however not as family friendly as sixteen candles

Out of Africa: Long as crap but a classic. Not family friendly and casting could cause problems. International talent would be needed.

Schindlers list: Classic not family friendly but could very well lend itself to being a dark musical like Les Mis and the Phantom of the Opera. Could be Universal's key show that people rave about if done really really well.

Happy Gilmore: Family friendly comedy...works well as a musical for families. No real unique qualities.

The Nutty Professor: Family friendly comedy that would work well as a musical kinda Avenue Q, key special effect would be the transformation into Buddy on stage.

American Pie: Comedy about teenagers coming of age. Lends itself easily to being a musical however highly not family friendly nor special enough to be one of a kind and done nowhere else

Inglourious Basterds: Not family friendly, However easily lends itself to being a musical and a stage show. Music style will be very much Mel Brooks style and add humor and a great bit of special effects can be added. Also a possible winner of a destination show.

Bridget Jones Diary: Not family friendly but very very very much woman friendly. This will be the date night show that girls will be their friends to and girls also drag their boyfriends to go see with them. Very much lends itself to being a poppy fun musical. Not many special effects or one of a kind moments but very easy to make fun songs out of it that will get people to come.

Scott Pilgrim Vs the world: Family friendly and highly highly unique. Funny but Juvenile. With all the 8 bit and kung fu fights and music and cartoon moments in the film translating to stage would make a one of a kind show. Does not have super popular apppeal based off the film however, wicked the novel didn't become popular til after the musical was released. Another possible winner for Universal

Pitch perfect: See what has already been done with Bring it On the Musical and Legally Blonde. Simple easy fast money maker.

James Bond: Not true musical but some kind of live action extravaganza set to an awesome soundtrack. Posibble winner for Universal

 

[Cole]

Orlando United the musical !!!!!!!!!!

YES!!! Hopefully we can hire bill Paxton to sing a song about the potter lamp posts

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Examples: To Kill a Mockingbird: use lighting effects to take the life out of everything and make it grayscale. Can not be a musical though.

The Sting is kind of a Chicagos Gangster comedy based in 1936, so the music would be very much ragtime with elaborate sets of Chicago and humor and special effects. not so much one of a kind though.

Fast Times of Ridgemont High is a teenage coming of age story that became a classic based on the outrageous situations held in the film. Problems lie in the fact its very very very much not family friendly

Sixteen Candles: a family friendly comedy based off the John Hughes classic. Very fun, very silly and could very much easily be made into a fantastical musical. However, advertising it to get teen and preteen males may cause a little bit of trouble.

Scarface: Will just say not at all family friendly and though could make an awesome stage show not the best choice to fill a theater.

Back to the future: family friendly comedy with a buttload of special effects and three movies you could choose to take parts from to combine and make the ultimate musical stage show thats one of a kind. Problem will only be managing the special effects.

Weird Science: Like Sixteen Candles a John Hughes classic. Positive can be geared towards preteen and teen boys however not as family friendly as sixteen candles

Out of Africa: Long as crap but a classic. Not family friendly and casting could cause problems. International talent would be needed.

Schindlers list: Classic not family friendly but could very well lend itself to being a dark musical like Les Mis and the Phantom of the Opera. Could be Universal's key show that people rave about if done really really well.

Happy Gilmore: Family friendly comedy...works well as a musical for families. No real unique qualities.

The Nutty Professor: Family friendly comedy that would work well as a musical kinda Avenue Q, key special effect would be the transformation into Buddy on stage.

American Pie: Comedy about teenagers coming of age. Lends itself easily to being a musical however highly not family friendly nor special enough to be one of a kind and done nowhere else

Inglourious Basterds: Not family friendly, However easily lends itself to being a musical and a stage show. Music style will be very much Mel Brooks style and add humor and a great bit of special effects can be added. Also a possible winner of a destination show.

Bridget Jones Diary: Not family friendly but very very very much woman friendly. This will be the date night show that girls will be their friends to and girls also drag their boyfriends to go see with them. Very much lends itself to being a poppy fun musical. Not many special effects or one of a kind moments but very easy to make fun songs out of it that will get people to come.

Scott Pilgrim Vs the world: Family friendly and highly highly unique. Funny but Juvenile. With all the 8 bit and kung fu fights and music and cartoon moments in the film translating to stage would make a one of a kind show. Does not have super popular apppeal based off the film however, wicked the novel didn't become popular til after the musical was released. Another possible winner for Universal

Pitch perfect: See what has already been done with Bring it On the Musical and Legally Blonde. Simple easy fast money maker.

James Bond: Not true musical but some kind of live action extravaganza set to an awesome soundtrack. Posibble winner for Universal

Good ideas!!! One could be a hit, especially if they hire a local theater company to do a new show every couple months. One of my favorite movies is mockingbird so I'll be more than happy to see that live....a couple times

 

[mahnamahna]

Examples: To Kill a Mockingbird: use lighting effects to take the life out of everything and make it grayscale. Can not be a musical though.

The Sting is kind of a Chicagos Gangster comedy based in 1936, so the music would be very much ragtime with elaborate sets of Chicago and humor and special effects. not so much one of a kind though.

Fast Times of Ridgemont High is a teenage coming of age story that became a classic based on the outrageous situations held in the film. Problems lie in the fact its very very very much not family friendly

Sixteen Candles: a family friendly comedy based off the John Hughes classic. Very fun, very silly and could very much easily be made into a fantastical musical. However, advertising it to get teen and preteen males may cause a little bit of trouble.

Scarface: Will just say not at all family friendly and though could make an awesome stage show not the best choice to fill a theater.

Back to the future: family friendly comedy with a buttload of special effects and three movies you could choose to take parts from to combine and make the ultimate musical stage show thats one of a kind. Problem will only be managing the special effects.

Weird Science: Like Sixteen Candles a John Hughes classic. Positive can be geared towards preteen and teen boys however not as family friendly as sixteen candles

Out of Africa: Long as crap but a classic. Not family friendly and casting could cause problems. International talent would be needed.

Schindlers list: Classic not family friendly but could very well lend itself to being a dark musical like Les Mis and the Phantom of the Opera. Could be Universal's key show that people rave about if done really really well.

Happy Gilmore: Family friendly comedy...works well as a musical for families. No real unique qualities.

The Nutty Professor: Family friendly comedy that would work well as a musical kinda Avenue Q, key special effect would be the transformation into Buddy on stage.

American Pie: Comedy about teenagers coming of age. Lends itself easily to being a musical however highly not family friendly nor special enough to be one of a kind and done nowhere else

Inglourious Basterds: Not family friendly, However easily lends itself to being a musical and a stage show. Music style will be very much Mel Brooks style and add humor and a great bit of special effects can be added. Also a possible winner of a destination show.

Bridget Jones Diary: Not family friendly but very very very much woman friendly. This will be the date night show that girls will be their friends to and girls also drag their boyfriends to go see with them. Very much lends itself to being a poppy fun musical. Not many special effects or one of a kind moments but very easy to make fun songs out of it that will get people to come.

Scott Pilgrim Vs the world: Family friendly and highly highly unique. Funny but Juvenile. With all the 8 bit and kung fu fights and music and cartoon moments in the film translating to stage would make a one of a kind show. Does not have super popular apppeal based off the film however, wicked the novel didn't become popular til after the musical was released. Another possible winner for Universal

Pitch perfect: See what has already been done with Bring it On the Musical and Legally Blonde. Simple easy fast money maker.

James Bond: Not true musical but some kind of live action extravaganza set to an awesome soundtrack. Posibble winner for Universal

In what world could Sixteen Candles, Happy Gilmore and the Eddie Murphy version of Nutty Professor be considered family-friendly? Even BTTF is pretty rough with the language, and has an attempted rape scene. Advertising musicals to males of any age is futile better off to just get women excited, so they force guys to go with them. The only way you're getting most guys to want to watch a musical is if it's from the creators of South Park, Family Guy, etc.

 

[quinnmac000]

In what world could Sixteen Candles, Happy Gilmore and the Eddie Murphy version of Nutty Professor be considered family-friendly? Even BTTF is pretty rough with the language, and has an attempted rape scene. Advertising musicals to males of any age is futile better off to just get women excited, so they force guys to go with them. The only way you're getting most guys to want to watch a musical is if it's from the creators of South Park, Family Guy, etc.

Theatre family friendly and actually family friendly are too different things. Learned that living in New York for a year and most of broadway shows are not family friendly but if there is little to no sex and scary moments but lots of innuendos and languages, parents tend to be a lot more forgiving, not complain about it and still take their kids to see it.

 

[Frank Drackman]

Aren't there around 6 to 8 different Circus de Soleil shows in Vegas these days. I do not see why Orlando couldn't support two (with the number of visitors that come through Orlando). I assume when they design a show, it is the show they give exclusivity to....I can't imagine they would limit themselves to only one show in any city.

I just think they are great at designing shows (with unique sets/stages) that have great staying power and the Circus de Soleil name has world wide recognition/appeal.

Anyway, if it were up to me and I had the $ and facilities, I think I would at least approach them about a show to house.

 

[Jon84]

Aren't there around 6 to 8 different Circus de Soleil shows in Vegas these days. I do not see why Orlando couldn't support two (with the number of visitors that come through Orlando). I assume when they design a show, it is the show they give exclusivity to....I can't imagine they would limit themselves to only one show in any city.

I just think they are great at designing shows (with unique sets/stages) that have great staying power and the Circus de Soleil name has world wide recognition/appeal.

Anyway, if it were up to me and I had the $ and facilities, I think I would at least approach them about a show to house.

The Profit Margins on any show are very small. West End Shows in London offer ridiculous discounts on mid week perfomances to get people in seats.

Same goes for the shows in Vegas, we were able to get huge discounted seats during our trip in April. The casinos in Vegas can handle the small margins due to the huge profits from gambling. They don't charge for parking, and you can get free drinks, all because of the money others spend at tables.

The Disney free shows are only really used to promote a brand, they don't make them any money, which is why they are no longer than 40 mins (Aladin @ DCA)

UOR and WDW both have ticketed shows (Blue Man and Cirque de Soleil), they both will know already the small profits made.

 

[Cole]

Isn't back to the future already being made for Broadway? I wish I was joking

 

[natespf]

It is also not just a matter of ticketed shows. CdeS and BMG are new takes on circus acts, with very different appeal than Broadway style musicals. People travel to Broadway from all over specifically to see the musicals, and the shows thrive on that concentration. One of the biggest expenses for a Broadway show is the location, and they pay it because that is where the audience is. Vegas is another place with a concentration of shows, but the margins are not as important as stated earlier. Sure there are a lot of FL locals that would watch it once or twice, and some that would watch it more than that, as well as a fraction of the tourists are bound to enjoy musicals and able to fit it in on their trips... but would that be enough to sustain a permanent show in Orlando?

I do like some of the suggestions though. BttF definitely, John Hughes and other choice 80s classics, Scott Pilgrim and a few others could make a lot of money on in NY.