Why No Broadway Type Theater at WDW

[DVCOwner]

Why is there not a Broadway Musical at Walt Disney World? If Disney really wants to add something to Downtown Disney I think that a theater showing Disney Broadway Musicals is the way to go. I know that if there was one there now I would be buying tickets for my December trip. Any one heard any rumors about why or why not this has happen?

 

[Yellow Strap]

I think there are two answers to this question...which is a good one.

First, there is already a Broadway level show in AK. "Finding Nemo" is big budget, large sets, populated with professional actors and composed by Tony Award winners. And it's a fantastic show

Second, if you mean like the ones Disney has on Broadway, well, I think they would have to take the same approach Las Vegas does with its musicals...Shorten them to 90 minutes so tourist can get back out and spend and visit parks.

I agree though...A broadway style theatre would be great.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Maybe they feel it would take away or conflict with La Nouba? or even their other shows, such as the Luau and Hoop Dee Doo?

 

[Chape19714]

Maybe there's just little/no market for it.

 

[Lee]

A theatre at Downtown Disney, kinda like Cirque, seems like a no-brainer.
Run 7 shows a week, probably be full every time.

:shrug:

 

[Figment632]

How is this news, shouldnt this be in General Discussion?

 

[plutoismyhero]

This pry should be in the GD area but since it is here done they have a few broadway style musicals
Beauty and the Beast----DHS
Finding Nemo---AK
The Lion King---AK but this is more or less just a stage show i guess
............... Carousel of Progress:lookaroun........
The show at Poly...forget the name
and Hoop de doo

 

[Master Yoda]

A theatre at Downtown Disney, kinda like Cirque, seems like a no-brainer.
Run 7 shows a week, probably be full every time.

:shrug:

It seemed like a no brainier to me as well. Maybe they feel that the market is already saturated with Cirque, Hood de do and Aloha on property and no end to the off property options (Medieval Times, Sleuth's etc)

 

[Figment632]

It seemed like a no brainier to me as well. Maybe they feel that the market is already saturated with Cirque, Hood de do and Aloha on property and no end to the off property options (Medieval Times, Sleuth's etc)

i think it should replace Cirque :shrug:

 

[Pioneer Hall]

While I have no idea what the contract with Cirque is like, I feel like they might have some sort of anti-competitive clause which would stop this. The long floating rumor has been that a broadway level show would replace cirque whenever that contract is up. This way they wouldn't have to contact out.

 

[mpaul32001]

Here's one I would LOVE to come here.

Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular, from Disney's California Adventure.
I'm SURE we could find a spot for it!

 

[JWG]

This pry should be in the GD area but since it is here done they have a few broadway style musicals
Beauty and the Beast----DHS
Finding Nemo---AK
The Lion King---AK but this is more or less just a stage show i guess
............... Carousel of Progress:lookaroun........
The show at Poly...forget the name
and Hoop de doo

Beauty and the Beast may be a musical but no where near broadway style at 25 minutes. And no where near the quality of the actual B&B broadway show.

Finding Nemo - Agree. Add 45 minutes to that and you have a very good chargeable show.

Poly (Spirit of Aloha) and Hoop de Doo are glorified dinner theater at best.

I agree with Lee, Why we don't put a version of the Broadway musicals: Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Tarzan or Little Mermaid is beyond me. I don't think it compromises the interest or value of the in park shows (less maybe the Finding Nemo show, but no equivalent to put in as a paid event). Especially considering the lack of entertainment "after dark" at the World.

I've never been to La Nouba - no interest in spending that type of money on what I consider "the circus" - but would for a show. They're missing a segment of the market.

 

[MichWolv]

Here's one I would LOVE to come here.

Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular, from Disney's California Adventure.
I'm SURE we could find a spot for it!

If the go for an in-park show, this could work. It couldn't be a separate charge becuase it isn't long enough. This Aladdin show is, IMHO, by far the best in-park show in any Disney park I've been to (Fla, Cal, Paris). Many prefer Nemo and FotLK. Aladdin surpasses them both for me because of the setting -- a real theater, with seats (not benches), the abilty to control lighting and high quality sound. Put Nemo is that theater and I'd probably like it just as much.

I do agree with others that a broadway theater running a version of any of the Disney broadway showns (BatB, LM, Tarzan, LK) would be a good addition to DtD.

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

I would love to see a Broadway type show. I think it would be a great addition to DTD. I don't want to see La Nouba. It just doesn't interest me or my family.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

If the go for an in-park show, this could work. It couldn't be a separate charge becuase it isn't long enough. This Aladdin show is, IMHO, by far the best in-park show in any Disney park I've been to (Fla, Cal, Paris). Many prefer Nemo and FotLK. Aladdin surpasses them both for me because of the setting -- a real theater, with seats (not benches), the abilty to control lighting and high quality sound. Put Nemo is that theater and I'd probably like it just as much.

I do agree with others that a broadway theater running a version of any of the Disney broadway showns (BatB, LM, Tarzan, LK) would be a good addition to DtD.

Next to the Museum. Disney Cultural District...?:lookaroun:lol:

 

[Vernonpush]

Part of the problem is that Orlando has an Equity/ IATSE house where the "Broadway" touring shows play. I don't think that Disney wants to spend the money (especially in this economy) build a venue to house a "Broadway" quality show at DTD. If people are going to go to Orlando and want to see the touring company "Broadway" show, they will buy the ($$) tickets. :shrug:

 

[AshaNeOmah]

I have often had this idea pop into my head, also. You don't have any Broadway quality shows on property as many have already pointed out in this thread. (I don't consider a converted outdoor theater with a 45 minute show Broadway. Although it is very enjoyable.)

The Aladdin show in California Adventure is highly dependent on the cast (I suppose all shows are) and I did not enjoy the barrage of Shrek jokes both times I have watched the show. The theater is a bit cramped and does not have the atmosphere that could be presented in a real theater at DTD.

The BatB show is, in my opinion, one of the longest running jokes on property. After seeing it on Broadway, the costumes in Hollywood Studios production are laughable. It all seems like a streetcorner presentation.

A rotating schedule of shows could be presented in true Broadway fashion in Downtown. Change it out every 18 months and repeat once all have been shown. Ticket charges could rival that of Broadway and the shows would still be full on a nightly basis.

La Nouba has been popular for years. I have seen it twice myself and would highly suggest it to anyone. A previous poster stated it was too expensive for a "circus". La Nouba is as much of a 'circus' as the Magic Kingdom is a 'fun park'. I suppose you can collect them into the same general category but that would be grossly unfair to the Magic Kingdom.

I short... build a Broadway type theater in Downtown!

 

[Phonedave]

Beauty and the Beast may be a musical but no where near broadway style at 25 minutes. And no where near the quality of the actual B&B broadway show.

Agreed

Finding Nemo - Agree. Add 45 minutes to that and you have a very good chargeable show.

I still don't like it, but that does not mean it's not Broadway quality. I though Movin' Out was a waste of my time, but that was a Broadway show.

Poly (Spirit of Aloha) and Hoop de Doo are glorified dinner theater at best.

Yes, nowhere near a Broadway (or even off Broadway) show.

I agree with Lee, Why we don't put a version of the Broadway musicals: Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Tarzan or Little Mermaid is beyond me. I don't think it compromises the interest or value of the in park shows (less maybe the Finding Nemo show, but no equivalent to put in as a paid event). Especially considering the lack of entertainment "after dark" at the World.

I've never been to La Nouba - no interest in spending that type of money on what I consider "the circus" - but would for a show. They're missing a segment of the market.

Broadway shows are not cheap (Hooray for TKTS ). I don't know if the average family on vacation would spring for the additional cost. I also wonder how many locals would go. NYC has a mucn much higher population to draw from, and some shows on Brodway have a hard time making it. Just look at all the specials Disney has been running on its Broadway offerings.

The other thing is you have a long down time when changing from one show to another.

It may work, but I don't think its a dead lock.

-dave

 

[Skyway]

I'm surprised they have not come up with a "Tony & Tina's Wedding" type dinner for the former Adventurers Club. In other words, why didn't they figure out a way to keep the AC show basically intact, but add dinner and a $75 ticket price to make it financially feasible?

(For those who have never been, "Tony & Tinas" is an outrageous play about an Italian wedding reception, and it's set inside a banquet room, with audience members sitting at tables just like they are real wedding guests. Just like AC, different characters interact with different tables, so nobody gets the same show.). If T&TW can be so successful, I can't imagine why a retooled AC with dinner could not be done.

 

[raven]

First of all I have thought about this for years. I've always thought that they could build a large theatre on property (possibly DTD area) to house Disney Theatrical productions. This would be for full-length productions and they could swap them out every 5 or so years. Many people come to WDW and it's their only vacation. Broadway shows are very expensive and you have to make a trip to NYC to see them. Having a show permanently house on property would be perfect for this reason. And with the restaurants in DTD I'm sure they could easily do a dinner & show package.

Maybe they feel it would take away or conflict with La Nouba? or even their other shows, such as the Luau and Hoop Dee Doo?

La Nouba's contract is ending soon and I've from a few sources that they didn't re-up. So possibly something like this could be put in it's space (not the same building but the same peice of land currently used for the show).

Disney Theatrical productions are broadway-style. Hoop Dee Doo and the Luau depend on a lot of audience participation. Nemo, BatB, and FOTLK are in the parks and are limited time frames. A full Disney production would fill up an entire evening.