How does the Madagascar show at BGTB/SWSD affect a potential Dreamworks Kidzone expansion?

[djlaosc]

Discussion thread about the actual show itself:

From AttractionsMagazine.com

http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog...o-busch-gardens-tampa-and-seaworld-san-diego/

Earlier today, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment announced an addition to the parks, “Madagascar Live! Operation: Vacation,” will be an original live musical show featuring the characters from DreamWorks Animation’s Madagascar franchise. The show will debut this Summer at both Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld San Diego.

The 20-minute musical show follows Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, King Julien, Mort and the Penguins during a vacation adventure. The show will feature rock/pop music performed by a live band and include both classic and original songs. The characters will also meet and greet with park guests daily . Additionally, special co-branded merchandise exclusive to the parks, will be available.
The show will debut at Busch Gardens Tampa on May 18, 2013 followed by SeaWorld San Diego on June 15, 2013. The company is planning on expanding to other parks in the SeaWorld family in the future as well. At Busch Gardens Tampa, the show will take place in the Stanleyville Theater, which will go under renovations to enclose it and make it an air conditioned venue.
“Audiences around the world have embraced the characters of Madagascar, and SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks are the ideal places for families to enjoy this immersive live entertainment experience,” said DreamWorks Animation’s Head of Worldwide Licensing & Consumer Products, Kerry Phelan. “The entire creative team behind this uniquely original version of “Madagascar Live!” has done an impressive job of translating the beloved world from screen to stage, bringing it to life for young park guests and family audiences alike.”

So, how will this affect a potential Dreamworks Kidzone expansion?

From February 5th 2013:

If they could add Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon attractions to the current Kidzone (I would have also built Despicable Me in Kidzone, but of course it used an existing theatre by replacing Jimmy Neutron), and add Grinch and Lorax to Seussland - then they could have the characters needed to compete with Fantasyland. Of course, there has been talk that the Dreamworks deal was finishing (Shrek removal), so it might not happen, but those 4 Dreamworks franchises could help them compete.

Um ... um ... must keep big mouth shut!

 

[tomman710]

Hopefully keeps Madagascar OUT of any Kidzone refurb. Those are TERRIBLE movies.

 

[The Legend]

My money is still on Spongebob.

Universal had the US rights to Madagascar and they let them go away, wouldn't be surprised if they do the same with Shrek (when the need for the attraction goes away). I really can't see them doing 'Dreamworks Land' without the Madagascar characters, so I'm thinking Kid Zone becomes Bikini Bottom at some point

 

[danpam1024]

My money is still on Spongebob.

Universal had the US rights to Madagascar and they let them go away, wouldn't be surprised if they do the same with Shrek (when the need for the attraction goes away). I really can't see them doing 'Dreamworks Land' without the Madagascar characters, so I'm thinking Kid Zone becomes Bikini Bottom at some point

they already moved the Spongebob store over that way- I just hope E.T. never gets the ax!

 

[The Legend]

I would have to guess ET is in the list of rides to go. With its low height requirement it's positioned to be one of the biggest family rides in the park............ but no kids have ever seen the movie

I love the ride myself, but can't see it in existence in 5 years

 

[danpam1024]

I would have to guess ET is in the list of rides to go. With its low height requirement it's positioned to be one of the biggest family rides in the park............ but no kids have ever seen the movie

I love the ride myself, but can't see it in existence in 5 years

I remember waiting in line for hours to experience E.T.- since it is the last "original" I'm sure it is a tough decision, but I too feel it's days are numbered

 

[OFTeric]

I would have to guess ET is in the list of rides to go. With its low height requirement it's positioned to be one of the biggest family rides in the park............ but no kids have ever seen the movie

I love the ride myself, but can't see it in existence in 5 years

Funny story. My 4 year old Nephew rode ET... fell in LOVE with it. I ended up riding ET with him over 20 times. (the AMAZING Team Members fell in love with my nephew and kept letting us get back in line at the forest... big hugs to the Amazing Team Members for making my nephew's year)

Since then my nephew has gotten the movie, gotten an ET plush and has subjected everyone in the family to long conversations about saving ET's home planet, and how ET knows his name.

The ride is incredible and I feel has lasting appeal.

 

[OFTeric]

As far as DreamWorks characters are concerned and fare for UO's future all you have to do is begin to look at all the cheap licensing deals DreamWorks has been doing over the past 12-24 months.

With Gaylord Palms now with their "DreamWorks" experience.
http://www.marriott.com/hotel-info/...ord-palms-entertainment/gwzd4ug/dreamworks.mi

Royal Caribbean Cruise lines with their on board DreamWorks characters
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentSitelet.do?pagename=dreamworks_main

SeaWorld/BG getting the Madagascar Characters
http://www.buschgardenstampablog.com/busch-gardens-tampa-launches-madagascar-live-operation-vacation

Those are 3 venues in the Central Florida area alone now actively marketing access to DreamWorks characters.

There are other DreamWorks characters that were acquired last that might be possible thought?

Archie, Baby Huey, Basil Brush, Boris & Natasha, Bravestarr, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Dick Tracy, Doctor Solar Man of the Atom, Dudley Do-Right, Ethelbert the Tiger, Fabulous Funnies, Fat Albert, Felix the Cat, Finley the Fire Engine, Fractured Fairy Tales, Frosty the Snowman, George of the Jungle, Gerald McBoing Boing, Godzilla, Groovie Gollies, Guess with Jess, Gumby, He-Man, Hot Stuff, Lamb Chop, Lassie, The Little Drummer Boy, Little Golden Books, Little Lulu, The Lone Ranger, Magnus Robot Fighter, Mr. Magoo, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Pat the Bunny, Peter Cottontail, Postman Pat, Richie Rich, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Roger Ramjet, The Roy Rogers Show, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Rupert Bear, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, The Secrets of Isis, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, Shazam!, She-Ra, Tinga Tinga Tales, Transformers: Animated, Turok, Underdog, Voltron, Wendy the Good Little Witch, Where's Waldo?

I made bold the ones that I felt might have theme park potential.

 

[tomman710]

Yea I really hope ET never goes away ... I love the ride and so do my kids but more so than that, ET is a proven commodity that has stood the test of time. I would hate it to be replaced by disposable characters from the "now" ... I am not saying that Spongebob is disposable per se but Madagascar is and so is most of Dreamworks stable of characters, outside of Kung Fu Panda maybe?

 

[danpam1024]

As far as DreamWorks characters are concerned and fare for UO's future all you have to do is begin to look at all the cheap licensing deals DreamWorks has been doing over the past 12-24 months.

With Gaylord Palms now with their "DreamWorks" experience.
http://www.marriott.com/hotel-info/...ord-palms-entertainment/gwzd4ug/dreamworks.mi

Royal Caribbean Cruise lines with their on board DreamWorks characters
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentSitelet.do?pagename=dreamworks_main

SeaWorld/BG getting the Madagascar Characters
http://www.buschgardenstampablog.com/busch-gardens-tampa-launches-madagascar-live-operation-vacation

Those are 3 venues in the Central Florida area alone now actively marketing access to DreamWorks characters.

There are other DreamWorks characters that were acquired last that might be possible thought?

Archie, Baby Huey, Basil Brush, Boris & Natasha, Bravestarr, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Dick Tracy, Doctor Solar Man of the Atom, Dudley Do-Right, Ethelbert the Tiger, Fabulous Funnies, Fat Albert, Felix the Cat, Finley the Fire Engine, Fractured Fairy Tales, Frosty the Snowman, George of the Jungle, Gerald McBoing Boing, Godzilla, Groovie Gollies, Guess with Jess, Gumby, He-Man, Hot Stuff, Lamb Chop, Lassie, The Little Drummer Boy, Little Golden Books, Little Lulu, The Lone Ranger, Magnus Robot Fighter, Mr. Magoo, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Pat the Bunny, Peter Cottontail, Postman Pat, Richie Rich, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Roger Ramjet, The Roy Rogers Show, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Rupert Bear, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, The Secrets of Isis, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, Shazam!, She-Ra, Tinga Tinga Tales, Transformers: Animated, Turok, Underdog, Voltron, Wendy the Good Little Witch, Where's Waldo?

I made bold the ones that I felt might have theme park potential.

Wish they would add some more old toons to Toon Lagoon- my son has loved the black and white cartoons since he was itty bitty! I LOVE Ripsaw Falls and Popeye and Bluto- that area IMO is too small and has such great potential!

 

[twebber55]

rode ET about a month ago...truly one of the great queues in all of theme parks...love this ride..could it use some updating sure but man still a great ride in a great ride sort of way not in a "its a classic so lets keep it" sort of way


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...-theme-park-earnings-20130213,0,6920238.story

 

[cheezbat]

I think losing ETs queue would be more sad than the ride itself. I have always LOVED that queue! The sights, sounds, trees, animatronics, smells...truly a classic!
Now if they updated the ride with newer animatronics and cooler effects, I could see that thing sticking around another 10-20 years easily.

As for the rest of KidZone, idk what they'll do but I hope it's really good and gives us a few new rides .

 

[Matt7187]

Isn't dreamworks opening a park in New Jersey? Wouldn't they want their characters there and not in other parks?

 

[OFTeric]

The DreamWorks characters are quickly becoming the cheap characters to license for anything.