Why No Broadway Type Theater at WDW

[disneytopdog]

With all the resturants at DTD, disney could so market dinner/show packages. Not all people travel to Disney with kids, Pleasure Island was proof of that. There is a need for a broadway type show.

 

[disneygirl76]

I don't know but I would love it and totally go to a show! The FotLK is a fabulous show and I can only imagine how spectacular the real thing is. And with some many Disney shows being on Broadway - it would make sense!! You have Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, Lion King and Little Mermaid all there now!

 

[TubaGeek]

I'm sure it's unlikely due to legal issues, but I would LOVE the idea of rotating Broadway quality shows at DTD. We could have all of the old Disney Broadway shows (thus giving us the chance to get rid of that pathetic BatB at DHS). Plus, I heard that Hunchback of Notre Dame, after being a successful musical in Germany (complete with a new ending where... ESMERELDA DIES! BWAHAHA!), is coming to the US!!!

YAY!!!

 

[disneyliv85]

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

I think you're right! I always heard good things about La Nouba but I could never justify the cost while I was down there cause I just shelled out all this money for tickets to the park and such! Don't get me wrong, I would love to see a play while I'm there, I just don't know if I would actually end up going because of the extra cost. Plus, once shows start touring many people can see them in their home towns. That's how I saw BatB and Lion King. Who knows! :shrug: Good idea in thought, but I don't think it'll happen

 

[disneyliv85]

I'm sure it's unlikely due to legal issues, but I would LOVE the idea of rotating Broadway quality shows at DTD. We could have all of the old Disney Broadway shows (thus giving us the chance to get rid of that pathetic BatB at DHS). Plus, I heard that Hunchback of Notre Dame, after being a successful musical in Germany (complete with a new ending where... ESMERELDA DIES! BWAHAHA!), is coming to the US!!!

YAY!!!

AHH way to give away the ending lol

 

[unkadug]

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

Perhaps no one has reported it yet? :shrug:

 

[ILOVEDISNEY]

Financially it doesn't make sense for Disney to add a Broadway-type show during the current recession, or for that matter after it's over. It seems Disney is cutting back on shows that require huge casts and huge overhead like Fantasmic and SpectroMagic, and a few other CM intensive productions. The trend is roller coasters and more roller coasters for the time being with a high tech ride here and there. They are a lot cheaper to run and maintain in the long run.

 

[foreverbelle]

I have always thought about this idea.....Especially growing up during the 'Newsies' generation and all, I always wanted to open something like it. I agree there are great shows but most of them are at the level of broadway type though.

I do have to say I enjoyed the Finding Nemo musical much more than expected.

 

[JWG]

Financially it doesn't make sense for Disney to add a Broadway-type show during the current recession, or for that matter after it's over. It seems Disney is cutting back on shows that require huge casts and huge overhead like Fantasmic and SpectroMagic, and a few other CM intensive productions. The trend is roller coasters and more roller coasters for the time being with a high tech ride here and there. They are a lot cheaper to run and maintain in the long run.

I should add, I don't think Disney should run the show. I think they should lease the space and charge a moderate licensing fee to use their shows. If La Nouba can survive this long I think other forms of entertainment could as well. Outsourced.

 

[hrcollectibles]

what is TKTS? I like the idea of having a venue where they could have a broadway show or broadway style show

 

[Grizzly Hall 71]

I'm new here all. But i would like to input that if they put a broadway show it should be near a respective theme park that has a theming connection. Like Tarzan, even though didn't last long on Broadway I enjoyed it and I think that putting a Theater near AK would even be better.

 

[MichWolv]

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

If we can dream it...

Financially it doesn't make sense for Disney to add a Broadway-type show during the current recession, or for that matter after it's over. It seems Disney is cutting back on shows that require huge casts and huge overhead like Fantasmic and SpectroMagic, and a few other CM intensive productions. The trend is roller coasters and more roller coasters for the time being with a high tech ride here and there. They are a lot cheaper to run and maintain in the long run.

I think what we're talking about here is a theater where they'd actually charge for the show, not one included with theme park admission. So the economic considerations are vastly different than for a park addition. As for the recession stuff, now is exactly the time to build the theater -- cheap labor and construction materials. And if they start now, it'll be ready for a show right about the time that things turn around.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

There certainly would be a market for this. It would keep people on property who might leave to see another dinner show or theater attraction off property and it could be run and manged by another division of Disney such as Disney Theatrical. There will always be people with cash to see a show like this and I'm agreeing with the idea of doing 90 min shows like in Vegas, full of special FX to appeal to the crowds typically not interested in a musical production.

Hunchback would be a great first show and it could be used for out of town try outs for future Disney Broadway productions.

 

[Phonedave]

what is TKTS? I like the idea of having a venue where they could have a broadway show or broadway style show

TKTS is a discount ticket booth in Times Square.

During the day, and up to a few hours before the show starts, theaters release tickets to TKTS, who then sells them at up to 1/2 price.

It's a balancing act. The theaters want to sell them full price, but they also would rather have a seat sold at 1/2 price than not sold at all, so they time the releases to TKTS

For popular shows, on popular days, there may be no tickets available at all.

Its day of sales only. You walk up, see whats available, and if you want to see it you get a ticket.

-dave

 

[Pongo]

Everyone keeps saying that Disney shows would be the best fit and, while I agree, why does it have to be a Disney show? I would just as easily go see a non-Disney Theatrical show as I would a Disney musical.

The AMC Theater doesn't show only Disney films. La Nouba isn't even a "Disney" show. I think if they made a theater and opened it up to other shows that aren't DISNEY, they could keep the theater fresh, maybe a new show every year.

Also, that ending to Hunchback is actually the real ending :lol:

 

[gpfarley]

This thread inspired me to register - I usually just read these forums.

I think Disney World should have more theatrical entertainment in their parks. B&B has been there for ages and even watching the show, it looks like the set is going to fall apart at any moment in the show. I have yet to see Nemo, but it looks top quality and as for FoLK, it remains to be very popular.

I don't think you can compare Cirque du Soleils productions to Disney at all. They are two different forms of entertainment. People shouldn't goto La Nouba and expect to see a "circus", because it's more of a theatrical experience.

I would actually like to see the show "On the Record" brought to the parks (the short lived tour about 4 years ago) it had decent structure and the arrangement of the music was great - it felt like a theme/cruise line production when I saw it.

Not sure if Disney would add a new theatrical production before they would replace one. If anything B&B might get the boot before anything else. Disney actors are under Equity contracts and that means they're expensive. So, adding another full blown musical cast would be quite a chunk of change for Disney.

I'm all for Disney bringing in their popular musicals into the parks. For some, it would be their first time seeing a large-scale musical.. which would make for great memories!

Just my thoughts

 

[StageFrenzy]

I hope they renew the contract with cirque, I like the show and i have seen it twice I also have seem most of the shows that traveled to the Tampa Bay Area. They are great productions (Very popular with the Swan & Dolphin-Epcot business types).

My Fear if Cirque closes its another empty building in treasure island that had a very specific purpose. I am sure they could retro fit the building if they really wanted too but Disney is a business

 

[WDW1974]

It's been discussed a few times in the past.

The answer I always heard was while there may be a market they didn't feel there was a sufficient one and that it could actually cannibalize part of their theme park market as some people might opt for a day at DD, dinner at a show vs. a day at a park instead of in addition to.

I actually agree with that.

 

[dave2822]

It's an interesting question, for sure.

For Disney to introduce a broadway theater, it would need to make sufficient business sense. They would have to address the following questions:

• What is the cut that a typical theater makes per ticket? It wouldn't appear to be very high, meaning that filling the seats each night provides no added benefit to Disney. In other words, guests would be held captive for an entire evening when they could have been spending money at Disney.
• Would there be a conflict of interest in the showings? True, they do not have to just show Disney shows, but would the theater show Shrek: The Musical?
• Disney has no problem finding theaters to distribute its productions, hence, does it make business sense to own a theater on property if it adds little to no value?

 

[Duckberg]

CIRQUE the Wagons PILGRAM

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.

GOOD point! Duckberg