DznyGrlSD
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Why No Broadway Type Theater at WDW
- Thread starter DVCOwner
- Start date
heliumalias
Member
As theatre is a major area of interest for me I thought I'd add my 2¢ to the discussion.
Personally I'd quite like Disney to have a theatre (outside the parks) where they present a broadway quality production. Several issues though...
Disney have made the following productions: Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Aida, Hunchback, Tarzan, Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid (apologies if I've missed any). The initial production costs for these were millions of $ (i believe at least 8-10 it could very well now be double this though). So it's unlikely that they'd put in anything that they haven't already made.
If we assume that they don't change any of the attractions already in the parks then B&B, TLM, and LK are immediately ruled out.
Out of the others the only feasible one is probably Mary Poppins EXCEPT that it involves children which means extra running costs and technicalities get thrown into the mix. (The others shows would either not be Disney enough or weren't particularly successful in the first place).
Having the shows run for only 18 months would be very impractical for Disney. These costumes and sets cost a lot of money and the only way to keep the costs down would be to reuse already existing material from shows that have toured previously (which then clashes with the list of shows that they could currently do).
Non-Disney productions would only work if they were touring productions but they've only ever hung around Orlando for about a week or so and the Bob Carr theater (which houses them) is not constantly housing productions. That doesn't bode well for Disney if they had the same set up.
Disney could have an outside production in residency but they'd need to make sure that it was Disney compatible (i.e. family friendly) which many shows aren't. Disney currently dominates that market.
I don't think guests would see it clashing with hoop-de-doo or the other dinner shows because it's quite a different experience. i also think that people would pay to see the show (probably not quite as high as broadway prices, but west end prices min $30, max $120 per ticket plus family ticket offers would probably be ok). After all think how much people are paying just to go into the parks.
Personally I'd quite like Disney to have a theatre (outside the parks) where they present a broadway quality production. Several issues though...
Disney have made the following productions: Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Aida, Hunchback, Tarzan, Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid (apologies if I've missed any). The initial production costs for these were millions of $ (i believe at least 8-10 it could very well now be double this though). So it's unlikely that they'd put in anything that they haven't already made.
If we assume that they don't change any of the attractions already in the parks then B&B, TLM, and LK are immediately ruled out.
Out of the others the only feasible one is probably Mary Poppins EXCEPT that it involves children which means extra running costs and technicalities get thrown into the mix. (The others shows would either not be Disney enough or weren't particularly successful in the first place).
Having the shows run for only 18 months would be very impractical for Disney. These costumes and sets cost a lot of money and the only way to keep the costs down would be to reuse already existing material from shows that have toured previously (which then clashes with the list of shows that they could currently do).
Non-Disney productions would only work if they were touring productions but they've only ever hung around Orlando for about a week or so and the Bob Carr theater (which houses them) is not constantly housing productions. That doesn't bode well for Disney if they had the same set up.
Disney could have an outside production in residency but they'd need to make sure that it was Disney compatible (i.e. family friendly) which many shows aren't. Disney currently dominates that market.
I don't think guests would see it clashing with hoop-de-doo or the other dinner shows because it's quite a different experience. i also think that people would pay to see the show (probably not quite as high as broadway prices, but west end prices min $30, max $120 per ticket plus family ticket offers would probably be ok). After all think how much people are paying just to go into the parks.
JWG
Well-Known Member
If this were entirely true, I don't think La Nouba would be there. You could make the same argument for it. Shop at DD for the day, have dinner and see the show. Obviously it's popular and sells tickets and there are people who likely don't go to a park that day. On our last trip of 7 days we only did parks 5 of them. We spent one at the hotel enjoying the pool and one at DD and off property. Maybe if they had strong evening entertainment that off property time would have been spent on (including dinner).
I would tend to agree with WDW1974 on this one. With Cirque in place Disney might feel, and I am sure their research might show this, that the market is saturated. Sure they could build and open a Broadway style theater and it would more than likely sell out every night but it very well might be at the expense of other Disney venues. Now if for some reason Cirque goes away all bets are off.
Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
IF (huge gigantic IF), Disney is to create a broadway level show, I would think that it would have to be a brand new concept. If they replicate anything on Broadway, then it will inevitably affect ticket sales in New York. It would also greatly affect ticket sales for the traveling productions. Disney would also have to do broadway style shows for a smaller price. On average now, an Orchestra level seat at Broadway is about 125 per person (with no consideration on how old the guest actually is). I know Cirque has a few "Front and Center" seats for about $120 dollars, but we also know how frequently they discount the show now for AP Holders and others. So Disney would have to find its market and then price it accordingly.
This would also be a tall order in this economy. People are already stretching themselves enough to get to Disney World in the first place. Disney would have to make sure that a family can now justify the extra 350 or so dollars to see a broadway show when they just spend hundreds to get in a theme park for the day. If Disney doesn't contract out (as they do with Cirque), then they are the ones to lose when the tickets don't sell. As of the way things are now, Disney collects rent (and I would assume a certain percentage of ticket sales). So they don't lose as much if those seats aren't sold. Own the theater and production, and you stand to lose a fortune every night if those seats aren't sold.
One last thing. Whoever said Cirque was an overpriced circus...you need to go see the show.
This would also be a tall order in this economy. People are already stretching themselves enough to get to Disney World in the first place. Disney would have to make sure that a family can now justify the extra 350 or so dollars to see a broadway show when they just spend hundreds to get in a theme park for the day. If Disney doesn't contract out (as they do with Cirque), then they are the ones to lose when the tickets don't sell. As of the way things are now, Disney collects rent (and I would assume a certain percentage of ticket sales). So they don't lose as much if those seats aren't sold. Own the theater and production, and you stand to lose a fortune every night if those seats aren't sold.
One last thing. Whoever said Cirque was an overpriced circus...you need to go see the show.
Let's assume that a big theater would indeed draw guests to spend a day at DtD rather than a park. Is that bad? They'd still be spending roughly the same amount of money that day on entertainment, and probably more on food/shopping. It's certainly a more cost effective way to expand capacity of the resort than building a 5th gate, for example (Night Kingdom excluded, since it's such a different concept).
I'm sure Disney has considered all of this and has made the decisions that have been made for very good reasons, but somehow I think the concern is more with whether the theater would sell out than about where it might draw people from. After all, Cirque seems to be offering more discounts than ever before, and I'm pretty sure there were tickets available same day for Cirque during my last couple trips. So I'm wondering if Cirque is still selling out consistently.
True that. Cirque du Soleil is to the circus as the Magic Kingdom is to the carnival that sets up shop in your local mall's parking lot once a year.
WildcatDen
Well-Known Member
Count me in as one who would really like the addition of a Broadway caliber theater on property, and Hunchback being a great first offering. Of all the Disney animated movies, I have always thought that Hunchback seemed to be made with Broadway in mind.
As for some who say it would take you out of the park, no doubt. But, when my family made the decision to see Cirque a few years back, we spent the day at EPCOT, went back to the resort (CBR) to get cleaned up, headed to DTD and had a light snack, watched Cirque, and then caught a bus to YBC so we could walk into EPCOT to catch Illuminations.
Bottom line, I like the idea and would most likely attend while at WDW. In addition, it would give you another venue to host Show Choir competitions. . .:lookaroun
As for some who say it would take you out of the park, no doubt. But, when my family made the decision to see Cirque a few years back, we spent the day at EPCOT, went back to the resort (CBR) to get cleaned up, headed to DTD and had a light snack, watched Cirque, and then caught a bus to YBC so we could walk into EPCOT to catch Illuminations.
Bottom line, I like the idea and would most likely attend while at WDW. In addition, it would give you another venue to host Show Choir competitions. . .:lookaroun
When I look at it from a big picture perspective I do not see how WDW could handle much more expansion for high dollar entertainment without running into guests not doing X so they can do Y. As it sits right now a family could spend 7 days at WDW and never set foot anywhere but their resort and the 4 parks. To do "everything" you are looking a 2 days at MK, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at DHS and 1 at AK. Throw in a travel day into that mix and you are already out of time. Unless building such a theater would pull new people in that would not normally go to WDW they would just be spreading the same dollars amongst more places and not generating enough new revenue to justify a new theater.
In regards to Cirque...As you stated I do not think it is as popular as it once was. Getting tickets for it is not all that difficult with the exception of the more popular summer months. If that is the case and attendance drops enough then inevitably they will have to make a change. That could be as simple as a new Cirque show or something entirely different...like the Broadway shows.
disneytopdog
Active Member
Along those lines, I could see Disney taking a huge chunk out of the dinner/theater market in Orlando by turning DTD into more of a "Branson" / Vegas type show place. Five or Six theaters running shows, some even headliner shows and touring concert acts. Not only would you get the tourist you would also get the locals coming to see a touring concert.
I'm just envisioning the traffic and parking nightmare that would create.....
disneytopdog
Active Member
Isnt DTD right on the major highway exits? I know this is BIG dollars but what about Parking garages? Or forcing off property people coming to the theaters or Show to park at one of the parks and busing them to DTD.
I am not familar with the roads around WDW resort
hwdelien
Member
I agree with the OP. Not one of the abbreviated shows that they have in the parks. I want something to do on the nights I'm not going to the parks, something adult that doesn't involve guzzling tons of alcohol but still pleasantly Disney. I'd love to get dressed up and go to a full length Broadway QUALITY show. Cirque is nice, but, besides it's physical location, it has nothing to do with Disney. Beauty and the Beast is nice in DHS (I see it every year) but you're sitting on benches, in the heat with screaming kids all around you. Same with Nemo (except it is actually a theater)
I think it is a great idea, one more thing to make it perfect, a staffed playroom to drop the kids at the door (at an additional fee, of course) like they have for the cruises complete with video games, movies, activities, climbing tubes and ball pits. Yeah, that'd be just about perfect!!! :sohappy:
I think it is a great idea, one more thing to make it perfect, a staffed playroom to drop the kids at the door (at an additional fee, of course) like they have for the cruises complete with video games, movies, activities, climbing tubes and ball pits. Yeah, that'd be just about perfect!!! :sohappy:
MKeeler
Well-Known Member
I too have long hoped for this one. I even tried my hand at dreaming up a new resort/theater district to house it in (Disney's Metropolitan). I'm still convinced a full-scale Broadway theater on property would work, with a few caveats.
It cannot be connected to a park - doing so would only disservice both the park and the theater. And you do not want the complaints as to why theater admission is not included in park admission.
It needs to be located on property somewhere that can be easily accessed by both Disney guests and the general population. You need that larger pool of customers to draw from to keep shows going.
I would keep a show like On the Record permanently housed there. Some kind of Disney musical revue is the ideal show to keep in rotation between tours of the other Disney theatrical productions.
And finally, it would be a great location to workshop new Disney theatrical productions. Even new mixed media productions like a Disney Nutcracker ballet or showing of Fantasia with live orchestra accompanying.
It cannot be connected to a park - doing so would only disservice both the park and the theater. And you do not want the complaints as to why theater admission is not included in park admission.
It needs to be located on property somewhere that can be easily accessed by both Disney guests and the general population. You need that larger pool of customers to draw from to keep shows going.
I would keep a show like On the Record permanently housed there. Some kind of Disney musical revue is the ideal show to keep in rotation between tours of the other Disney theatrical productions.
And finally, it would be a great location to workshop new Disney theatrical productions. Even new mixed media productions like a Disney Nutcracker ballet or showing of Fantasia with live orchestra accompanying.
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
That does make a lot of sense. As was said before, Broadway tickets are not cheap, and (for the most part) not based on age.
If an adult wanted to see a musical, at say $100 a ticket, it would be a lot better to pay $200 for tickets and say $50 childcare for 2 kids than $400 for 4 tickets, and then have the kids sit there saying "I'm bored"
If they had some of the Disney shows, then of course take the kids. My 7 year old honeslty never left the front edge of her seat during Mary Poppins. But this would also enable them to do more adult stuff. Avenue Q anyone? Come on it has puppets/muppets, its kid friendly right
-dave
Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
That does make a lot of sense. As was said before, Broadway tickets are not cheap, and (for the most part) not based on age.
If an adult wanted to see a musical, at say $100 a ticket, it would be a lot better to pay $200 for tickets and say $50 childcare for 2 kids than $400 for 4 tickets, and then have the kids sit there saying "I'm bored"
If they had some of the Disney shows, then of course take the kids. My 7 year old honeslty never left the front edge of her seat during Mary Poppins. But this would also enable them to do more adult stuff. Avenue Q anyone? Come on it has puppets/muppets, its kid friendly right
-dave
There is already a child care center at each of the deluxe resorts. From a business standpoint, that market is already taken care of. If parents would want childcare then that would be the way to go as opposed to opening and staffing a new one.
Cmdr_Crimson
Well-Known Member
I do believe a long time ago there was to be a Disney Entertainment Theater that was to be on the West Side District. It's purpose was to have visiting entertainers perform at the theater..This info was actually mentioned on the Walt Disney World Explorer 2nd Edition for PC. It's in the section about Pleasure Island.
wickedsoccer22
Active Member
It'd be awesome to have a Broadway style show on property. I'd vote for Beauty and the Beast since it is off Broadway, and take away the show at Hollywood Studios. If they would do a non-Disney show, I'd vote for Wicked! Family friendly and an amazing show.
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
I am thinking more of child care for people attending the theater, no matter if they are on property guests or not.
More of a "one stop shop" You drop them off on your way into the theater and get them on the way out. Its for the duration of the show, and for show attendees only.
That way its still a "family evening". You can go out with the kids to dinner at DTD, go to the theater with the kids, you watch the show, they do whatever at child care, then you all go out for ice cream after. As opposed to the parents go out while the kids sit back at the resort.
-dave
disneytopdog
Active Member
Wicked & On the Record...two great productions.
Just think when Mylie Cryrus and the Jonas Brothers become washed up, oldie adult acts, they would have a place to play and attract their fans and the children of their fans
Just think when Mylie Cryrus and the Jonas Brothers become washed up, oldie adult acts, they would have a place to play and attract their fans and the children of their fans