Villains, Mermaids, Wizards, Dragons & More: Two Florida Parks: Four New Theatrical Shows
This summer has not only brought a completely new theme park to the Orlando tourist scape, but within it, two impressive theatrical shows within its park’s gates. At the same time, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has opened two theatrical shows within its studio gates. In a showdown, we’ll look at Le Cirque Arcanus in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter–Ministry of Magic as well as The Untrainable Dragon from the Isle of Berk–both premiering at Epic Universe. We’ll also take a look at two new shows that just premiered at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid Musical Adventure. From queue to finale, from performers to technical staging, we’ll look at which of these fare best and are worth your time. The competition is tough, so join us as we look at these four new theatrical shows in two very unique Florida theme parks.
Last week I looked at what is working and not working in terms of theme park design at Epic Universe. If you haven’t heard that podcast, I strongly suggest you take a listen as it will give you the larger context of these two shows that are part of the park’s offerings.
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Background on Universal Theatrical Productions
If you’re not familiar, Universal has had solid theatrical attractions over the years. Included in my favorites are these:
The Wild Wild West Stunt Show: Perhaps Universal’s first theatrical offering in Hollywood, so popular it went on to Florida. Everything from quick sand to explosions and more.
Horror Make-Up Show: A campy presentation showcasing how horror makeup is utilized behind-the-scenes.
The Bourne Stuntacular: Taking over the Terminator Attraction T2-3D: Battle Across Time, this unique stunt show utilizes full size sets on a moving beltway to create a thrilling action sequence.
Eight Voyages of Sinbad: Part of the Lost Continent in Islands of Adventure this swashbuckling show in a grotto features full-size ship and horrible scripts. The sad news is they never made it better.
Poseidon’s Adventure. More a walk through meets Illuminations, Act I. It’s circular vortex of water became an impressive entry into a battle that would go part fountain, part pyro, and part fireworks. But it was a show in its own right.
The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular: A live show with huge holiday warmth enough for a Grinch to grow a heart grow sizes on any given day. It is a part of Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure.
The WaterWorld Stunt Show: From truly one of the worst films comes one of the best stunt shows ever created. It continues today as Universal Studios #1 rated show. Stunt fighting, jet skiers, fire balls, massive explosions and then a plane crashing right toward you. Found in Hollywood, Japan, Beijing and Singapore!
The point of this is that Universal has the capability to create spectacular show offerings.
Background on Disney Theatrical Productions
While Disneyland’s two parks may have more attractions than Walt Disney World’s four parks, it makes up with some great permanently staged theatrical attractions–more than what you find at The Happiest Place on Earth. Just here at Walt Disney World they presently include
- Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire–You can’t stage a show in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle! But you can at Cinderella Castle
- Festival of the Lion King
- Finding Nemo: the Big Blue…and Beyond!
- Feathered Friends in Flight
- Disney Jr. Play and Dance!
- Beauty and the Beast–Live on Stage
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
- For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration–Holiday version the best
- Other Holiday Shows for Halloween and Christmas
You could spend an entire day in the parks just visiting the shows Disney puts on. Plus there are shows around the resort like Hoop-de-Doo and Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life.
Show Down of Four Shows at Epic Universe and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Le Cirque Arcanus
The Untrainable Dragon
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
The Little Mermaid Musical Adventure
Comparisons
Summary
We’re lucky to have shows of this caliber that are in general worth returning and watching. They are all of Broadway caliber in some way, even if only in technical staging and composition. And they can be your best friend in the heat of a Florida summer.
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