CityWalk Orlando Updates & Changes General Thread

[AlexanderMBush]

Dinner and a show sounds like a no brainer.

Somehow, the Theater concept they brought really does scream "IDRIVE" to me, and I think you hit the nail on the coffin.

If you want to keep guests on the property, you bring things that they would want to stay on property for. We can guarantee that a Citywalk South will probably be built, but why not go a step further? The moment you enter the property, you feel like your in a different place in a sense; and the new property should have that on it's sleeve and then some.

This would be a very smart decision, in multiple ways than one. It'd keep guests on property for an extra night, it'd bring a world class offering to the city (that isn't a touring version but full on Broadway) with also keeping the cash flow directly to the rights holder of the broadway show (whether it's Wicked, Shrek, or even something new that Universal brings to the table). I am very excited for the future, as I don't think this will be the last time we hear a Broadway production brought up.

 

[Alicia]

I took the survey also. While I'm sure they are looking at general interests more so than planning to add all this I also kind of wonder if this could be some early planning for the speculated 2nd Citywalk.

Yes, especially the shopping options. I think CityWalk 1 will remain focused mainly on dining and clubs but CityWalk 2 (Electric Boogaloo) may have more space to cater to outlet and brand name stores (like the newly added Disney Springs shopping district has.)

Oh, and I wrote a (somewhat click-bait-y) article about this on my site:
Could This Be A Glimpse into the CityWalk of the Future? – Orlando ParkStop

Couldn't help myself.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Alicia, you know where this is going probably: was this a survey marked as confidential?

 

[SeventyOne]

Bob Marley's and to a lesser extent Red Coconut curious by their absence. (Club with a DJ could be RCC, but I figured Groove.) Everybody else gets mentioned directly or indirectly.

D&B/arcade an interesting one. Not really space for a full D&B in CW 1.0 (putting aside the fact there is one a mile or two away), but could probably do a Player 1/Joysticks size bar somewhere. Success of those venues may not have gone unnoticed.

An SNL themed lounge could be an interesting take on a comedy club, a type of venue that traditionally seems a tough sell in theme park world.

 

[SeventyOne]

Alicia, you know where this is going probably: was this a survey marked as confidential?

It was not, surprisingly.

 

[s8film40]

I can also confirm I never saw any confidential notices in the survey.

 

[Alicia]

Yea, normally I do not report on surveys publicly because they say confidential. As far as I could tell, this one did not.

 

[Joel]

Thinking about it, a proper Broadway Wicked show would actually be a badass possibility in a way.

I've heard a rumor about a Wicked show coming to CityWalk for awhile now. They've had a traveling version touring the country (and world) for many years and I bet they're waiting until they've finished touring before setting down roots on that. (And yes, Universal is the rights holder for that show, crazy I know.)

I saw Wicked on Broadway, no thank you. Really didn't like that show, and I'm the type of person that likes everything.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

The fact that it isn't confidential..surprises me.

I would wonder why they wouldn't classify it as that, as there is more than enough material there that would warrant that being potentially problematic. Either way, it's interesting; nevertheless.

 

[Imperius]

I'm going with they want ideas for new park's City Walk.

 

[GadgetGuru]

Curious how the shopping + shows were very brand driven, yet the restaurants notably weren't. Gives me great hope about the future of Universal dining.

If Disney Springs showed anything, it's that Universal really needs major, major wow factor for any popular chain stores they bring in.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

I have a strange feeling that while CWOrlando's recent improvements are helping, Diagon and Knockturn may be the ones to look towards when talking about how they could bring a "Wow" factor to the asthetic, tone and ambience of the new location.

 

[s8film40]

Curious how the shopping + shows were very brand driven, yet the restaurants notably weren't. Gives me great hope about the future of Universal dining.

I thought it was funny they even avoided their own branding when it was obvious what they were talking about.

 

[Frank Drackman]

When I read these surveys, I think they bring up things in the area to get an idea of how their offerings might compete with things that might take people off site...so a 'cirque du soleil' to a 'vegas style magic show' or a Dave and Buster's to a VR experience sort of gives them multiple ways to see how important ip/name recognition is as well as a type of entertainment...get an idea of what my pull a guest from property while judging what might help counteract nearby distractions...

 

[Alicia]

When I read these surveys, I think they bring up things in the area to get an idea of how their offerings might compete with things that might take people off site...so a 'cirque du soleil' to a 'vegas style magic show' or a Dave and Buster's to a VR experience sort of gives them multiple ways to see how important ip/name recognition is as well as a type of entertainment...get an idea of what my pull a guest from property while judging what might help counteract nearby distractions...

Yup. I think you're exactly right. They even have "indoor skydiving experience" on there, which there is one right next door to Universal.

 

[Scott W.]

I saw Wicked on Broadway, no thank you. Really didn't like that show, and I'm the type of person that likes everything.

I think this raises an interesting point. Instead of having a permanent show, they could switch them as often as the show passes through a city.

Or they could go the opposite end and have two permanent shows that can switch daily.

 

[quinnmac000]

They are just trying to dream up interest to see if musicals would be something you would go to. Not just Wicked but in general. Wicked can also never reside at Universal while it still runs in NYC.

Universal owns quite a few shows. Some you don't even know about.

 

[s8film40]

Wicked can also never reside at Universal while it still runs in NYC.

Why is this?

 

[quinnmac000]

Why is this?

Broadway rules.It essentially takes money from the main theatre in NYC as people can go see it in Florida instead. Same reason why no full fledged production of Lion King, the Little Mermaid and other musicals Disney owns in Florida. A 20 minute version sure. But not the full 2 hour show.

 

[s8film40]

Broadway rules.It essentially takes money from the main theatre in NYC as people can go see it in Florida instead. Same reason why no full fledged production of Lion King, the Little Mermaid and other musicals Disney owns in Florida. A 20 minute version sure. But not the full 2 hour show.

Wicked is showing tonight in downtown Orlando, how is that any different?