Universal Studios Florida: What Do We Think About It?

[UNIrd]

It's definitely case-by-case examples, yeah. There is good and bad service at both locations.

But idk man, I had some truly awful service at UOR on my trip this month, to the point where it seemed like every TM at a certain quick service location were high at work or something. Then literally the very first CM I ran into at WDW, the security guard at my resort gate, greeted with me a huge smile and a positive attitude right off the bat. That was the Disney service I remember as a kid and seems to still be alive.

UO Counter Service is all you had to say. I believe it.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Well, last week they were playing Charlie Puth and dubstep. Today, they weren’t.

I stood and watched the whole show before Christmas and noted that it was almost entirely attempts to get the audience to interact (reminiscent of a less polished Vamos), which is what I was primarily responding to. I recall the music being fairly 50s (Shout and, I believe, Do the Loco-Motion) with some modern remixes early in the set, but I could be wrong. Interaction was definitely the focus, however.

 

[Brian G.]

I stood and watched the whole show before Christmas and noted that it was almost entirely attempts to get the audience to interact (reminiscent of a less polished Vamos), which is what I was primarily responding to. I recall the music being fairly 50s (Shout and, I believe, Do the Loco-Motion) with some modern remixes early in the set, but I could be wrong. Interaction was definitely the focus, however.

What are we doing here? LOL

Yes. the first show featured guest interactions and 50s music with a few choreographed dance numbers.

The version that I caught yesterday featured more interaction and more 50s music (with no modern music). It also didn't feature the girls taking off the poodle skirts or the nerds finding courage. It was a bunch of dancers in era-appropriate attire just dancing with the crowd.

 

[Mad Dog]

What are we doing here? LOL

Yes. the first show featured guest interactions and 50s music with a few choreographed dance numbers.

The version that I caught yesterday featured more interaction and more 50s music (with no modern music). It also didn't feature the girls taking off the poodle skirts or the nerds finding courage. It was a bunch of dancers in era-appropriate attire just dancing with the crowd.

Interaction like that is such a cool, and proven successful, way of performing a street show. One of the strengths, and maybe best fun part, of Mardi Gras is when the performers and park street masqueraders dance with the crowds in the street.

 

[GA-MBIT]

What show is this? I actually don't think I've even heard of it haha.

 

[Brian G.]

What show is this? I actually don't think I've even heard of it haha.

 

[Mad Dog]

Yeah, that first version, the music 'mix' just doesn't work and detracts from the show. The first half was really good. I could understand not so great GSAT's. It's a 50's 60's show, and a 50's 60's thematic setting. A hybrid with music and dance out of the element isn't much 'FUN' . "Fun' and 'Expectations' are essential. Can't overthink stuff and expect it to flow well. Keep it simple. Glad they changed it to give it another chance. More interaction also sounds great. Some of the best parts of the Blues Brothers Show is the interaction, and that probably contributes to it's longevity, in addition to being true to it's 'theme' music wise.

 

[HandsomePete]

Yeah, that first version, the music 'mix' just doesn't work and detracts from the show. The first half was really good. I could understand not so great GAT's. It's a 50's 60's show, and a 50's 60's thematic setting. A hybrid with music and dance out of the element isn't much 'FUN' . "Fun' and 'Expectations' are essential. Can't overthink stuff and expect it to flow well. Keep it simple. Glad they changed it to give it another chance. More interaction also sounds great. Some of the best parts of the Blues Brothers Show is the interaction, and that probably contributes to it's longevity, in addition to being true to it's 'theme' music wise.

I would argue they shouldn’t worry about surveys about a six-minute pop-up that will have no impact on overall park satisfaction scores. Keep it to the 50s and 60s and if people don’t like it they can keep walking.

 

[Brian G.]

Yeah, that first version, the music 'mix' just doesn't work and detracts from the show. The first half was really good. I could understand not so great GAT's. It's a 50's 60's show, and a 50's 60's thematic setting. A hybrid with music and dance out of the element isn't much 'FUN' . "Fun' and 'Expectations' are essential. Can't overthink stuff and expect it to flow well. Keep it simple. Glad they changed it to give it another chance. More interaction also sounds great. Some of the best parts of the Blues Brothers Show is the interaction, and that probably contributes to it's longevity, in addition to being true to it's 'theme' music wise.

Admittedly, I don't know if the show still takes a break during Mardi Gras as @Disneyhead suggested; since a good chunk of the performers usually shift to the parade and entertainment focuses on the event.

 

[Mad Dog]

Admittedly, I don't know if the show still takes a break during Mardi Gras as @Disneyhead suggested; since a good chunk of the performers usually shift to the parade and entertainment focuses on the event.

Yeah, I recall Dave saying that. Still it's good to see they realized a mistake and are trying to fix it. That's a good sign....We'll be catching up with Dave & Lisa when we get there first week in March. Shouldn't be too busy yet. Big crowds the week after it seems. Hoping they have a strolling Dixie Land Band for MG this year. I love the mood and ambiance they set.

 

[IzzyB]

I have no words for that video I just watched. Why? It is a 50s diner and they decide to throw random music and dancing that is not at all part of that period. Such a strange decision they made.

 

[Mad Dog]

I have no words for that video I just watched. Why? It is a 50s diner and they decide to throw random music and dancing that is not at all part of that period. Such a strange decision they made.

Yeah, kind of like putting hip hop and/or country rock into a 'Jersey Boys' Broadway Show. Some music director was really out of 'tune' on that early version.

 

[Brian G.]

Something to note: I caught the Mel’s Drive in Show close to finish and it was a completely different presentation - focusing more on guest interaction and playing more oldies. I had heard they were retooling it and not outright closing so keeping ear out now.

Well.. the show reverted back.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Well.. the show reverted back.

What a strange move lol

 

[Coolbfitz]

Well.. the show reverted back.

I don't know why, but they've had two different tracklists for the past few months. I was pretty shocked hearing the one that's actually in-theme for the first time, and was promptly disappointed when the next ten times I walked by that intersection I heard the standard version. I'm not sure why there's two different versions of the show or why the one with the classic music is rare to see.

 

[Jake S]

I don't know why, but they've had two different tracklists for the past few months. I was pretty shocked hearing the one that's actually in-theme for the first time, and was promptly disappointed when the next ten times I walked by that intersection I heard the standard version. I'm not sure why there's two different versions of the show or why the one with the classic music is rare to see.

It's possible that they're playing both shows to do some A/B testing with guest feedback.

Or it's an Impressions de France situation.

 

[Coolbfitz]

Or it's an Impressions de France situation.

Tbh I've been meaning to see if this is the case, guess I should get around to testing that soon.

 

[Brian G.]

Tbh I've been meaning to see if this is the case, guess I should get around to testing that soon.

It was definitely only one version last week, as I was there long enough to see multiple shows throughout the day for several days.

 

[sonoma15]

Wasn't drive in and dance reported to be ending by the end of January? I'm at the park today and they are still doing shows.

 

[Brian G.]

Well.. the show reverted back.

So I was able to catch a full viewing finally.

The show is now a tighter version of the original. Still a mix of classics and modern, and crowd interaction at the end. Looks like the most noticeable change is ditching the shy nerd act and going straight into the dance number.

As an aside, there was a little girl there who was a big fan of the show and matched costumes (including the change from poodle skirt to shorts). It was adorable.

(And FWIW, Gabby is still going, too.)