Wicked experiences coming to USH

[Clive]

Universal Studios Hollywood is a tourist park that cannot and does not support a single, discrete vacation. Walt Disney World is made up of tourist parks/is a tourist resort that can and does support a single, discrete vacation. That's the distinction. They're both still tourist parks. If the grand majority of your audience base is made up of tourists, you are going to cater primarily to tourists, which makes you a tourist park. It is what puts Universal Studios Hollywood in a unique and somewhat awkward position, as most single parks are regional parks that primarily serve locals.

Anyway, @AlexanderMBush had the right idea in moving this discussion to the State of USH - What's Next thread, should anyone want to continue it over there. We should get back to the Wicked activations Universal has implemented in the Hollywood park.

 

[HHN Maddux]

A Wicked thread, let's see what's going on-

 

[Jerroddragon]

Yeah

This is amazing, wish we got these in the states

 

[Southerncoasterer]

Wow

 

[Freak]

It just occured to me that this ride system would be perfect for a Wicked ride, if they had any interest in bringing it in a big way to the parks:



A musical-savy ride system based on a musical IP. Makes sense, right?

 

[Rideguy70]

Just an update of some new Wicked merch in the parks.

 

[Viator]

With Singapore having it additionally--would actually like to go back to the point of them having difficulties in casting a lookalike for Elphaba and Glinda.

Depositing a small bit of speculation; maybe they simply just...can't afford it right now? With the focus of this year being on USH60 and HHN for seasonal events; a small part of me wonders if they had decided to lay low on their bets for USH while letting Orlando focus more on it.

I understand if this is a dumb thing, but I wonder on this a bit more. Especially if/when we come back to discussion of Wicked experiences if they try to do something for Part 2.

 

[Jerroddragon]

With Singapore having it additionally--would actually like to go back to the point of them having difficulties in casting a lookalike for Elphaba and Glinda.

Depositing a small bit of speculation; maybe they simply just...can't afford it right now? With the focus of this year being on USH60 and HHN for seasonal events; a small part of me wonders if they had decided to lay low on their bets for USH while letting Orlando focus more on it.

I understand if this is a dumb thing, but I wonder on this a bit more. Especially if/when we come back to discussion of Wicked experiences if they try to do something for Part 2.

It feels that way to me

USH feels to me like its off the spotlight we had out moment with SNW but thats over and the park is fine but for the most part doesn't feel that packed mostly and the lines kinda show this because we lost two big shows and really has not affected lines to go much higher.

But yeah them investing an entire event for Singapore but not Hollywood to me is insane....like if they can get actors so can we and hopefully next year they do more. But beyond that I keep telling USH fans 2030's might be when we finally get the spotlight but for now they are happy with a park that 70% of the time closes at 6 PM.

 

[saint.piss]

 

[Jerroddragon]

Yes!!!!!!!’

 

[Wesker69]

Yea. I got the audition notice earlier. Sorry, was at work, but here's the audition posting

 

[Viator]

I am gonna guess the M&G's will be on the second floor of Jurassic Cafe. We've seen them have M&G's easily be able to be up on that of the plaza space; and it'd allow them to have it be "Temporary" but able to be given thematic touches.

Wonder if Hollywood also goes through the effort and has Fiyero alongside Elphaba and Glinda, or if they'll wait until For Good.

 

[Jerroddragon]

If it’s for fan fest I hope it comes to the park afterwards

The park is empty we need things to draw people the park literally has as many attractions as fantasyland in Disneyland

Yes we are a small park but bring in fantastic beasts and wicked ti stay afterwards as things to do

We have pets place and no dogman meet and greet

Respect to all the TMs and actors for making USH special but management could help out giving us some more things to do in the park and Definitely the plaza should be filled with something 80 percent of the time…it just being empty for a park this small is just kinda frustrating

I just went to lunar new years at DCA they have the mini parade, unique meet and greets, people writing things in mandarin, unique foods and drinks (lots of them) a singing group show, special characters to draw at the animation academy and a traditional dance show…it cost nothing extra and even cheap Disney is willing to treat guests to extra shows in the slowest season at the slower park and it fills it up

 

[Clive]

If it’s for fan fest I hope it comes to the park afterwards

The park is empty we need things to draw people the park literally has as many attractions as fantasyland in Disneyland

Yes we are a small park but bring in fantastic beasts and wicked ti stay afterwards as things to do

We have pets place and no dogman meet and greet

Respect to all the TMs and actors for making USH special but management could help out giving us some more things to do in the park and Definitely the plaza should be filled with something 80 percent of the time…it just being empty for a park this small is just kinda frustrating

I just went to lunar new years at DCA they have the mini parade, unique meet and greets, people writing things in mandarin, unique foods and drinks (lots of them) a singing group show, special characters to draw at the animation academy and a traditional dance show…it cost nothing extra and even cheap Disney is willing to treat guests to extra shows in the slowest season at the slower park and it fills it up

I think at some point you're going to just have to accept that Universal Studios /=/ Disneyland Resort in how they work to attract, process, and retain guests. Not saying I agree with all their decisions, but it isn't worth comparing these two destinations the way you are.

 

[Michael S]

I think at some point you're going to just have to accept that Universal Studios /=/ Disneyland Resort in how they work to attract, process, and retain guests. Not saying I agree with all their decisions, but it isn't worth comparing these two destinations the way you are.

I agree with Clive here. They are completely different entities and there’s really no use in comparing and contrasting them.

 

[Wesker69]

If it’s for fan fest I hope it comes to the park afterwards

This isn't for Fan Fest. If it was, it'd specifically state it on the audition posting. This is just a new character addition to the park (even though it's literally 2 months late, but whatever).

Yes we are a small park but bring in fantastic beasts to stay afterwards as things to do

While the "fantastic beasts" should be part of the regular meet-n-greets in WWOHP, keep in mind that this is the same park that has cut Frog Choir outside of the holiday season.

We have pets place and no dogman meet and greet

That reminds me, there is something Dogman related at Hollywood & Highland where the Beetlejuice Experience was located.

Anyway, back to the actual discussion of Wicked, I don't see these two characters being anywhere on the Lower Lot. It makes more sense for them to be on the Upper Lot due to Feature Presentation/Hollywood & Dine. As a designated spot, the Lemmale Courtyard would be more logical (also easier access to the character breakroom(s) above/behind the A.S.S.)

 

[Rideguy70]

I was thinking Lemmale Courtyard as well.

 

[Viator]

Posting this here but as part of an excerpt from the NYTimes article--Wicked is being developed for significant attractions at UDX.

Universal’s Theme Parks, Long in Disney’s Shadow, Expand at Dizzying Pace

Universal is going after Disney, the industry leader, with new parks in Florida and Texas: “We want people to think of us first.”

www.nytimes.com

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

View attachment 25054

Posting this here but as part of an excerpt from the NYTimes article--Wicked is being developed for significant attractions at UDX.

Universal’s Theme Parks, Long in Disney’s Shadow, Expand at Dizzying Pace

Universal is going after Disney, the industry leader, with new parks in Florida and Texas: “We want people to think of us first.”

www.nytimes.com

This is an insane thing to mention offhand.

 

[TheUniC6]

View attachment 25054

Posting this here but as part of an excerpt from the NYTimes article--Wicked is being developed for significant attractions at UDX.

Universal’s Theme Parks, Long in Disney’s Shadow, Expand at Dizzying Pace

Universal is going after Disney, the industry leader, with new parks in Florida and Texas: “We want people to think of us first.”

www.nytimes.com

Once part 2 comes out in November, I think we'll start to hear rumors trickle out as to what UC has in store for Wicked at the parks. While I think A wicked attraction coming to Orlando is all but guaranteed, maybe they could also fit it in at USH either by taking out SS 16-24 or even falls lake if Supercharged goes once the coaster comes online.