Busch Gardens Tampa - Madagascar Media Preview

[jcrouse]

Earlier today, Jacqi and I were at Busch Gardens for the media preview of their new show, Madagascar Live! Operation Vacation. Sea World Parks & Entertainment recently partnered with DreamWorks Animation to bring the very popular Madagascar characters into the parks in what seems to be the most perfect licensed character placement ever. The Madagascar characters fit so well within the Busch Gardens Tampa theming - it's such a natural fit.

 

First a quick word about the theater. The show takes place in the old Stanleyville Theater. To prepare for this show, BGT management decided to enclose the previously open-air theater, creating a very comfortable place to escape the Florida sun and catch a show.

 

Now for the show - Madagascar Live! is a very fun, high energy song and dance show. There is very loose story as the characters try to convince Gloria the Hippo to relax and enjoy her time at Busch Gardens - but its primarily song and dance numbers. To Busch Gardens credit, there is a full, live band and 2 live singers providing all of the music and it's wonderful. Live music adds so much to this kind of production.

 

The show was pretty interactive as the cast invited the audience to stand and dance throughout the show. Our preview audience was filled grade school kids and they were cheering and dancing the entire time. It was pretty clear how well this set of characters connected with kids - as each character appeared, the crowd roar was deafening.

 

Jacqi and I loved the show. The music was a lot of fun and the show was a hit with all of the kids (and adults) in the audience. Madagascar Live! officially opens this Saturday May 18. The Madagascar characters will also be doing meet and greets in Stanleyville and at the front of the park - and there will also be a character dining package that includes a meal at the Zambia Smokehouse followed by the characters leading everyone over to the theater for reserved show seats. A slightly modified version of this show will also be opening in Sea World San Diego in about a month.

 

Congratulations to Busch Gardens and the Entertainment and Production teams - I think you've got a big hit on your hands.

 

Now on to the photos:

Media Day Check In at Busch Gardens

The New Stanleyville Theater - now with Air Conditioning!

The inside of the theater looks fantastic. Hard to believe this was once an open air theater.

King Julian welcomed me and Jacqi to the show.

Busch Gardens VP of Entertainment, Nancy Hutson welcomes the media to the preview.

A live band! (and penguins)

Alex the Lion is on vacation at Busch Gardens

And we're dancin'

But Gloria the Hippo misses New York

And we're dancin' some more

And singin'

Until King Julian steals the show

More penguins

I think Alex likes it here at BGT

Park President, Jim Dean poses with Alex after the show

And here's a photo of Sheikra - just because.

[live2tell75]

Great report, I look forward to checking out the show and the enclosed theater. Thanks!

[cfc]

Looks like they did a great job with the old theatre, and the Madagascar characters are perfect for BGT.

[SharkTums]

More air conditioning is always a plus in Florida!

[jedimaster1227]

Glad to see the Stanleyville Theater was enclosed for this! That will come in handy not only for this show but for any future productions that take place in here--AC was always one of the greatest problems with that otherwise fine venue.

 

I'm also happy to see the Madagascar characters being put to good use in the SeaWorld parks. Universal opted not to renew their agreement for Universal Orlando's use of the property, and considering they were only doing meet & greets, this appears to be a much better integration of the IP into the park. It appears to be a perfect fit for a park needing characters that appeal to older kids and adults.

 

On a side note, I do wonder if Fiends will ever return to this stage for Howl-O-Scream, as it moved to Desert Grill in Timbuktu last year. Aside from last year, I believe it had been hosted in the Stanleyville Theater since its initial run.

[jjune4991]

Great report. I didn't make it to the Employee preview, but it looks great. I'm also glad they enclosed the theater. Now Fiends can return there instead of being at Desert Grill this year.