I disagree with the assumption that large scale theater productions are impractical or undesirable in today’s theme park landscape. While operational concerns such as staffing, space, and guest behavior are real, they are not insurmountable and more importantly, they overlook the evolving expectations of modern parkgoers. Epic Universe is being positioned as a next-generation theme park. Limiting its potential based on outdated assumptions about show length or guest patience undercuts the very ambition that defines the project.
First, dismissing the 40k sq ft soundstage as insufficient is shortsighted. With intelligent design and vertical space optimization, a three floor theater seating 1,500–2,000 guests is entirely feasible within that footprint. Beijing’s Majestic Theater proves that Universal can build and operate a high-capacity show venue successfully even in a market with logistical challenges. Also, the argument that Orlando lacks acting talent is reductive. Orlando is home to one of the largest entertainment-based economies in the U.S., supported by a robust pipeline from theme parks, cruise lines, and regional theater circuits. With the right contracts and visibility, Epic could attract performers nationally. Talent scarcity is a solvable problem, not a creative limitation.(I mean current telants on existing show in epic and bourne are already good enough for a theme park. I haven’t seen much of negative reviews cause of their acting). Guest are typically doesn’t have a expectation to see LA or New York standards of professional performer in a florida themepark.
And suggesting that guests won’t sit through longer shows is contradicted by the enduring success of 20+ min attractions like Festival of the Lion King, Aladdin and even Bourne Stuntacular. What guests reject is low effort filler, not a high quality spectacle. A Broadway scale show, especially with an original Universal IP or adaptation like Wicked, would provide tremendous value and likely become one of the park's defining experiences. Finally, the idea that people “won’t line up” for a theater show ignores guest behavior entirely. Visitors lined up for quite long time for Fantasmic, Hyperion. Also, the capacity of two shows in Epic is always full and it's highly demanding. Because they offered something unique, memorable, and communal. A theater of this scale would not only help manage capacity but also serve as a signature offering that elevates Celestial Park’s identity from “hub” to “destination.”
I can make a simplified answer on the statement about cutting down their staged shows: Disney has been cutting down their staged shows, because they're being CHEAP and they've been cutting tons of entertainment offerings and park services since 2021. Not because guests walk out during long shows mainly and I'm not sure most of the guests like their current direction.
If Epic Universe is going to compete globally, it must think bigger, not retreat to operational conservatism. A worldclass theme park isn’t built on excuses. It’s built on bold ideas done well, and a full scale, permanent theater show can be exactly that.
About your last comment, I'm not sure which season you went but Aladdin show in Hyperion usually operated daily, with four showtimes per day. Mostly at full capacity. The Hyperion show was often enough to prove the show's popularity and operational success. Universal could absolutely replicate this kind of performance model at Epic Universe with the right creative and logistical approach. I mean, as I said again, they already have a severe capacity issue and there aren't many attractions to cover the intended park's capacity (most of the rides besides Unchained have 70+ lines typically, it's Epic Universe's biggest complaints on guest experience). They need high high-capacity crowd eater soon as possible.