By Jaimz Dillman
It was less than 24 hours from when Creepy Kingdom got invited to visit Universal Studios Orlando’s newest offering, WICKED: THE EXPERIENCE, to when I was walking down the yellow brick road that I knew for certain nothing in the world would’ve kept me away.
As a lifelong fan of all things Wizard of Oz and WICKED, I’ve been waiting in high anticipation for the movie adaptation of the book-turned-Broadway musical to arrive in theaters on November 22, 2024. When the Universal Parks announced the partnership of a new experience featuring props, costumes, and merchandise from the film, I couldn’t wait to spend one short day in the Emerald City.
Reporting early for duty, I was donned in green and gold among influencers and other media, ready to head into the park and wait for doors to open that had already missed the targeted end-of-October opening. But oh! It was worth the wait!
A welcome from the Universal Orlando team gained gasps from all of us as Elphaba and Glinda welcomed us inside. Decked out head to toe in just the perfect personification of characters we know, and love was the best “Wow” moment. All guests chatted with the witches and took pictures and videos for content. I was star-struck as WICKED means the world to me.
You can see the care and attention to detail the production team took to bring WICKED: THE EXPERIENCE to life. The costumes are displayed in a stunning fashion. Photo stills from the movie are all over the walls, with video clips and scene snippets giving a glimpse behind the curtain. Even the backdrops framing the merchandise give a sense that you have really been transported to Oz.
And yes, there is merchandise galore! Everything from pajamas to candles, room scents to clothes from the Emerald City and Shiz University, candies, bags, cups, journals, glasses, hats, trinkets…You name it, it’s there. But this is so much more than just a gift shop. It’s as close as you’ll get to walking through a museum dedicated to movie memorabilia that hasn’t even premiered yet. Fans of the previous incarnations of the store featuring Hello Kitty and I Love Lucy will have a hard time recognizing anything from the past as this layout is fresh and new.
Of course, snacks and drinks can be found throughout the two different Universal Orlando parks and CityWalk. Voodoo Donut offers WICKED-themed donuts, and Toothsome Emporium offers a pink/green milkshake. IOA's fudge shop sells candies and sweets, and a snack cart outside the exhibition offers small bites, mocktails, and shimmering cocktails, too!
With so much emphasis directed on the opening of the new park, Epic Universe, down the street, it’s nice to see some attention being given to where it all began here in Orlando at Universal Studios. As the Mega Movie Parade has wrapped and holiday offerings are yet to start, WICKED: THE EXPERIENCE breathes new life into Production Central, which had been previously taken over by Minions.
Listening to everyone enjoy themselves this morning and talking with team members who were a part of the project, you can tell how excited everyone is to share this creation with fans of the musical and park guests alike. WICKED: THE EXPERIENCE has its public soft opening today, November 15, at 4 PM and will have its grand opening tomorrow, Saturday, November 16, 2024. As a heads-up, characters don’t have a set schedule to appear and may only pop up here and there.
If today’s crowd reception was any indication, though, WICKED: THE EXPERIENCE is sure to be popular. For more information about WICKED: THE EXPERIENCE at Universal Orlando Resort, visit UniversalOrlando.com/Wicked.
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