In 2003, Broadway saw a cultural phenomena come to life with the opening of Wicked, the second most successful show in the history of Broadway musicals. This show was an adaptation of a the 1995 novel of the same name by Gregory Maguire, which was an transformative work based on the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, which was an adaptation of the 1900 children’s novel by L. Frank Baum titled The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. So there’s a lot going on there!
But even if you’ve never read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, or if you have no idea who the Nome King is, chances are you’re heard of Wicked, starring Broadway luminaries Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Kristen Chenoweth (Galinda) as the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North in the days long before Dorothy found her way to Oz.
Now, a new era of this sensational story is on the horizon. These films, each multi-million dollar productions – with the first alone having a budget of 145 million dollars alone – are bringing the beloved Broadway production to the big screen. Featuring a new generation of talent, with Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winning superstar Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, and the multi-talented Ariana Grande playing the perky and popular Galinda, this adaptation promises to be a bombshell that will enchant old fans of the Broadway classic and new fans alike.
In celebration of this extraordinary cinematic masterpiece, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort are partnering with the wonderful wizard of Oz to bring guests an exclusive experience that’s as wicked as it comes, designed to capture the imagination and wonder that has made the world of Oz and its inhabitants a classic in entertainment for over a hundred years. New experiences, dining, and retail opportunities will be unveiled at both Universal destinations as early as late October to help celebrate these wonderful – and wonderfully wicked – witches.
At Universal Studios Florida, guests will follow the yellow brick road to Wicked: The Experience, housed within the former location of the UNIVRS store at the front of the park. Greeted by a grand facade, guests will be able to explore the land of Oz, Shiz University, and the Emerald City while viewing props, costumes created by the film’s very own design team, immersing them into the fanciful world of witches and wizards unlike anything Universal Orlando Resort has ever seen.
Universal Hollywood will also be receiving some incredible Wicked experiences, as the UNIVRS store at Hollywood’s CityWalk and the Feature Presentation store within the park transmogrify to showcase the classic Oz whimsy, including props from the film, photo ops, and costumes on display within the theaters.
Guests will also be able to try some wicked good food, with specialty items coming available at Voodoo Doughnuts, the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, and various location within the parks themselves. These fanciful treats will only be at Universal for a limited time, though, so try to get your hands on them soon!
Also coming to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort will be new merchandise opportunities for fans of the pop cultural phenomena, ranging from apparel to household items, accessories, toys, and more.
Perhaps most excitingly, MinaLima, the design studio behind the Harry Potter films and, subsequently, the design of Universal’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, has developed breathtaking Wicked-inspired designs exclusively for Universal Studios merchandise, including an intricate all-over-print for apparel, accessories, home goods, confections, and stationary. With this acclaimed design team at the helm for Universal’s exclusive Wicked merch, there’s no doubt that the items will be beautifully designed for a touch of that Oz elegance.
Mattel, Funko Pop!, LEGO, and The Noble Collection will also have Wicked-inspired toys, collectibles, and prop replicas available for purchase this year at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort in October, and more information about when Wicked will descend upon Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Japan is not far on the horizon!
Check back with Theme Park Shark when Universal releases more information about opening dates, overseas events, and the exclusive experiences that will be landing at the Universal Destination closest to you ahead of this cultural phenomena film, and be sure to go see Wicked, in theaters across America November 22nd, 2024!
