The Goddard Group is an entertainment group based in North Hollywood. The firm is led by its founder and chairman, Gary Goddard (Chairman and CEO), formed the company in 2002 after leaving his prior company, Landmark Entertainment Group.[2],and has created a number of projects in a variety of different forms of entertainment media. This includes theme parks, resorts, casinos, retail malls, Broadway shows, and films.
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History
Prior to forming his own company, Goddard was hired by Robert F. Jani, then President of the Live Entertainment for Walt Disney World and Disneyland, to direct the live stage dinner show, Hoop Dee Doo at the Pioneer Hall in Ft. Wilderness at Walt Disney World. He worked with show writer Larry Billman, co-directing the first show as part of the Disney College Workshop program, contributing ideas for the structure of the show, new musical numbers, and other creative input. When the college cast went home after the Summer performance, Goddard was asked to cast, produce, and direct the professional version of the show which he did. The show has been the #1 dinner show at WDW since it opened the summer of 1974, and is the longest running show in the Disney theme park history with over 40,000 performances. Following this, Goddard was brought to Walt Disney Imagineering by Marc Davis. For roughly three years, Goddard worked with, and was mentored by, Disney legends that included Marc Davis, Herb Ryman, Collin Cambell, John Hench, Bill Justice, Al Bertino, Claude Coates, and X Atencio, contributing ideas for a wide variety of projects including EPCOT and the World Showcase, the expansion of Ft. Wilderness, Tokyo Japan, and on new attractions for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Gary Goddard (Chairman and CEO) formed the company in 2002 after leaving his prior company, Landmark Entertainment Group.[2] While working for Landmark Entertainment, he was responsible for many of the world's most successful destinations and attractions including Terminator 2: 3/D (Universal Studios), The Forum Shops, Las Vegas, Star Trek: The Experience (Las Vegas), and Sanrio Puroland (Japan). Goddard also created the concepts for several other popular attractions, including The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride (Universal's Islands of Adventure), Jurassic Park: The Ride (Universal Studios), and The Venetian Resort (Las Vegas).
Lotte World Partnership
In 2012, the Goddard Group announced a partnership with South Korea’s Lotte World theme park to create a number of new rides, shows, and attractions. Eight attractions opened as a result of this collaboration, including Jumping Fish, Do You Speak Beluga?, Underland, Brother Moon & Sister Sun’s Tall Tales, The Welcome Center, Let’s Dream! Night Parade, Fairy Trails Dream Boats, and Wild Tours.
Cirque du Soleil Partnership
In November 2014, Mexican resort developer Vidanta announced their intention to build and operate the world’s first Cirque du Soleil theme park at their resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. The Goddard Group is the project’s designer. In May 2015, Gary Goddard revealed that the Goddard Group and Cirque du Soleil had signed a joint venture partnership agreement that would help expand Cirque into experiential entertainment.
Awards and patents
In 2009, the Goddard Group was awarded Amusement Today's Golden ticket award. They are the first entertainment design firm to win this award.
In 2009, the Goddard Group's Broadway production of the musical HAIR received the Tony Award for "Best Revival of a Musical."
Gary Goddard is named as the inventor on the patents for The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman ride, Terminator 2: 3/D, and Jurassic Park: The Ride.
Goddard's projects have received a total of seven "THEA" Themed Entertainment Awards.
Upcoming Projects and Attractions
Completed Projects and Attractions
Cancelled Projects and Attractions
The following are major Goddard Group projects that have not advanced past the early stages of development: