The Future of Wet 'n Wild

[Disneyhead]

Disney has 2 parks that are relatively close to each other, so why not Universal. I think that Uni will just do a big overhaul of WnW once Volcano Bay opens.

Does anyone know what is going on with the Days Inn property that fronts I4, where the Cracker Barrel used to be, behind the Holiday Inn across from Universal? It is being torn down, and I don't know if that is for I4 expansion, if the hotel is rebuilding, if another property is going there, or if Universal may even own that property and be putting something there.

The construction is part of the I-4 redo.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Disney has 2 parks that are relatively close to each other, so why not Universal. I think that Uni will just do a big overhaul of WnW once Volcano Bay opens.

Does anyone know what is going on with the Days Inn property that fronts I4, where the Cracker Barrel used to be, behind the Holiday Inn across from Universal? It is being torn down, and I don't know if that is for I4 expansion, if the hotel is rebuilding, if another property is going there, or if Universal may even own that property and be putting something there.

Its for i-4. the only planned hotels are a Hyatt House and a Residence Inn by Marriot

 

[OLSinFLA]

Its for the new overpass over I-4 connecting Grand National Drive to Major Blvd. Its not part of the Ultimate I-4 redo.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Its for the new overpass over I-4 connecting Grand National Drive to Major Blvd. Its not part of the Ultimate I-4 redo.

Actually the overpass is apart of the I-4 ultimate redo. It's all the same funding which inclused over 50 new bridges and overpasses between Kirkman and Maitland

 

[Disneyhead]

re: WnW plot: I'm going with Hard Rock Casino Orlando! Maybe like this one.

 

[s8film40]

A casino would be amazing! Assuming they could pull it off it would drive Disney crazy, even if they were willing to compete they couldn't.

 

[*Q*]

Is it sad that I think a casino would class up I-Drive? I love the idea of them building a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino where Wet 'n Wild is, but I don't think there is much chance they would want to demolish the existing Hard Rock Hotel. Although I would love to see a new resort built in that location that is that is more integrated with USF, have a special entrance into the park, etc. It'd be great if it were a Nintendo theme, since KidZone is right there near it.

 

[GadgetGuru]

Has Florida legalized gambling? I thought Disney had been fighting it for years and the legislation hasn't gone through yet

 

[Disneyhead]

Has Florida legalized gambling? I thought Disney had been fighting it for years and the legislation hasn't gone through yet

Not yet. But the Seminole exclusive contract is coming to an end.

That said, if Uni were to build a casino, it probably wouldn't be Hard Rock.

 

[Frank Drackman]

Man, when the Seminols opened that casino, the cash really started rolling in. I don't think it had been opened more than nine months before the Seminols bought the entire Hard Rock chain.

I imagine the state would need to allow some kind of casinos to make up for lost tax revenue if they are willing to give up the money they get from the Seminoles.

 

[UK-Trigg]

re: WnW plot: I'm going with Hard Rock Casino Orlando! Maybe like this one.

Is that in Tampa? Sure I remember driving past on one of my trips.

Would be a great idea as it would be a big pull for some, especially with Disney not offering anything like it.

 

[Disneyhead]

Is that in Tampa? Sure I remember driving past on one of my trips.

Would be a great idea as it would be a big pull for some, especially with Disney not offering anything like it.

The one in the picture is in Hollywood, FL (near Miami). This is the one near Tampa:

 

[highkite]

I use to work at the HR in Tampa repairing slot machines. When I worked there (2013/2014) it was the sixth largest in the world, with over 5000 slot machines. I selected the graveyard shift thinking it would be less busy, I was wrong.
The place was packed at 4 in the morning, people of all ages, about 30% of the patrons were from the Orlando market. The compact has a lot of issues mostly political. I would love for Mr. Scott change the compact to allow resort destination casinos, but I doubt its gonna happen.

 

[grizzlybarely]

Officially closing at the end of next year. Discuss.

Universal Orlando Close Up | Decades of Wet 'n Wild Orlando | Universal Orlando Blog

 

[Nick]

Not surprised at all. Glad they confirmed it so early, now hopefully we start to here some rumblings for what they plan to do with the space as we draw nearer to the closing date.

 

[Mad Dog]

That makes perfect sense. Out with the old. In with the new, whatever that may be.

 

[SeventyOne]

Can't say I'm sad to see it go, but the history buff in me is a little disappointed to see the first ever water park disappear so unceremoniously.

 

[ThreePack Shagur]

Well I'm surprised at this - if it actually goes away. Universal doesn't own the Wet N Wild name, but...the area is just so massive, and with construction of Volcano Bay being near complete by then. I know it's easy to move slides if they choose to put them in Volcano Bay, but even that is cutting it close. I'm rambling, but a retheme and Universal branding wouldn't shock me.

There's a large amount of people who just happen to go to Wet N Wild because it's visible and on I-Drive. Is it safe to assume those visitors would go to Volcano Bay instead of something like Aquatica? I don't think so.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Universal Sucks for closing Wet N Wild but whatever. If anything takes it's space hope it's awesome.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Can't say I'm sad to see it go, but the history buff in me is a little disappointed to see the first ever water park disappear so unceremoniously.

This is me as well. First Water Park and just close it... No dedication , no nothing? I'm actually a little ticked off. But oh well lol