Universal Orlando Resort Expansion News (Part 2)

[truejonas]

+ Studio production buildings + large back of house operations. While there will be some back of house operations in the new area, not all of it needs to be 100% duplicated (eg creative, marketing, hr).

Additionally, I think Universal could have packed way more in to their original area had they planned a bit better. Look at how much land Portofino occupies (and # of rooms) compared to Adventura, Sapphire Falls, Cabana Bay, Endless Summer, and Surfside... I think think they'll be in the mindset of constant expansion and conserving space.

I think it's very possible they could pack 6 tall hotels, 2 parks, and a water park into 500 acres. I think it will look a lot different than the old land though (more planned out rather than evolved).

Good thing for us...bad thing for the people in the area who always be dealing with construction.

 

[ThrillRideLover3214]

So we should expect a completion and announcement of what’s to come at this new property around 2026-2027 you think?

 

[AlexanderMBush]

The first major project for that property, Universal's Fantastic Worlds, should be done well before that.. O:

 

[SukaVayne73]

Good thing for us...bad thing for the people in the area who always be dealing with construction.

It is a good thing for us, but I live in the area so I will be happy for the dealing with the construction, especially for what they have in store for the new park. Besides the multiple in and out of the trucks was fine except for traffic sometimes. I will be happy to hear all the ground booms, hammer and saw sounds when it all goes vertical.

 

[bob albert]

It is a good thing for us, but I live in the area so I will be happy for the dealing with the construction, especially for what they have in store for the new park. Besides the multiple in and out of the trucks was fine except for traffic sometimes. I will be happy to hear all the ground booms, hammer and saw sounds when it all goes vertical.

At this rate with the park growth I would be making dedicated space to rent on air BnB or something if I were close to a park. At the right prices you could rent it out most of the year.

 

[RFRees]

So we should expect a completion and announcement of what’s to come at this new property around 2026-2027 you think?

Well first I don't expect anything to be announced for anything until right before it opens.

My guess is we'll see at minimum one hotel and Fantastic Worlds built by 2023 or 2024. I think more likely it'll be two or more hotels, since they don't necessarily need to open them at the same time as Fantastic Worlds. It's possible they have an "open a hotel every year" mindset, so we could see something open in 2021 and/or 2022 (after Surfside and Endless Summer). A City Walk 2.0 would likely either come on, before, or shortly after FW.

By the time Fantastic Worlds opens (around 2023), I'm betting we'll have a good idea for what they have up their sleeve for phase 2 of the property. There's a big "if" though... If the economy is in a slump, or if Comcast specifically is in a slump, or if FW doesn't do as well as they hope, I think that'll slow things down significantly.

But consider the precedence of Universal Orlando right now: we constantly have seen big expansions (hotels, large lands, water park, theme park). Why anyone would think this would stop around 2023 (aside from external forces) is beyond me.

 

[shiekra38]

Well first I don't expect anything to be announced for anything until right before it opens.

My guess is we'll see at minimum one hotel and Fantastic Worlds built by 2023 or 2024. I think more likely it'll be two or more hotels, since they don't necessarily need to open them at the same time as Fantastic Worlds. It's possible they have an "open a hotel every year" mindset, so we could see something open in 2021 and/or 2022 (after Surfside and Endless Summer). A City Walk 2.0 would likely either come on, before, or shortly after FW.

By the time Fantastic Worlds opens (around 2023), I'm betting we'll have a good idea for what they have up their sleeve for phase 2 of the property. There's a big "if" though... If the economy is in a slump, or if Comcast specifically is in a slump, or if FW doesn't do as well as they hope, I think that'll slow things down significantly.

But consider the precedence of Universal Orlando right now: we constantly have seen big expansions (hotels, large lands, water park, theme park). Why anyone would think this would stop around 2023 (aside from external forces) is beyond me.

I feel a hotel will be a major part of the parks hub if you will

 

[RFRees]

I feel a hotel will be a major part of the parks hub if you will

I agree, it's likely that one hotel will open alongside FW. Doesn't prevent them from opening 1-2 hotels near/around this site B area before that.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I believe there will be a break in opening new hotels from 2021-2022. Universal will be putting all of its resources into building a new park and adjacent hotel. After FW opens I'm sure they will continue the new hotel every year plan.

I still think Uni should try to find land near FW and building something similar to Endless or Aventura.

 

[JungleSkip]

I still think Uni should try to find land near FW and building something similar to Endless or Aventura.

They've got plenty of spots for things like that

 

[UniversalRBLX]

They've got plenty of spots for things like that

I know, by "find land" I meant choose a location near the park that's close enough for easy accessibility once the resort opens but not in the middle of construction that would hurt the hotel's initial opening.

 

[JungleSkip]

I know, by "find land" I meant choose a location near the park that's close enough for easy accessibility once the resort opens but not in the middle of construction that would hurt the hotel's initial opening.

I'm guessing all the hotels will be to the South across the street, save for the one that may or may not be built into the park

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I'm guessing all the hotels will be to the South across the street, save for the one that may or may not be built into the park

I thought that area was going to be saved for a future parking garage if they do decide to add a 4th park? I was leaning towards the hotels being to the left of the Kirkman extension.

 

[Alicia]

I thought that area was going to be saved for a future parking garage if they do decide to add a 4th park? I was leaning towards the hotels being to the left of the Kirkman extension.

If you mean west of Kirkman, that's not Universal's land. That's Lockhead Martin if I'm not mistaken?

 

[JungleSkip]

I thought that area was going to be saved for a future parking garage if they do decide to add a 4th park? I was leaning towards the hotels being to the left of the Kirkman extension.

The road plans already show intersections going onto those plots of land. I will be very surprised if they arent for resorts

 

[Alicia]

The road plans already show intersections going onto those plots of land. I will be very surprised if they arent for resorts

Yea, I've been thinking the space on far west of the bottom area between Universal Way and Universal Blvd for new hotels... keeping space open on east side, below the open space north of Universal Way/East of the flat parking lot.

That way you start building on the west side for new park and new hotels, and work your way to the east, on both sides of the new Universal Way road.

 

[RFRees]

I believe there will be a break in opening new hotels from 2021-2022. Universal will be putting all of its resources into building a new park and adjacent hotel. After FW opens I'm sure they will continue the new hotel every year plan.

They will need the hotel rooms for the opening of FW, it's a huge financial loss for them if FW guests have to stay off-site.

Unless I'm missing something, aside from money, the resources used for the theme parks (eg construction companies/planning/creative) and the resources for hotels are completely separate.

 

[Scott W.]

lol it's cute people think they're going to announce anything any time soon

I mean, why not?

I think they have to make an announcement if they're officially starting construction on a new park, it's a big event.

The only reason we don't get an announcement soon is that they've pushed the project back but given how much effort has been put into it so far, why stop now?

 

[JungleSkip]

I think they have to make an announcement if they're officially starting construction on a new park

I think this is an extraordinarily optimistic view point considering Universal's track record.

 

[shiekra38]

I believe there will be a break in opening new hotels from 2021-2022. Universal will be putting all of its resources into building a new park and adjacent hotel. After FW opens I'm sure they will continue the new hotel every year plan.

I still think Uni should try to find land near FW and building something similar to Endless or Aventura.

I think it would be fun if they had one that directly connected to the Convention Center