Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[s8film40]

I wonder how large the south parking garage will be. Will it have to be at least the size of one of the north garages? $$$

I believe I already said this somewhere, but if it were me and I was Universal I would really be trying to make a partnership agreement with OCCC to build a mixed use garage over their parking lot. It's a huge space and if Universal is footing the bill and they get some extra parking out of it also it's a win win. That would also leave more space for development and give them an instant connection with the convention center.

 

[Scott W.]

I wonder how large the south parking garage will be. Will it have to be at least the size of one of the north garages? $$$

I think it depends on the plans for the new resort and not just for opening. If they plan on adding a 4th gate in the future, something similar to the current car park would be needed.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

I think it depends on the plans for the new resort and not just for opening. If they plan on adding a 4th gate in the future, something similar to the current car park would be needed.

Much as I am looking forward to a third part I am really curious to know if they are thinking about a fourth park. Is it possible they could leave enough space to open up a fourth park on the new property?

 

[WAJAS]

Do you guys really think Orlando can handle another park past Universal's third? I have a feeling that the market will be full after it.

 

[s8film40]

Do you guys really think Orlando can handle another park past Universal's third? I have a feeling that the market will be full after it.

There are always more people. It will also probably shift some business from Disney and especially Seaworld. I don't know that Seaworld could survive 4 Disney parks and 4 Universal parks, so if that happens I kind of expect them to likely go out of business.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

Do you guys really think Orlando can handle another park past Universal's third? I have a feeling that the market will be full after it.

Universal is working hard at growing the market. Their advertising is nationwide.

I can easily see trips were people just go to the Magic Kingdom and spend the rest of their trip at Universal. Besides, that never stopped anyone from building new casinos in Vegas.

SeaWorld finally gave up on matching the Park prices of the other Orlando Parks. This means taking an additional day and going there is a much cheaper alternative. I think this will help them in the long run. Not to mention they get plenty of locals in and hold numerous events similar to Epcot.

 

[Scott W.]

Do you guys really think Orlando can handle another park past Universal's third? I have a feeling that the market will be full after it.

I think 3 parks are the sweet spot. 2 don't seem like enough but 4 is too much. My concern with 4 parks would be the drought of new attractions for each park.

If they decided to build a 4th gate, 10 years after the 3rd gate, would I oppose it? Hell no, a new park is still a new park.

 

[Mad Dog]

Remember, one third of Sea World's attendance is foreign toursts. And that stat comes straight from Sea World.

 

[GadgetGuru]

Do you guys really think Orlando can handle another park past Universal's third? I have a feeling that the market will be full after it.

I agree that the market in Orlando will probably be full. If SeaWorld folds, maybe another theme park could take its place. I strongly believe we'll be seeing more Discovery Cove style boutique parks in the future though. Tons of market for those.

 

[Scott W.]

Remember, one third of Sea World's attendance is foreign toursts. And that stat comes straight from Sea World.

Foreign as in non US guests or non Orlando guests?

I thought it would have been higher personally.

 

[IzzyB]

I agree that the market in Orlando will probably be full. If SeaWorld folds, maybe another theme park could take its place. I strongly believe we'll be seeing more Discovery Cove style boutique parks in the future though. Tons of market for those.

I don't see Sea World folding. There is a market for them and they are starting to find their way. I think thrills and sea education is going to do well for them.

 

[Thisguynamedlee]

There is no such thing as to many theme parks as long as the rides are somewhat innovative and fun for everyone to enjoy Orlando will just continue to be the Vegas of theme parks

 

[Galaxy Defender]

I don't see Sea World folding. There is a market for them and they are starting to find their way. I think thrills and sea education is going to do well for them.

The other SeaWorld Parks get by just fine on much lower attendance than the Orlando park. Same holds true for Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

 

[Mad Dog]

Foreign as in non US guests or non Orlando guests?

I thought it would have been higher personally.

Foreign, as in outside of USA.

 

[GadgetGuru]

There is no such thing as to many theme parks as long as the rides are somewhat innovative and fun for everyone to enjoy Orlando will just continue to be the Vegas of theme parks

I'd disagree with that. Vegas has been complaining about a glut of hotel rooms as of late. That's why it took so long for them to escape the recession and why most new construction has stopped or slowly dramatically. There's definitely a maximum of anything that a given market can handle.

 

[Scott W.]

I'm pretty certain the answer is no but I'll ask anyway.

Let's say that attendance at WDW continues to drop and Universal builds 2 more parks and have 2 great resorts (enough to plan a 2 week vacation around) and it comes to a point where families will have to pick between Universal or Disney as there won't be enough time to do both.

Could Disney and Universal ever team up to make a joint ticket for both resorts?

I know that Disneyland used to have a friendly relationship with Knotts Berry Farm but over the past few decades, Disney have burnt all the bridges with local competition.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

I'd disagree with that. Vegas has been complaining about a glut of hotel rooms as of late. That's why it took so long for them to escape the recession and why most new construction has stopped or slowly dramatically. There's definitely a maximum of anything that a given market can handle.

Keep in mind that people have a lot more choices of where to go to gamble. There are only so many places you can go to with world class theme parks.

 

[s8film40]

I'm pretty certain the answer is no but I'll ask anyway.

Let's say that attendance at WDW continues to drop and Universal builds 2 more parks and have 2 great resorts (enough to plan a 2 week vacation around) and it comes to a point where families will have to pick between Universal or Disney as there won't be enough time to do both.

Could Disney and Universal ever team up to make a joint ticket for both resorts?

I know that Disneyland used to have a friendly relationship with Knotts Berry Farm but over the past few decades, Disney have burnt all the bridges with local competition.

I don't see that happening because both resorts really want to have ownership of the whole vacation experience.

 

[peteralt]

This is roughly the thought I had. You couldn't do a loop around that hub as people need to be able to go in and out.

You could add more floors to the circle thing and have another arm with moving sidewalks reach towards another angle to the transit hub at a higher elevation. Am I making sense?

 

[quinnmac000]

This isn't true. SFGA is 160 acres while the safari, non accessible area is 350. I found this info on Wikipedia.

You didn't get the info right. Six Flags Great America merged with the wild safari park which is 350 acres back in 2013. That wild safari park had rides and other things before being bought out by six flags. Camp Adventura is a huge part of the safari where you zipline all over the place and feed giraffes along with driving through the safari which they use to allow you to do in your own vehicle. A lot of that park was accessible to the public.