Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[Mike S]

I mean, it's not like they can't still do Pokémon.

But it does mean we’re waiting longer for Mario. Probably the last to get it now. KidZone needs to go and Mario would’ve been perfect.

 

[captainmoch]

Gonna be honest, Mario has a much wider appeal than Pokémon for a new park's anchor. Literally everyone of all ages recognizes, understands, and likes Mario. Pokémon, as huge as it is, doesn't have as much wide recognition and accessibility as Mario.

If anything, Pokémon should be the KidZone replacement and Mario should be in Gate 3.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

But it does mean we’re waiting longer for Mario. Probably the last to get it now.

“A delayed product* is eventually good, a bad product* is bad forever.”

To also point out, this may make Orlando open around the similar time to Universal Hollywood's, which seemed to of been the last version out of the Mushroom Kingdom's to open. And that it does leave at-least some breathing room for Kidzone in the light of wanting to keep capacity at a steady level.

That said, I can buy that they may be going gun ho on the fourth gate and southern property now, more than anything.

 

[JungleSkip]

But it does mean we’re waiting longer for Mario. Probably the last to get it now.

:shrug:

 

[Mike S]

“A delayed product* is eventually good, a bad product* is bad forever.”

It’s going to be the same damn product going to Hollywood and Japan much earlier. Don’t fool yourself. Unless they’re adding like 3 new rides or something the wait is meaningless.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I think using Nintendo to anchor new park and having Illuminations stay in USF is ideal. Allows for a more larger (Super Mario area).

My ideal project:
-USF receives Ministry, Illuminations to KidZone and something to Shrek.
-IOA receives Zelda to Lost Continent and Toon Lagoon receives DreamWorks makeover. (I would prefer Toon Lagoon to use Madagascar and Shrek while leaving HTTYD for new park)
-Park 3: DreamWorks (whatever is not used for IOA)/Nintendo(Mario & Pokemon)/Any other IP available

If anything, Pokemon could replace KidZone and then have Illuminations takeover Toon Lagoon, leaving DreamWorks for new gate.

 

[Mad Dog]

SNL at the new park could be done in a more extravagant way. More land, better location in the park. And then there's your park castle icon. 14 acres, or more, like GESWL would be cool.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

It’s going to be the same damn product going to Hollywood and Japan much earlier. Don’t fool yourself.

This is one of those examples where I HIGHLY disagree with you.

From all accounts, Orlando is going to have the best version out of any of the others. And that from all accounts, Super Nintendo World isn't something to shrug off about either, as it may be the Hogsmeade of the 2020's if done properly.

They may see the bigger futility to not do things on Kidzone, Lost Continent, and Toon Lagoon, because those can be saved to later times. And that, if they work on the southern property, they can bring audiences that aren't just families, and bank highly on the adult/convention crowds that would come down there due to the OCCC right next to the property.

 

[captainmoch]

It’s going to be the same damn product going to Hollywood and Japan much earlier. Don’t fool yourself. Unless they’re adding like 3 new rides or something the wait is meaningless.

Eh, if Universal is truly fast tracking the third gate than it'll be a year delay at most. It'd fit much better in a 3rd park and be a huge draw for tourists of all ages to the new park.

 

[JungleSkip]

At this point I’m thinking anyone assuming whole lands in the old parks will go befor Park 3 opens is wishing. If they’re going to go whole hog on Park 3, they won’t waste fully developed lands in the older parks

 

[UniversalRBLX]

You also have to consider into consideration that without something Nintendo in the new park, there's not a lot of 'family IPs' left besides DreamWorks.

 

[Mike S]

SNL at the new park could be done in a more extravagant way. More land, better location in the park. And then there's your park castle icon. 14 acres, or more, like GESWL would be cool.

Yeah, they’re totally not going to just build exactly the land we already know about and will take full advantage of a new park. Luigi’s Mansion, Mario Galaxy Coaster, and so much more will be added!!! NEW DONK CITY TOO!!!!

You also have to consider into consideration that without something Nintendo in the new park, there's not a lot of 'family IPs' left besides DreamWorks.

That “something Nintendo” could easily be Pokémon.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Yeah, they’re totally not going to just build exactly the land we already know about and will take full advantage of a new park. Luigi’s Mansion, Mario Galaxy Coaster and so much more will be added!!!

That “something Nintendo” could easily be Pokémon.

More than likely Nintendo will still remain at USF, I just think the ideal decision should be to move to the new gate as the anchor.

 

[captainmoch]

Yeah, they’re totally not going to just build exactly the land we already know about and will take full advantage of a new park. Luigi’s Mansion, Mario Galaxy Coaster, and so much more will be added!!! NEW DONK CITY TOO!!!!

Okay fine, maybe it won't add anything new. But they also won't be restricted to a landlocked dead end footprint. They can literally place the land anywhere in this new park, meaning that they can have much better traffic flow without a dead end AND future expansion space that doesn't require losing capacity by removing another attraction. A year delay for a land that's better for the new park, and for a more future-proofed SNW isn't the worst idea..

 

[Mike S]

Okay fine, maybe it won't add anything new. But they also won't be restricted to a landlocked dead end footprint. They can literally place the land anywhere in this new park, meaning that they can have much better traffic flow without a dead end AND future expansion space that doesn't require losing capacity by removing another attraction. A year delay for a land that's better for the new park, and for a more future-proofed SNW isn't the worst idea..

A year...

It’s a whole new park. Get real. They’d have to start right now and build like crazy for it to open 2021. Remember, Japan’s will be open for the 2020 Olympics.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

A year...

It’s a whole new park. Get real. They’d have to start right now and build like crazy for it to open 2021. Remember, Japan’s will be open for the 2020 Olympics.

Who's to say it HAS to open in 2021? Odds are, you can open it in mid to late 2022, and that you can start sometime later this year for a near 4 year construction cycle.

 

[Mike S]

Who's to say it HAS to open in 2021? Odds are, you can open it in mid to late 2022, and that you can start sometime later this year for a near 4 year construction cycle.

@captainmoch said a year delay. 2022 is two years.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

If they decide to fast-track the south property it would most likely be a 4-5 year phased construction with the park, a hotel and CityWalk 2.0. Within those 4-5 years, USF can build KidZone replacement, FFL and Shrek replacement as well as Zelda if they wish into IOA.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

@captainmoch said a year delay. 2022 is two years.

USF's and Hollywood's Nintendo was always planned to open after Japan. Not the same time.

 

[Mad Dog]

If the new south park is envisioned by Universal to be it's answer to Magic Kingdom, an expanded SNL concept as the park's anchor will be a natural, and definitely the right long term business decision. This all hinges on a fast tracked new park. If that is indeed the case, Comcast/Universal executives would be greatly remiss if they didn't utilize their strongest IP, besides Potter, as the anchor.