Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[AlexanderMBush]

just curious. How long does it take to build a theme park from ground up? It takes a couple years just to build a ride, or land. Seems like a park would take 5 years? minimum

Keep in mind, Islands took I think around 3 years, from 96 to 99 (but I may be wrong, and it's 4).

 

[Nick]

just curious. How long does it take to build a theme park from ground up? It takes a couple years just to build a ride, or land. Seems like a park would take 5 years? minimum

It shouldn't need to take 5 years, but of course maybe it will. Building is a much easier process when you aren't under the confines of the park operating 365 days per year. Fresh site, no guests, no need to worry about daily operation yet will make it go along surprisingly quickly once they really get going.

 

[Scott W.]

Construction of IOA started in late 1996 if I remember correctly. The main car park was opened in 98 and you walked through a small portion of CityWalk (which wasn't opened yet) to get to USF.

I think 4 years should be easily done and as far as I'm concerned, construction has officially started.

 

[LieutLaww]

It is going to be interesting to see what we get for the new park, also how far away is it from the current parks, Universal areas always seem more confusing in their relation to one another than Disney to me.

 

[paintervision]

Real 70mm IMAX is dead. Closest is Laser IMAX. LieMAX allows them to plaster the name all over other theaters

I’m aware. They could still do a larger theater with stadium-seating. Similar to Pointe Orlando.

 

[paintervision]

It is going to be interesting to see what we get for the new park, also how far away is it from the current parks, Universal areas always seem more confusing in their relation to one another than Disney to me.

The resorts will be connected via Universal Blvd. A streetcar system could connect the two at transit hubs. North would be CityWalk, Souh would be the new property. The rest of the parks/hotels would be accessible via walking paths.

 

[OLSinFLA]

I’m aware. They could still do a larger theater with stadium-seating. Similar to Pointe Orlando.

Thats because Pointe Orlando used to be real IMAX. Current LieMAX are simply converted theaters with a bigger screen.

 

[Legacy]

They need bars at 2.0. Legit liquor/beer only places with distinct vibes and styles. Speakeasy, tiki-bar, and a "Cheers" type local bar. They'd do gang-busters with the convention crowds and re/introduce something they got rid of when they closed Cigarz (RIP).

I also want a comedy club/improv hall that kinda merges Improv and SAKS. Plus a Broadway-style or Cirque show in residence. I'm more interested in that sort of stuff than more of what 1.0 has.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

The resorts will be connected via Universal Blvd. A streetcar system could connect the two at transit hubs. North would be CityWalk, Souh would be the new property. The rest of the parks/hotels would be accessible via walking paths.

I dont know about a street car. Transit (Trains Specifically) in Orlando struggle. Might not for long, but they aren't first on the menu right now.

 

[Mad Dog]

They need bars at 2.0. Legit liquor/beer only places with distinct vibes and styles. Speakeasy, tiki-bar, and a "Cheers" type local bar. They'd do gang-busters with the convention crowds and re/introduce something they got rid of when they closed Cigarz (RIP).

I also want a comedy club/improv hall that kinda merges Improv and SAKS. Plus a Broadway-style or Cirque show in residence. I'm more interested in that sort of stuff than more of what 1.0 has.

:agree::thumbsup:....big expense accounts from the Convention crowd.Universal wants to get in on those tabs and into the wallets, no doubt.....It would be a poor business decision if they didn't take advantage of that Convention demo.

 

[JungleSkip]

They need bars at 2.0. Legit liquor/beer only places with distinct vibes and styles. Speakeasy, tiki-bar, and a "Cheers" type local bar. They'd do gang-busters with the convention crowds and re/introduce something they got rid of when they closed Cigarz (RIP).

I still don’t know why there’s not a Tiki bar at Cabana or Royal Pacific. Or build one in JP. Baffling to me

 

[SeventyOne]

As I've mentioned before, lots of folks seem to think Nintendo is getting its own park. Not me. But the idea persists.

Not sure why.

(But I bet I haven't helped.)

Honestly not a bad idea. Deal with a single IP holder, no competition over who gets more promotion or the "nicer" land. Allows thematic consistency. And probably the easiest thing to market, given how they botched the launch of IoA.

Your map shows it could still have a fair amount of thematic diversity. Throw in a sci fi property (there must be some obscure game they could resurrect), I think it would feel like a full park.

 

[Alicia]

Your map shows it could still have a fair amount of thematic diversity. Throw in a sci fi property (there must be some obscure game they could resurrect), I think it would feel like a full park.

F-Zero and Metroid are good for sci-fi.

 

[Imperius]

Ehh. This is why a full Nintendo park makes no sense. General public doesn’t care about F-zero or Metroid. Heck, I don’t care about them and I play video games regularly. Metroid and F-ZERO don’t deserve theme park rides when there are much better Sci-fi properties available.

 

[Alicia]

Ehh. This is why a full Nintendo park makes no sense. General public doesn’t care about F-zero or Metroid. Heck, I don’t care about them and I play video games regularly. Metroid and F-ZERO don’t deserve theme park rides when there are much better Sci-fi properties available.

How bout Starfox?

 

[Imperius]

No.

 

[Alicia]

Like I said, I don’t think they’re doing an entire Nintendo park. But the rumor persists. It’s fun to talk about is all.

 

[Imperius]

Of course. Just talking my side. They are only building one dry park in foreseeable future and if it’s all Nintendo, I’ll be pissed.

 

[Mad Dog]

Doubt there's much basis behind the rumor. Basically, it was a far fetched blue sky pitch someone heard about, and then it was floated on the boards to see if anyone else heard anything substantial. Mostly just fishing, that took on a life of it's own.

 

[Alicia]

Doubt there's much basis behind the rumor. Basically, it was a far fetched blue sky pitch someone heard about, and then it was floated on the boards to see if anyone else heard anything substantial. Mostly just fishing, that took on a life of it's own.

Jim Hill and Len Testa said they were at a bar or somewhere and someone sat next to them and said “you hear about the Nintendo park Universal is building on the old Lockheed land?” And the rest is history.

I can’t remember which episode of the Disney Dish they talked about it. But was twice if I’m remembering correctly. Plus, Jim’s mentioned it to me before as well.

Not sure how reliable a source a random guy approaching you is, or if I’m misremembering their story, but that seems to be the origin of the rumor as far as I can tell.