Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[jtsalien]

So, probable updated timeline:

• Harry Potter coaster, T2 replacement, VB expansion in 2019.
• Jurassic World coaster, land retheme in 2020.
• Pokémon land inside KidZone for 2021.
• New resort in 2022.

Hope for 2022. Expect later.

 

[Magic-Man]

Hope for 2022. Expect later.

At this point, I’d be surprised if it didn’t open in 2022. They’re moving pretty fast.

 

[Magic-Man]

Pokemon moved

I would amend and say

• Harry Potter coaster, T2 replacement, VB expansion in 2019.
• Jurassic World coaster, land retheme in 2020, Kidzone Replacement.
• Retheme of Land at IOA. 2021
• New resort, Retheme of land at IOA, New Ride at Studios 2022

I wouldn’t bet that Pokémon moved. That’s all I’m going to say.

Also, no way that IOA gets three land rethemes in three years.

 

[quinnmac000]

I wouldn’t bet that Pokémon moved. That’s all I’m going to say.

Also, no way that IOA gets three land rethemes in three years.

Pokémon is by far the worlds most popular/profitable IP, if they do it, it will get a Star Wars sized land not that 8 acre plot including ET.

 

[Magic-Man]

Pokémon is by far the worlds most popular/profitable IP, if they do it, it will get a Star Wars sized land not that 8 acre plot including ET.

The KZ plot was 9 acres, not counting ET. If SNW can fit in there, so can Pokémon.

 

[Moose84]

Pokémon is by far the worlds most popular/profitable IP, if they do it, it will get a Star Wars sized land not that 8 acre plot including ET.

Also I believe your underestimating Universals ability with small space hell Diagon Alley is a little over 5.5 acres and is downright incredible. Just because Disney gives 11.5 acres to Toy Story(and most consider it a waste of space) Universal doesn’t need it for an amazing land they do more with less.

 

[Ryan]

Sorry to quote this again, but I pray to God that they don't build an indoor theme park. Those are the absolute worst, and can ruin the theming of the land. When I'm walking through SNW, I don't want to see a roof. I want to see the sky.

Also, what permits are you referring to? I don't think we have any permits for the new park yet.

Sorry poor wording, I meant the chiller plants that will support several large buildings. (it was late)

I wonder if it might also be indoor/outdoor. Remember Motiongate? Just considering the different things that Universal will try to keep everything separate from one another.

 

[Magic-Man]

I wonder if it might also be indoor/outdoor. Remember Motiongate? Just considering the different things that Universal will try to keep everything separate from one another.

I’d be fine if they do a hybrid park. Just don’t make it entirely indoors, and for Gods sake, can they please theme the outside of the building? Motiongate’s looks horrible.

 

[jtsalien]

At this point, I’d be surprised if it didn’t open in 2022. They’re moving pretty fast.

I just think expectations should be held in check at this point. Not saying they can't make that... But they haven't even acknowledged the park outside of the courts. So much can go wrong and so much that can't be planned for. We're still too early in the construction/design phase to have a solid opening date. Plus, I think they really want to make this right after the disastrous opening of VB.

 

[sparky]

Pretty patties could be macaroons!!

pretty patties macaroons would sell like crazy. People are nuts for those things at toothsome

 

[quinnmac000]

Also I believe your underestimating Universals ability with small space hell Diagon Alley is a little over 5.5 acres and is downright incredible. Just because Disney gives 11.5 acres to Toy Story(and most consider it a waste of space) Universal doesn’t need it for an amazing land they do more with less.

Thats forgetting a huge new factor that Universal will have to anticipaate so they end up with the Potter/VB situation: capacity/crowd control. You have to build a land to be able to hold the crowds that will come see it. You will need more space to support those crowds especially when Universal starts adding more family IPs, more strollers will come which take up more walkway space and create discomfort for guests who are trying to get around. Right now its fine but later on down the road, it will be an issue. Plan things before they become a issue is how I see it.

Additionally what are some of the the biggest faults of Pandora, TSL, Diagon, just essentially most new lands, its two attractions: 1 major, 1 minor, with huge shopping areas and food as well as sometimes when crowd levels are super high. A land for an IP like Pokémon is going to need a lot more stuff to do with people having much higher expectation for than Mario or Zelda or even most DreamWorks properties due to the span of media the franchise covers.

I’d be fine if they do a hybrid park. Just don’t make it entirely indoors, and for Gods sake, can they please theme the outside of the building? Motiongate’s looks horrible.

It will be fine and look really good as long as they don't cheap out and get a good lightning designer....remember Knockturn Alley is indoors and looks great which is because they actually took the time to make it great. Most indoor theme park companies don't really focus on the atmospherics as much.

 

[Joseph]

Well that’s probably where the Pokémon app can come into play. Nintendo should make the area a gps hot spot for exotic Pokémon to catch/trade. Whatever they do with them. I’m sorry I’m just looking more forward to a donkey Kong country Minecart jumping fake holes in the track launched coaster. And the Mario kart ride. I’m hope they still go with the Luigi’s mansion attraction. And I would absolutely fall in love if they build Bowsers airship. The airship would be awesome if they made it like how the dragon is in diagon alley. The focal piece.

 

[Joseph]

Universal really needs to invest heavy in Nintendo land. Disney’s Tron coaster looks incredible. The dkc coaster needs to be hulk but better.

 

[Alicia]

Universal really needs to invest heavy in Nintendo land. Disney’s Tron coaster looks incredible. The dkc coaster needs to be hulk but better.

Nintendo wants all of the rides to be for families. Donkey Kong will be a family coaster. Little kids get Yoshi. Everyone can ride Mario Kart. Older kids get DK coaster. But none of them are just for kids or just for adrenaline junkies. It’s meant to be balanced, so families can ride them together.

The Hulk coaster is not for everyone. And I prefer immersive theming over intense thrills personally.

 

[Joseph]

What would you call the Tron coaster? Family or thrill?

 

[AlexanderMBush]

What would you call the Tron coaster? Family or thrill?

I would say more of a proper "Thrill" coaster than Family Thrill, given the nature of seating.

 

[Alicia]

What would you call the Tron coaster? Family or thrill?

Probably family, but as far as you can get and still be family. Like Everest, or Mummy. Disney doesn’t really go full thrill ride, at least not the extent SeaWorld or regional parks do.

Add in some inversions, stronger G forces, etc, and you’re a full on thrill ride.

 

[Magic-Man]

The Hulk coaster is not for everyone. And I prefer immersive theming over intense thrills personally.

-Insert “Why don’t we have both?” meme here-

 

[Joseph]

I may be wrong but imho. With a new resort. A big thrill coaster is what we need. And Nintendo is a very big ip. It’d be a shame for dk to not be super highly themed big thrill.Idk. Maybe universal has something else up the sleeve beside Nintendo.

 

[Alicia]

-Insert “Why don’t we have both?” meme here-

Yea, that’d be great. But for Nintendo rides, one of the directives from the company was that the rides be suitable for families, so I wouldn't expect anything too crazy.

The mine cart jumping gaps and fire effects will be thrilling in their own way, without needing zero-g rolls or launches.

I may be wrong but imho. With a new resort. A big thrill coaster is what we need. And Nintendo is a very big ip. It’d be a shame for dk to not be super highly themed big thrill.Idk. Maybe universal has something else up the sleeve beside Nintendo.

I’m sure a new park will have at least one good thrilling coaster, just as the other two parks each have one (Hulk and Rockit.) But it won’t be in Super Nintendo World.