Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[devinp267]

Have there ever been any mumblings of a partnering with occc or is it just a given that this will happen??

 

[zg44]

Yes Universal did get those 3 properties.


The one document filed today related to that loan only released the parcel that Universal bought. I didn't see anything relating to the others, so I would assume that they remain under mortgage (and foreclosure?).

That's correct. That means the red parcels could still be up for grabs if Stan Thomas doesn't actually settle the foreclosure suit and pay off that creditor for the remaining debt.

Guess we still have to wait and see what he does; he might push the remaining money towards his Texas or Tennessee properties but I guess we just have to wait.

 

[fryoj]

That's correct. That means the red parcels could still be up for grabs if Stan Thomas doesn't actually settle the foreclosure suit and pay off that creditor for the remaining debt.

Guess we still have to wait and see what he does; he might push the remaining money towards his Texas or Tennessee properties but I guess we just have to wait.

So May 10th might still be a big deal.

That being said, with this settlement, He knows those properties are going to skyrocket in value in a few years. They'd probably be worth keeping.

 

[zg44]

So May 10th might still be a big deal.

That being said, with this settlement, He knows those properties are going to skyrocket in value in a few years. They'd probably be worth keeping.

Yep, once the 3rd dry park and CityWalk 2.0 are built, every acre around there will be worth a minimum of $1.5 million an acre.

 

[Joey]

Yep, once the 3rd dry park and CityWalk 2.0 are built, every acre around there will be worth a minimum of $1.5 million an acre.

Wow that’s insane amount of money

 

[zg44]

Wow that’s insane amount of money

It's mainly because there will be so few undeveloped acres not owned by Universal at that point.

 

[Andysol]

On this map:

The only red property universal purchased is the one on the right. Stan is keeping all the other red parcels.
Stan is also keeping the green parcel to the left of the convention center and the green parcel which would contain the Kirkman extension south of universal boulevard. Universal bought the rest!

Just curious- where did you find that info?
The picture included by the Orlando Sentinel had everything in green- including OCCC. And all red with the exception of the two parcels near OCCC and the two parcels to the right of the OCCC parking lot.

I assumed that was what was filed- otherwise, why would they leave out only those 4 small red parcels but include all the others?

ETA- here is what they posted:

 

[Joey]

It's mainly because there will be so few undeveloped acres not owned by Universal at that point.

Oh ok

 

[zg44]

Just curious- where did you find that info? The picture included in the filing that Orlando journal published had everything in green- including OCCC. And all red with the exception of the two parcels near OCCC and the two parcels to the right of the OCCC parking lot.

I assumed that was what was filed- otherwise, why would they leave out only those 4 small red parcels but include all the others?

The maps posted in the news reports (including the Orlando Journal and GS) were mostly just the most recent posting of all the UCPM III/FQP lands. They didn't indicate the actual transaction lands because it wasn't clear when the news reports were breaking.

I assume @Happytycho checked the actual OC land filings information for the 20 parcels that changed hands; the reporters just published their most recent images from previous stories (because they had to get the info out about the sale asap). He's always spot on with the land transactions.

 

[Happytycho]

Just curious- where did you find that info?
The picture included by the Orlando Sentinel had everything in green- including OCCC. And all red with the exception of the two parcels near OCCC and the two parcels to the right of the OCCC parking lot.

I assumed that was what was filed- otherwise, why would they leave out only those 4 small red parcels but include all the others?

ETA- here is what they posted:

The maps posted in the news reports (including the Orlando Journal and GS) were mostly just the most recent posting of all the UCPM III/FQP lands. They didn't indicate the actual transaction lands because it wasn't clear when the news reports were breaking.

I assume @Happytycho checked the actual OC land filings information for the 20 parcels that changed hands; the reporters just published their most recent images from previous stories (because they had to get the info out about the sale asap). He's always spot on with the land transactions.

That map was definitely not made this morning; it is probably from a prior article about the land/lawsuit. A few of the earlier maps from @zg44 didn't have those 4 red parcels marked, so I wouldn't be totally surprised if the sentinel's map was made by looking at some of the ones on this site and that is why those properties are missing.

I found the info about which properties were included by going to the orange county records website and reading the deeds that were filed this morning. I then spent a few hours comparing the legal descriptions of each parcel in the deed with the parcel lines shown on the orange county property appraiser website map and with one of zg44's maps to make sure I had all parcels accounted for.

 

[Nick]

Just a shot in the dark here as to some of the things im thinking ends up happening with south property over the next 4-15 years.

2 Theme Parks
1 Water Park
8k-10k more hotel rooms
Multiple Garages
New Citywalk that has rides to compete with the Idrive Corridor and a bit more posh or upscale food offerings
Separate shoppng center
New transportation hub
Direct rail access to MCO
New World HQ for Universal
Moving Creative to new offices here as well
New facilities for Loews
Pedestrian bridges that connects Universal directly to Convention Center
Broadway Style Show facility

Thoughts:
- Not sure of the point of rides at CityWalk... they aren't really catering to that market of low spending guests and they want you to actually go into the parks to ride rides. Would love a broadway style show, however.
- Why move UC when you can just build a second campus for them?
- If they can work out a Direct rail from MCO, that would be huge.

 

[Frank Drackman]

Hmmm...moving Loews headquarters...I imagine they could free up space at the current properties by moving things to where Loews is now. I know one time we stayed at CBBR, we went out the back way to go to WnW. When I saw the Loews building, I wondered if UNI could use that land. Isn’t it right by VB?

Even if it is not, I imagine they could move some support stuff that way to free up something for the current parks?!?

 

[Magic-Man]

And that park won’t be open for another 6 or more years. Right now, they’re sucking the big one and they’re not worth yearly visits. Disney will be. At least, past Toy Story. I’m still going up for three days starting tomorrow for my little cousin’s first birthday. I’ll make sure to wave at Universal as we pass by. Also I’ll be getting a look at how to announce an amazing groundbreaking land and then actually start building it. I remember when Universal used to do that. Shame.

Dude, it could open in four. SNW in KZ probably would have opened that year (2022) anyways, with all the delays.

 

[Nick]

Hmmm...moving Loews headquarters...I imagine they could free up space at the current properties by moving things to where Loews is now. I know one time we stayed at CBBR, we went out the back way to go to WnW. When I saw the Loews building, I wondered if UNI could use that land. Isn’t it right by VB?

Even if it is not, I imagine they could move some support stuff that way to free up something for the current parks?!?

It's on Universal's land so yeah, it could be moved I imagine, but i'm not sure how feasible it would be. This is also the Loews hiring center. Loews employees interview here instead of at the Universal Human Resources building since anyone hired is a Loews employee and not a Universal employee (they don't get standard Universal TM benefits).

 

[Nick]

Dude, it could open in four. SNW in KZ probably would have opened that year (2022) anyways, with all the delays.

Let's not get overly optimistic.

Could 2022 happen? Sure. But it's not a likelihood. You have to remember, this is an entire new resort with a new park, citywalk, hotels, etc all being built on land that needs to be cleaned up first. They also are going to want to carefully plan out how they build out this first phase so it leaves them in a great position for a Second water park, more hotels and a potential fourth theme park far down the line.

This isn't something you rush.

 

[zg44]

There's the current map of Universal/Stan Thomas land ownership in Orlando. Universal's land ownership for the south resort is now over 1300 acres. H/T to @Happytycho for checking the land records and finding the specific parcels Universal got.

I included the Kirkman extension on this map because that right-of-way was already granted on that specific route, so Universal will have to deal with that as it is.

The Mandarin extension (the one cutting across large parts of the property from Universal Blvd. to Sand Lake) is not included because I assume Universal will move that path before actually granting right-of-way/building it, to maximize Universal's land usage.

 

[Nick]

There's the current map of Universal/Stan Thomas land ownership in Orlando. Universal's land ownership for the south resort is now over 1300 acres. H/T to @Happytycho for checking the land records and finding the specific parcels Universal got.

I included the Kirkman extension on this map because that right-of-way was already granted on that specific route, so Universal will have to deal with that as it is.

The Mandarin extension (the one cutting across large parts of the property from Universal Blvd. to Sand Lake) is not included because I assume Universal will move that path before actually granting right-of-way/building it, to maximize Universal's land usage.

 

[Viator]

There's the current map of Universal/Stan Thomas land ownership in Orlando. Universal's land ownership for the south resort is now over 1300 acres. H/T to @Happytycho for checking the land records and finding the specific parcels Universal got.

I included the Kirkman extension on this map because that right-of-way was already granted on that specific route, so Universal will have to deal with that as it is.

The Mandarin extension (the one cutting across large parts of the property from Universal Blvd. to Sand Lake) is not included because I assume Universal will move that path before actually granting right-of-way/building it, to maximize Universal's land usage.

 

[Nick]

This new land is very close to Tangelo Park from what I can gather... will that again impede Universal from doing a large-scale firework's show or is it far enough away that it could potentially not be an issue?

 

[JungleSkip]

Yea. Not saying they can’t open before 2023...but absolutely no one should expect that. There’s a lot of things hat need to get approved/signed off on before they even start work. My complete guess is they’re going to try and get all the city approvals for Phase 1 of Site B by the end of the year (meaning we’ll see/hear something solid on it by then, whether officially or by leaks). But then you still have a ton of time for infrastructure installation on the land, and then construction itself.

It’s gonna be a fun time though. Looking forward to enjoying it all with everyone. We have a crazy awesome time in Orlando right now, and who knows, there’s a chance this is the last time we’ll see a development like this in the city