Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)
- Thread starter ReelJustice
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I don't know if anyone has gone yet, but I had a co-worker that went to Andretti's on a Friday night and he said it was a ghost town. I wonder if things will pick up, or if not what they will do with that property. I know it's only a few acres in front of top golf, but I could see it used for some type of universal facility in the future.
It'll be worth watching in the future, as will be the case for all those budget hotels on Universal Blvd. The reality is that Universal is going to continue to build an ecosystem where it can provide for its guests without them needing to step foot outside (or more importantly spend money outside of Universal's ecosystem), and that creates a bit of a conundrum for businesses that hope to piggyback off the revitalization of that area. The pie may grow but if Universal eats a larger portion of the growing pie, then there may not be as much left over to go around.
They could gobble up a lot of the small businesses and eventually almost link the two sites together as one.
- Aug 13, 2009
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They are already extending Happy Hours and doing discount weekday deals. But these are aimed at locals, and they are finicky. I’d give them until the end of next Summer to see if it’s still slow, plus major construction in the future that will drive traffic to that specific area (unless they make the main entrance towards Kirkman Road... even then, there will be some runoff). Meanwhile, Topgolf seems fine (I have some friends who have already gone a few times), and that will continue to do well from the convention crowd.
Surprising to hear that Andretti isn't doing well. I would've thought having that and Top Golf next to each other would've been a solid 1-2 punch right there. Definitely going to check out Top Golf next time I'm in Orlando since the closest one to me is about 1.5 hours away in Miami.
Yeah Top Golf is doing very well from what I've heard. They are also building another "Top Golf" facility off 417 near Lake Nona. I'm wondering how many of these things will open in Orlando.
- Aug 13, 2009
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If they had a combo ticket, it could be a 1-2 punch. It might also be value versus demographics... in other words, Top Golf looks like a great date night, or for families with teens (or adult kids) who want something unique. Those demographics might be willing to spend more, especially with adults and a bar (appealing to tourists and locals alike... Orlando likes it’s alcohol).
As far as Andretti, tourists could find Go-Karts any number of places in Florida, but they might not want to pay for state of the art. And the Fun Center astetic might turn away childless adults on a date night. In my mind, joint marketing or ticket promotions would work wonders, but it looks to me like TopGolf will always be the favorite.
- Jul 28, 2017
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They probably would have been better off locating on I-Drive. Tourists don't generally drive down Universal Blvd past I-Drive yet from what I've seen, they might once the third gate gets built, but thats a long time for Andretti to struggle. Travel along it is probably stronger with the convention crowd, but they're unlikely to be interesting in Andretti.
Top Golf was an entirely calculated risk that had a very low chance of failure. Tampa has one and its popular.
The hook in Orlando would be be ability to draw in non-locals and make them fans for future sites and return visits.
So a few shiny upgrades distinguish the Orlando locations from the Tampa location to cater to that group.
The hook in Orlando would be be ability to draw in non-locals and make them fans for future sites and return visits.
So a few shiny upgrades distinguish the Orlando locations from the Tampa location to cater to that group.
- May 5, 2012
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The problem with Andretti is the building is an ugly concrete square with nothing on it to suggest whats inside. That means they will attract virtually no walk up traffic and will have to spend big bucks to market it. I'm just shocked and amazed how ugly and nondescript the building is. I drive past it everyday and if I didn't know what it was from these forums I wouldn't even give it a second look.
just catching up on things....
But isn't the sky the limit? Strange, I see the logistics easier. Staying at a park some 13 miles away....man, it takes forever to get around. Folks dog the strollers, but adults hate al the walking between 'rides'.
Land to build a city, to isolate from the real world. There seem to be so many transportation options coming on line, they have land near a convention center in a tourist driven state. What couldn't they do better than what the original resort does??
I assume Disney Springs is the old Village um DownTown..um Pleasure...um something? I went there once after the 1st parking garage was built. Good stuff, I think of a casino down here, what Vegas must be like these days...park all the cars on the outside...from golf carts to driver-less.... the large continuous land has many possibilities
yep, I was going to say that word I overheard when the TV had the travel channel or something on...Glamping could be tried I imagine....
Keep hearing talk about wetlands and such....many things down here like lakes and canals are for water retention, run off, protecting the aqua filter.
Setting a theme to natural FL, angle things to avoid flooding in the tropical rains, could help them free up land to use elsewhere, move water/land around....if you can dream it, someone can figure out a way someday ;-)
But isn't the sky the limit? Strange, I see the logistics easier. Staying at a park some 13 miles away....man, it takes forever to get around. Folks dog the strollers, but adults hate al the walking between 'rides'.
Land to build a city, to isolate from the real world. There seem to be so many transportation options coming on line, they have land near a convention center in a tourist driven state. What couldn't they do better than what the original resort does??
I assume Disney Springs is the old Village um DownTown..um Pleasure...um something? I went there once after the 1st parking garage was built. Good stuff, I think of a casino down here, what Vegas must be like these days...park all the cars on the outside...from golf carts to driver-less.... the large continuous land has many possibilities
Why not a glampground....camping with all the luxuries of a five star resort...
I'm actually surprised that's what they didn't do with the area around the lake for the unnamed coastal resorts... and then added lake sports.
yep, I was going to say that word I overheard when the TV had the travel channel or something on...Glamping could be tried I imagine....
Keep hearing talk about wetlands and such....many things down here like lakes and canals are for water retention, run off, protecting the aqua filter.
Setting a theme to natural FL, angle things to avoid flooding in the tropical rains, could help them free up land to use elsewhere, move water/land around....if you can dream it, someone can figure out a way someday ;-)
They're banking on Universal's expansion as well as the overall expansion of the tourist district. Being right across form the Convention Center is still a prime site.
Depends on your side of the fence on the JW in the new park debate, but the assumed Gyrosphere ride from the China park could be there. I don't think theres anything in Hollywood thats not already in Orlando. I guess the JP coaster from Japan is possible, but I'd think they'd do a custom layout to fit the park rather than an exact replica. Are there any other rides there that isn't in Orlando?
I’d imagine some of the new rides going to Beijing will beat the new ORL Park.
It seems like the Shanghai park is taking a lifetime to open.
Looks like it's happening already with SLOP.
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