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WWE Orlando Theme Park?

I'm not saying this is it but..
 
It was rumored when there was a plan to replace the area behind what was then called Festival Bay (then Artegon now Deezerland) with a "steel park." The push to put in a park is well-documented--that it would be WWE themed was a rumor at the time. I know ScreamScape had it, may have been some other, more credible sources on various boards.Local resident grassroots opposition--and I suspect some Universal astroturfing tho that's never been documented AFAIK--killed the park, allowing the space to become a failed indoor flea market and now a never-opened auto museum.

I tend to believe that at the least discussions with WWE occurred because Vinnie Mac has pressed hard over the years for an Orlando presence, even before NXT. Long-time rumors suggested the old CityWalk NBA City might become a WWE Hall of Fame attraction or restaurant or some hybrid thereof. I still expect something with the brand to open in the tourist corridor one day. but I don't think it will be this. (And really, characters/storylines change so often, the idea of a park always seemed far-fetched.)
 
There was a half-assed WWE attraction at Niagara Falls, with one ride - I think a drop tower called the Piledriver - and a gift shop, so there's precendence, along with the WWF restaurant in Times Square and them buying that actress's casino in Vegas. I think you're more likely to see something like this in say Dubai or India, where there is a strong, rabid fanbase, and where they benefit from a press that very often reports on wrestling as if it were real.
 
There was a half-assed WWE attraction at Niagara Falls, with one ride - I think a drop tower called the Piledriver - and a gift shop, so there's precendence, along with the WWF restaurant in Times Square and them buying that actress's casino in Vegas. I think you're more likely to see something like this in say Dubai or India, where there is a strong, rabid fanbase, and where they benefit from a press that very often reports on wrestling as if it were real.

Don't forget Hulk' Hogan's Pastamore in CityWalk! :grin: (A real thing for a couple years if you've never seen it, back in Universal's dark days.)
 
It was rumored when there was a plan to replace the area behind what was then called Festival Bay (then Artegon now Deezerland) with a "steel park." The push to put in a park is well-documented--that it would be WWE themed was a rumor at the time. I know ScreamScape had it, may have been some other, more credible sources on various boards.Local resident grassroots opposition--and I suspect some Universal astroturfing tho that's never been documented AFAIK--killed the park, allowing the space to become a failed indoor flea market and now a never-opened auto museum.

I tend to believe that at the least discussions with WWE occurred because Vinnie Mac has pressed hard over the years for an Orlando presence, even before NXT. Long-time rumors suggested the old CityWalk NBA City might become a WWE Hall of Fame attraction or restaurant or some hybrid thereof. I still expect something with the brand to open in the tourist corridor one day. but I don't think it will be this. (And really, characters/storylines change so often, the idea of a park always seemed far-fetched.)

Doesnt help the same guy behind that park also did Hard Rock Park sooooooo.....

Honestly I don’t see anything WWE working out in the USA. There’s a reason why the ratings are good but advertisers stay away. Let alone the garbage fire that is the ownership and general management of the company.
 
That idea competes with "The Holy Land' as worst theme park concept. ...Would just be a waste of money for a really niche clientele.
 
Doesnt help the same guy behind that park also did Hard Rock Park sooooooo.....

Honestly I don’t see anything WWE working out in the USA. There’s a reason why the ratings are good but advertisers stay away. Let alone the garbage fire that is the ownership and general management of the company.


It's actually the opposite. Ratings aren't good and attendance is down. :lol:

The FOX deal, advertisers, and the controversial Saudi Arabia deal that's keeping them afloat. Add in a better tax deal and keeping costs at a minimum and BOOM! Easy profit.
 
They couldn't even keep a restaurant open during their late 90's/early 00's heights. WWE is struggling with viewership as it is. An actual HoF location? Sure. A theme park? Nah. I don't see it happening or it being successful.

To be fair, the Times Square restaurant closed because of embezzlement and fraud. While every form of entertainment is down in viewership numbers, they're more profitable than ever. They could definitely sustain a small to medium operation, especially with the foreign traffic in Orlando.

Don't forget Hulk' Hogan's Pastamore in CityWalk! :grin: (A real thing for a couple years if you've never seen it, back in Universal's dark days.)
Wait, they had one in Citywalk too?
 
To be fair, the Times Square restaurant closed because of embezzlement and fraud. While every form of entertainment is down in viewership numbers, they're more profitable than ever. They could definitely sustain a small to medium operation, especially with the foreign traffic in Orlando.

No. It closed because it was struggling. The embezzlement case happened while they were closed for renovations (which were taking place because they were struggling). They also tried again with WWE Niagara Falls which also closed.
 
Honestly I don’t see anything WWE working out in the USA. There’s a reason why the ratings are good but advertisers stay away. Let alone the garbage fire that is the ownership and general management of the company.

I don't see it ever going to the big three in town. But there's spots along I-Drive or 192 that I imagine have some overlap with its fanbase (see Hogan's Beach Shop, which manages to eke out an existence by Mangos). As a I said, not a full-blown park, but I could see a Fun Spot or ICON Park trying some sort of partnership.
 
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