Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[fryoj]

We think they may be getting ready to start on Parking garages? While I can't fathom they'd be even considering the next park yet, I think an argument can be made to get Citiwalk 2.0 up and running.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

We think they may be getting ready to start on Parking garages? While I can't fathom they'd be even considering the next park yet, I think an argument can be made to get Citiwalk 2.0 up and running.

Would it be worth adding another CityWalk when the current one is (I'd argue) underutilized on the upper level?

Outside of a Starbucks, a themed or restaurant or two and a Universal store, I can't see another major entertainment district.

 

[Brian G.]

Would it be worth adding another CityWalk when the current one is (I'd argue) underutilized on the upper level?

I'd argue underappreciated.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I'd argue underappreciated.

I personally love some of the venues (ala Rising Star), but the area always appears empty.

 

[Alicia]

its 35 acres, not 88 .

You know what else is 35 acres?

the staging parcel, south of Epic Boulevard

The full parcel is 87.2 acres... the 35 is just what the water permit is for. That's what people have been referring to, as the "future development" is the exciting part.

 

[Brian G.]

I personally love some of the venues (ala Rising Star), but the area always appears empty.

I went to Pat O's and Rising Star a couple of weekends ago, and it was pretty damn busy for a random Jan weekend.

I've also seen Bob Marley's busy on random nights. It's definitely more of a nightlife area.

 

[fryoj]

Would it be worth adding another CityWalk when the current one is (I'd argue) underutilized on the upper level?

Outside of a Starbucks, a themed or restaurant or two and a Universal store, I can't see another major entertainment district.

Different location and different target audience. Are the people staying at the south Campus going to CW 1.0? There's also the Convention center crowd across the street that might be easier drawn there.

 

[DOOMBOT]

I'll admit this is just based on vibes tbh, but I also feel like Citywalk isn't quite booming enough to justify a second campus. I'm surprised the Escape Rooms have lasted so long. I feel like they would just cannabalize each other.

The excessive parking costs for non-park traffic kinda curbs any nightlife scene that could actually develop there imo.

Just open Celestial Park after 5:30pm and let that be the Citywalk 2.0. That would give some nightlife for Helios, Stella, Terra guests, the Convention crowd to enjoy.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I went to Pat O's and Rising Star a couple of weekends ago, and it was pretty damn busy for a random Jan weekend.

I've also seen Bob Marley's busy on random nights. It's definitely more of a nightlife area.

Not saying it doesn't draw a crowd (mainly on weekends) but it's certainly not a popular destination 5-6 nights out of the week. Even on its busiest nights (outside NYE) the space I'd argue is underutilized and can be better served with something else.

Different location and different target audience. Are the people staying at the south Campus going to CW 1.0? There's also the Convention center crowd across the street that might be easier drawn there.

It's the same audience. Guests staying at the southern campus will still travel through CityWalk for 2 of the 3 parks at the UOR resort. 4 if you include a trip to Volcano Bay with an evening dinner.

Not saying we shouldn't expect a small hub with some restaurants and a UOR shop, but I doubt we see a major CityWalk project.

 

[Brian G.]

Not saying it doesn't draw a crowd (mainly on weekends) but it's certainly not a popular destination 5-6 nights out of the week. Even on its busiest nights (outside NYE) the space I'd argue is underutilized and can be better served with something else.

I mean, what exactly are you proposing here?

CityWalk isn’t supposed to be at 100% capacity every night. It’s a dining/nightlife district, not a ride with hourly throughput goals. It's going to have peaks and valleys.

Being busy on weekends, especially on event nights, means it’s doing exactly what it’s designed to do. If everything were packed 5-6 nights a week, that would be the exception, not the expectation.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I mean, what exactly are you proposing here?

CityWalk isn’t supposed to be at 100% capacity every night. It’s a dining/nightlife district, not a ride with hourly throughput goals. It's going to have peaks and valleys.

Being busy on weekends, especially on event nights, means it’s doing exactly what it’s designed to do. If everything were packed 5-6 nights a week, that would be the exception, not the expectation.

This is going to stray from the topic, but (again this is just a personal take), CityWalk's upper level would be better off with a complete remodel/reuse of the existing space to improve guest utilization (new restaurants, venues, etc.). CityWalk's table service restaurants tend to be booked at night, so I'd love for them to continue with adding more unique concepts to the upper level that actually draw folks. New restaurant concepts to compete with Toothsome, etc... especially as more onsite resort hotels are added.

I'm not saying the upper level is in a dire state and a ghost town... but I could see the potential improvement. My general point is that, yes nightlife will tend to lean towards the weekend crowd (specifically locals), but wouldn't a new concept/reuse of the space that makes greater use every single night be the better option?

After all, with UOR now promoting itself as a "week long" destination, they'll need CityWalk to be operating on all cylinders every day of the week, not just the weekend.

 

[Brian G.]

This is going to stray from the topic, but (again this is just a personal take), CityWalk's upper level would be better off with a complete remodel/reuse of the existing space to improve guest utilization (new restaurants, venues, etc.). CityWalk's table service restaurants tend to be booked at night, so I'd love for them to continue with adding more unique concepts to the upper level that actually draw folks. New restaurant concepts to compete with Toothsome, etc... especially as more onsite resort hotels are added.

I'm not saying the upper level is in a dire state and a ghost town... but I could see the potential improvement. My general point is that, yes nightlife will tend to lean towards the weekend crowd (specifically locals), but wouldn't a new concept/reuse of the space that makes greater use every single night be the better option?

After all, with UOR now promoting itself as a "week long" destination, they'll need CityWalk to be operating on all cylinders every day of the week, not just the weekend.

Universal doesn’t need every venue firing every night; it needs a mix that absorbs crowds on high-value nights and still functions the rest of the week. The nightlife spaces are designed just for that. Adding more table service may feel more “efficient,” but it doesn’t necessarily create new weekday demand.

If you'd like to continue the discourse, we can move it to the CW thread.