Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[Nick]

If they ever opened up the back like that, I wonder if they would have a path connecting the two parks.

I don't think Uni would want that. They want you to go into CityWalk.

Plus it would further morph IOA and USF into a singular park.

 

[fryoj]

I don't think Uni would want that. They want you to go into CityWalk.

It would just be Hogwarts express without the line. And if you are going park to park, the only Citiwalk you pass is Hard Rock and NBA City's replacement.

 

[Nick]

It would just be Hogwarts express without the line. And if you are going park to park, the only Citiwalk you pass is Hard Rock and NBA City's replacement.

Yeah, but Hogwarts Express is basically sending you from one mall to another in Hogsmeade-London (Diagon). Universal knows those guests will spend money.

Why spend the time to create a new restaurant where NBA City was if you're just going to allow guests to bypass it in not just 1, but 2 ways?

 

[Teebin]

I don't think Uni would want that. They want you to go into CityWalk.

I am agreeing with you far too much lately... I'm scared...

It would just be Hogwarts express without the line.

Potter is a concept in itself between the two parks. They want people to see and be reminded of Citywalk. I would have people standing between the parks handing out promotions and perhaps mini discounts in Citywalk.

 

[fryoj]

Does Universal own everything in Citiwalk? Ie - do they own hard rock or is it just a lease type deal? If they are just leases, it would actually benefit them to keep the guests in the park to eat and spend money.

 

[Nick]

Does Universal own everything in Citiwalk? Ie - do they own hard rock or is it just a lease type deal? If they are just leases, it would actually benefit them to keep the guests in the park to eat and spend money.

They are moving towards owning a good amount. With Grill Brew, Bread Box, Vivo and NBA Replacement, they're moving in a much more Universal owned direction. I'm not sure on Cowfish since I know it was pre-existing, but only in one location (and it was small-town), so they may have a large stake in it.

 

[GadgetGuru]

Many of the smaller places are also chains (the fast food, froyo) and some of those are brand new too. I think Universal is going for large unique places (small enough that they won't be seen as chains) or smaller, more generic and hidden away.

 

[Disneyhead]

They are moving towards owning a good amount. With Grill Brew, Bread Box, Vivo and NBA Replacement, they're moving in a much more Universal owned direction. I'm not sure on Cowfish since I know it was pre-existing, but only in one location (and it was small-town), so they may have a large stake in it.

Antojito's is also Universal. Cowfish started in Charlotte, NC and has a second location in Raleigh, NC.

 

[Nick]

Antojito's is also Universal. Cowfish started in Charlotte, NC and has a second location in Raleigh, NC.

Ah, I knew I was missing one.

 

[s8film40]

Does Universal own everything in Citiwalk? Ie - do they own hard rock or is it just a lease type deal? If they are just leases, it would actually benefit them to keep the guests in the park to eat and spend money.

Most of those type of lease deals involve revenue sharing, so Universal wants people spending money there even if they don't own it.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

Universal owned in Citywalk:

Antojito's
Bread Box
Hot Dog Hall of Fame
NBC
Red Oven
Vivo

Third party:

Bob Marley
Bubba Gump
Burger King
Cinnabon
Coldstone
Cowfish
Emeril's
Fat Tuesday
Hard Rock
Margaritaville
Menchie's
Moe's
Panda Express
Pat O'Briens
Starbucks

 

[Nick]

Universal owned in Citywalk:

Antojito's
Bread Box
Hot Dog Hall of Fame
NBC
Red Oven
Vivo

Third party:

Bob Marley
Bubba Gump
Cowfish
Emeril's
Hard Rock
Pat O'Briens
Margaritaville

It's pretty much 50/50.

You're forgetting Hot Dog HoF, Moe's, BK Whopper Bar, Panda Express, etc.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

You're forgetting Hot Dog HoF, Moe's BK, Panda Express, etc.

I didn't forget HDHOF but thanks for catching the rest.

 

[Nick]

I didn't forget HDHOF but thanks for catching the rest.

HDHOF isn't Uni owned I don't believe (which was how I missed it). It's done by the people who have done Rainforest, T-Rex, Boathouse, etc.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

HDHOF isn't Uni owned I don't believe (which was how I missed it). It's done by the people who have done Rainforest, T-Rex, Boathouse, etc.

Really? I thought they just brought the designers over.

 

[Nick]

Really? I thought they just brought the designers over.

I could be wrong, but I thought someone said there was a HDHOF in Pennsylvania somewhere before Orlando.

 

[fryoj]

So Universal is better off having someone eat in park than stopping at Hard Rock?

 

[Nick]

So Universal is better off having someone eat in park than stopping at Hard Rock?

That's a tough question, because in-park spending on food is likely to be significantly less than if someone goes to Hard Rock or Emerill's (and Uni still gets a decent cut at those), mostly because the majority of guests eat quick service in-park.

The other thing which I think is key for Universal is maintaining the idea that IOA and USF are two separate parks. If you add an intrance connecting the two in the middle, it starts to really blur the lines even more than they've already been blurred. The two parks are essentially meshing into one at that point.

 

[Teebin]

I would think UOR would want people to see Citywalk as a day off attraction in itself. Relax and shop and dine, golf and see Blue Man... that is their best case scenario I would think.

 

[Mad Dog]

We spend a lot of evenings at City Walk, especially since the parks close so early during non peak seasons. So it's generally Citi Walk or the Portofino Piazza near or at the Thirsty Fish Bar.