Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[maxairmike]

I don't think it would hurt attendance, but I could see Disney feeling like they're getting shafted. Universal gets a government subsidized method of transportation to their parks from the airport while Disney is spending tons of money on their Magical Express service.

I wouldn't feel too bad for them under such a scenario, because that same line could get extended/connected to the rail line that's proposed to run down I-4 through Lakeland to Tampa, with a large station in the area of the World Dr. exit, right where the median gets huge and the East/West sides split wide for a bit. Their proposals have also always been a straight shot from the airport to Disney with a possible stop at the OCCC. Their objection was to a station serving Universal directly or the north I-Drive corridor in general. They know they're not going to be able to block an OCCC stop completely, which is why other proposals have had a line that connects to the OCCC, along with another line that would basically run along the 417 corridor from the airport, and that one would reach Disney. They just don't want the line that has their stop to also have any stops in the I-Drive corridor, with the possible exception of a stop specifically at the OCCC.

 

[Thisguynamedlee]

I don't think it would hurt attendance, but I could see Disney feeling like they're getting shafted. Universal gets a government subsidized method of transportation to their parks from the airport while Disney is spending tons of money on their Magical Express service.

If universal were to get a third park i think it could be a slight attendance drop depending on what the new park offers

 

[Galaxy Defender]

There are only so many days in the average vacation. When Universal opens a third gate that traffic will have to come from somewhere, assuming an increase in Orlando visits does not fill the park. I assume it will impact Disney a bit an Sea World much more.

 

[Mad Dog]

There are only so many days in the average vacation. When Universal opens a third gate that traffic will have to come from somewhere, assuming an increase in Orlando visits does not fill the park. I assume it will impact Disney a bit an Sea World much more.

With three full fledged theme parks, a new fabulous water theme park, and lots of hotels, Universal will turn into a complete vacation destination for many tourists who, in the past, split their vacations with Disney, Sea World etc.

 

[IzzyB]

With three full fledged theme parks, a new fabulous water theme park, and lots of hotels, Universal will turn into a complete vacation destination for many tourists who, in the past, split their vacations with Disney, Sea World etc.

I agree with this. I think there will be less splitting. The question is will it bring new families to Orlando or steal from each other. The other question is how the park is set up and if it can get past that "thrill" stigma it has that prevents some families from going. Should be an interesting next 10 years.

 

[Disneyhead]

WDW is REALLY struggling right now, verging on an implosion. Universal is now in a situation where they could actually go for the mouse's jugular.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

WDW is REALLY struggling right now, verging on an implosion. Universal is now in a situation where they could actually go for the mouse's jugular.

I have heard this too from several people.

 

[IzzyB]

I don't know, I heard this 2 years ago and nothing came of it. I even heard it from employees two years ago that work in finance.

 

[Disneyhead]

I agree with this. I think there will be less splitting. The question is will it bring new families to Orlando or steal from each other. The other question is how the park is set up and if it can get past that "thrill" stigma it has that prevents some families from going. Should be an interesting next 10 years.

Disney Fan: "Our family doesn't go to Universal because all their rides have height restrictions and they don't allow infant lap sitting".

Me: "But your youngest is 15."

 

[Mad Dog]

WDW is REALLY struggling right now, verging on an implosion. Universal is now in a situation where they could actually go for the mouse's jugular.

Yeah, that's been my belief big time too. And as I've said many times, Comcast is a company that has a completely different vision and operation philosophy from Disney. Comcast is AGGRESSIVE and always goes for the jugular when they smell blood. That's their corporate history. They will spend big money knowing the future rewards are multiplied many times over.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I don't know, I heard this 2 years ago and nothing came of it. I even heard it from employees two years ago that work in finance.

I hear a lot of bad things from people who work in Orando. A LOT. Something is up. Disneyhead can elaborate more.

 

[fryoj]

So, this is..examinative. I'll just go in the simple terms. Essentially, it'd be a combined Transportation hub/Hotel, with a massive new parking structure to hold not only guests of the 123 feet high hotel (think of the tower being like the Encore of Las Vegas); but to hold as a station for the Central link of getting people from UONorth to UOSouth.

And as for the theme; something came to thought. It'd be a great opportunity to go with the boardwalk theme proposed on this forum by other members, as it'd allow a mix of all the themes we've had of oceanic themes.

It may not be possible, but i'd see this as a great possibility. And as much as I have taken so much time; its something I wanted out of my damned head for a while. So, I hope this idea is a good one for yall; just like when I had the ideas of Kidzone.

Not sure on the whole concept as I'd need time to digest it all. But one minor tweak that stands out is that the pedestrian bridge would certainly go from the Parking garage straight to the trans hub, then on to the restaurants and hotel. No reason to make everyone walk almost up to the intersection and dump them out by the pool.

 

[Disneyhead]

I don't know, I heard this 2 years ago and nothing came of it. I even heard it from employees two years ago that work in finance.

Disney does everything really ssllloooowwwww. Even imploding.

It's like watching a Michael Bay movie. Slow mo implosions.

The very first time we hung out, I said TDO was using an unworkable business model. And now we are seeing the end result of years and decades of no investment, deferred maintenance, sky rocketing prices, and quality cuts. It's already ugly and it's going to get uglier.

 

[IzzyB]

Disney does everything really ssllloooowwwww. Even imploding.

It's like watching a Michael Bay movie. Slow mo implosions.

The very first time we hung out, I said TDO was using an unworkable business model. And now we are seeing the end result of years and decades of no investment, deferred maintenance, sky rocketing prices, and quality cuts. It's already ugly and it's going to get uglier.

Oh I know their business model sucks. It was similar to Darden when I worked there I knew they would implode at some point, because their business model and practices were just not good. Darden finally imploded. But it seems it is taking Disney a very very very long time to implode. It just seems people keep going there with blinders on. I try to get families with older kids to go to Universal, but it just never seems to work. So until I actually see it happen, I am not going to believe it is happening.

I have a set of friend their youngest is 6 and they still won't try Universal out. Then when I do get people to try they always say, it is not as good as Disney. I don't know. Disney brainwashes people or something lol But then I do see the other people's points. The HP areas are really nicely themed, but there are other parts of Universal that are lacking in the theme department and sometimes on the cheesy side like the games over in IOA between heros and JP. So I get some of the complaints. I also understand for families that have 1 young kid. I am there now, and it bites. There is barely anything my 1 year old can go on and she is no longer a lap baby. So either we leave her home or she just rides around in the stroller and walks in lines for rides she will never go on. My 5 yo likes the park, but the something goes wrong in every ride starts to wear on her and it gets a little scary at times. I think their 3rd park needs to fix this. They need a park that mixes thrills with family rides that have no height restriction and some family coasters with low height restrictions. Not kiddie coasters, family ones. Some 38", 40", 42" inch coasters. Universal will not over take Disney if they do not make their parks a little more well rounded. Don't gear it to under 5 crowd, that is Disney thing, but if they could get 5 rides in every park that the whole family could go on, I think they would pull in more mix-aged families. Families with older and younger kids is the crowd I think Universal needs to get. Because waiting until your last kid is 5 to be able to enjoy a park kind of bites.

 

[Mad Dog]

Disney does everything really ssllloooowwwww. Even imploding.

It's like watching a Michael Bay movie. Slow mo implosions.

The very first time we hung out, I said TDO was using an unworkable business model. And now we are seeing the end result of years and decades of no investment, deferred maintenance, sky rocketing prices, and quality cuts. It's already ugly and it's going to get uglier.

It all catches up. You're just breezing along, living on past reputation and glories, and then it just happens, before you expect it. And then it's too late. Too much to overcome even with two or three new lands.

 

[Nick]

Disney does everything really ssllloooowwwww. Even imploding.

It's like watching a Michael Bay movie. Slow mo implosions.

The very first time we hung out, I said TDO was using an unworkable business model. And now we are seeing the end result of years and decades of no investment, deferred maintenance, sky rocketing prices, and quality cuts. It's already ugly and it's going to get uglier.

I agree atm, but once everything opens this year, Pandora next year and then TSL and SWL, things will become much more stable again one would think.

 

[Nico]

So how drastic of an implosion are we talking about: impossibly high prices and reduced visitors? Or the closing of an entire park?

 

[IzzyB]

So how drastic of an implosion are we talking about: impossibly high prices and reduced visitors? Or the closing of an entire park?

lol - If Sea World has not closed and Universal dark ages did not close, Disney is not closing.

 

[UK-Trigg]

The time is ripe for Uni, they are the powerhouse at the at the minute and have never had a better opportunity to steal away more and more of Disney's market share. Disney is cutting (noticeably), increasing prices and generally offering the customer less value for money, they have been doing so for years although it is much more noticeable this last trip.

MM+ is a nightmare, takes the fun out of vacation for me and it was a pleasure when we moved over to Uni for 4 nights at the Portofino Bay. We could dine where we wanted when we wanted, ride a ride multiple times without having pre booked and generally enjoy the resort at a much more leisurely pace, even changing plans on a whim to do something else.

I know all of the above from previous trips but what stood out this time was service, Disney has always been number one at service for me but Uni won hands down this trip, the staff/cast at Uni were amazing and this was obviously because they were happier in their roles than their counterparts down the I4.

The interesting thing though is that through all the cuts and possible loss of market share Disney will still hit profits and keep wall street happy, my guess is the increases and cuts will cover lost custom and still increase revenue.

Thing is though they have much tougher competition these days and that competition has its own plans on a grand scale so Disney will be relying on Avatar, ROL, Toy Story land and Star Wars to bring people back through the gates bu even that could be too lttle too late .

I am a fan of both companies and wish them both well but my allegiance over the years has swung Universals way and that was cemented more on this last trip, my girlfriend was with me this trip and as a newbie she was wowed by both resorts and saw good in both, Disney still holds that magic for the first timer but is that enough?

The future is exciting and I look forward to seeing Universal's expansion and if/ how it affects the theme park demographic in Orlando.

 

[Nico]

Siemens Disney World it is.