Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[Scott W.]

We couldn't hear a thing from the construction site when we were there last week, even by the back pool & Lazy River. Nothing to worry about.

I'm not worried, was just chancing my arm to try and get some money off the price of upgrading our seats or see if I could get our room upgraded. They said they'll get back to me tomorrow.

They did say that Universal isn't offering any compensation and that they just found out about the construction. I just played along with it saying I just found out about construction and that I didn't know that hotel or Volcano Bay was getting built since last year :shades:

 

[Mad Dog]

I'm not worried, was just chancing my arm to try and get some money off the price of upgrading our seats or see if I could get our room upgraded. They said they'll get back to me tomorrow.

They did say that Universal isn't offering any compensation and that they just found out about the construction. I just played along with it saying I just found out about construction and that I didn't know that hotel or Volcano Bay was getting built since last year :shades:

Good move. Spoken like a true opportunist.

 

[Teebin]

"Chancing my arm". I have never heard that term before even though it is clear what it means. Is that a Scot or Brit thing?

 

[Scott W.]

"Chancing my arm". I have never heard that term before even though it is clear what it means. Is that a Scot or Brit thing?

I'd imagine it's a Brit thing. Never thought about it. I love words and phrases that are new and require no context for explanation.

My favourite was a friend who described a girl as hackit.

 

[Teebin]

I'd imagine it's a Brit thing.

I think the common term here is "going out on a limb" but my personal fav is the line from Hunt for Red October, "I just unzipped my fly, I sure hope this works!".

 

[Parkscope Joe]

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

This is something I wanted to touch on but forgot. I doubt WDW will ever close the curtains or get that serious, but look at the ugly times at UOR and SW. Why would we ever want to wish that upon WDW? UOR got lucky, twice, and SW isn't out of the woods yet. Worst case scenario is WDW is franchised out a la TDLR to another company who invests minimally into the parks and continues the trend of paying off the impossible ROIs WDI imposes on the parks. A Blackstone, few rides, lots of closures, not much makes sense. Best case scenario is Iger smarts up, decides he had to retire, gets someone from outside the company to review and make changes in the P&R division. House is cleaned, WDI middle management is trimmed, and a plan is set forth to invest in the parks and infrastructure for a decade to improve guest satisfaction.

 

[martymcflyy85]

We couldn't hear a thing from the construction site when we were there last week, even by the back pool & Lazy River. Nothing to worry about.

This is wonderful news. What about the views. Did being able to see construction mess up the atmosphere while riding in the lazy river? (Not that it would matter to me, but my wife is super picky)

 

[Mad Dog]

This is wonderful news. What about the views. Did being able to see construction mess up the atmosphere while riding in the lazy river? (Not that it would matter to me, but my wife is super picky)

There's so much tall foliage along the Lazy River, you can't really see out of it, so no problem there. But when sitting at the back pool, next to the Lazy River, you can see the construction cranes. The larger front pool though, is completely enclosed by the hotel, so you can't see anything but hotel there. CBBR has had 100% occupancy on nearly every weekend it's been opened, so there will be lots of people around on the weekend days. Generally it lets up on the weekdays, but you'll be there during peak season, so it may well be busy then also. It's a beautiful resort for the price though. We're basically Portofino people, but we now always do a few days at CBBR too since we like it so much.

 

[Disneyhead]

This is something I wanted to touch on but forgot. I doubt WDW will ever close the curtains or get that serious, but look at the ugly times at UOR and SW. Why would we ever want to wish that upon WDW? UOR got lucky, twice, and SW isn't out of the woods yet. Worst case scenario is WDW is franchised out a la TDLR to another company who invests minimally into the parks and continues the trend of paying off the impossible ROIs WDI imposes on the parks. A Blackstone, few rides, lots of closures, not much makes sense. Best case scenario is Iger smarts up, decides he had to retire, gets someone from outside the company to review and make changes in the P&R division. House is cleaned, WDI middle management is trimmed, and a plan is set forth to invest in the parks and infrastructure for a decade to improve guest satisfaction.

Even your best case scenario is a decade plus endeavour.

My guess is the DisCo. dumps $6B over 10 years into the place. Wall Street is unhappy. LOTS of people get fired. This isn't gonna be the once every three year house cleaning. The halls of TDO are gonna look like the tunnel to Terminus.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

I've wanted to show this idea I've had ever since the thought occurred. But a bit of explanination before I go on.

With the WNW Plot, its been heavily rumored that a brand new hotel would be taking over. But to also add, there are some rumors/speculation of some sort of Transportation hub being built in this area. To me, I thought about something in particular..what if the current WNW Parking lot and the holding area for VB gets a re-structure with a parking lot similar to how Mickey and Friends is?

Encase if you don't know, excluding the exterior overflow, Mickey and Friends Parking Structure is almost about 15 acres. Estimating with the WNW Parking Lot/Holding zone that's being used for VB, its about a similar size to add a large parking structure.

This, was essentially what I had thought of.

Spoiler: THIS LIST IS TOO BIG!!!

1.) New Hotel Structure, with a tower the height of 123 Feet high
2.) New Transportation Station for a system similar to the Cabled system seen from HE
3.) Valet Parking drop-off/Pickup for Hotel/Transportation
4.) Outdoor area for Hotel use
5.) Dining
6.) Extension of the waterfront
7.) Hotel Pool area
8.) New Massive four to five floor parking garage to hold vast amounts for Transport/Hotel
9.) New Holding Area for future projects
10A/10B/10C.) New Parking Entrances/Exits for the cars {Reuses WNW parking lot entrances/exits}
11A/11B.) Greenery/foliage/Terrain
12.) Fountain area
13.) Plaza for when you exit the star-ways nearby the Pedestrian Bridge
14.) Pedestrian Bridge
15.) Pathway for Hotel/Transport guests

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.

I absolutely love your ideas and how you incorporate the creativity for space. I did something similar. I Call it "Loews Lost Lagoon Resort"
It's very ambitious for the space, but just a thought I had from seeing the different hotels in the immediate area.

I color coded everything to make it easier to understand what I was aiming at. If one has ever been to Disney's Boardwalk, I got the idea from that place, as well as Portofino Bay. It's a morph of both resorts.

LIGHT GREEN - Lush areas. Nature trails, small children play areas, small ponds, etc. "Lost Lagoon", so the essence of having it seems as though you stumbled upon untapped beautiful nature and foliage. Very small footprint.

DARK GREEN - Resort Rooms. Rooms hugging the boardwalk would be upwards of 10 stories. Not too intrusive to the setting. Rooms hugging the pool would be upwards of 5 stories max.

ORANGE - Lazy River. Slow moving relaxing flow surrounded by plants while it surrounds the pool and courtyard being somewhat hidden by trees and other plants.

LIGHT BLUE - Lagoon style pool. Multi entrance pool with bridges over lazy river. Small island in middle of pool for lounging OR small kiddie park OR small diving board OR slide)

INDIGO - Small convention space, 3 stories high (or higher) with access to transit area and lush garden area and extension to boardwalk and lake through hotel hallway entry.

RED - Transit area. Whether Bus or elevated rail or a combination of sorts, this area provides space for guests to get to parks and or guests to get to convention area with a connecting driveway to Universal Blvd, via New Traffic light, removing old pedestrian light few hundred feet south.

SAND BROWN - Hugging boardwalk with ground level entertainment (Arcade, benches, small food/drink stands, bar, waterfront restaurant that serves hotel) Entertainment stage for outside movie watching of a Universal presented movie nightly.

BROWN - Dock into lake. Can be used for fishing, ski rentals, and or peddle yourself style lagoon boats. Loaded with benches and sitting areas. Or simply a walking dock into the lake. Or being Very Ambitious, bar in the middle of dock.

DARK GRAY - Cabana Bay style garage OR Foliage and lush area OR small welcoming pond with fountain and plants

So I really loved your idea and though I'd share mine. I had it a while ago so I cleaned it up and tweaked it a bit. I would love to see Universal utilize portion of that lake waterfront, shall they decide to indeed build a hotel or lodging of any sort.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

SO very Ambitious as well, but another idea, if Uni ever wants to build somewhat up. Not anything drastic, but just for space reasons. Loews has a fantastic resort in Atlanta and Santa Monica California. They make a great mix of Urban and Laxed, which is exactly what city walk is. A Small resort in city walk built on top of parking for Valet and the guests is what this could be. No more than 400 or 500 rooms not to be too intrusive. Small convention space and a rooftop pool/entertainment on top of convention/garage space connecting the two towers. The purple area would be your new entry walkway to the Transportation/City Walk Hub. Riverside restaurant facing the water area the boats travel, for evening sunlight and of course, nigh time view of fireworks.. The res shaded area could be for a third golf course connected UNDER new pedestrian bridge, full of the new and old characters Universal now has control over. This would give Uni 3 mini golf courses withing walking distance of each other shall they choose to do anything of the sort. If that is to much mini-golf, the space can contain something else.

So very small footprint but still bring bodies into resort while not hindering logistics of current layout. Increase valet capacity and have a bus that would service these guests to Cabana Bay as the bus exits from current transit hub.

Loews has unique architecture of resorts in some pretty awesome places. So Just an idea which I shared already but this is a bit more in detail.

 

[Scott W.]

I absolutely love your ideas and how you incorporate the creativity for space. I did something similar. I Call it "Loews Lost Lagoon Resort"
It's very ambitious for the space, but just a thought I had from seeing the different hotels in the immediate area.

I color coded everything to make it easier to understand what I was aiming at. If one has ever been to Disney's Boardwalk, I got the idea from that place, as well as Portofino Bay. It's a morph of both resorts.

LIGHT GREEN - Lush areas. Nature trails, small children play areas, small ponds, etc. "Lost Lagoon", so the essence of having it seems as though you stumbled upon untapped beautiful nature and foliage. Very small footprint.

DARK GREEN - Resort Rooms. Rooms hugging the boardwalk would be upwards of 10 stories. Not too intrusive to the setting. Rooms hugging the pool would be upwards of 5 stories max.

ORANGE - Lazy River. Slow moving relaxing flow surrounded by plants while it surrounds the pool and courtyard being somewhat hidden by trees and other plants.

LIGHT BLUE - Lagoon style pool. Multi entrance pool with bridges over lazy river. Small island in middle of pool for lounging OR small kiddie park OR small diving board OR slide)

INDIGO - Small convention space, 3 stories high (or higher) with access to transit area and lush garden area and extension to boardwalk and lake through hotel hallway entry.

RED - Transit area. Whether Bus or elevated rail or a combination of sorts, this area provides space for guests to get to parks and or guests to get to convention area with a connecting driveway to Universal Blvd, via New Traffic light, removing old pedestrian light few hundred feet south.

SAND BROWN - Hugging boardwalk with ground level entertainment (Arcade, benches, small food/drink stands, bar, waterfront restaurant that serves hotel) Entertainment stage for outside movie watching of a Universal presented movie nightly.

BROWN - Dock into lake. Can be used for fishing, ski rentals, and or peddle yourself style lagoon boats. Loaded with benches and sitting areas. Or simply a walking dock into the lake. Or being Very Ambitious, bar in the middle of dock.

DARK GRAY - Cabana Bay style garage OR Foliage and lush area OR small welcoming pond with fountain and plants

So I really loved your idea and though I'd share mine. I had it a while ago so I cleaned it up and tweaked it a bit. I would love to see Universal utilize portion of that lake waterfront, shall they decide to indeed build a hotel or lodging of any sort.

Looks good. I would move the car park and transport to the other side Universal Blvd with a walkway going over.

 

[WAJAS]

I absolutely love your ideas and how you incorporate the creativity for space. I did something similar. I Call it "Loews Lost Lagoon Resort"
It's very ambitious for the space, but just a thought I had from seeing the different hotels in the immediate area.

I color coded everything to make it easier to understand what I was aiming at. If one has ever been to Disney's Boardwalk, I got the idea from that place, as well as Portofino Bay. It's a morph of both resorts.

LIGHT GREEN - Lush areas. Nature trails, small children play areas, small ponds, etc. "Lost Lagoon", so the essence of having it seems as though you stumbled upon untapped beautiful nature and foliage. Very small footprint.

DARK GREEN - Resort Rooms. Rooms hugging the boardwalk would be upwards of 10 stories. Not too intrusive to the setting. Rooms hugging the pool would be upwards of 5 stories max.

ORANGE - Lazy River. Slow moving relaxing flow surrounded by plants while it surrounds the pool and courtyard being somewhat hidden by trees and other plants.

LIGHT BLUE - Lagoon style pool. Multi entrance pool with bridges over lazy river. Small island in middle of pool for lounging OR small kiddie park OR small diving board OR slide)

INDIGO - Small convention space, 3 stories high (or higher) with access to transit area and lush garden area and extension to boardwalk and lake through hotel hallway entry.

RED - Transit area. Whether Bus or elevated rail or a combination of sorts, this area provides space for guests to get to parks and or guests to get to convention area with a connecting driveway to Universal Blvd, via New Traffic light, removing old pedestrian light few hundred feet south.

SAND BROWN - Hugging boardwalk with ground level entertainment (Arcade, benches, small food/drink stands, bar, waterfront restaurant that serves hotel) Entertainment stage for outside movie watching of a Universal presented movie nightly.

BROWN - Dock into lake. Can be used for fishing, ski rentals, and or peddle yourself style lagoon boats. Loaded with benches and sitting areas. Or simply a walking dock into the lake. Or being Very Ambitious, bar in the middle of dock.

DARK GRAY - Cabana Bay style garage OR Foliage and lush area OR small welcoming pond with fountain and plants

So I really loved your idea and though I'd share mine. I had it a while ago so I cleaned it up and tweaked it a bit. I would love to see Universal utilize portion of that lake waterfront, shall they decide to indeed build a hotel or lodging of any sort.

You could give the resort more breathing room by moving infrastructure to the other side of Universal Boulevard. They own the parking lot there as well.

 

[Mad Dog]

You could give the resort more breathing room by moving infrastructure to the other side of Universal Boulevard. They own the parking lot there as well.

That'll be the plot where the value/moderate hotel goes. Disneyhead has said, on a few occasions, one high end boutique hotel and one value/moderate resort.

 

[graspthesun]

SO very Ambitious as well, but another idea, if Uni ever wants to build somewhat up. Not anything drastic, but just for space reasons. Loews has a fantastic resort in Atlanta and Santa Monica California. They make a great mix of Urban and Laxed, which is exactly what city walk is. A Small resort in city walk built on top of parking for Valet and the guests is what this could be. No more than 400 or 500 rooms not to be too intrusive. Small convention space and a rooftop pool/entertainment on top of convention/garage space connecting the two towers. The purple area would be your new entry walkway to the Transportation/City Walk Hub. Riverside restaurant facing the water area the boats travel, for evening sunlight and of course, nigh time view of fireworks.. The res shaded area could be for a third golf course connected UNDER new pedestrian bridge, full of the new and old characters Universal now has control over. This would give Uni 3 mini golf courses withing walking distance of each other shall they choose to do anything of the sort. If that is to much mini-golf, the space can contain something else.

So very small footprint but still bring bodies into resort while not hindering logistics of current layout. Increase valet capacity and have a bus that would service these guests to Cabana Bay as the bus exits from current transit hub.

Loews has unique architecture of resorts in some pretty awesome places. So Just an idea which I shared already but this is a bit more in detail.

Two concerns with this particular plan are sightlines. A 10 story hotel is going to tower over just about everything except RRR. Also, I don't think that a rooftop pool is going to fit with the resort feel of the other properties. If they were to go more boutique scale with this one, say one level of valet with guests cars getting moved over to the central garage and then built up to 4 stories, they could fit 200-300 rooms into that space and then they can sell the resort as a whole for the amenities. Use the pool at Hard Rock, Portofino, etc.

 

[s8film40]

Two concerns with this particular plan are sightlines. A 10 story hotel is going to tower over just about everything except RRR. Also, I don't think that a rooftop pool is going to fit with the resort feel of the other properties. If they were to go more boutique scale with this one, say one level of valet with guests cars getting moved over to the central garage and then built up to 4 stories, they could fit 200-300 rooms into that space and then they can sell the resort as a whole for the amenities. Use the pool at Hard Rock, Portofino, etc.

My initial thought with this was it could be a City Walk themed hotel, focusing on the "city" aspect. It could look like several high rise buildings and maybe even be connected with city walk providing some extra shops on the lobby level.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

My initial thought with this was it could be a City Walk themed hotel, focusing on the "city" aspect. It could look like several high rise buildings and maybe even be connected with city walk providing some extra shops on the lobby level.

that's was the idea. It doesn't have to be tall, but city,urban, was what I was going for. Exactly how you worded it looking like several mini hi-rises but are hotel towers. Just a tribute to the theming at city walk

 

[s8film40]

that's was the idea. It doesn't have to be tall, but city,urban, was what I was going for. Exactly how you worded it looking like several mini hi-rises but are hotel towers. Just a tribute to the theming at city walk

Yeah I'm thinking kid of the way New York New York in Las Vegas is built but not NY.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Looks good. I would move the car park and transport to the other side Universal Blvd with a walkway going over.

You could give the resort more breathing room by moving infrastructure to the other side of Universal Boulevard. They own the parking lot there as well.

I'll create part two. You'll see why I didnt include them. At the same time I'll tweak one other one I had and include a single infrastructure area.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Yeah I'm thinking kid of the way New York New York in Las Vegas is built but not NY.

Perfect example.