Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[BJCool]

The only way I see Comcast approving a buyout of SeaWorld Orlando is if they were to tear it all down and start from scratch in a new 4th park. As we know, Universal is thirsty for land, but I just can't imagine Universal or Comcast wanting to be associated with the SeaWorld brand and name after everything that has happened in the news and public opinion.

 

[Mad Dog]

Sea World just seems like it's more trouble than it's worth and it would be ANOTHER disconnected property.

No need for Sea World since the Universal land acquisition. Sea World actually comes in handy, as an independent, for Universal. It gives them another park to pare with a vacation as an alternative to a WDW vacation. They get to use Sea World, without having any financial concerns or commitment. Best of all worlds.

 

[JungleSkip]

Man, I really hope Universal is getting its ducks in a row regarding resort to resort transportation in the Site B planning. Their parking situation and transportation hub is still a cluster eff of the highest order. They'll need to straighten it out before adding transportation to a satellite resort.

 

[Mad Dog]

Man, I really hope Universal is getting its ducks in a row regarding resort to resort transportation in the Site B planning. Their parking situation and transportation hub is still a cluster eff of the highest order. They'll need to straighten it out before adding transportation to a satellite resort.

Just received a "non confidential" survey from Universal. In it they talked about names for new vacation packages. Some of the options had free airport transportation included. So my guess it's something they are looking at. It's really a non brainer now since they have so many hotel rooms either built or coming. I could understand their reluctance when they only had 2400 hotel rooms, but now it's a whole new ballgame....I'm sure they're already looking at resort to resort transportation too in a more streamlined way. At least that's my guess.

 

[Scott W.]

Sea World just seems like it's more trouble than it's worth and it would be ANOTHER disconnected property.

I think it really depends on how well SeaWorld can bounce back. SeaWorld is closer to the new parcel of land.

No need for Sea World since the Universal land acquisition. Sea World actually comes in handy, as an independent, for Universal. It gives them another park to pare with a vacation as an alternative to a WDW vacation. They get to use Sea World, without having any financial concerns or commitment. Best of all worlds.

I've always associated Universal and SeaWorld together since I was a kid. When you compare the Orlando FlexTicket to WDW, it's pretty good value. 4 theme parks and 2 water parks for both so it's a good comparison.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

Just received a "non confidential" survey from Universal. In it they talked about names for new vacation packages. Some of the options had free airport transportation included. So my guess it's something they are looking at. It's really a non brainer now since they have so many hotel rooms either built or coming. I could understand their reluctance when they only had 2400 hotel rooms, but now it's a whole new ballgame....I'm sure they're already looking at resort to resort transportation too in a more streamlined way. At least that's my guess.

This would be a big step for Universal. Disney has shown this benefit to guests works. It would be a bit odd if it were only given to guests that book certain vacation packages.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

Wrong thread

 

[Scott W.]

Just received a "non confidential" survey from Universal. In it they talked about names for new vacation packages. Some of the options had free airport transportation included. So my guess it's something they are looking at. It's really a non brainer now since they have so many hotel rooms either built or coming. I could understand their reluctance when they only had 2400 hotel rooms, but now it's a whole new ballgame....I'm sure they're already looking at resort to resort transportation too in a more streamlined way. At least that's my guess.

I think now, Universal is more deserving of the resort name.

When the 3rd gate opens, it will be an easy place to spend a week without having to venture outside the bubble they've created.

 

[s8film40]

I think it really depends on how well SeaWorld can bounce back. SeaWorld is closer to the new parcel of land.

I think Universal's 3rd park is going to hurt SeaWorld more than anything else has yet. I think it will push SeaWorld into becoming a heavy coaster park so that they can fill a niche that none of the other major parks are in in order to compete.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

I think Universal's 3rd park is going to hurt SeaWorld more than anything else has yet. I think it will push SeaWorld into becoming a heavy coaster park so that they can fill a niche that none of the other major parks are in in order to compete.

Sea World still has the chance to be the other park you do after Universal because it is cheaper than Disney. I think it is already turning into a more Busch Gardens like coaster heavy park.

 

[Joel]

Yep, this is a whole new creative space quite a distance from UOR-N but very close to the future UOR-S. It makes me giddy wondering what's going on in there.

Something tells me you know exactttttllyy what's going on in there..

 

[Mad Dog]

Something tells me you know exactttttllyy what's going on in there..

Teebin knows just about everything. Pity he's only allowed to share a small percentage with us. He's in his own class of Insider....But we do appreciate what he can.

 

[GadgetGuru]

Universal is never buying SeaWorld. The amount of money you'd have to pour into that resort would be outrageous to bring it to Universal's standards.

Remember that expansion on existing construction $$ >> demo + build new construction $$ > new construction $$

 

[Joel]

Interesting development that has implications possibly for the current parks, but I think will really matter for the 3rd gate's night time entertainment (considering the zoning allows for much more nighttime offerings).

This was already posted on the screens thread but need it for background here:


But the juicy stuff is in this piece of information:


While I remember people talking about projection mapping on the Hogwarts castle, the reality is there isn't enough viewing space for that to be feasible.

Feel free to move this to another thread if its more relevant elsewhere.

 

[Mad Dog]

Interesting development that has implications possibly for the current parks, but I think will really matter for the 3rd gate's night time entertainment (considering the zoning allows for much more nighttime offerings).

This was already posted on the screens thread but need it for background here:


But the juicy stuff is in this piece of information:


While I remember people talking about projection mapping on the Hogwarts castle, the reality is there isn't enough viewing space for that to be feasible.

Feel free to move this to another thread if its more relevant elsewhere.

I believe one of the Hogwart's Castle projection mapping concepts being looked at by Universal was a hard ticket event that included food, drinks and other amenities. The area is large enough for that type of concept.

 

[Joel]

I believe one of the Hogwart's Castle projection mapping concepts being looked at by Universal was a hard ticket event that included food, drinks and other amenities. The area is large enough for that type of concept.

That's true, I forgot about that survey we got.

 

[peteralt]

Universal is never buying SeaWorld. The amount of money you'd have to pour into that resort would be outrageous to bring it to Universal's standards.

Remember that expansion on existing construction $$ >> demo + build new construction $$ > new construction $$

Quick trivia: Did you know that the idea for DisneySea actually started in the late '80's when Disney attempted to acquire Sea World. The idea was to transform it into a Disney Imagineered theme park; however, Anhauser Bush's bid for the Sea World parks was higher and Disney lost the bidding. Later, Disney would recycle the DisneySea idea for a proposed Long Beach theme park. The Long Beach park never happened and eventually the Oriental Land Company in Japan would choose DisneySea as the theme for its second Tokyo Disneyland park.

 

[GAcoaster]

Wow, I just drove past the satellite office for UC and it is a much bigger space than I anticipated and it is so close to the new site. It's just about as close as you can get to the new site without being on it. I peeked in the windows as I went by but unfortunately there's nothing to see in any of the offices/cubicles along the outside edge.

 

[Mad Dog]

Wow, I just drove past the satellite office for UC and it is a much bigger space than I anticipated and it is so close to the new site. It's just about as close as you can get to the new site without being on it. I peeked in the windows as I went by but unfortunately there's nothing to see in any of the offices/cubicles along the outside edge.

Sounds like a "Mission Impossible" show. Keep up the snooping.

 

[GAcoaster]

I'm too old to snoop anymore. When you're a kid a sneak around to look at stuff you're just "a kid being a kid", when you're an adult you look like a creepy trespasser.

I just happened to be driving past the area and swing through the parking lot (at 6:00AM on a Saturday).