Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[Teebin]

Yeah, that lot has been that way for quite a while, at least 4 years, likely more. One thing to keep in mind is that Major Blvd will be connected to Grand National via a new overpass as part of the later stages of the Ultimate I-4 project (roughly 2017), so any large scale development will take the new traffic flow into consideration, likely requiring large changes to Major Blvd that may require coordination with the Ultimate I-4 project.

Ah, thanks for the good information! I found the image of proposed changes.

Now that Comcast has come on board, perhaps the clout and money is there to convince the county/state to modify their plans a bit.

 

[JungleSkip]

Ah, there it is. Would be nice to have those I-4 off ramps going directly into a new parking garage though.

 

[Nick]

Still don't know how Pacific Rim is getting a sequel ... $190 million production budget, likely $50-70 million in marketing, with only $410 million worldwide in total gross. Sure, it broke even more or less, but it's not really a mega-franchise and as shown by Star Trek 2 and HTTYD2, waiting 4 years between installments isn't a smart business move these days despite how good your film may be.

I'm not sure how HTTYD is a mega-franchise. It's going into its third weekend and it's only mad $108M so far and is far behind the first movie in terms of domestic gross. The sequel will likely not even come close to what the first movie did as it's still over $100M behind in domestic gross.

It's a cute movie, but I just don't see it as the big hit everyone here seems to want it to be.

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Ah, there it is. Would be nice to have those I-4 off ramps going directly into a new parking garage though.

I'm not sure how feasible that would be. Seeing as it would be an exit and people would have to pay to get into the garage, what if someone gets off the wrong exit by accident? There would need to be a way to get around that.

The Disney Springs garage is free parking, so they don't need to worry about anything like that.

 

[JungleSkip]

I'm not sure how feasible that would be. Seeing as it would be an exit and people would have to pay to get into the garage, what if someone gets off the wrong exit by accident? There would need to be a way to get around that.

The Disney Springs garage is free parking, so they don't need to worry about anything like that.

I don't literally mean have the exit go straight into the garage. Bad word usage on my part.

Just have the parking entrance right there when you get off I-4

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I'm not sure how HTTYD is a mega-franchise. It's going into its third weekend and it's only mad $108M so far and is far behind the first movie in terms of domestic gross. The sequel will likely not even come close to what the first movie did as it's still over $100M behind in domestic gross.

It's a cute movie, but I just don't see it as the big hit everyone here seems to want it to be.

Star Trek Into Darkness also only made 460 million worldwide. Not much better than PR, and the first Star Trek "only" made 385 million

 

[Nick]

Star Trek Into Darkness also only made 460 million worldwide. Not much better than PR, and the first Star Trek "only" made 385 million

Not that I don't think HTTYD could make a decent ride, but I think Star Trek would be much more interesting.

 

[JungleSkip]

Not that I don't think HTTYD could make a decent ride, but I think Star Trek would be much more interesting.

I think both would be great lands, but my point was neither is really a box office juggernaut franchise.

 

[Hatetofly]

This post is just for fun

Properties I would like to see brought to a theme park!

Alien
LOTR
Batman
Pacific Rim
HTTYD
Madagascar
F&F
Van Helsing (If reboot is badass or even happens!)
Minions
Grinch
Godzilla

 

[mahnamahna]

This post is just for fun

Properties I would like to see brought to a theme park!

Alien
LOTR
Batman
Pacific Rim
HTTYD
Madagascar
F&F
Van Helsing (If reboot is badass or even happens!)
Minions
Grinch
Godzilla

Somehow I think some of those aren't "just for fun" (the bottom 5) a Van Helsing ride would be great for a Monsters/horror-baaed area! Grinch is a no-brainer for Seuss. Minions would be great, either as a re-imagining of Production Central or an area in Wondersea Island. F&F or Godzilla could be great replacements of Disaster or great new attractions with ride systems of their own.

 

[Hatetofly]

Somehow I think some of those aren't "just for fun" (the bottom 5) a Van Helsing ride would be great for a Monsters/horror-baaed area! Grinch is a no-brainer for Seuss. Minions would be great, either as a re-imagining of Production Central or an area in Wondersea Island. F&F or Godzilla could be great replacements of Disaster or great new attractions with ride systems of their own.

I've been VERY vocal about Gotham, Van Helsing, Grinch, and Madagascar for many many moons. Only time will tell if I get what I wished for...

 

[mahnamahna]

I've been VERY vocal about Gotham, Van Helsing, Grinch, and Madagascar for many many moons. Only time will tell if I get what I wished for...

Indeed. Just sad that Six Flags owns the rights to DC Comics "attractions" (in name only, since really any IP could be used to name their coasters)... and half of those seem pretty feasible to me! One of those already did happen - just not in 'Murica. Too bad DreamWorks and Universal aren't particularly close anymore.

 

[UniversalCityFL]

Aaannnnnd cue the voice of dissent:

I want a third park as much as anyone, but I really don't think a third park is anywhere near being serious. Just because somebody saw an amazing concept, it doesn't mean that it's in the works. The Creative team thinks up and visualizes concepts all the time for new attractions and parks. Doesn't mean it's happening.

Universal's main priority is to sell 3 day tickets and keep people on property for 3 days. Most visitors are not doing that — they are visiting for a day and staying off property. Once they are, then they can look at expansion.

Additionally, Universal has learned a lesson — that creating a mini-park/land of incredibly high quality with unique food and beverage can do wonders for both attendance and revenue. So I would count on more of that coming to the existing parks in the future before any additional parks open.

Saturation is an issue, but I think what we learned with Harry Potter is that Universal did not steal Disney's piece of the pie — they just made the overall pie bigger. People were now taking theme park vacations that normally wouldn't, all thanks to Potter. I think the bigger issue with a new park is staffing. I think the Central Florida area is tapped out of talent… It's hard to find quality people for the existing parks, let alone a whole new park. UO would have to work with UCF or a foreign exchange program to widen their bucket of available talent.

So for those reasons I would say that Universal is going to concentrate on continuing to make themselves a kick-ass resort, firing on all cylinders. Max out the hotel rooms and available expansion plots with new attractions and mini-lands before considering a new park.

 

[DragonSlayer]

Might be completely alone here, but I think a history-themed park would be awesome. You could go ancient and expand on the Lost Continent idea - the entire canon of Greek mythology gives literally endless possibilities and the architecture is beautiful - as well as ancient Rome, a Nordic viking-esque area, and then bring it forward with a Tudor England themed area (food and beverage alarm bells should be ringing!), perhaps a Victorian themed area which could incorporate steampunk elements if it had to be made 'cool', perhaps a really rustic 50s Americana area to contrast with the sleek coolness of Cabana Bay's retro feel... I'd go to this park!

Edit - Sorry Kuribo, didn't mean to just ignore your theory and carry on regardless but we posted at the same time.

 

[UniversalCityFL]

Might be completely alone here, but I think a history-themed park would be awesome. You could go ancient and expand on the Lost Continent idea - the entire canon of Greek mythology gives literally endless possibilities and the architecture is beautiful - as well as ancient Rome, a Nordic viking-esque area, and then bring it forward with a Tudor England themed area (food and beverage alarm bells should be ringing!), perhaps a Victorian themed area which could incorporate steampunk elements if it had to be made 'cool', perhaps a really rustic 50s Americana area to contrast with the sleek coolness of Cabana Bay's retro feel... I'd go to this park!

Edit - Sorry Kuribo, didn't mean to just ignore your theory and carry on regardless but we posted at the same time.

You're fine. I don't mean to stop the speculating! Please continue

That actually is amazing. Making history cool. Everything from the prehistoric times, to medieval times, to the roaring 20's, the space-age 50s, with rides themed to each.

 

[quinnmac000]

Video Gamed based theme park but no screens....all AA and physical sets.

But as for HTF list don't have Madagascar at Universal Studios Singapore. Disney I know owns the rights to Alien so they will not happen. But the rest with maybe the exception of Batman seem possible.

ANd those who are against saying its niche etc....Video game sales reached $15.39 billion in 2013. That's a large audience for guaranteed success. Thats a large number of merchandising and free promotion.

 

[Vyrus]

A 3rd gate HAS to include IPs that are broad ranging.

Potter covers kids all the up to adults who grew up reading the books.

Nintendo with Mario and Pokemon would be a draw, but I could also easily see F&F coming as well as LOTR. Those could be your tentpole IPs for a new park and then build some other stuff around them

 

[ChrisFL]

My ideal theme park:

Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Mortal Kombat
Sin City (movie/graphic novel)
Final Fantasy VII or X
Danger Mouse
Mysterious Cities of Gold
Initial D
Voltron

 

[JungleSkip]

So for those reasons I would say that Universal is going to concentrate on continuing to make themselves a kick-ass resort, firing on all cylinders. Max out the hotel rooms and available expansion plots with new attractions and mini-lands before considering a new park.

Thing is, that legit will be around 2018-20. That's why they're already in the planning stages.

 

[mahnamahna]

A 3rd gate HAS to include IPs that are broad ranging.

Potter covers kids all the up to adults who grew up reading the books.

Nintendo with Mario and Pokemon would be a draw, but I could also easily see F&F coming as well as LOTR. Those could be your tentpole IPs for a new park and then build some other stuff around them

Star Trek or WoW might be better tentpoles IPs than F&F. That would fit better in USF given the urban locales.

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Thing is, that legit will be around 2018-20. That's why they're already in the planning stages.

Exactly... the resort will be pretty well-rounded by 2018 or so. Wouldn't be surprised if we got it as soon as October 1st, 2021 you all know you want Universal to do it :rofl: 2024 is more likely. Expecting it within the next 10-15 yrs.

 

[Teebin]

One thing I am wondering about, and just reaching here, is whether or not "Project Ring" might not be the code name for this third park. That it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with LOTR, but more with the design or concept of the park itself.

As much as I love knowing things, I am more challenged by having to wonder and guess, and yes, judge.

 

[Vyrus]

Maybe the park is design of the park has a lot to do with circular designs?

Maybe a traditional Hub and Spoke park, but each land is circular in nature as well and don't connect to each other per se?

Or they do connect but by a simple walkway in between?