Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[grizzlybarely]

I realize that this is pie-in-the-sky, but I'd like to see a park with no IPs, or at least where IPs take the backseat. As Uni's third baby, how about the next Epcot or Animal Kingdom (save for Avatar)? Universal has consistently shown how they can innovate and create amazing things without an existing property. They employ some of the greatest storytellers, designers, and engineers in the industry. I say let go of the leash, give 'em dat sweet Comcast money, and see what happens.

 

[JungleSkip]

Is building a monorail, gondola or other form of elevated transportation even be possible for Universal to do since they don't own the land in between the two properties?

Yea, that'd be a whole second legal battle, but it is certainly possible.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Is building a monorail, gondola or other form of elevated transportation even be possible for Universal to do since they don't own the land in between the two properties?

Sure it's possible. They would several hoops to go through. City of Orlando, Orange County, and most important, FDOT which FDOT is difficult to do anything elivated with them already. Then you have to buy or alter the airspace over the streets it intersects with etc.

But hopefully American Maglev company eases that concern.

 

[mainejeff]

I realize that this is pie-in-the-sky, but I'd like to see a park with no IPs, or at least where IPs take the backseat. As Uni's third baby, how about the next Epcot or Animal Kingdom (save for Avatar)? Universal has consistently shown how they can innovate and create amazing things without an existing property. They employ some of the greatest storytellers, designers, and engineers in the industry. I say let go of the leash, give 'em dat sweet Comcast money, and see what happens.

I totally agree with your pie-in-the-sky. Who knows.....maybe Comcast will come up with something totally original. Money CAN be made off from originality if done right......and Comcast obviously has the means to finance, promote and develop synergies with their other businesses to make this something totally amazing.

 

[Mad Dog]

Is building a monorail, gondola or other form of elevated transportation even be possible for Universal to do since they don't own the land in between the two properties?

This is where they could really use Scotty from Star Trek to transport people between the properties. Great IP possibility.

 

[Ultranel]

I think Universal should try for a Record/Ground Breaking type of park like Cedar Fair. I mean, I don't see Six Flags or any major Amusement Company coming here, and Orlando is known mostly for the amount of theme parks in the area. The one thing I don't get is why this city has to be sooooo conservative and family oriented ONLY!!! I think Disney takes good care of the family oriented parks.... and that's 4 parks right there! if that's not enough to the "Family Friendly Only for everyone crowd" then you got Sea World that still has more family attractions than adult rides.... that should be enough for them but as usual IF! someone still not happy with the 5 choices (how surprising!!); Then Universal has choices too for EVERYONE in a family... Actually the most (truly) balanced parks in CFL. So since Orlando has it covered when it comes to families, then why can we have record breaking attractions too? in a theme park. I'm glad Sea World took the 1st step to go over any Orlando area Theme Park Coaster's statistics, and now with the stand alone Orlando Eye and the Polercoaster sometime in the future, why not dominate the thrill department in CFL? If you think about it, the only competition UO might have is Sea World, because you know Disney would not ever dare to go the Cedar Fair way. So the field is clear for them. If Orlando is all about tourism due to the major attractions in the area, then let's be the best of them all.

 

[JungleSkip]

^^^God I really hope that doesn't happen

 

[jarmor]

^ You don't want something original?

 

[JungleSkip]

^ You don't want something original?

I don't want a thrill park. Original is fine, but realistically that's not going to happen.

 

[jarmor]

I thought you were replying to the 3rd post up, hence the "^^^" . . .

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

I think Universal should try for a Record/Ground Breaking type of park like Cedar Fair. I mean, I don't see Six Flags or any major Amusement Company coming here, and Orlando is known mostly for the amount of theme parks in the area. The one thing I don't get is why this city has to be sooooo conservative and family oriented ONLY!!! I think Disney takes good care of the family oriented parks.... and that's 4 parks right there! if that's not enough to the "Family Friendly Only for everyone crowd" then you got Sea World that still has more family attractions than adult rides.... that should be enough for them but as usual IF! someone still not happy with the 5 choices (how surprising!!); Then Universal has choices too for EVERYONE in a family... Actually the most (truly) balanced parks in CFL. So since Orlando has it covered when it comes to families, then why can we have record breaking attractions too? in a theme park. I'm glad Sea World took the 1st step to go over any Orlando area Theme Park Coaster's statistics, and now with the stand alone Orlando Eye and the Polercoaster sometime in the future, why not dominate the thrill department in CFL? If you think about it, the only competition UO might have is Sea World, because you know Disney would not ever dare to go the Cedar Fair way. So the field is clear for them. If Orlando is all about tourism due to the major attractions in the area, then let's be the best of them all.

But that would be everything against the type of crowd they want to appeal too..

 

[Mad Dog]

Tourists won't travel to Orlando for a Cedar Fair/Six Flags type park. Just about every major population area in the U.S. has one or more of those types of parks within short driving distance. BG Tampa really has enough of those types of rides to satisfy the Florida thrill base and the tourists who want to venture forth for those types of attractions. . Orlando with it's year round warm weather is "someplace special with Disney/Universal". That's why tourists visit.

 

[Scott W.]

It would be cool if they could do it with some sort of fake fire effect. Can you imagine how cool that would look from the ground....seeing the Delorean as a launch coaster with flashing lights and fire effects as it blasts off to 88mph?

IIRC, California Screamin' has mist that sprays on the launch track, get that with a few projectors at the side and you could have a pretty nice effect.

I've used California Screamin' as a sample.

 

[Scott W.]

Is building a monorail, gondola or other form of elevated transportation even be possible for Universal to do since they don't own the land in between the two properties?

I think it would be nice to have if it travelled down Universal Blvd. It could even stop at Wet N Wild and be a good link for whatever they have planned for in there in the future plus it would be some great advertising space if the wrapped the vehicles.

Could they convince the city to approve it? I don't know but they could make the gesture to operate it and provide free public transport to everybody and not just the people using the parks although the parks would be the destination.

 

[Brian G.]

@Drew has always suggested that the WNW plot should be a TTC between both areas.

 

[JungleSkip]

@Drew has always suggested that the WNW plot should be a TTC between both areas.

TTC with a small shopping area and maybe a tower resort. Would be a good idea.

 

[s8film40]

TTC with a small shopping area and maybe a tower resort. Would be a good idea.

I would like to hear more about this idea, I don't get it as is. Would this mean moving the parking garages there? If so I can't see that being a wise investment.

 

[Scott W.]

I realize that this is pie-in-the-sky, but I'd like to see a park with no IPs, or at least where IPs take the backseat. As Uni's third baby, how about the next Epcot or Animal Kingdom (save for Avatar)? Universal has consistently shown how they can innovate and create amazing things without an existing property. They employ some of the greatest storytellers, designers, and engineers in the industry. I say let go of the leash, give 'em dat sweet Comcast money, and see what happens.

I can't think of anything Universal has done that doesn't relate to an existing IP. I also think creating another park with enclosed animals is probably a very bad idea.

 

[Brian G.]

I would like to hear more about this idea, I don't get it as is. Would this mean moving the parking garages there? If so I can't see that being a wise investment.

Not moving, just adding on to.

 

[UK-Trigg]

IIRC, California Screamin' has mist that sprays on the launch track, get that with a few projectors at the side and you could have a pretty nice effect.

I've used California Screamin' as a sample.

That is a beautiful photograph