Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[Scott W.]

The monorail will be built to spite I-Drive if anything.

It will be built purely to transport guests from the current land to the new land.

Anything else will be a positive to them.

 

[maxairmike]

Yeah, I must agree that I am stymied as to why they drew lines around them. Also note that there is a right of way off Uni blvd that is also built into those lines. They even built and entrance for it. I would assume that can go too.

Ahem...my last few posts explains that. Also, they won't just relocate an intersection like that. They could adjust the Kirkman path somewhat, I imagine, but the planned intersection won't change as that would affect all of the other intersections with spacing and traffic flow issues. Now, if you're referring to the Mandarin extension, I can see that getting cut very easily. It isn't a "necessary" connector.

 

[chewbacca1995]

It's a beautiful park, but I find myself getting bored there very quickly. It's even difficult to find something to use your fastpasses on once you're past your Tier One "single" choice between Test Track & Soarin. I really enjoy the Garden Festival. But, I attended the Food & Wine Festival this year for the first time and in my opinion it's greatly over rated. It wasn't any better than the International Village Festivals that we've been having here in the Pittsburgh area for the past 50 years or so. Just more spread out.

By 2020/2021, it'll be in last place among Orlando theme parks (not counting SeaWorld or Fun Spot) in terms of quality. Sad but true.

there's only about 6 solid attractions at Epcot right now - Test Track, Soarin', Spaceship Earth, Living With the Land, The American Adventure, Illuminations. And only two of those truly warrant a Fastpass. Two are shows and the other two are people-eaters.

Every other attraction needs TLC or removal.

Epcot could even drop behind AK, DHS, USF and IOA in attendance over the next few years. :shock: and I doubt Frozen and a Soarin' update will be enough to save Epcot from falling behind those four with how much each of them plan to add over the next 3-5 years.

 

[WAJAS]

LOL! That AIN'T gonna happen! Comcast wants to benefit Comcast, and Comcast only.

In this case it really doesn't matter what they want. Universal Boulevard is part of a public ROW and anything built on it would have to benefit the whole public, not just those that are in Universal. If you really think that there will be no other stops along the path then I am sorry but your are wrong. That is not how these kinds of things work.

 

[s8film40]

In this case it really doesn't matter what they want. Universal Boulevard is part of a public ROW and anything built on it would have to benefit the whole public, not just those that are in Universal. If you really think that there will be no other stops along the path then I am sorry but your are wrong. That is not how these kinds of things work.

Transporting guests to and from the Universal properties as well as taking that traffic off the roads does serve the public. They certainly will have to make a case and face opposition but it's not impossible to get a transit system approved to serve the two properties.

 

[WAJAS]

Transporting guests to and from the Universal properties as well as taking that traffic off the roads does serve the public. They certainly will have to make a case and face opposition but it's not impossible to get a transit system approved to serve the two properties.

Not impossible, but very difficult. Very difficult!

 

[s8film40]

Not impossible, but very difficult. Very difficult!

The Las Vegas monorail for example was privately funded and only stops at hotels that contributed to the project. I also think they could open it up a little bit and still keep I-Drive businesses out. They could form a partnership between the convention center, the airport and the current maglev project. Connecting each of those areas would be serving more than just their interests but not leaving any opening for competition.

 

[maxairmike]

I would expect that a stop at the WnW lot being "publicly accessible" would satisfy most issues, as it could be considered a connecting stop for non-Universal locations.

 

[Teebin]

The Las Vegas monorail for example was privately funded and only stops at hotels that contributed to the project. I also think they could open it up a little bit and still keep I-Drive businesses out. They could form a partnership between the convention center, the airport and the current maglev project. Connecting each of those areas would be serving more than just their interests but not leaving any opening for competition.

Weell... it would be a political nightmare to get that passed. The convention center is owned by the taxpayers isn't it?

 

[s8film40]

Weell... it would be a political nightmare to get that passed. The convention center is owned by the taxpayers isn't it?

Well that's my point, if the tax payers get the convention center connected to the airport as part of the deal it gives them incentive to back the project.

 

[Blue]

Public transit and Florida don't really go together. Just look at all the opposition the All Aboard Florida project received (privately funded, on train tracks that have been there long before the residential communities). The people along I Drive might be less opposed, but the city would have to benefit in some way (that doesn't involve Universal).

 

[Teebin]

Well that's my point, if the tax payers get the convention center connected to the airport as part of the deal it gives them incentive to back the project.

Right... MAM made a good point that the hotel complex at the old Wet' N Wild might cover and serve Uni too and give any board involvement leeway.

 

[tielo]

What if the transportation is actualy a ride instead of a public system.
Sure it needs to go over een few roads but it's a ride. There are coasters who leave parks, No biggy.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

I would just like to point that its all fun and games, but its logical to assume that its Busses. The reason for that is how Orlando is now much dfferent than when the original plans were made for after Islands of Adventure as now, you have the I-Drive to worry about, which will have several businesses bite Universal if they take something precious of theirs away, and that's profit.

As much as I know Universal on that subject, it would not be possible for a Monorail system to work for Universal now, even with being approved for it.

And FYI, i'm not even taking into the account of Refurb costs and permits to have a monorail system built, as both of those..are something of legal battles.

 

[fryoj]

Ahem...my last few posts explains that. Also, they won't just relocate an intersection like that. They could adjust the Kirkman path somewhat, I imagine, but the planned intersection won't change as that would affect all of the other intersections with spacing and traffic flow issues. Now, if you're referring to the Mandarin extension, I can see that getting cut very easily. It isn't a "necessary" connector.

While I think the Kirkman path will stay, and, in some ways, is better for Universal than other paths, I looked at layouts and did see one other possible path that would remove the intersection that cuts those two Universal Blvd frontage lots in half. It does involve some buyouts, but it seems at least feasible to me.

If they could convince that company east of the convention center to relocate to that 20 acre lot on JYP(Hey guys we'll give you the land and build you a new building), They could reroute Kirkman through that property and down on to destination. It would allow them to combine the 4 lots that are all together and not have to plan around Kirkman and traffic that isn't there for the resort. Again, I don't know how feasible this is or how willing all the intvolved parties would be in doing this, but its the only alternative I saw to the existing Kirkman plan. Thoughts?

 

[Teebin]

I would just like to point that its all fun and games, but its logical to assume that its Busses.

Yeah, but boy that is clunky. Perhaps some kind of new mega bus with multiple cabs or something.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Yeah, but boy that is clunky. Perhaps some kind of new mega bus with multiple cabs or something.

If the way to the new land and Universal isn't as long as it is, I would actually say a four car tram, much similar to how Universal Studios Hollywood has its trams.

 

[Scott W.]

Yeah, but boy that is clunky. Perhaps some kind of new mega bus with multiple cabs or something.

Can you get double decker buses in the states or would that be dangerous since your traffic lights are above the road?

They could take it a step further and bring a fleet of Harry Potter triple decker buses but that's just impractical. Hit every traffic light and once a storm approaches it will topple over.

 

[Teebin]

I should have posted this last night, but remember that Destination America channel is airing their show about Universal Studios: Behind the scenes at 9AM eastern this morning, Sat. Dec. 5.

 

[Teebin]

I should have posted this last night, but remember that Destination America channel is airing their show about Universal Studios: Behind the scenes at 9AM eastern this morning, Sat. Dec. 5.

Don't worry if you missed it... just another hyped travel video. My personal communications yesterday were far more fascinating.