Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[LOST]

Ummmm... I'm pretty confident they know exactly how to position Volcano Bay within their current offerings. I mean, having a true onsite resort water park is why it's being built in the first place. And announcing the 3rd gate would do little too nothing to effect press coverage of Volcano Bay, unless they were to announce it during VB press previews or grand opening... which won't happen.

To clarify by what I meant, Universal has a lot of work to do in order to communicate and educate the average person about what Volcano Bay is and how it fits into Universal Orlando Resort. Announcing a 3rd park before Volcano Bay opens would cannibalize any opportunity they have to do that.

 

[Stitch_101]

To clarify by what I meant, Universal has a lot of work to do in order to communicate and educate the average person about what Volcano Bay is and how it fits into Universal Orlando Resort. Announcing a 3rd park before Volcano Bay opens would cannibalize any opportunity they have to do that.

I mean, no mater how advanced it is, it's still at the end of the day a water park. Sure it's looking to be very advanced, but that won't win over many people who don't like or attend water parks. And how it fits into the resort is rather apparent in my opinion... They are going to market it to families in an attempt to lengthen guest resort stays. Its proximity to Cabana Bay is a huge plus in accomplishing that. I really don't see how announcing a third gate that is years away is going to in any way affect it. They have so much going into the parks to appeal and pull people in in the interm.

 

[s8film40]

To clarify by what I meant, Universal has a lot of work to do in order to communicate and educate the average person about what Volcano Bay is and how it fits into Universal Orlando Resort. Announcing a 3rd park before Volcano Bay opens would cannibalize any opportunity they have to do that.

I drive by Volcano Bay very frequently. It's pretty obvious Universal is building a water park. I would guess 99% of the people who don't even follow whats going on in the theme park world would easily get that Volcano Bay is a new water park. Advertising and communicating this should be very easy. Now the challenging aspect would be the other way around. Everyone can see the construction at the resort and those planning visits from afar may have heard about the water park so if they announce a new park many may assume they are just announcing new details about the water park and not a whole new park.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

I drive by Volcano Bay very frequently. It's pretty obvious Universal is building a water park. I would guess 99% of the people who don't even follow whats going on in the theme park world would easily get that Volcano Bay is a new water park. Advertising and communicating this should be very easy. Now the challenging aspect would be the other way around. Everyone can see the construction at the resort and those planning visits from afar may have heard about the water park so if they announce a new park many may assume they are just announcing new details about the water park and not a whole new park.

Yeah Marketing shouldn't be difficult. The only issue a tourist may have is location. People are so used to being able to walk to the other park and entertainment from there car (Not Hotel Guests obviously). I can see many people not knowing the new water park is apart of the Universal Resort, as much of what is built South of Islands of Adventure is new within last 5 years. So for someone who hasn't visited in some time, it may be a huge change for them to adjust and understand where everything is and that it is all included in the Universal Resort.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I've heard they want it by 2021, but I'm not sure how much I believe that.

I think 2022 is more likely, but this is Universal, so '21 is totally possible

2020

 

[anihilnation]

2020

You mean they would like to have it by then, or are you speculating?

 

[UNIrd]

2020

It'd be cool if they made it in time for the resort's 30th anniversary. But things would have to get moving like... yesterday.

 

[s8film40]

I think 2020 is reasonable. The average for most other parks is 3 years, if they start fairly soon and if they are faster paced than others which has been the case for many of their projects then it can be done.

 

[anihilnation]

I think 2020 is reasonable. The average for most other parks is 3 years, if they start fairly soon and if they are faster paced than others which has been the case for many of their projects then it can be done.

What is interesting in that case, would be as to how this works out for Nintendo, since that is said to be 2020. Unless they fast track Nintendo for 2019.

 

[Mike S]

It'd be cool if they made it in time for the resort's 30th anniversary. But things would have to get moving like... yesterday.

30 years, 3 parks, 3 times the fun

The marketing writes itself

 

[AlexanderMBush]

2020

Is that what you heard or are you just estimating?

I think 2020 is reasonable. The average for most other parks is 3 years, if they start fairly soon and if they are faster paced than others which has been the case for many of their projects then it can be done.

It would also make sense if they indeed announce it by this year with Work to start in the winter for Infrastructure.

 

[s8film40]

What is interesting in that case, would be as to how this works out for Nintendo, since that is said to be 2020. Unless they fast track Nintendo for 2019.

This is all just speculation on my part, but it seems like plans have changed with Nintendo. We first heard rumors of KidZone closing for Nintendo some time ago, then it didn't happen, then we heard about the new land purchase and still nothing with Nintendo. To me this seems to point to they had plans for Nintendo and when the land acquisition become a real possibility they put them on hold to see what happens. It would certainly make sense to make Nintendo an anchor in the new park rather than just squeezing it into USF.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Personally..could it be possible that they could open two Nintendo areas in a one-year time window for Orlando?

It may be crazy, but I could see that not as impossible if they intend on having something big for USF early in the year (Mushroom) and then Gate 3 for the fall (Hyrule). It may be borderline insanity of a task, but if they are serious on adding something to the north property the same year as opening up a third gate fully, I could see them marketing that nicely.

 

[UNIrd]

For what it's worth, IOA was announced in 1993 but construction didn't start until 1997.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

For what it's worth, IOA was announced in 1993 but construction didn't start until 1997.

What seems funny to me is that they seem to be wanting it done as god-forbid fast as possible. Which makes sense to why the living hell we saw those UC staff hirings from last year in such a large and massive scale.

 

[anihilnation]

Personally..could it be possible that they could open two Nintendo areas in a one-year time window for Orlando?

It may be crazy, but I could see that not as impossible if they intend on having something big for USF early in the year (Mushroom) and then Gate 3 for the fall (Hyrule). It may be borderline insanity of a task, but if they are serious on adding something to the north property the same year as opening up a third gate fully, I could see them marketing that nicely.

Would be good marketing wise actually, because to experience Nintendo you need to get a ticket for Studios and 3; and when in Studios and you also want the full Potter experience, you need to add IOA as well.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Would be good marketing wise actually, because to experience Nintendo you need to get a ticket for Studios and 3; and when in Studios and you also want the full Potter experience, you need to add IOA as well.

Have Universal Orlando's anniversary be on "Innovation and Creativity" with the Third Park, Mushroom Kingdom for USF and something for IOA (knocks wood on use of the TLAmpatheatre plot) as your headliners. It gives people incentive to come to Universal Orlando multiple times in the year to experience the Pearl Anniversary of UO and in a way that incorporates every aspect of Universal Orlando. Even the Holiday events (Mardi Gras, HHN, and Grinchmas) to celebrate creativity and innovation in certain aspects.

 

[s8film40]

For what it's worth, IOA was announced in 1993 but construction didn't start until 1997.

And IOA opened in 1999, so less than 3 years to construct.

 

[Scott W.]

For what it's worth, IOA was announced in 1993 but construction didn't start until 1997.

Universal used to own the land that's been recently acquired, so they probably had something designed for it but given the advancement in theme parks recently, I think it could be back to the drawing board for everything. Especially with some of the newly acquired IPs since the land got sold.

If they're aiming for 2020, I'd imagine construction would be starting next year or at the least getting the land cleared and ready.

 

[Imperius]

Universal is not going to keep Kids Zone the way it is much longer. With the other projects going on it may have delayed it a little, but in pretty sure it's still going there.