Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[Viator]

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.

Something to keep in mind is that earlier in 2015 (May I believe); Universal Creative had a "Mass Hire" for any position within that. And to add, this plot had concepts back in the early days of IOA being operational. The situation should be possibly by that they are reusing similar concepts from the Vivendi/GE days but implementing it on a larger scale with different IPs.

As @JungleSkip mentioned; this could be in the manner of the third gate being much like how Tokyo Disneysea is handled, where it has a general original concept but uses IPs to appease both audiences.

In essence, if they started planning in Late 2014 and started infrastructure work in December 2016/January 2017; they can start vertical construction probably in January 2018 and then having it ready by Late-Summer/Early Fall of 2020. At least as a guess, Infrastructure work could take about a year at most, for the company of Comcast at least. But in the end, its just my guess and I can probably be wrong.

 

[Mike S]

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.

Avengers for IoA to ride the hype of Infinity War. If I was Universal that's what I would do.

Mushroom Kingdom and Hyrule opening so close to each other would be a dream come true for me.

 

[Scott W.]

Something to keep in mind is that earlier in 2015 (May I believe); Universal Creative had a "Mass Hire" for any position within that. And to add, this plot had concepts back in the early days of IOA being operational. The situation should be possibly by that they are reusing similar concepts from the Vivendi/GE days but implementing it on a larger scale with different IPs.

As @JungleSkip mentioned; this could be in the manner of the third gate being much like how Tokyo Disneysea is handled, where it has a general original concept but uses IPs to appease both audiences.

In essence, if they started planning in Late 2014 and started infrastructure work in December 2016/January 2017; they can start vertical construction probably in January 2018 and then having it ready by Late-Summer/Early Fall of 2020. At least as a guess, Infrastructure work could take about a year at most, for the company of Comcast at least. But in the end, its just my guess and I can probably be wrong.

I really hope they go with genereal concept idea and add IPs wherever they fit in.

Was there not plans for this land in the IOA preview centre? I'm sure I remember there being something for golf courses and hotels and I couldn't imagine they would fit in the current land mass.

Where would you fit the announcements in this?

 

[s8film40]

As a theme park business one of the worst things you can do is announce a new park. Once they announce the new park it gives everyone a very good reason to delay the plans for their vacation. I think the best thing for them to do would be to just start on it. There will be plenty of hype once the first construction vehicles start appearing on the property without any need for Universal to help it along. They could easily wait a year or two to make announcements.

 

[Viator]

Where would you fit the announcements in this?

In a strange way, I have hope that they announce it more for when they'd start full construction (after Infastructure work).

 

[Scott W.]

As a theme park business one of the worst things you can do is announce a new park. Once they announce the new park it gives everyone a very good reason to delay the plans for their vacation. I think the best thing for them to do would be to just start on it. There will be plenty of hype once the first construction vehicles start appearing on the property without any need for Universal to help it along. They could easily wait a year or two to make announcements.

In a strange way, I have hope that they announce it more for when they'd start full construction (after Infastructure work).

I think this would be smart. The announcement for IOA was made in 1997 but that also included CityWalk and the plans for the new car park which was needed to explain what was happening.

I can't imagine them waiting until a year before the park opens to make the announcement but I'd love there to be a preview centre again.

 

[Teebin]

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.

I understand your logic, but why do you think they might be rushing it? Volcano Bay was in development for 5 or 6 years at the least. Even Kong went through major development only to be delayed and altered in a major way just before construction. And look at the delays on Nintendo and SLOP in Hollywood. A new park is going to be no different.

 

[*Q*]

I dare them to do an ocean-themed park called UniverSea.

 

[Thisguynamedlee]

Something to keep in mind is that earlier in 2015 (May I believe); Universal Creative had a "Mass Hire" for any position within that. And to add, this plot had concepts back in the early days of IOA being operational. The situation should be possibly by that they are reusing similar concepts from the Vivendi/GE days but implementing it on a larger scale with different IPs.

As @JungleSkip mentioned; this could be in the manner of the third gate being much like how Tokyo Disneysea is handled, where it has a general original concept but uses IPs to appease both audiences.

In essence, if they started planning in Late 2014 and started infrastructure work in December 2016/January 2017; they can start vertical construction probably in January 2018 and then having it ready by Late-Summer/Early Fall of 2020. At least as a guess, Infrastructure work could take about a year at most, for the company of Comcast at least. But in the end, its just my guess and I can probably be wrong.

Disney would really be pissed if a new park opened in 2021 the 50th anniversary year

 

[Viator]

Disney would really be pissed if a new park opened in 2021 the 50th anniversary year

Not exactly. It would all depend on what WDW would do for its 50th, as they can do something big. Could they? That'd be a good question to waiver if its possible.

 

[Scott W.]

Not exactly. It would all depend on what WDW would do for its 50th, as they can do something big. Could they? That'd be a good question to waiver if its possible.

As long as it's not that cake castle again.

 

[fryoj]

When do you think they'll start softs? lol

 

[GAcoaster]

Disney IS doing something for their 50th, Star Wars Land. That's when it will open...

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I understand your logic, but why do you think they might be rushing it? Volcano Bay was in development for 5 or 6 years at the least. Even Kong went through major development only to be delayed and altered in a major way just before construction. And look at the delays on Nintendo and SLOP in Hollywood. A new park is going to be no different.

Very well said. Kong's vehicles went from a two car train to one massive one, requiring rearranging the sets and other things, for example.

Last I heard it was Nintendo, KidZone, 2020. Closures should have started to happen.

 

[UNIrd]

Disney IS doing something for their 50th, Star Wars Land. That's when it will open...

Oh God. What I'll look like by the time it opens:

 

[graspthesun]

In essence, if they started planning in Late 2014 and started infrastructure work in December 2016/January 2017; they can start vertical construction probably in January 2018 and then having it ready by Late-Summer/Early Fall of 2020. At least as a guess, Infrastructure work could take about a year at most, for the company of Comcast at least. But in the end, its just my guess and I can probably be wrong.

Opening in late summer or early fall wouldn't make financial sense. They'd lose out on peak season that year. Realistically, if they can't get the park open by May 2020, they should wait till 2021. Maybe soft open the park in April.

 

[fryoj]

How do softs for new parks even work? It's not like a ride in an existing park where you can just let people walking by on. People would have to know to come then pay to get in. Or do they just grand open and deal with problems?

 

[IzzyB]

How do softs for new parks even work? It's not like a ride in an existing park where you can just let people walking by on. People would have to know to come then pay to get in. Or do they just grand open and deal with problems?

I always wondered this too. My guess is that for this park they can first do something with existing AP holders and their friends and family. But I imagine they start with friends and family of cast members. At some point I imagine they let the general public in with them paying. But who knows. I wasn't around when IOA opened, so maybe people who were can explain how it works.

 

[Mike S]

How do softs for new parks even work? It's not like a ride in an existing park where you can just let people walking by on. People would have to know to come then pay to get in. Or do they just grand open and deal with problems?

Shanghai Disneyland has been having trial runs but I think it's restricted to people who worked on or will be working at the park and some guests of theirs.

 

[graspthesun]

I imagine that it would start with cast member previews, guests of park executives, possibly AP holders and then they would start passing out tickets to people as a "sneak preview" for free or a reduced price with stipulations that some rides may not be working. This would be in the week or two before the "grand opening ceremony."