Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[Frank Drackman]

At least no one is suggesting blimps.

Oh how about a sky ride/Swiss cable car?

 

[GAcoaster]

It moves 5000 guests an hour (could move more with bigger trains). The Disney Monorail moves about 5000-6000 people an hour (with the ferry boats moving 4000-5000 per hour).

 

[misterID]

Since I brought this up a few pages back, I wonder if the people who quickly dismissed this idea to the point of saying no one builds monorails anymore and transportation would be strictly centered on bussing are rethinking that position?

 

[GAcoaster]

Oh how about a sky ride/Swiss cable car?

Subject to closure due to wind and lightning (both of which Orlando has in abundance).

 

[peteralt]

Here's the part I spent way too much time trying to figure out (maybe someone here can help me understand it):

There is property under the name Universal City Management III LLC that supposedly is not part of the deal, but such properties are shown as including the ROW of unbuilt future roads, such as the Kirkman extension. These properties would also fill the holes, making much of the parcels contiguous.

Are we sure these aren't included? Why would they not be included? Does Stanley Thomas still plan on building something there on those remaining parcels? It doesn't make sense to me, especially the fact that much of what is left is zoned for future road infrastructure.

Also, land contiguity along Universal Drive, up to the Wet & Wild parcels is necessary, if the company plans a rail link or monorail.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

how about this crazy Chinese idea to help with congestion? couldn't really picture this going down universal boulevard though lol.

Straddling buses would only work if they were made out of rubber / Boing Boing

 

[Bobharlem]

I really don't get how people say the rail can't happen. The proposal just shows Orange county and stops right at the Orlando City limits, but if you extend the expansion line up its path of least resistance it only has to cross over a hotel parking lot, and then wet and wild, and then it has the option of going over where the old Skull Kingdom site was or over where the iFly Orlando place is now... we know that is moving to where one of the old Hawaiian Rumble mini golf place that was next to Ice Bar. So that leaves that corridor open. The rest of it is owned by Universal or can get easement agreements.

It seems a lot more likely than people tend to give it credit for and the distance is shorter than the Epcot line.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Only way a monorail is considered is if county approves of it. I highly highly doubt it but anything can happen and they arent pushing for the Maglev circulator anymore.

 

[s8film40]

I really don't get how people say the rail can't happen. The proposal just shows Orange county and stops right at the Orlando City limits, but if you extend the expansion line up its path of least resistance it only has to cross over a hotel parking lot, and then wet and wild, and then it has the option of going over where the old Skull Kingdom site was or over where the IFly Orlando place is now... we know that is moving to where one of the old Hawaiian Rumble mini golf placew as next to Ice Bar. So that leaves that corridor open. The rest of it is owned by Universal or can get easement agreements.

It seems a lot more likely than people tend to give it credit for and the distance is shorter than the Epcot line.
View attachment 2066

Only way a monorail is considered is if county approves of it. I highly highly doubt it but anything can happen and they arent pushing for the Maglev circulator anymore.

I think we're just so accustomed to seeing Disney not expand their transportation that the whole idea just seems like fantasy to those of us that follow theme parks. For years we've heard it's too expensive and people who bring up the subject of monorail expansion are pretty much looked at on the same level of conspiracy theorists. The big difference is Universal unlike Disney is in a growth stage as opposed to the milk as much money out as efficiently as we can stage. The facts however line up to at least indicate that for Universal this is probably something they really want to try to get. Universal very likely will want to do everything they can to keep people in the resort. Providing transportation is key and making it feel as though your not really leaving Universal is a critical part of that. As for county approval the county has every reason to support this up to the point of doing everything they can to encourage Universal to go this route. The success of this park and resort not only brings in huge tax revenue but also boosts the economy in the area. This is also a high traffic area and getting that transportation off the road will save the county a ton of money. If a transit system isn't developed the county will definitely be stuck with some road expansion in the very near future. There really is absolutely no reason the county wouldn't support this, the only question is how much money they would be willing to put into it.

 

[Bobharlem]

Here's another map with the blue line showing an alternate route that takes it entirely through undeveloped and/or Universal owned land.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

I think we're just so accustomed to seeing Disney not expand their transportation that the whole idea just seems like fantasy to those of us that follow theme parks. For years we've heard it's too expensive and people who bring up the subject of monorail expansion are pretty much looked at on the same level of conspiracy theorists. The big difference is Universal unlike Disney is in a growth stage as opposed to the milk as much money out as efficiently as we can stage. The facts however line up to at least indicate that for Universal this is probably something they really want to try to get. Universal very likely will want to do everything they can to keep people in the resort. Providing transportation is key and making it feel as though your not really leaving Universal is a critical part of that. As for county approval the county has every reason to support this up to the point of doing everything they can to encourage Universal to go this route. The success of this park and resort not only brings in huge tax revenue but also boosts the economy in the area. This is also a high traffic area and getting that transportation off the road will save the county a ton of money. If a transit system isn't developed the county will definitely be stuck with some road expansion in the very near future. There really is absolutely no reason the county wouldn't support this, the only question is how much money they would be willing to put into it.

AGAIN, I dont think you realize that there is more at stake than just Univesal and their success, especially dealing with the county.
But whatever

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

I really don't get how people say the rail can't happen. The proposal just shows Orange county and stops right at the Orlando City limits, but if you extend the expansion line up its path of least resistance it only has to cross over a hotel parking lot, and then wet and wild, and then it has the option of going over where the old Skull Kingdom site was or over where the iFly Orlando place is now... we know that is moving to where one of the old Hawaiian Rumble mini golf place that was next to Ice Bar. So that leaves that corridor open. The rest of it is owned by Universal or can get easement agreements.

It seems a lot more likely than people tend to give it credit for and the distance is shorter than the Epcot line.
View attachment 2066

Rail will likely happen in next 10 years or so for the tourist corridor. Period. Universal Expansion or not. What kind of rail transit is up for debate. The I Drive circulator has been proposed for some time now and they want more than just bus transit available.

 

[s8film40]

AGAIN, I dont think you realize that there is more at stake than just Univesal and their success, especially dealing with the county.
But whatever

Well the way I see it the county doesn't really have much of a choice. Either support Universal in whatever transportation method they choose to pursue or pay to have all the roads upgraded. It's either a win win or a lose lose scenario for them.

 

[IzzyB]

Well the way I see it the county doesn't really have much of a choice. Either support Universal in whatever transportation method they choose to pursue or pay to have all the roads upgraded. It's either a win win or a lose lose scenario for them.

Agreed. I just don't see the county not doing everything they can to help Universal here. Both in the tax revenue generated and in helping the transportation. Especially if Universal offers a convention center stop. It is a huge win for the county. Keep in mind this park will solely be in the county, which is huge for the county when it comes to taxes.

 

[Disneyhead]

Orange Co. has to be careful as to how much favoritism they show Universal. The City of Orlando has more leeway.

 

[Nick]

Orange Co. has to be careful as to how much favoritism they show Universal. The City of Orlando has more leeway.

It's not really "favoritism" the way I see it. It's a way to help save the roads from being even more congested than they already are.

 

[Macfr3ak]

A Resort on Wet N Wild plot may make sense, but ultimately without an entertainment anchor or viable transit source to get to destinations, it'll suffer.

They need the transit to make provide the experience of one resort.

Only way a monorail is considered is if county approves of it. I highly highly doubt it

Don't highly doubt it, the county has several options on its plate. In order to keep traffic minimal and profits (tourism) increasing the only true viable solution is some type of transit whether that be monorail lite rail helicopter blimp hyper-loop etc etc it needs transportation to keep vehicles off the ALREADY HEAVILY congested roads.

It's a way to help save the roads from being even more congested than they already are.

Exactly.

Orange Co. has to be careful as to how much favoritism they show Universal. The City of Orlando has more leeway.

Put it to the voters to decide what they feel is best i almost guarantee that a transportation system would pass votes with flying colors

 

[peteralt]

So, is it safe to assume that the current land buying spree isn't over yet?

They still need to acquire properties connecting north, south, and W&W in the middle.

This could be why it hasn't been announced yet. Because this stage is the most critical in terms of property values potentially going up.

 

[peteralt]

Agreed. I just don't see the county not doing everything they can to help Universal here. Both in the tax revenue generated and in helping the transportation. Especially if Universal offers a convention center stop. It is a huge win for the county. Keep in mind this park will solely be in the county, which is huge for the county when it comes to taxes.

Why doesn't Orlando annex it? Are there benefits if they do?

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

So, is it safe to assume that the current land buying spree isn't over yet?

They still need to acquire properties connecting north, south, and W&W in the middle.

This could be why it hasn't been announced yet. Because this stage is the most critical in terms of property values potentially going up.

This is a very good point. I doubt universal is done buying.