Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[TylerDurden]

Well, from what whylightbulb said on WDWMagic, the 3rd gate is roughly 10-15 yrs away. Right now, they're doing as you just said - making both parks full-day affairs (adding rather than replacing, maximizing space such as the new Springfield area and Transformers, adding more attractions than what was there before like Diagon Alley has, more than likely planning to fix other dead areas/bottlenecks - KidZone, front of Toon Lagoon, etc)

Theyre doing that, yes, but we dont know if theyll be 100% successful yet. In the short-term, the growth has been great. But they need a few years to really see if a third gate is justified. Even with their most recent efforts they arent close to hitting capacity long-term yet.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Actually, the Tangelo Park issue was south of Festival Bay, they wanted to put that thrill park on that smaller patch of land between them.

Edit: after looking at it, I guess it wasn't that much smaller

Those Tangelo Park people are against many things on that plot:nunchucks:

 

[Nick]

Marni posted this drop of IOA (to scale) on the Major Blvd over on Magic. There would also be room for at least another garage here as well. Obviously the park won't be the exact same shape, but it at least gives some perspective on the size of the plot.

 

[UK-Trigg]

Garage Could be built in close proximity to the existing garages and they could easily link the garages too, giving easy access to City Walk all 3 parks.

 

[Nick]

Garage Could be built in close proximity to the existing garages and they could easily link the garages too, giving easy access to City Walk all 3 parks.

I was thinking the same thing. Perhaps have a bridge that goes over the road that would connect the two garages.

If people finished over at the third park for the day and wanted to go over to CityWalk for the night, it would make getting there very easy and they'd never have to go out onto Kirkman.

 

[darkridelover]

Those Tangelo Park people are against many things on that plot:nunchucks:

To put it into perspective, that Tangelo Park community is not the best of neighborhoods. It's a lower income neighborhood and the upkeep on the homes and yards are not good at all. They could use a little land redevelopment around them.

 

[ChrisFL]

To put it into perspective, that Tangelo Park community is not the best of neighborhoods. It's a lower income neighborhood and the upkeep on the homes and yards are not good at all. They could use a little land redevelopment around them.

So things haven't changed in the 18 years since I lived in Orlando (I didn't live in Tangelo Park but went to high school with a lot of people who did)

 

[SeventyOne]

I'm honestly not sure what's going to happen with Sea world and how they are going to stay in business. They are losing money quickly and even if they get bought out by someone like Six flags, Tampa is the more attractive park because of the coasters.

But Orlando is the more attractive park because of location. I don't see Sea World Orlando closing. Bought out yet again, possibly. But there will be a theme park there, if only to keep Aquatica and Discovery Cove open.

 

[kimlovesfl]

Laika, the soviet space dog?

I keep thinking the same thing. Who the hell is Laika?

Seriously, a 3rd gate needs to be LOTR. There aren't many IPs out there that have true classic status that aren't already being used (well, if we ever get a Star Wars land). Something entirely original would also be wonderful.

 

[Nick]

But Orlando is the more attractive park because of location. I don't see Sea World Orlando closing. Bought out yet again, possibly. But there will be a theme park there, if only to keep Aquatica and Discovery Cove open.

Well yeah, but as is being said, there's only so much market share to go around, and Universal is going to continue to grow theirs. Disney hasn't taken a hit attendance wise yet (although I doubt that will continue without new attractions) so Sea World is the main loser right now. As has been said, the pie is getting bigger, but Potter can only grow it so much.

I actually think that where Sea World stands to get hurt the most in the immediate future is when Universal builds WonderSea. Aquatica will surely take a big hit.

 

[kimlovesfl]

Might be completely alone here, but I think a history-themed park would be awesome. You could go ancient and expand on the Lost Continent idea - the entire canon of Greek mythology gives literally endless possibilities and the architecture is beautiful - as well as ancient Rome, a Nordic viking-esque area, and then bring it forward with a Tudor England themed area (food and beverage alarm bells should be ringing!), perhaps a Victorian themed area which could incorporate steampunk elements if it had to be made 'cool', perhaps a really rustic 50s Americana area to contrast with the sleek coolness of Cabana Bay's retro feel... I'd go to this park!

Edit - Sorry Kuribo, didn't mean to just ignore your theory and carry on regardless but we posted at the same time.

I absolutely love this idea! There are just endless possibilities with these ideas. So many of us here are always thinking of IPs, but there is no reason Universal couldn't do an all-original 3rd gate. I don't think a 3rd gate, other than a water park, is likely to happen anytime soon, but you never know.

 

[SeventyOne]

A 3rd gate HAS to include IPs that are broad ranging.

I don't know that I buy the idea a third park has to be IP-based. They essentially have two of those already. I would hope the third park would break out of that mold, tho I confess I don't have the foggiest idea how to do that.

 

[SeventyOne]

Well yeah, but as is being said, there's only so much market share to go around, and Universal is going to continue to grow theirs. Disney hasn't taken a hit attendance wise yet (although I doubt that will continue without new attractions) so Sea World is the main loser right now. As has been said, the pie is getting bigger, but Potter can only grow it so much.

I actually think that where Sea World stands to get hurt the most in the immediate future is when Universal builds WonderSea. Aquatica will surely take a big hit.

Agreed Aquatica will take a hit from WonderSea. Although last Summer I think it still went to capacity a lot of days, so it can probably afford the breathing room.

But at the end of the day, SWO is along one of the three most traveled streets in the #1 family vacation destination city in the world, literally within sight of the 2nd largest convention center in America. BGT is in a sketch neighborhood of Tampa. SWO could probably be run better, and apparently it's taken some attendance hits recently (crap rides will do that), but it's ultimately far too valuable to disappear.

 

[mahnamahna]

I don't know that I buy the idea a third park has to be IP-based. They essentially have two of those already. I would hope the third park would break out of that mold, tho I confess I don't have the foggiest idea how to do that.

In America, a park with absolutely no IPs just won't work... sure you can have some original attractions/areas, but it's not wise to avoid any known properties. Mario, LOTR, Star Trek... a few brand names (doesnt have to be those) are necessary to sell the park

Epcot only remained completely IP free for 3 or 4 years.

I want some originality (maybe 35-50%) but familiarity is what gets people to book vacations these days. Just a reality.

- - - Updated - - -

I keep thinking the same thing. Who the hell is Laika?

Seriously, a 3rd gate needs to be LOTR. There aren't many IPs out there that have true classic status that aren't already being used (well, if we ever get a Star Wars land). Something entirely original would also be wonderful.

Laika is a stop motion animation studio owned/distributed by Universal

Coralline, ParaNorman, and the upcoming Boxtrolls are from them

And a whole park based on just one thing is a bad idea. A huge area for LOTR? Sure.

But an entire park would be too niche. You got to offer some variety in attractions/areas

 

[Nick]

Agreed Aquatica will take a hit from WonderSea. Although last Summer I think it still went to capacity a lot of days, so it can probably afford the breathing room.

But at the end of the day, SWO is along one of the three most traveled streets in the #1 family vacation destination city in the world, literally within sight of the 2nd largest convention center in America. BGT is in a sketch neighborhood of Tampa. SWO could probably be run better, and apparently it's taken some attendance hits recently (crap rides will do that), but it's ultimately far too valuable to disappear.

I guess if one of them absolutely HAD to close (and this is still probably a ways off if it comes to it), they could expand Sea World by moving some of the rides/coasters/animals from BGT over to Sea World.

 

[shiekra38]

I guess if one of them absolutely HAD to close (and this is still probably a ways off if it comes to it), they could expand Sea World by moving some of the rides/coasters/animals from BGT over to Sea World.

Really Sea World just needs to adopt the BGT formula and add a coaster every few years...a hyper coaster would fix a lot of things..it isn't that I don't like Sea World there is just nothing to do there right now..

As for the 3rd Gate, expect to see IPs everywhere...as said above, you can't have a theme park without recognizable characters..

 

[Nick]

Really Sea World just needs to adopt the BGT formula and add a coaster every few years...a hyper coaster would fix a lot of things

The problem with Sea world is I don't want to go there.

Seriously, there's nothing there that interests me other than Manta, and that's not enough to get me there.

 

[DufflesMcGee]

I'm not even going to read all of this... lmao.

opening date

Oct. 1, 2021

 

[anihilnation]

Really Sea World just needs to adopt the BGT formula and add a coaster every few years...a hyper coaster would fix a lot of things..it isn't that I don't like Sea World there is just nothing to do there right now

Much agreed, Seaworld should strife to become like BG but with a nautical theme. Put up a few more coaster, and a river rapids ride and perhaps some more interesting thrill rides like that giant frisbee thing.

 

[mahnamahna]

I'm not even going to read all of this... lmao.

opening date

Oct. 1, 2021

I honestly am hoping Universal does... payback for MGM Studios stealing USF's thunder