Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[Teebin]

I've heard Viacom is interested in the property.

Why would Viacom be interested? To spite Comcast?

 

[Nick]

Why would Viacom be interested? To spite Comcast?

Not to mention Viacom is on the edge of Bankruptcy.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

I doubt Viacoms going to try. as NBT said; they're on the verge of bankruptcy, and to be honest; they need to sell off un-valuable profit now before it backfires. That being said..I do see Universal going to compete to get that patch of lot. Its valuable space that they can get very good.

 

[Disneyhead]

Viacom, through Paramount, is already actively re-entering the theme park game.

I am not shocked they are looking at this land.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

I understand Paramount; but at this point, there should be some holdings until they can get out of the verge of Bankruptcy.

 

[Nick]

I doubt Viacoms going to try. as NBT said; they're on the verge of bankruptcy, and to be honest; they need to sell off un-valuable profit now before it backfires. That being said..I do see Universal going to compete to get that patch of lot. Its valuable space that they can get very good.

Yeah, they can get this for a drop in the bucket (for comcast) and make back the money pretty quickly by putting hotels and other Universal offerings here. It's not the ideal location for a third park like Major is, but Major is going to be so hard to acquire and likely incredibly more expensive.

At the very least, they could use the space to move some backstage offices/buildings for the time being and to use as a prep site for new construction.

 

[Teebin]

Hmmm... I just had to look up and see what kind of acreage a theme park needs; only 100 to 140 acres. I had forgotten that. Why Universal would want to build a park down there is beyond me. On the other hand, I am sure my vision is cloudy.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Hmmm... I just had to look up and see what kind of acreage a theme park needs; only 100 to 140 acres. I had forgotten that. Why Universal would want to build a park down there is beyond me. On the other hand, I am sure my vision is cloudy.

The funny thing is; if they want to do a big park, this area would be it. For instance; the park itself for Universal Beijing will be 200 acres, (but keep in mind; its probably going to be the MK of universal parks) and if you want to do a third park; you could excel in size to make it much larger than Universal Beijing.

 

[captainmoch]

If they do acquire this land and create a third park, I hope they:
1) Iron out some of the kinks at the first two parks before they begin a third. (such as finding replacements for TL and LC, updating MSHI and SL, finishing Nintendo, etc.)
2) Leave land for a potential fourth gate in the future. 403 is roughly the same amount as US and IOA together, after all.
3) Have an expansion of CityWalk on this side as well. That way this half of the resort will have some other stuff to do as well.
4) Add a few obvious things such as a large parking garage and a few hotels as well.
Basically, if we do have to have a "split" resort, (aka multiple parks spread out and not within the same property), I love the idea of there being two full halves with plenty close-together things to do on each side, instead of a full-feeling two-park resort area on one side and a one lone third park way off in the distance.

And in terms of transportation, if we can't get a Unirail I hope there would at least a dedicated bus lane for the bus service.

 

[tielo]

I would love the Universal Studios resort number 2, 2 parks, hotels and a Village Walk.
Only 1 dedicated bus-line/lane between the 2 resorts would make it a breeze to travel between them. But a dedicated monorail or skyway would be possible. There could be a hub at the (former) Wet & Wild resort.
There are 2 Goddard type parks I would love to see there.
The first could be Polar Ocean World:

The other could be a kind of Wizard of Oz but not that theme (more generic fantasy theme)

 

[princeinc]

I would love the Universal Studios resort number 2, 2 parks, hotels and a Village Walk.
Only 1 dedicated bus-line/lane between the 2 resorts would make it a breeze to travel between them. But a dedicated monorail or skyway would be possible. There could be a hub at the (former) Wet & Wild resort.
There are 2 Goddard type parks I would love to see there.
The first could be Polar Ocean World:

The other could be a kind of Wizard of Oz but not that theme (more generic fantasy theme)

i actually like the P.O.W.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

I know its just fan hopes but if they ever do a third gate..i just want some original IPs and possibly even the Classic Monsters. Its just the one hope I have if they ever go and do a third gate, but that's speculation for another day.

 

[captainmoch]

My confusion about a third gate is what it would be themed to. The only thing I can think of is just "More IOA", aka a bunch more themed lands.

Here's one idea, though: US's areas and themes are mostly grounded in reality, with real cities such as New York. The farthest from that is Diagon Alley, but that ties in with London too. IOA's areas and themes are mostly grounded in fantasy worlds, with the farthest from that being MSHI, but that still ties in to an extent. So... what if the next park is mostly themed to sci-fi/future/space? Or something similar?

 

[anihilnation]

Universes of Adventure :bonk:

 

[captainmoch]

Universes of Adventure :bonk:

Honestly... I kind of like that name. Even if it's kinda silly.

 

[s8film40]

Hmmm... I just had to look up and see what kind of acreage a theme park needs; only 100 to 140 acres. I had forgotten that. Why Universal would want to build a park down there is beyond me. On the other hand, I am sure my vision is cloudy.

There's really not a set size for theme parks. DCA opened as a 55 acre park.

 

[anihilnation]

Honestly... I kind of like that name. Even if it's kinda silly.

It actually makes sense also, every universe is fully self-immersive and you experience only the adventure from that universe. So like in the new HP, once you are in DA you have only the HP universe, the London facade is a buffer, really brilliant, do a theme park like this with a central hub and everything else shielded.

 

[Teebin]

There's really not a set size for theme parks. DCA opened as a 55 acre park.

Please don't mince such words with me! Geeeez! I was going by the general average of world class parks. Epcot is 300 acres but that ain't typical.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Please don't mince such words with me! Geeeez! I was going by the general average of world class parks. Epcot is 300 acres but that ain't typical.

i'd say 110-160+ Acre is the minimum then, as Disneyland Park at its core; is a world class park, but is clocking at 160 Acres that'd be a good question to raise.

 

[captainmoch]

I did have one idea... what if the theme is time/time travel? For example, say the long-running rumors are true and some IPs such as Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, and Doctor Who are acquired by Universal. Middle Earth could be an area representing the past, specifically the Middle-Ages/medieval times. Fantastic Beasts could get an area, and could represent the past too, specifically the early 20th century, which is when the films are going to take place. Star Trek would obviously represent the future. And Doctor Who fits with the time/time travel perfectly. Then they would just need to throw in a land with a family appeal (similar to Suess Landing) that still works with that theme. The theming could be even above IOA, with Diagon Alley-esque facades within each world completely isolating them, feeling as if you truly traveled through time and are in these worlds. For example, in the Middle Earth area there is mountains along the side on one side, and on the other side it's buildings in the Fantastic Beasts world, so you can't see the other worlds from either side. Any thoughts on this idea?

EDIT: Also how did I forget Hill Valley? A time/time-travel theme would make for a perfect BTTF park comeback!