Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[Skubersky]

Is this actually coming to Fun Spot? That's interesting that Mack are doing it. I didn't know that.

What do you actually see?

It was just a 3-day test for IAAPA attendees.
You saw a CGI sci fi sci being destroyed by a giant robot, with explosions and collapsing buildings all around you. During the lift hill you could tap a button on the headset to fire lasers. It was way cool!

 

[martymcflyy85]

It might be okay on a mild roller coaster that only goes up and down (motion sickness wise).

 

[Teebin]

Ew, I hope not.

Take a big breath and do not take everything as literal. I watched the Fun Spot video and I came away with, "eh", because it is off the shelf and understandable. Then there are things in this world I cannot comprehend at all, things that baffle me. Such baffling things are in the works by Universal Creative. OK?

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Decided to make a list of rumored/Confirmed additions coming for USO. Due to the fact that multiple projects have been in development as rumors or real deals more recently.

Rumored;
~TSLoP (IOA) (2017)
~T2 Upgrades (USF) (???)
~Wet N' Wild Replacement (Resort-Wide) (???)
~Kidzones Replacer/Nintendo (USF) (2018)
~NBA City's Replacer (Resort-Wide) (2016)

Confirmed;
~Sapphire Falls (Resort-Wide) (2016)
~Reign of Kong (IOA) (2016)
~Hulk (IOA) (2016)
~Fast & Furious (USF) (2017)
~Hello Kitty (USF) (2016)
~Volcano Bay (Resort-Wide) (2017)
~Fallon (USF) (2017)

Keep in mind, I made the Rumors are those that are unconfirmed, and where as the confirmed are those that are official in a given sense. And the years I placed for the Rumored are those that seem likely for, can be wrong about it.

as of now, (if Comcast doesn't add more possibly) the amount of projects we would see done by 2018 either rumored or real is 12 additions for USO.

 

[NJBrandon]

Wasn't Hello Kitty supposed to be "later this year?"

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Wasn't Hello Kitty supposed to be "later this year?"

Its suprising, thinking that it could of been done as fast as possible but I guess Lucy has some fight in her. At this point, I have to think Early 2016 is for this.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

GrowthSpotter.com reporting Universal had a contract in place to purchase 474 acres of land for expansion.

Well.

 

[s8film40]

GrowthSpotter.com reporting Universal had a contract in place to purchase 474 acres of land for expansion.

Well.

This was also just confirmed in the Skyplex meeting.

 

[sjago13]

So this is the Lockheed land then right? And is that land in orlando city limits?

 

[Disneyhead]

So this is the Lockheed land then right? And is that land in orlando city limits?

Yes. And no, it's not in the city limits.

Ok, so Skyplex was just OKed by the County Commission. And it has been confirmed that Universal has this 400+ acres under contract.

Looks like the tourist corridor is about to get real.

 

[JungleSkip]

Let the games begin.

/Bane voice

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

Universal City, FL?

 

[AlexanderMBush]

This move..i'm both terrified on what Universal is going to do, and interested to know how Universal is going to change the industry yet again with the big move made today..

 

[Scott W.]

Universal City, FL?

Universal North and South?

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Universal North and South?

Lets hope that a civil war doesn't happen between the two then...

 

[Teebin]

Please remember everyone that I hinted hard that Universal wanted that land. I was shocked to find it out myself, so that is why I passed the info right onto here immediately even though I hate passing info so quickly.

 

[DK745]

I haven't really followed anything on Skyplex, and don't know anything about the area (and that one link requires a subscription to read the article.) I think I just read here that this is the Lockheed Martin land that they previously had. Is the Skyplex land directly near it too? Is this why they were so opposed to it? How close is it?

Curious how they would spin a third park off their current property to people staying in-resort. I assume free shuttles but it's not quite as convenient as just being able to walk to the park.

 

[JungleSkip]

My super early predictions:

 

[s8film40]

I assume free shuttles but it's not quite as convenient as just being able to walk to the park.

Wouldn't it be ironic if they built a state of the art monorail system that put the Disney monorails to shame.

 

[maxairmike]

It seems this is all going to be on the Colony Capital lots, however it does not include every open lot in that large empty area. In fact, with the exception of two lots immediately east and south of Lockheed, the other empty lots south of Lockheed are not included. UniCorp is eyeing one of those lots directly across Universal Blvd. from the Eye, so they haven't quite locked down that entire available area. The largest available lot, which is 161 acres and includes the planned/expected ROW for a Kirkman extension around Lockheed down to Universal Blvd. had a market value last year of $12.5 million. There are also at least two currently planned developments fronting Universal Blvd/Destination Pkwy, so they can't lock it all up anyway. Given that, I think they're still looking at another approx. $20 million to lock up all the currently available land on the north side of Universal Blvd, not including some conservation only land that they would be wise to pick up to ensure they can develop as much of that Lockheed land as possible.