Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[Brian G.]

Why is it that most in here feel offended about a "Themed" Thrill Park in Orlando? Are you all saying that MY CITY is not worth enough to have a Hyper, Strata or Giga coaster? I would like to know how the locals feel about having at least one of these parks here? (and when I say locals, I mean CFL, NOT!! North, South, East, and West Florida or the rest of the 49 states.... you are all Tourist in our eyes). Also would not mind to hear the opinion of the true back bone of our economy, the internationals... like Great Britain, Brazil, and most of Latin America. Sorry but I think we have thrown plenty of pixie dust to the world, I'm ready to have something different.

As a former, and future, local - Because you can find a "thrill" park anywhere regardless of how themed it is.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

If Universal gets a third park, I imagine it would just be IOA 2.0. More areas themed off IPs, except probably with a different packaging device then "islands" and/or "adventure". For example, if the main areas end up being based off Fantastic Beasts, Zelda/Pokemon, Universal Monsters, Back to the Future/Jaws, and Lord of the Rings, then it could be time travel themed or something, as all of those (except arguable Pokemon) take place in the past.

Also, out of the blue timeline prediction:
2016 - Universal officially gets the land, land breaking begins.
2017 - Construction fully begins, and ffficial announcement, with only a small amount of information such as IPs, location, etc.
2018-19 - Nothing, besides rampant construction.
2020 - CityWalk District 2 opens, WNW plot's TTC equivalent opens, a few of the new hotels open.
2021 - Park opens.

If universal goes that route, they could go against WDWs 50th, but I would think 2020 to celebrate universals 30th.

Why is it that most in here feel offended about a "Themed" Thrill Park in Orlando? Are you all saying that MY CITY is not worth enough to have a Hyper, Strata or Giga coaster? I would like to know how the locals feel about having at least one of these parks here? (and when I say locals, I mean CFL, NOT!! North, South, East, and West Florida or the rest of the 49 states.... you are all Tourist in our eyes). Also would not mind to hear the opinion of the true back bone of our economy, the internationals... like Great Britain, Brazil, and most of Latin America. Sorry but I think we have thrown plenty of pixie dust to the world, I'm ready to have something different.

At this point, Universal can not go back at a six flags style park. And I get it, a thrill park of six flags level is lacking in Orlando, but it would make USO a joke years after potter, Nintendo and TSLoP. Not to mention the possibility to overthrow Disneysea in total immersion.

 

[Donald Razorduck]

If universal goes that route, they could go against WDWs 50th, but I would think 2020 to celebrate universals 30th.



At this point, Universal can not go back at a six flags style park. And I get it, a thrill park of six flags level is lacking in Orlando, but it would make USO a joke years after potter, Nintendo and TSLoP. Not to mention the possibility to overthrow Disneysea in total immersion.

That's what Busch Gardens and Seaworld is for when it comes to Six Flags lime coaster experiences. They have excellent coasters and are adding more in the future. In fact, a combo ticket to BG SW gives one all the quality coasters one think about. Just cause they don't have as many as SFMM, they have much better ones.

 

[Ultranel]

As a former, and future, local - Because you can find a "thrill" park anywhere regardless of how themed it is.

For you American, but what would you say to our international visitor that look at Orlando FL as the #1 tourist destination in the world thanks to our theme parks. Is it a true sin to offer that type of attraction as well? It is who we are as a city.

 

[captainmoch]

I think in between the major coasters at Uni/SW/BGT and the PolarCoaster, Orlando doesn't really need a thrill park. What I want is a Universal park is one that's Diagon Alley-level immersive, except throughout the entire park. Some sort of fully immersing world that immerses you 100% around would be great.

 

[JungleSkip]

For you American, but what would you say to our international visitor that look at Orlando FL as the #1 tourist destination in the world thanks to our theme parks. Is it a true sin to offer that type of attraction as well? It is who we are as a city.

Britain has freaking Alton Towers, the king of "themed thrill parks". Why would they come to Orlando for that?

 

[s8film40]

I think the PRT is a great idea but I'd be concerned that it couldn't handle the volume of people needing to use it

I think the whole PRT concept really has no future. At this point in time so many people are working on autonomous cars that that would be a far more viable option. PRT is also best suited to something like a large spread out campus where there are a large number of destinations with eaquel need for transportation. For Universal in this application there would be like three main areas were thousands of people need to go back and forth to.

 

[Brian G.]

For you American, but what would you say to our international visitor that look at Orlando FL as the #1 tourist destination in the world thanks to our theme parks. Is it a true sin to offer that type of attraction as well? It is who we are as a city.

What @JungleSkip said....

along with Europa Park, Tivoli, Port Aventura....

 

[s8film40]

For you American, but what would you say to our international visitor that look at Orlando FL as the #1 tourist destination in the world thanks to our theme parks. Is it a true sin to offer that type of attraction as well? It is who we are as a city.

The problem with a coaster heavy park is its just too niche a market. A Universal park has to appeal to a broad range of people. There's a reason Disney and Universal attendance numbers are far higher than Six Flags. I think there is room for something like this in the Orlando market but not with the investment Universal is making. I could see Fun Spot evolving and expanding into that role after a good amount of time.

 

[Ultranel]

If universal goes that route, they could go against WDWs 50th, but I would think 2020 to celebrate universals 30th.



At this point, Universal can not go back at a six flags style park. And I get it, a thrill park of six flags level is lacking in Orlando, but it would make USO a joke years after potter, Nintendo and TSLoP. Not to mention the possibility to overthrow Disneysea in total immersion.

Thank you for having a point :clap: I get what you are saying and I think our parks live by certain standards. I don't see the reason why a big coaster or record breaking attractions MUST come with a crappy park attached to it.... I understand it is the vision we've been feed since we were born but we are talking about Universal, the best and most progressive theme park company in Orlando. My point, we can have 1st of it's kind thrill attractions surrounded by a beautiful park.

 

[Ultranel]

What @JungleSkip said....

along with Europa Park, Tivoli, Port Aventura....

and Disneyland Paris, and Disney Studios and many more actually.... but they still come.

 

[JungleSkip]

and Disneyland Paris, and Disney Studios and many more actually.... but they still come.

Well yea, but they really don't go to DLP and WDSP.

 

[Ultranel]

There's a reason Disney and Universal attendance numbers are far higher than Six Flags.

That would be because Orlando is the #1 tourist destination in the world. Although I have to say, It will be interesting to see the annual visitor's numbers minus every visitor outside the main land.... that could be scary

 

[Scott W.]

Why is it that most in here feel offended about a "Themed" Thrill Park in Orlando? Are you all saying that MY CITY is not worth enough to have a Hyper, Strata or Giga coaster? I would like to know how the locals feel about having at least one of these parks here? (and when I say locals, I mean CFL, NOT!! North, South, East, and West Florida or the rest of the 49 states.... you are all Tourist in our eyes). Also would not mind to hear the opinion of the true back bone of our economy, the internationals... like Great Britain, Brazil, and most of Latin America. Sorry but I think we have thrown plenty of pixie dust to the world, I'm ready to have something different.

I wouldn't be against a hyper coaster or a major other type of coaster and I think the work that's being done on Hulk will prove that that type of ride can be done with a well with good theming.

But a whole park like that? It's just not Universal's style. I'm from the UK and I'd consider Alton Towers my closest theme park and although it does boat quite a few different coasters and some really world class attractions, they're all incredibly themed plus they have great terrain to work with along with being in the middle of a forested area with heavy restrictions in what they can and can't do leading to some genius solutions.

I went to Magic Mountain a couple of months ago and I absolutely loved it having never been to a park like that but I didn't have any connection to the park what so ever, especially after I visited the day after going to Disneyland and DCA.

Speaking of which, I think Disneyland kind of ruined WDW for me. I thought the parks were far superior and I never realised just how much I loved having two parks next door to each other. As much as I'd love to see a 3rd gate at Universal, I don't know if it actually needs one just yet.

 

[ChrisFL]

original content vs. known IP's. While I loved the Lost Continent, look what happened to it... mostly replaced by a popular IP.

Might we see Lord of the Rings in this new park?

 

[maxairmike]

I think there's more than enough room in the Central Florida market for a more normal amusement park, but that's not something I want or expect to see out of Universal and is a completely different topic of discussion.

I'd expect the contract deal for the land to close by the end of the year, and while we've all heard of/discussed rumored plans for a 3rd park I would imagine it has all been very high level blue sky stuff up until very, very recently. I'd expect it to take another year or so before we see any significant movement on land relating to any development, 3rd park, hotel, or entertainment complex. The one thing I could see them moving in the near future on would be more back of house style projects, like relocating offices, facilities, etc. on that land when the contract is completed.

 

[s8film40]

That would be because Orlando is the #1 tourist destination in the world. Although I have to say, It will be interesting to see the annual visitor's numbers minus every visitor outside the main land.... that could be scary

Six Flags opened 10 years before anything was in Orlando. So then why isn't Dallas the #1 tourist destination. The answer is that the Disney and later Universal model appealed to broader range of guests, this is what made Orlando the tourist destination it is. It's counterintuitive to think that doing the opposite of what traditionally has a broad appeal will work in the Orlando market. A thrill park is only going to capture a narrow margin of the consumer base. So like I said I think it has a place in the market, but obviously you just can't invest nearly as much money into something like that.

 

[Scott W.]

For the sake of nostalgia, if a 3rd gate was to open, I'd love to see a preview centre open next to the Mummy.

 

[Cole]

I expect one big outside coaster because they're just ridiculously popular and people flock to them like seagulls. When RRR is the number one highest rated ride in the resort (god that sentence makes me sick), prepare for atleast one like it in this new park

 

[Nick]

original content vs. known IP's. While I loved the Lost Continent, look what happened to it... mostly replaced by a popular IP.

Might we see Lord of the Rings in this new park?

LC was created during an entire different era of Uni Creative though. I'm confident, given the opportunity, that they could come up with great original content.