Universal Orlando Resort Misc Refurbs

[Mad Dog]

Portofino Bay is getting a Starbucks location.

Is it a new location or is it replacing one of the existing restaurants? Hope it's not Sal's, it's one of the best establishments at Universal.

 

[DragonSlayer]

Is there an update on the room renovations over at RPR? Are those done already?

I haven't seen anything since that ghastly photo which came out around the same time as the one of the giant pink flower all over the corridor. Hopefully this means they've seen the error of their ways...

Edit: Just did a quick search on Twitter; none of the room photos people have posted on there are of rooms refurbed in that style. I know this is far from concrete proof but it at least suggests they aren't widespread at this point. I can't remember how long ago it was the refurb photos came out, so I'm not sure what kind of percentage completion we should be expecting right now.

 

[JungleSkip]

Is it a new location or is it replacing one of the existing restaurants? Hope it's not Sal's, it's one of the best establishments at Universal.

If I had to guess it will replace the long closed location on the waterfront.

I haven't seen anything since that ghastly photo which came out around the same time as the one of the giant pink flower all over the corridor.

That's Royal Pacific, not Portofino.

 

[DragonSlayer]

That's Royal Pacific, not Portofino.

The renovation question was referring to RPR, not the Starbucks / Portofino conversation. :smiley:

Is there an update on the room renovations over at RPR? Are those done already?

 

[blue180]

Orlando United @Orlando_United · 59m 59 minutes ago
Construction walls are down in New York, as street repaving is finished. Cobblestone's been replaced w/ tan concrete

From Orlando United Twitter. Why would they do this pavement in tan? it looks terrible.

 

[natespf]

From Orlando United Twitter. Why would they do this pavement in tan? it looks terrible.

What????? Someone please tell me this is a temporary fix!

 

[Gillman]

I'm not saying I'm in love with it but I think they were trying to make it look like an old unpaved street hence the wheel tracks.

 

[Nick]

The cobblestone was much more in theme, but I know from working there that it was a pain in the *** for certain operational things.

 

[Teebin]

The cobblestone was much more in theme, but I know from working there that it was a pain in the *** for certain operational things.

Yeah, I wish they had created new mats to stamp a lower profile paver (which weren't truly cobblestone designs at all but American paving stones... totally different). Hogsmeade and Diagon both have wonderful low profile hints of cobbles which are a breeze to walk on.

 

[shiekra38]

That cobblestone hurt my feet..good riddance

 

[blue180]

I understand the reasoning to replace the cobblestone, but at least just have it all blend in. Its going to look so dirty once it rains

 

[Nick]

No update, but something that really needs some attention is the World's Fair Observation towers at MIB need to be refurbed badly. The paint is so faded it's ridiculous. It was nighttime and I could even tell how faded the paint was on those towers.

 

[Teebin]

Speaking of refurbs, have any of you ever seen employees walking around with notebooks filled with photos staring intently at building facades. I have only seen it once, at the MK, and they were taking photos and notes based on changes in the facades since the original "proof" photos were taken. I would imagine it is happening at Uni more often these days.

 

[Kevin38]

From Orlando United Twitter. Why would they do this pavement in tan? it looks terrible.

Last time I was there (august) I filled out the disability survey(Fiance rides an ECV)
I complained about those cobblestones.When riding an Ecv (or pushing something with wheels)
Those pavers made for an uncomfortable ride.
Like those bumps when approaching stop sign in an car but 200 yards long.

Not saying they did it because of me but they may have gotten more complaints than mine.
and it may have planned long before my survey.

But I am glad they are making it more comfortable for disabled guests

 

[natespf]

Last time I was there (august) I filled out the disability survey(Fiance rides an ECV)
I complained about those cobblestones.When riding an Ecv (or pushing something with wheels)
Those pavers made for an uncomfortable ride.
Like those bumps when approaching stop sign in an car but 200 yards long.

Not saying they did it because of me but they may have gotten more complaints than mine.
and it may have planned long before my survey.

But I am glad they are making it more comfortable for disabled guests

That is a very good point to bring up. There is no doubt that many guests and staff had problems with it. Looked very nice though not very practical. (I tended to take the sidewalk down that street but not always a viable option.) I still wish they would have come up with some sort of stamp for it which was less dimensional. A dirt road shouldn't be perfectly smooth, not quite to the level of Jurassic Park but something in between.

 

[Andy]

Very excited to see everything begin after the Xmas rush!!

 

[JungleSkip]

Very excited to see everything begin after the Xmas rush!!

I figured that's when some of the things we're waiting on would start.

Still...Twister may be a bit of a mad dash if they want it open in 2015...

 

[Teebin]

Very excited to see everything begin after the Xmas rush!!

Why? Are they going to be refurbing a whole bunch of existing attractions? I am surprised that you would be excited about that. After all, they just did a minor refurb of the hulk and that was pretty ho-hum.

On the other hand, if you are talking something more along the lines of Nascar Grille, that ain't a refurbish. Nascar is Close, Destroy and Replace. Is there a Close, Destroy and Replace thread? Perhaps there needs to be...

 

[princeinc]

Did Uni get a new sign or have I just been ignoring this as I run to the park.

 

[Gambit]

Yeah that's a new sign. I've never seen that metal background before.