New pedestrian bridge coming to Universal

[Metro West]

I saw this story online this morning and I thought I would share...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...ersal-studios-bridge-20130213,0,2142042.story

 

[hpriamson]

Interesting. Sounds like what happens here in New England when the Patriots, Sox or Bruins get the state to pay for things related to their stadiums.

Where exactly is the new hotel being built?

 

[Metro West]

Where exactly is the new hotel being built?

I think it's going to be built across the street from IoA next to the Royal Pacific. There's a huge lot that backs up to I-4 on one side and Turkey Lake Road on the other. The bridge will connect the two resorts (RPR and Cabana Bay) to the parks on the other side.

 

[ADP]

Interesting stuff. I'm guessing extending the water taxi service to Cabana Bay is out of the picture....Only time will tell on that. If there isn't water taxi service then this walkway becomes even more vital.

 

[Metro West]

Interesting stuff. I'm guessing extending the water taxi service to Cabana Bay is out of the picture....Only time will tell on that. If there isn't water taxi service then this walkway becomes even more vital.

That would be my guess too but the RPR might share their dock with those staying at the Cabana Bay.

 

[Bluer101]

That bridge is going across the road from the new hotel to the back of IOA / Jurassic area. Then the guest will walk or travel on the side walk to meet into the path at Margaritaville. It's still up in the air on if its strictly walking or some other form of transportation. It is almost definite that that resort will not be able to share, ride, or resort hop. It will not have express pass either. This is based on everything I have read do far.

Could be wrong but only time will tell.

 

[Metro West]

That bridge is going across the road from the new hotel to the back of IOA / Jurassic area. Then the guest will walk or travel on the side walk to meet into the path at Margaritaville. It's still up in the air on if its strictly walking or some other form of transportation. It is almost definite that that resort will not be able to share, ride, or resort hop. It will not have express pass either. This is based on everything I have read do far.

Could be wrong but only time will tell.

The article says the corner of Hollywood Way and Adventure Way which would be on the Cartoon Lagoon side moreso than Jurassic Park...unless it's where CL and JP meet.

 

[hydrotony]

That's going to be about a half a mile walk each way to the entrance of Islands of Adventure, mostly on a public sidewalk along Hollywood Way. Seems like there has to be a different way to get the new resort guest to the parks. They call it a "value" resort but it still will be maybe $200 a night for the family rooms and then told to walk 2500 ft will not go over big. I guess trams may be coming.

 

[Metro West]

I guess trams may be coming.

That could be the case.

 

[keishashadow]

interesting indeed. jhmo but i'm sure Universal (as well as the other parks and large employers in the area) receives concessions from the state/local taxing entities but help keep the local economy humming. Despite the state regs in place, not sure how the watchdog groups can rightly be complaining about the ear-marking of funds since $s are coming from the special taxing district's surplus of funds.

 

[Eclpz314]

I didn't see anything about an elevator at the new elevated walkway "to keep people safe". Does that mean people in ECVs, or who can't climbe steps, etc. will still be crossing the road at ground level?

 

[damo]

I didn't see anything about an elevator at the new elevated walkway "to keep people safe". Does that mean people in ECVs, or who can't climbe steps, etc. will still be crossing the road at ground level?

I don't think all the details are out yet. It still has to be passed.

 

[SammySlythers]

I didn't see anything about an elevator at the new elevated walkway "to keep people safe". Does that mean people in ECVs, or who can't climbe steps, etc. will still be crossing the road at ground level?

They could just build winding ramps on either side like the walkways over I4...

 

[hydrotony]

I noticed on google earth that is is not that far, maybe 300 feet, to extend the waterway into the north edge of the new resort. Maybe water taxis are what's going to be built. Seems easiest way to go. No obvious tram corridors along Hollywood Way, pretty narrow up there.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

I didn't see anything about an elevator at the new elevated walkway "to keep people safe". Does that mean people in ECVs, or who can't climbe steps, etc. will still be crossing the road at ground level?

I doubt the bridge will have stairs. If I recall correctly, none of the other bridges on property have them.

 

[andyman8]

Wait, Hollywood Way is a public road? That's odd; I never knew that locals used that as part of their morning commute. Oh well. I guess I don't have a huge problem with where the money's coming from, but rather I wonder why UOR just doesn't build a cross-walk and/or extend the water taxi (which they may still do). That being said, they do already have a walkway on the north side of Hollywood Way that goes from Turkey Ln. Road up to CityWalk

 

[atricks]

Wait, Hollywood Way is a public road? That's odd; I never knew that locals used that as part of their morning commute. Oh well. I guess I don't have a huge problem with where the money's coming from, but rather I wonder why UOR just doesn't build a cross-walk and/or extend the water taxi (which they may still do). That being said, they do already have a walkway on the north side of Hollywood Way that goes from Turkey Ln. Road up to CityWalk

Quite a few do use it for commute, including me. It's the best way to get to Dr. Phillips high from I-4, and a bunch of neighborhoods back there. Every day I go under the citywalk bridge, twice to get to I-4 east. So yes it's still a very public road. Not nearly as crowded as Kirkman for general traffic, it's really only of use if you live in the immediate vicinity. It's nice around 7-8AM on Universal Blvd, nobody is there yet except maybe the Universal landscapers. (10AM Is a different story, or after park close, especially on event nights). School buses also use Hollywood way for Dr. Phillips.

 

[ky07]

Thanks for the link metro

Seems like a good idea but some are sure fussing a lot about it and more or less saying universal is trying to cheat the city