Is there any room for a 3rd park?

[DorianDonP]

Had a blast at IOA/USF this past weekend but since this was like my 4th or 5th time going I found myself just admiring the many things that make up the experience instead of rushing to all of the thrill rides (like I usually do). So me and my fiance walked around slowly, watching other people enjoy themselves and when we were leaving to head to City Walk I asked her if she thought they would build a 3rd park anytime soon.

Of course neither of us know the answer to this question but we liked speculating on what they could do with it. I decided to ask the more in-the-know people of this board. I know that it cost a ton of money to do this and Universal prolly won't be adding anything huge for a while with the latest addition of Harry Potter, but I guess I'm wondering if they have the land available to build a third park if they wanted to.

Does anyone think they will build a 3rd park within the next 10-15 years or so? What about changes to the current parks? Will we see T:2, Jaws, The Mummy, Shrek, etc there 10 years from now? Or will we start to see some of these attractions be replaced. What do you think is more likely, a new hotel resort or a new big attraction at one of the parks?

Guess I'm daydreaming about what it will be like when I decide to take my not-even-conceived-yet children to Orlando for the theme parks

 

[Harry Potter]

Last I heard, there was a new development behind Jurassic Park that had been given the goahead, apparently for condos or holiday homes. I guess all-inclusive residential suites is the next step for Universal if it wants to compete with Disney's DVC.

There is no room to build a third gate within existing UOR boundaries, although remember that Universal owns Wet N Wild which is not too far from the main resort. The lease for that waterpark is running out and I don't know what Universal are going to do with it, if anything.

Here is a good resource for all things Universal Orlando. Although much of this is speculation, there are usually nice rumours and possibilties:

http://www.screamscape.com/html/universal_orlando.htm

 

[ky07]

Last I heard, there was a new development behind Jurassic Park that had been given the goahead, apparently for condos or holiday homes. I guess all-inclusive residential suites is the next step for Universal if it wants to compete with Disney's DVC.

There is no room to build a third gate within existing UOR boundaries, although remember that Universal owns Wet N Wild which is not too far from the main resort. The lease for that waterpark is running out and I don't know what Universal are going to do with it, if anything.

Here is a good resource for all things Universal Orlando. Although much of this is speculation, there are usually nice rumours and possibilties:

http://www.screamscape.com/html/universal_orlando.htm

Last time I heard anything about that it was supose to be something like employee housing and also heard it was just going to be very expensive housing too but who knows but your point of it being something like DVC would make alot of sense

 

[Hunter182]

I know that it cost a ton of money to do this and Universal probally won't be adding anything huge for a while with the latest addition of Harry Potter, but I guess I'm wondering if they have the land available to build a third park if they wanted to.

Does anyone think they will build a 3rd park within the next 10-15 years or so? What about changes to the current parks? Will we see T:2, Jaws, The Mummy, Shrek, etc there 10 years from now? Or will we start to see some of these attractions be replaced. What do you think is more likely, a new hotel resort or a new big attraction at one of the parks?

The next big thing we probably will end up getting is an expansion for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. They're talking about adding in an all new section to completley take over the Lost Continent, possibly a Diagon Alley area. Personally I'm a little wary of this, considering it would be a bit too similar to Hogsmeade for my personal tastes, but I'll reserve my judgement. What I am excited about is the proposed "e-ticket" for that new section, a Gringotts coaster. How cool would that be?!

You know, I used to say that anything classic was sacred ground and Universal wouldn't touch it. As in, Back to the Future and Kong. Well, we saw how those turned out. I have no doubt they are going to eventually replace JAWS. Or, at least give it a HUGE makeover. I also think something similar will happen with E.T.

The one I absolutley know will not be there in a few years is T2. Without a doubt. It's rumored to be replaced by an AVATAR attraction, which could either be really awesome...or god awful.

The Mummy isn't going anywhere. It might get refurbed, but I'm pretty sure it's staying.

Shrek, I'm not sure. But I doubt it's gonna be around in a decade.

Disaster!, formerly known as Earthquake will also probably be replaced. Once again, rumored to be replaced by Kong 3-D which is now part of the Backlot Tour at Universal Hollywood. The only problem I have with this rumor is that it's not able to fit in with the themeing where Disaster! currently is, in the San Fransico area. So I dunno.

The next things we know for absolute sure we are getting are the Spider-Man refurb, (The Preview Images look AMAZING) and a Despicable Me attraction to replace Neutron.

And as for the area behind Jurassic Park...

Another thing that has been tossed around for years is fleshing out that land. It's a huge piece of real estate, with only one attraction, the current River Adventure (Which needs desperatley to be updated.) So to add to it, they were at one point discussing adding in a Jeep Tour like in the original movie. Imagine Dinosaur over in the Animal Kingdom, with a Jurassic Park flavor. Sounds fantastic to me.

Do I think they'll add a third park anytime soon? I doubt it. They'll just keep building themselves up with the two parks they have. Further closing up the gap between them and Disney. Not that we as fans should mind of course. We're gonna get some amazing stuff out of it.

 

[MrsSparrow..]

The above posters have pretty much covered it. However, for many years there have been rumors about Universal creating a water park, as WnW isn't really convenient for on-site guests. However, it's all just rumors at this stage and I would suppose nothing major will happen within the next ten years or so.

 

[Badge]

I really want them to bring the Transformers ride and the Madagascar ride the Orlando. I really think if Madagascar is a big hit, I could see it replacing ET. I think they are working on another Madagascar movie and it has a spin off on the television channel Nick. More kids know the penguins and other characters than ET I think, so I could see it getting replaced with that. Also, it would fit with the area of the park and I think the building is big enough.

As far as Disaster, I would like it to get replaced with the Transformers ride. Of course, the theming could be a problem. I have no idea where the ride is set, but I would think someplace in California which *might* fit in with the theming, but it would take some work. Also, I have no idea if the building is big enough. I know in Hollywood it is a two story show building which will use a really cool elevator system to move the cars up and down the building. So, maybe it could fit.

I personally am ready for some big changes to the parks. Since we will most likely never get a third gate, they need to keep the rides fresh. Also, with the huge success that HP has brought to the parks, now would be a great time to keep adding to success. More people would visit the Studios if a Transformers type ride took over Disaster (a ride that has been around for a LONG time, and the "new version" is worse than the old. I like the new preshow, but the video screens during the main part of the show really kill the ride for me) and more families would want to bring the littler kids if a Madagascar ride was added because again, more kids know that name. Now is the time to keep adding the big name rides and shows. IOA is great with Jurrasic Park, Dr. Suess, Marvel,and now HP. These names have proven that they have staying power. However, the same thing can not be said about the Studios. Shrek, while it lasted awhile, will not stand the test of time like Jurrasic Park. Same thing goes with Twister and even ET. The Simpsons ride was the step in the right direction...I just hope they keep moving that way and don't put all their attention to IOA and HP.

 

[damo]

I really want them to bring the Transformers ride and the Madagascar ride the Orlando. I really think if Madagascar is a big hit, I could see it replacing ET. I think they are working on another Madagascar movie and it has a spin off on the television channel Nick. More kids know the penguins and other characters than ET I think, so I could see it getting replaced with that. Also, it would fit with the area of the park and I think the building is big enough.

As far as Disaster, I would like it to get replaced with the Transformers ride. Of course, the theming could be a problem. I have no idea where the ride is set, but I would think someplace in California which *might* fit in with the theming, but it would take some work. Also, I have no idea if the building is big enough. I know in Hollywood it is a two story show building which will use a really cool elevator system to move the cars up and down the building. So, maybe it could fit.

I personally am ready for some big changes to the parks. Since we will most likely never get a third gate, they need to keep the rides fresh. Also, with the huge success that HP has brought to the parks, now would be a great time to keep adding to success. More people would visit the Studios if a Transformers type ride took over Disaster (a ride that has been around for a LONG time, and the "new version" is worse than the old. I like the new preshow, but the video screens during the main part of the show really kill the ride for me) and more families would want to bring the littler kids if a Madagascar ride was added because again, more kids know that name. Now is the time to keep adding the big name rides and shows. IOA is great with Jurrasic Park, Dr. Suess, Marvel,and now HP. These names have proven that they have staying power. However, the same thing can not be said about the Studios. Shrek, while it lasted awhile, will not stand the test of time like Jurrasic Park. Same thing goes with Twister and even ET. The Simpsons ride was the step in the right direction...I just hope they keep moving that way and don't put all their attention to IOA and HP.

I'd love for them to blow out the whole kiddie area near ET and completely redo it with a nice family ride -- something like Crate Adventure would be fun. I'd like them to keep the ET ride system but retheme it and upgrade it.

 

[Badge]

So, I did some looking at Google Maps, and I noticed a big area of empty land next to IOA and Royal. I have outlined it in red on the map. Is this Universal land? If so, it seems big enough for a third gate! Also, it is right up next to the water area of Royal, so another boat dock could be built. It would not be the greatest location since it would not be attatched to Citywalk, but it could work out if done right. Of course, they could also build a waterpark here, but I am not a big fan of water parks. I think with a third gate, Universal would stand out as another great location to visit at Universal for a week or more. With its current two parks, you only need about 3 days. However, a third gate would bump that up to 5 or 6 if done well. It would also help bring in the crowds. I do not think a waterpark would do that, and I personally feel like it would be a waste of what little space they do have left.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us