Lord of the Rings at Universal!!!????

[Planogirl]

I agree that Toon Lagoon is past its prime, since the idea of newspapers is a thing of the past in general, so are many of the comic characters. I'm not sure if LOTR should go there, but a refresh of the area with something different would be nice.

Honestly I figured out a way to use Marvel Island AND Toon Lagoon for LOTR but I doubt that would happen.

No! Please no!

I think that I'd rather see Jurassic Park go than Marvel Island but hopefully neither one will.

 

[RMulieri]

No! Please no!

I think that I'd rather see Jurassic Park go than Marvel Island but hopefully neither one will.

I wouldn't want to see Marvel or Jurassic go either...I am ok with toon lagoon going since most areas no longer even have newspapers..Mine only has Sunday delivery anymore and rarely comics..So though I grew up with Cathy and Blondie, they have run their course

 

[damo]

I wouldn't want to see Marvel or Jurassic go either...I am ok with toon lagoon going since most areas no longer even have newspapers..Mine only has Sunday delivery anymore and rarely comics..So though I grew up with Cathy and Blondie, they have run their course

I just think there is a lot of unused space here. The theatre has a lot of space around it and Dudley do-right can go (even if he is Canadian, lol). I think this is the largest parcel of land that is expendable and raft rides are always easy to retheme.

http://goo.gl/maps/GzXwx

Just look at all that space. There's even space behind Thunder Falls Terrace that could be used.

 

[ChrisFL]

This is what happens when I have too much free time at work

^^Basically taking "Middle Earth" and putting it over where Marvel and Toon Lagoon is, on a MUCH smaller scale obviously

Yes, I don't think it will happen and it would leave out a lot of fans, it was just an exercise in imagineer....um...creative thought

 

[cheshireqt]

I'd happily get rid of Toon Lagoon for it. Although I really like Popeye's when it is warm out, the rest is pretty much ready to go, IMO. There is a lot of space and that theatre is just a waste of space. I'd get rid of everything except Popeye's and retheme it. It could be amazing themed to LOTR.

I like that idea!

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I hate to beat a dead horse...But what about the empoyee parking lot? Can some computer literate poster please post an Ariel of that site (Vineland and Turkey Lake)? I really think this is the best location and in Universal rather than IOA which has to be a plus.

 

[ChrisFL]

Employee parking, to the right you see Jaws (old aerial, obviously)

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

I hate to beat a dead horse...But what about the empoyee parking lot? Can some computer literate poster please post an Ariel of that site (Vineland and Turkey Lake)? I really think this is the best location and in Universal rather than IOA which has to be a plus.

They just did a major expansion/repaving of the entire employee parking lot. There's no way they can spare the parking spaces, especially when more attractions are on the horizon. It would be difficult to connect that area to the park, anyway.

 

[ChrisFL]

They just did a major expansion/repaving of the entire employee parking lot. There's no way they can spare the parking spaces, especially when more attractions are on the horizon. It would be difficult to connect that area to the park, anyway.

sure they could, if they built a cast parking garage

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

sure they could, if they built a cast parking garage

I can see that, but I still think the issues of connecting the park would be a challenge. There's a bunch of buildings as well as a major backstage service road separating the areas. Not saying it can't happen, I just can't really imagine it.

If only they hadn't sold that land north of USF to build that darn apartment complex...

 

[keishashadow]

Employee parking, to the right you see Jaws (old aerial, obviously)

thanks for that visualand for the others.

Am I missing why they couldn't use that space and buy land elsewhere for employees to park, shuttling them into work.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

thanks for that visualand for the others.

Am I missing why they couldn't use that space and buy land elsewhere for employees to park, shuttling them into work.

They used to do that with the land south of Islands of Adventure. But as you might expect, shuttling close to 20k employees is a difficult endeavor.

 

[keishashadow]

They used to do that with the land south of Islands of Adventure. But as you might expect, shuttling close to 20k employees is a difficult endeavor.

likely but before they'd buy land offsite (and have to bus guests there) using land on hand and contracting transport/staggering work schedules/encouraging usage of public transport would likely be examined.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I think there looks like enough room to put a smallish parking structure at the corner of Turkey Lake and Universal Studios Plaza that should alleviate the biggest parking concerns and would still leave plenty of room for a new land.

Entrance into the new area from existing USF walkways looks extremely feasible via these ariels photos

 

[keishashadow]

my lack of engineering/architectural knowledge is probably showingbut i've often wondered why they can't build multi-level amusement parks. Before you laugh, consider this coaster at NYNY resort in vegas. The casino/shops/restaurants are buillt under it (but not below ground level, the coaster is elevated). Likely FLA has a water table that would be an issue and sandy soil that could be the fly in the ointment. Any smart people here? lol

 

[ChrisFL]

my lack of engineering/architectural knowledge is probably showingbut i've often wondered why they can't build multi-level amusement parks. Before you laugh, consider this coaster at NYNY resort in vegas. The casino/shops/restaurants are buillt under it (but not below ground level, the coaster is elevated). Likely FLA has a water table that would be an issue and sandy soil that could be the fly in the ointment. Any smart people here? lol

Well, technically both Magic Kingdom and Epcot's Future World are multi-level! The difference is that you don't actually SEE the first level because it is the utilidor tunnels for Cast Members.

Also, those tunnels are not technically underground, but built on the "First" floor, due to the previous issues you mentioned.

 

[keishashadow]

Well, technically both Magic Kingdom and Epcot's Future World are multi-level! The difference is that you don't actually SEE the first level because it is the utilidor tunnels for Cast Members.

Also, those tunnels are not technically underground, but built on the "First" floor, due to the previous issues you mentioned.

hmmm...i did the tour re MK but had no idea that epcot was set up the same. Recall that the built mainstreet up (as in 2nd story) vs digging utilidors down.

so it's do-able then, sounds good to me

 

[indimom]

I agree that toontown would be a likely place to chop, many young people do not even know the characters or cartoons being portrayed. But it seems kind of small. Am I the only one that thinks Jurassic Park might be another area they would consider.

Don't get me wrong, I loved the books and movie, I think that part of the park is gorgeous, but well, it's a little weak compared to the other sections. Especially the museum area. The play area could stay and would be easy to retheme. Teranadon Flyers (if they opted to keep it, its such a slow load I'm not sure I would bother) could be rethemed to the Giant Eagles. I would hate to see T-Rex go, but it would be lost without the rest...

Part of me would hate to see it go, but it just seems like one of the largest spaces in the entire park, and one of the least utilized, if that makes sense.

And, yes, I'm a LOTR junkie. I've been wishing for this type of news for a long time. It rates right up there with HP for me.

 

[ChrisFL]

I agree that toontown would be a likely place to chop, many young people do not even know the characters or cartoons being portrayed. But it seems kind of small. Am I the only one that thinks Jurassic Park might be another area they would consider.

Don't get me wrong, I loved the books and movie, I think that part of the park is gorgeous, but well, it's a little weak compared to the other sections. Especially the museum area. The play area could stay and would be easy to retheme. Teranadon Flyers (if they opted to keep it, its such a slow load I'm not sure I would bother) could be rethemed to the Giant Eagles. I would hate to see T-Rex go, but it would be lost without the rest...

Part of me would hate to see it go, but it just seems like one of the largest spaces in the entire park, and one of the least utilized, if that makes sense.

And, yes, I'm a LOTR junkie. I've been wishing for this type of news for a long time. It rates right up there with HP for me.

Jurassic Park isn't going anywhere, in fact, rumors are strong that they are adding a new ride to it soon.

 

[indimom]

Jurassic Park isn't going anywhere, in fact, rumors are strong that they are adding a new ride to it soon.

A new ride there sounds like a good idea. Like I said, love the books and movie, just didn't feel like there was a lot to do there.

So, toon lagoon does seem likely. Can't wait to see how this all plays out. They'll definitely get my family back for more visits with all the updates that are being talked about on here!