Orange County Commissioners vote & rumor leaks...

[HopperFan]

3 hours of speakers (and it was one of best of it's kind of meeting that I've seen).

Orange County Commissioners voted unanimously YES to SkyPlex.

Towards end of meeting info leaked and rumor started that the 450 acres of land off Universal Blvd recently sold was to Universal for possible third gate. This would explain Universal's campaign to stop SkyPlex.

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/...orlando-may-build-new-theme-park.html?ana=twt

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/...proves-500m-skyplex-project-on-i.html?ana=twt

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...universal-property-colony-20151007-story.html

 

[rteetz]

3 hours of speakers (and it was one of best of it's kind of meeting that I've seen).

Orange County Commissioners voted unanimously YES to SkyPlex.

Towards end of meeting info leaked and rumor started that the 450 acres of land off Universal Blvd recently sold was to Universal for possible third gate. This would explain Universal's campaign to stop SkyPlex.

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/...orlando-may-build-new-theme-park.html?ana=twt

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/...proves-500m-skyplex-project-on-i.html?ana=twt

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...universal-property-colony-20151007-story.html

Not surprised at all. A Universal third gate is only a matter of time.

It also has been said that part of the reason universal didn't want skyplex there was because you can see from inside IOA I believe as well as eventually Volcano Bay.

 

[HopperFan]

There were many renderings provided at the meeting and it's impact to Universal views will be minimal. You won't even notice it. Volcano Bay will actually provide more buffer to the other parks.

It's also going to be under 600 feet with the final plans, not 700 feet.

But honestly since they didn't buy land to buffer their parks, that is their problem. I think it was all smokescreen.

 

[rteetz]

There were many renderings provided at the meeting and it's impact to Universal views will be minimal. You won't even notice it. Volcano Bay will actually provide more buffer to the other parks.

It's also going to be under 600 feet with the final plans, not 700 feet.

But honestly since they didn't buy land to buffer their parks, that is their problem. I think it was all smokescreen.

Most likely but it is interesting how that info came out during the meeting today.

 

[Chumpieboy]

Forgive my confusion here; help me understand - is the skyplex project and the land Uni has/is purchased/-ing the same plot? Or are the 2 plots near each other? What's the link?

 

[rteetz]

Forgive my confusion here; help me understand - is the skyplex project and the land Uni has/is purchased/-ing the same plot? Or are the 2 plots near each other? What's the link?

They are near each other.

 

[rteetz]

From what I've read on the project and land purchase universal has enough land there for a 3rd gate and entertainment district. However a second entertainment district is going to go where wet and wild is when that closes.

 

[HopperFan]

Forgive my confusion here; help me understand - is the skyplex project and the land Uni has/is purchased/-ing the same plot? Or are the 2 plots near each other? What's the link?

Skyplex is at the corner of International and Sand Lake just south of Wet & Wild. Universal has been fighting it hard with no real issue - other than competition which really made no sense. Over 50 people came to speak, I think only 4 were against the project: two were Universal lawyers, one a man who lives west of Universal (not near SkyPlex) and other a teen boy who was predicting dead bodies from the crime and rides???? The rest from all walks of life were there to support SkyPlex.

Towards end of meeting there were discussions happening that Universal had bought a large plot of land that became available recently I believe by foreclosure. It is a part of a huge parcel on the other side of Lockheed. Apparently several folks were buzzing and then SkyPlex did their closing arguments. They alluded to it as well with some things SkyPlex lawyer and owner said. Great meeting to watch, worth all 3 hours of it.

We discussed it at our house earlier today that this fight of Universals made no sense unless they felt the project would interfere somehow with some bigger plans they have.

Above links give some of the info put together tonight and what I found when the land came to light.

Quick draw map but:
LIME is Universal Parks, Wet & Wild and parking
YELLOW is SkyPlex property
ORANGE is the Orlando Eye and future Unicorp Project
PINK is part of the large amount of land that is available and they are saying Universal has bought.

 

[Josh Hendy]

That piece of land that Universal may have bought ... wow.

It is HUUUUUGE.

 

[wareagle57]

What is Skyplex exactly?

 

[Josh Hendy]

The Skyscraper at Skyplex is a $200 million retail and entertainment destination slated for International Drive.

 

[wareagle57]

View attachment 138282

Is this the same thing as the rumored 700 foot world's tallest "roller coaster" from a year or so back?

 

[HopperFan]

Is this the same thing as the rumored 700 foot world's tallest "roller coaster" from a year or so back?

Yes.
Today they said the building shell height would be under 600 ft but to be the tallest is just needs to be something like 520 feet. The project also includes a free fall type ride on the vertical, hotel, restaurants, shops and wave pool...

 

[rteetz]

Is this the same thing as the rumored 700 foot world's tallest "roller coaster" from a year or so back?

Yes.

 

[HopperFan]

More info .....

"Commissioners Ted Edwards and Pete Clarke said they were contacted by representatives of Universal who said the company has an option to buy the properties. According to Edwards and Clarke, Universal expressed concerns for overall planning in the area, and the impact of the proposed Skyplex rollercoaster on Universal's expansion plans....

Clarke and Edwards said Universal Orlando lobbyist John McReynolds contacted them a few days ago, telling them that the theme park resort has a contract on the property....

Edwards said McReynolds told him Sunday night Universal “had the property under contract, anticipated a quick closing.”

Edwards and Clarke said they were not told what the land would be used for.

“The impression is whatever it is, it would be big,” Edwards said. “It’s exciting.”


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...-universal-colony-property-20151201-post.html

 

[KYMickey]

This is going to be a really strange set up with the 3rd gate that far away from the rest of the complex. If that's truly what happens! I wonder if Universal will provide transportation between the different gates to customers or if they will be on their own for that?

 

[wilkeliza]

This is going to be a really strange set up with the 3rd gate that far away from the rest of the complex. If that's truly what happens! I wonder if Universal will provide transportation between the different gates to customers or if they will be on their own for that?

They would have to if they want to compete and make that third gate profitable. I can't imagine with Disney providing transportation to all parks from their hotels and manageable for those driving in. If it is a 3rd gate I don't think people would be happy staying "on property" and being told to find their own transportation.

 

[rteetz]

This is going to be a really strange set up with the 3rd gate that far away from the rest of the complex. If that's truly what happens! I wonder if Universal will provide transportation between the different gates to customers or if they will be on their own for that?

a monorail or shuttle service has heavily been rumored.

 

[rteetz]

I don't think people would be happy staying "on property" and being told to find their own transportation

Universal hotels do already provide transportation. Cabana bay has bus service and others have boat service.

 

[wilkeliza]

Universal hotels do already provide transportation. Cabana bay has bus service and others have boat service.

How close are those to the actual parks though? We've never stayed at Universal jsit make our way there either from a friends house or an on property Dosney stay. I always thought it was akin to Epcot area resorts where the boats aren't 100% needed but are nice. Are they 100% needed or just a convenance? Same for Cabana Bay? Is the bus 100% needed or just a convenance? Very different opperating stuctures if they aren't needed but offered versus absolutely needed.