Universal could announce a third gate on the 19th!!

[Figment632]

Well according to this the major announcement would include the following.

1. 3rd gate Water Park
2. Transformers Ride for US
3. WWOHP Phase 2 which would include Diagon Alley With Gringotts coaster ad well and another attraction.
4. Keeping Marvel Island
5.Dispicable me replacing JN.


Originally Posted by Spirit of 74
Well, my info is that Potter Phase II has been approved and will be large and include two more signature attractions, plus UNI will be adding two majors at the old park, including the Transformers ride going into Hollywood and Singapore ... and a water park is happening too.

Oh, and those Marvel characters that Disney paid $4 billion for? They're going to help keep guests flowing through IOA's gates as well.

Yeah, I kinda think Disney's redo of Star Tours, no matter how good, just
doesn't match up to that.

But look at those amazing hotels and timeshares ... and let's not forget the absurd waste of money on interactive queues (might do a thread on them) ... and how do you celebrate a milestone 40th anniversary? Yep ... a D23 *****fest for drooling fanbois and bloggers and lots of retro merchandise to remind you that WDW truly didn't always suck this much.

But the big thing is UNI is just gotten to the point where they are looking to truly battle Disney with substance and quality and respect for guests ... and having a 'wittle' announcement the day before the bloggers and OCD fanbois go to TPFKaTD-MGMS and blather on about how MAGICal it is, well that is UNI throwing down the gauntlet.

here is the link

http://www.discussionkingdom.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2044&page=9

 

[nytimez]

Well according to this the major announcement would include the following.

1. 3rd gate Water Park
2. Transformers Ride for US
3. WWOHP Phase 2 which would include Diagon Alley With Gringotts coaster ad well and another attraction.
4. Keeping Marvel Island
5.Dispicable me replacing JN.


Originally Posted by Spirit of 74
Well, my info is that Potter Phase II has been approved and will be large and include two more signature attractions, plus UNI will be adding two majors at the old park, including the Transformers ride going into Hollywood and Singapore ... and a water park is happening too.

Oh, and those Marvel characters that Disney paid $4 billion for? They're going to help keep guests flowing through IOA's gates as well.

Yeah, I kinda think Disney's redo of Star Tours, no matter how good, just doesn't match up to that.

But look at those amazing hotels and timeshares ... and let's not forget the absurd waste of money on interactive queues (might do a thread on them) ... and how do you celebrate a milestone 40th anniversary? Yep ... a D23 *****fest for drooling fanbois and bloggers and lots of retro merchandise to remind you that WDW truly didn't always suck this much.

But the big thing is UNI is just gotten to the point where they are looking to truly battle Disney with substance and quality and respect for guests ... and having a 'wittle' announcement the day before the bloggers and OCD fanbois go to TPFKaTD-MGMS and blather on about how MAGICal it is, well that is UNI throwing down the gauntlet.

I have a hard time believing any of this -- the May 19 announcement is a Webcast, from what I understand... which is a very small way to announce a very big deal. Something this big would no doubt be a full-scale press event with major media in attendance to photograph and gawk over scale-models of the new attractions.

However, if it's true, I take it that means they're going to dedicate the one little patch of bare ground they have left over there to a water park... which would be a disappointment as far as I'm concerned.

The last thing the Orlando area needs is another water park.

I also don't consider "keeping Marvel Island" to be a big deal, and the Despicable Me news is only modestly exciting (especially if it turns out to be just a re-theme of the current Jimmy Neutron attraction).

BUT, two new signature attractions in WWoHP and the Transformers ride -- now that's what I like to see. That's huge.

 

[Figment632]

You are right I am very skeptical but thats why it's rumored.

UNI would do an amazing job a water park they might actually theme the water rides not just place theming around them.

 

[Figment632]

I'm pretty sure if it happens Transformers will replace Jaws.

 

[ChrisFL]

I think the water park is due to Wet'N'Wild's rent going up for the property or something, so they're going to move it onto their own property, or start over with a new water park idea.

Either way, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[umichigan10]

Well according to this the major announcement would include the following.

1. 3rd gate Water Park
2. Transformers Ride for US
3. WWOHP Phase 2 which would include Diagon Alley With Gringotts coaster ad well and another attraction.
4. Keeping Marvel Island
5.Dispicable me replacing JN.


Originally Posted by Spirit of 74
Well, my info is that Potter Phase II has been approved and will be large and include two more signature attractions, plus UNI will be adding two majors at the old park, including the Transformers ride going into Hollywood and Singapore ... and a water park is happening too.

Oh, and those Marvel characters that Disney paid $4 billion for? They're going to help keep guests flowing through IOA's gates as well.

Yeah, I kinda think Disney's redo of Star Tours, no matter how good, just
doesn't match up to that.

But look at those amazing hotels and timeshares ... and let's not forget the absurd waste of money on interactive queues (might do a thread on them) ... and how do you celebrate a milestone 40th anniversary? Yep ... a D23 *****fest for drooling fanbois and bloggers and lots of retro merchandise to remind you that WDW truly didn't always suck this much.

But the big thing is UNI is just gotten to the point where they are looking to truly battle Disney with substance and quality and respect for guests ... and having a 'wittle' announcement the day before the bloggers and OCD fanbois go to TPFKaTD-MGMS and blather on about how MAGICal it is, well that is UNI throwing down the gauntlet.

here is the link

http://www.discussionkingdom.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2044&page=9

Looks like UNI isn't hesitating to cash in on the Potter brand then if this is true.

 

[TisBit]

I have a hard time believing any of this -- the May 19 announcement is a Webcast, from what I understand... which is a very small way to announce a very big deal. Something this big would no doubt be a full-scale press event with major media in attendance to photograph and gawk over scale-models of the new attractions.

I also don't consider "keeping Marvel Island" to be a big deal....

Interesting on how the "Disney fanboys" are the only truly evil thing while the "Universal fanboys" are the best ever...LOL

They are both companies that are competing, whenever perspective is lost, either because you are so for something or so against something that you cannot use rational decision making skills, it is quite depressing.

Like so many others, the competition of theme parks in the Orlando area is a good thing. No one park will ever win in the end, they will continue to play cat and mouse with each other trying to pull a few people from each others fanbase.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Interesting on how the "Disney fanboys" are the only truly evil thing while the "Universal fanboys" are the best ever...LOL

They are both companies that are competing, whenever perspective is lost, either because you are so for something or so against something that you cannot use rational decision making skills, it is quite depressing.

Like so many others, the competition of theme parks in the Orlando area is a good thing. No one park will ever win in the end, they will continue to play cat and mouse with each other trying to pull a few people from each others fanbase.

Pass me some of whatever it is you're smoking.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Of course it has been officially announced that Blackstone has put its 50% share of Universal up for sale. If the other 50% owner does not accept the offer by June 18 Blackstone can then put the entire complex up for sale, including the other 50%.

With this hanging over their heads I don't think any expansion is being planned at this time, unless the other 50% are going to buy out Blackstone.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Of course it has been officially announced that Blackstone has put its 50% share of Universal up for sale. If the other 50% owner does not accept the offer by June 18 Blackstone can then put the entire complex up for sale, including the other 50%.

With this hanging over their heads I don't think any expansion is being planned at this time, unless the other 50% are going to buy out Blackstone.

ChesireFig, are you absolutely sure those are the conditions? That isn't how I remembered it ... but I was never too up on it.

 

[ChrisFL]

Of course it has been officially announced that Blackstone has put its 50% share of Universal up for sale. If the other 50% owner does not accept the offer by June 18 Blackstone can then put the entire complex up for sale, including the other 50%.

With this hanging over their heads I don't think any expansion is being planned at this time, unless the other 50% are going to buy out Blackstone.

Blackstone is selling their 50% stake, if Blackstone doesn't find a buyer by June 18th, then COMCAST can buy out the entire property.

There was an article in the Sentinel just a few days ago about this.

 

[ChrisFL]

I also don't think a small Despicable Me ride would be that useful for PR just ahead of the Star Tours reopening

 

[nytimez]

Blackstone is selling their 50% stake, if Blackstone doesn't find a buyer by June 18th, then COMCAST can buy out the entire property.

There was an article in the Sentinel just a few days ago about this.

I could be wrong, but I think it's the other way 'round - Comcast has until June (12? 18? I forget the date) to buy Blackstone's stake. If Comcast doesn't bite, Blackstone can put the entire property up for sale.

 

[doconeill]

Of course it has been officially announced that Blackstone has put its 50% share of Universal up for sale. If the other 50% owner does not accept the offer by June 18 Blackstone can then put the entire complex up for sale, including the other 50%.

With this hanging over their heads I don't think any expansion is being planned at this time, unless the other 50% are going to buy out Blackstone.

I was thinking the same thing.

ChesireFig, are you absolutely sure those are the conditions? That isn't how I remembered it ... but I was never too up on it.

I could be wrong, but I think it's the other way 'round - Comcast has until June (12? 18? I forget the date) to buy Blackstone's stake. If Comcast doesn't bite, Blackstone can put the entire property up for sale.

That's what has been said here a number of times. Seems weird to me, but it seems to be the case. Here is the Sentinel story.


As for May 19th, I've heard that they are announcing a major update to an existing "beloved" US attraction, plus the replacement for Jimmy Neutron (which is expected to be Despicable Me). On the former, I'm wondering if The Simpsons is already getting an update?

I doubt much else would be announced.

 

[Figment632]

Everyones guess is as good as mine have no real sources for UNi.

 

[TisBit]

I was thinking the same thing.


That's what has been said here a number of times. Seems weird to me, but it seems to be the case. Here is the Sentinel story.

The contracts were written with the "Right of first refusal" built in, basically to keep one from selling out without giving the other partner an opportunity to buy it before another party grabs it up.

The more interesting clause, was that if Comcast does not buy than the entire property goes up for sale as one large asset and the buyer must pay more than what Comcast has the opportunity to buy Blackstone out for. I believe these are used more for a non-profitable asset, basically if US was in serious trouble, Blackstone can't just dump their half, it gets sold as a whole and at a larger premium. Even if Comcast passes on the offer, it could be difficult for Blackstone to sell the entire park.

 

[Figment632]

Okay after reading several forms and poking around elsewhere this is what I think will happen.

1.Potter will be announced later
2. Despicable Me will be announced
3. Water park with salvaging of Wet and Wild announced.
4. Transformers your guess is as good as mine.

I think this senerio is believable because the announcement is supposed. DM by itself is not but with the water park it is.

Even if Transformers and HP are not announced they are in the works.

 

[ChrisFL]

I have an idea...why not modify "Disaster" to include a King Kong Hollywood 3D variation instead of the earthquake one? Same basic opening premise, but with a different encounter on the tram.

Thoughts?

 

[Dznefreek]

A friend of mine who works at TLC at IOA was told months ago during a team meeting that the TLC would cease to exist this spring

I think that WWOHP Phase II was probably conceived and designed as part of phase I. Now they are ready to go after the phenomenal reaction to phase I.

 

[nytimez]

A friend of mine who works at TLC at IOA was told months ago during a team meeting that the TLC would cease to exist this spring

I think that WWOHP Phase II was probably conceived and designed as part of phase I. Now they are ready to go after the phenomenal reaction to phase I.

Don't know if it's true or not but it certainly makes sense. It's the least essential part of the park... and it just so happens to be right next to Potterland.