Universal Orlando New Master Plan

[rodkenrich]

,,

 

[Melanie230]

Interesting.

 

[ChrisFL]

Bah, they need another theme park, not convention space and hotels

 

[bubba's mom]

timeshare???

all these extra rooms and meeting space....where are they going to be putting the Harry Potter "land"?? ....we already know that is going somewhere....

if they "flood" the area w/ hotel rooms and don't build anymore "entertainment/park attractions", it's going to 'overflow' like Disney....too many people and not enuf to keep them occupied

 

[keishashadow]

Good sleuthing work to the OP

There's lots of money in TS business, think they'll add a small one to ensure a pool of steady clientel.

Confused as to the 'apartments' office complex & commercial bldg.(retail? or restaurant?); north end of pic?

2 sections for future development north & south really needs to used for park expansion IMO. Wonder if they're thinking of an onsite Waterpark? Do they own Wet & wild outright?

 

[ChrisFL]

Good sleuthing work to the OP

There's lots of money in TS business, think they'll add a small one to ensure a pool of steady clientel.

Confused as to the 'apartments' office complex & commercial bldg.(retail? or restaurant?); north end of pic?

2 sections for future development north & south really needs to used for park expansion IMO. Wonder if they're thinking of an onsite Waterpark? Do they own Wet & wild outright?

Yes they do and there's been lots of speculation that they would move Wet'n'Wild on Universal property once the land lease is up since the price for the land would be super high

 

[tlinus]

Very interesting. I am curious to see how this turns out. A 316 unit residental building for employees is a great idea!

Still would like to see the Wet n Wild move and a new theme park/land/whatever. Not too sure they need 2 new hotels/resorts though. Maybe one, but not two.....would create havoc in the express lines

 

[bubba's mom]

Not too sure they need 2 new hotels/resorts though. Maybe one, but not two.....would create havoc in the express lines

THAT is our concern....what would be the incentive to stay onsite if your FOTL is going to be a 30 min. wait?? I'll go off peak and stay somewhere cheaper if the lines warrant it....but, still hoping EP lines don't "go there"

 

[tarheelmjfan]

would create havoc in the express lines

If they build more hotels, but don't add a park or 2, I wouldn't be surprised if they did away with EP for hotel guests. That wouldn't be a good thing for Loews.

 

[G8r4evr]

We just returned from the parks today and they definitely need to add some new attractions. Also, I agree, 1 new hotel, maybe...but not 2.

Would they really move Wet n Wild onsite?

 

[damo]

I think if they only had express for hotel guests and others could not purchase it, it would work. Or maybe only have the top end hotels have express. They really do need to add the water park. It adds a day onto a vacation. With the addition of Harry Potterville in IOA and a new area in Universal over by MIB and the waterpark. That would be a good start.

I can't see them adding both hotels right away. Maybe one in the next five years after Harry Potter is complete.

 

[robvia]

would create havoc in the express lines

Exactly. 5 onsite hotels with the same attractions would cause gridlock. They need more thrill rides. The problem is the suits think everyone is there to shop and eat at the restaurants. So when it comes to new rides, it's family stuff or a face lift of an existing attraction. Look at the wait times, the thrill rides usually have the longest lines.

 

[G8r4evr]

Exactly. 5 onsite hotels with the same attractions would cause gridlock. They need more thrill rides. The problem is the suits think everyone is there to shop and eat at the restaurants. So when it comes to new rides, it's family stuff or a face lift of an existing attraction. Look at the wait times, the thrill rides usually have the longest lines.

While my husband and I had a great trip this weekend, we couldnt get over how much US has stayed the same over the last 12 years or so. We are now 27 and I remember when I was 14, riding ET, Earthquake, Jaws and watching the Horror Picture Show. While we still love the park, I really think some more changes are needed. MIB and Mummy were great starts, but they definitely need more of that.

I was at IOA on opening weekend and its absolutely amazing how little has changed in that park. We had FOTL passes, but we were able to ride everything that we wanted to at both parks in 4-5 hrs.

 

[ChrisFL]

Would they really move Wet n Wild onsite?

I think they would...as it is now, it's still a really nice but basically un-themed water park, nothing like the ones at Disney...so if Universal decides to move it, or start over, we could see a much nicer park

 

[keishashadow]

I think if they only had express for hotel guests and others could not purchase it, it would work. Or maybe only have the top end hotels have express. They really do need to add the water park. It adds a day onto a vacation. With the addition of Harry Potterville in IOA and a new area in Universal over by MIB and the waterpark. That would be a good start.

I can't see them adding both hotels right away. Maybe one in the next five years after Harry Potter is complete.

Perhaps unlimted FOTL for top tier hotels and a system of "X" number per guest each day (tbd - 5?) at the moderate/budget locals.

Def. think they'll have to eliminate the Express Pass option for off-site guests...if anything it might increase occupancy rates by locals who would book a night to get the perc .

 

[AlexandNessa]

I am not in favor of another hotel. That would be too much stress on the Express lines, IMHO.

Also, is it just me, or does this new resort look U-G-L-Y?
But ... are those balconies or just really big windows?

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7748/universal2ji8.jpg

 

[damo]

I am not in favor of another hotel. That would be too much stress on the Express lines, IMHO.

Also, is it just me, or does this new resort look U-G-L-Y?
But ... are those balconies or just really big windows?

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7748/universal2ji8.jpg

I like the top hotel but the bottom residential looks like a residence inn.

 

[DOOM1001]

I've been angry at Universal since they sold off the property they owned on the other side of International Drive,if they would still own that they would have REAL space to expand for future parks,waterparks and hotels.Instead now what we have are 2 parks with EXTREMELY limited space where to make a new ride an old one has to come down.If Wet n Wild were to move onsite that would definitely give it a more complete feel.But nobody can deny that the parks need new attractions bad,IOA is essentially the same park from when it opened 8 years ago except for the Storm Force teacups ride and the Flying Unicorn as the Trolley was to open with the park!!

 

[PlutoLuvr]

You know, at first I had a little trepidation saying this, thinking I'd need a flame suit and my tough skin put on. But then I remembered that I'm among friends over here on the dark side, friends who know how much I love USO

I'm thrilled with this new plan, even the two more hotels/timeshares ... whatever they are (the top one on Jodi's post looks like a hotel; the bottom one definitely looks like a timeshare).

Granted, we always go during very off-peak times, but I really don't see having another 10-20 folks on any given ride's EP line that rough. We've never waited at all in the EP lines, at all. Show the room key to the TM, walk, walk, walk, walk, tell the next TM how many's in our party, get on the ride. I'm comparing this to the FP system over at WDW, and there's always a dozen or two using the FP line at the same time we are, and it adds, what, maybe three to five minutes to the time we'd spend on the same ride at USO?

I just hear the same complaints about USO/IOA over and over: It's all thrill rides; only three hotels that cost a fortune to stay at; USO is a two-day theme park, at best.

It seems to me that the suits who make the $$$ decisions are taking strides to offer some things for everyone. I mean, with Blue Man, Harry Potter, Simpsons, a timeshare and hopefully value resort, possibly relocating Wet and Wild, this is really opening up a family's vacation. How many posts do we see here every day where Mom and Dad are staying at WDW for two weeks, but Junior wants to ride Spidey and the Mummy, so they're taking a day trip over to USO and have questions?

It's going to be families like that that will -- hopefully -- realize that USO is much more than just a quick day to steal away from the Mouse; that they really have a lot to offer for families of all sizes and shapes (meaning thrill ride lovers vs. non, value vs. high end hotels, shows vs. rides, water parks vs. concrete <ggg> parks).

And I do think they should do away with charging for EP. It really hits a sore spot with people, understandably so, IMO. With five hotels, ranging from value, moderate to upscale, FOTL would be a wonderful perk to stay onsite for families with all kinds of budgets. WDW has its own ways of getting folks to stay onsite (DDP, ME, DVC); USO needs something, too, to get new customers on the property and staying on the property.

I'm really happy to see some changes and $$$ being spent on the best theme parks in Orlando. Does the selfish side of me wish for more restaurants, shopping, non thrill rides and the continued empty EP lanes? You betcha. But then I think that USO really does need a facelift, a more affordable onsite hotel, a water park or the like. We've all been griping for years for the suits to spend some money on our beloved parks. They are!

 

[Flyin2MCO]

I think this is good news...it means UO is moving foward and will be a more compelling destination in the future. This along with the recent Simpsons/HP buzz is only positive.

Of course any change brings a range of implications, some of which may be unfavorable or different than what some of us want. I for one look forward to the new and improved (and bigger) UO of the future.