Universal Orlando to build 1,800-room hotel, Cabana Beach Resort

[lockedoutlogic]

There is one large lot left. Not enough for another park, but enough for a water park.

that idea was kicked around about ten years ago...if i recall.

at the time universal had a relationship with wet n wild (don't know if thats the case now)...

but i always though they should build the onsite water park. another waterpark would have no bearing on Disney (heck...the let one overgrow and nobody seems to care)...but it would be a big move for universal.

a waterpark would basically allow them to offer everything that can be had at WDW...if at a smaller scale. that would go along way towards giving them credit as a legit 4,5 day resort destination...even if its slammed against I-4 in a spot i don't necessarily like.

 

[jfelcie]

I have stayed at the Hard Rock and Royal Pacific. I did not pay $300.00 a night because it was sooo nice. It was every nice, but very small, and no refrigerator. We stayed there for the location and front of the line option for us and the kids. We were there last month and the whole area that was Jaws is being re-developed. A Harry Potter II park was mentioned as were other ideas. My daughter is a school librarian and says that the kids no longer check out the books. We questioned how popular HP will be in the future? Perhaps one HP attraction is enough!

 

[craiggers]

We are life-long Disney fans and DVC members. The improvements, hotels and City Walk, however, are making it a tough choice about where we want to go when in Orlando. City Walk has become a family favorite. The Polynesian will always be the Polynesian for us, BUT the Royal Pacific is catching up quickly. The rooms are smaller, but the service is incredible. We still love WDW, but if we weren't DVC members at the Wilderness Lodge Villas (which we still love) we would be spending much more time at Universal...probably more than Disney.

And I can't believe I just typed that....

 

[ChrisFL]

that idea was kicked around about ten years ago...if i recall.

at the time universal had a relationship with wet n wild (don't know if thats the case now)...

but i always though they should build the onsite water park. another waterpark would have no bearing on Disney (heck...the let one overgrow and nobody seems to care)...but it would be a big move for universal.

a waterpark would basically allow them to offer everything that can be had at WDW...if at a smaller scale. that would go along way towards giving them credit as a legit 4,5 day resort destination...even if its slammed against I-4 in a spot i don't necessarily like.

There's a good chance that a water park is coming soon, on property

 

[umichigan10]

Just to stir the pot a bit and out of curiousity couldn't uni if it desired a third gate/more rooms buy more land around them like DLR did in the 90's?

 

[DCTooTall]

Just to stir the pot a bit and out of curiousity couldn't uni if it desired a third gate/more rooms buy more land around them like DLR did in the 90's?

I'd assume it's possible... but it'd be complicated and expensive.

The resort property borders I-4 on one side. There is a school I believe across the street from the property on another.... And there is a pretty wide highway on yet another side (kirkman?)

 

[Orreed]

I have stayed at the Hard Rock and Royal Pacific. I did not pay $300.00 a night because it was sooo nice. It was every nice, but very small, and no refrigerator. We stayed there for the location and front of the line option for us and the kids. We were there last month and the whole area that was Jaws is being re-developed. A Harry Potter II park was mentioned as were other ideas. My daughter is a school librarian and says that the kids no longer check out the books. We questioned how popular HP will be in the future? Perhaps one HP attraction is enough! [/QUOTE

Here is my view from it. I am a teen and many of my friends childhood were Harry Potter. I read and saw Harry Potter in my early teens, so I did not grow up with it. I really don't care about it much anymore, but still think visiting the land will be nice. Honestly the reason I want to visit Universal next year is for Marvel Super Hero Island. Even though Harry Potter is not popular with the younger kids, it stills holds a special place for us older kids. I still know tons of people in my grade still wanting to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I don't think Harry Potter will get many new fans, but there is still plenty of old ones. I feel like many of us who could not go in high school will go in their adulthood. And we have children I feel like a new Harry Potter generation will be born. I could see them doing a reboot at that time. I have also heard non-Potter fans enjoy the area. A lot of people will see it as London with a wizard theme, and that sounds cool to most people.

 

[craiggers]

Here is my view from it. I am a teen and many of my friends childhood were Harry Potter. I read and saw Harry Potter in my early teens, so I did not grow up with it. I really don't care about it much anymore, but still think visiting the land will be nice. Honestly the reason I want to visit Universal next year is for Marvel Super Hero Island. Even though Harry Potter is not popular with the younger kids, it stills holds a special place for us older kids. I still know tons of people in my grade still wanting to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I don't think Harry Potter will get many new fans, but there is still plenty of old ones. I feel like many of us who could not go in high school will go in their adulthood. And we have children I feel like a new Harry Potter generation will be born. I could see them doing a reboot at that time. I have also heard non-Potter fans enjoy the area. A lot of people will see it as London with a wizard theme, and that sounds cool to most people. [/QUOTE]

This is a great post and very intuitive! I believe you are correct because people of my generation (40's) grew with "old school" Disney and Walt Disney World from the 70's. This keeps us coming back year after year and why we take changes very personal. Harry Potter world will always remind you of growing up like Disney does for many of us. The older you get, the more you value these places and opportunities.

 

[diamondpixienc]

Well, DS(9) and DD(7) have both said that they would rather spend MORE days at Universal & IOA than WDW for our 2013 visit. We have never stayed on site at USF but my kids are tempting me to do it. IDK who they are asking but I fear the magic may be fading with two of Disney's core demographic opting to pick some place else in my house. I know it's sad but true. Universal is stepping up their game.

 

[anthony2k7]

I'd assume it's possible... but it'd be complicated and expensive.

The resort property borders I-4 on one side. There is a school I believe across the street from the property on another.... And there is a pretty wide highway on yet another side (kirkman?)

there's loads of land east of universal blvd/north of destination pkwy. I wonder who owns that?

The best I think universal could really do now is expand onto land like that and just have a good shuttle bus link between there and the main universal site.

ultimately the problem universal has is the one thing Disney got right from day 1 - get control of as much land as possible!

 

[DCTooTall]

there's loads of land east of universal blvd/north of destination pkwy. I wonder who owns that?

The best I think universal could really do now is expand onto land like that and just have a good shuttle bus link between there and the main universal site.

ultimately the problem universal has is the one thing Disney got right from day 1 - get control of as much land as possible!

If that's the area I'm thinking of, then the Land is Lockheed Martin's. I remember it used to be a pretty major Martin Marietta plant back in the 80's 90's when we drove by that area from the Airport.... and looking at Google Maps, I think I still see hints of Lockheed still owning it, complete with high levels of security around the complex.

Considering MCO started as a major military airfield/base, I'm not surprised at a major aeronautic company having a large presence nearby.

(And even if Lockheed was willing to be bought out, Considering the probable age of the facility, I wouldn't be shocked if there were other major environmental or site concerns which prevented it from being easily and immediately repurposed)

 

[ChrisFL]

If that's the area I'm thinking of, then the Land is Lockheed Martin's. I remember it used to be a pretty major Martin Marietta plant back in the 80's 90's when we drove by that area from the Airport.... and looking at Google Maps, I think I still see hints of Lockheed still owning it, complete with high levels of security around the complex.

Considering MCO started as a major military airfield/base, I'm not surprised at a major aeronautic company having a large presence nearby.

(And even if Lockheed was willing to be bought out, Considering the probable age of the facility, I wouldn't be shocked if there were other major environmental or site concerns which prevented it from being easily and immediately repurposed)

Universal HAD 2,000 acres that it purchased from Lockheed Martin but sold it several years ago to several developers, but not much has been done with the land since then.

I've been hearing a few things...first, that some of the land is STILL owned by Universal and also, they might even be able to buy it back cheaper from what they sold it for.

 

[Metro West]

Universal HAD 2,000 acres that it purchased from Lockheed Martin but sold it several years ago to several developers, but not much has been done with the land since then.

I've been hearing a few things...first, that some of the land is STILL owned by Universal and also, they might even be able to buy it back cheaper from what they sold it for.

Is that the land near Tangelo Park? If so, I wouldn't be surprised if they could buy it back cheaper since that area is no longer an area where people are trying to get into. Tangelo Park was built for Martin Marietta employees back in the day but sadly, it's good days are gone.

 

[ChrisFL]

Is that the land near Tangelo Park? If so, I wouldn't be surprised if they could buy it back cheaper since that area is no longer an area where people are trying to get into. Tangelo Park was built for Martin Marietta employees back in the day but sadly, it's good days are gone.

Yeah, its good days were gone back in the 90's when I was in high school with some of the residents

Anyway, here's my ideas...neighborhoods aside.

Some of this info comes from other sources...it takes the existing Festival Bay Mall plot (which I've heard isn't doing the best) and/or some of the smaller stores across the street....imagine a monorail or something similar going from the parking garage area toward the new areas....it would make all of the I-4 drivers take notice!

 

[bookgirl2632]

Here's my view on Harry Potter and its longevity. I work in major bookstore and witnessed the phenomenon firsthand. To this day, we still sell Harry Potter books and related product at a consistent clip. I still encounter many people who have never read it and are only now getting around to it. This includes both children and adults. My five year old nephew loves the movies and I look forward to introducing him to the books when he is ready. Harry Potter will be popular for generations to come. Original fans will always stick with it. They will grow up and introduce their kids to it. I have no doubt of this.

As for Universal, I went for the first time two years ago when the WWOHP opened. We got a good deal at the Hard Rock, so we decided to give it a try. I cannot tell you how impressed we were with the resort. The room was spacious. Housekeeping was impeccable. The pool and other amenities were fantastic. And it was nice being just a short ten minute walk from the parks and Citywalk. I would not hesitate to stay there again.

The new hotel seems like a nice option for those on a budget. The existing hotels can be a bit pricey, so the lower price point will be attractive for many families, particularly those looking for a suite. I would miss the front of the line access, however, as that was a great feature that we utilized quite often.