Wet n Wild will close at the end of 2016

[rteetz]

universal announced today that Wet n Wild will close at the end of 2016. Rumors have been out there that Universal would eventually close this water park after the new one was built and then build their long rumored third park. Things seem to be lining up for that.

http://universal.wdwinfo.com/news/wet-n-wild-orlando-is-closing-december-31-2016/

 

[Stinky Sullivan]

I am loving what Universal is doing. Even though I prefer the layout and atmosphere of Disney over Universal, its nice to see that there is still such thing as competition here in America. Disney is treating Walt Disney World likes its a monopoly and WDW has all the characteristics of a monopoly as of late (prices going higher and higher, service and technology becoming stagnant and declining) It is going to get to a point when the average consumer has had enough of what is going on at WDW and they will quit going. It boggles my mind that they can get away with what they are doing in Orlando and still have record numbers year in year out. Disney will eventually have to take Universal seriously, maybe not now but they will in the future, just like General Motors now takes Toyota seriously.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

Sweet-hoping for a monorail over the highway, or at least a tunnel/subway. But WDW gets away with busses so that would be fine.

Be really cool if the 3rd park had some great themed hotels connected as well.

 

[Planogirl]

Wow, your news just caused me to feel super excited and I don't even know why yet.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

Wow, your news just caused me to feel super excited and I don't even know why yet.

For me-it's even more than having more options (which is the best).

A lot of former WDW employees work over at UNI (many work at both). It's more creativity that can be financed to come to life, and more jobs for the folks involved down there. Awesome.

 

[Planogirl]

For me-it's even more than having more options (which is the best).

A lot of former WDW employees work over at UNI (many work at both). It's more creativity that can be financed to come to life, and more jobs for the folks involved down there. Awesome.

Good point. A third park or whatever it is will drive a lot of that employment even after the construction workers and designers enjoy the extra jobs. Love it!

 

[rteetz]

If a third park comes to life it will be interesting to see how or if disney reacts. A new park from closure of the water park to opening would probably take us to about 2021-22. Around the same time disney is rumored to open star wars and have a 50th celebration for wdw.

 

[soniam]

Any rumors about what theme the third park would have?

 

[rteetz]

Any rumors about what theme the third park would have?

Nothing as of yet. It will defintely be intersting to see.

 

[luisov]

Can Universal justify a third gate though? I mean, Orlando is already pretty saturated with options to choose. The idea of Universal stealing Disney's clientele is still out of the question. It will be interesting to watch Universal's actions while they are on their peak.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

I doubt there will be a third theme park at Universal Florida. I don't think they own the land around wet n wild - it's all developed. Maybe they could build a boutique park, but why build a new water park and demo an old one when they could just keep the old one and build a boutique park where they are building the new water park?

I think they will sell the wet n wild land to someone who will build shops, restaurants, or hotels on it.

 

[Confederate Scott]

Visited Wet N Wild once in the late 70's and remember having a great time.

 

[comcastlover33]

I am loving what Universal is doing. Even though I prefer the layout and atmosphere of Disney over Universal, its nice to see that there is still such thing as competition here in America. Disney is treating Walt Disney World likes its a monopoly and WDW has all the characteristics of a monopoly as of late (prices going higher and higher, service and technology becoming stagnant and declining) It is going to get to a point when the average consumer has had enough of what is going on at WDW and they will quit going. It boggles my mind that they can get away with what they are doing in Orlando and still have record numbers year in year out. Disney will eventually have to take Universal seriously, maybe not now but they will in the future, just like General Motors now takes Toyota seriously.

This competition will be good for all of us Disney fans! It will not affect Disney, theyll always remain at the top, however they will definitely have to respond to this adequately. That might mean a fifth gate, but Avatar Land wont cut it. Star Wars land is going to be amazing also.

 

[Planogirl]

I doubt there will be a third theme park at Universal Florida. I don't think they own the land around wet n wild - it's all developed. Maybe they could build a boutique park, but why build a new water park and demo an old one when they could just keep the old one and build a boutique park where they are building the new water park?

I think they will sell the wet n wild land to someone who will build shops, restaurants, or hotels on it.

They apparently purchased a bit over 50 acres including the Wet N Wild property. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...1_universal-orlando-nbc-universal-steve-burke That is still small but they could put something interesting there.

I don't see why they would buy the waterpark just to close it and sell the land.

 

[ChrisFL]

Can Universal justify a third gate though? I mean, Orlando is already pretty saturated with options to choose. The idea of Universal stealing Disney's clientele is still out of the question. It will be interesting to watch Universal's actions while they are on their peak.

Saturated? The attendance number increases don't show that....and Universal is building it's 5th hotel currently on-property.

 

[luisov]

Saturated? The attendance number increases don't show that....and Universal is building it's 5th hotel currently on-property.

You have 4 Disney theme parks, 2 Universal parks, Sea World, Legoland, Busch Gardens, lots of water parks, golf courses, outlets, zoos... It is a pretty saturated market and there's a limited number of days a family can spend on their vacation.

 

[Planogirl]

You have 4 Disney theme parks, 2 Universal parks, Sea World, Legoland, Busch Gardens, lots of water parks, golf courses, outlets, zoos... It is a pretty saturated market and there's a limited number of days a family can spend on their vacation.

Disney seems to be trying to limit how much time their guests spend in their parks. (Maybe... another discussion.) Sea World may or may not be losing visitors. Busch Gardens is a fairly long trip and probably relies more on locals. LEGOLAND is more for small fry. Water parks? Not really so many considering the number of tourists. Golf courses and outlets I'll give you but would that many tourists visit the zoo?

Anyway, how many people Universal can attract to a new venture depends on topic and execution. So far they've done an amazing job with those IMO.

By the way is the Orlando Zoo any good? I do like zoos.

 

[wallrock]

You have 4 Disney theme parks, 2 Universal parks, Sea World, Legoland, Busch Gardens, lots of water parks, golf courses, outlets, zoos... It is a pretty saturated market and there's a limited number of days a family can spend on their vacation.

You're correct, but right now the time split is probably 70-30 (just a guess) in favor of Disney for guests who visit both Universal and Disney while on vacation. Universal knows you don't have more vacation days, but they do want more of those limited days to be spent at their park instead of the competition.

 

[luisov]

Universal is already making a risky decision by aiming to steal one more day from the standard ''We are going to Disney World... oh, and to Universal Studios as well'' tourist. Universal's strategy right now is to create as many new and exciting attractions as possible in order to ensure that their guests will choose to stay that extra day with them instead of giving it to Disney or some other theme park around. Still, based on the recent attendance numbers, although Universal is clearly gaining guests, so is Disney, showing that Universal is not stealing Disney's clients, but is rather bringing new tourists to the Orlando area. That doesn't necessarily mean that they are ready to steal a fourth day from the standard tourist schedule throughout the year to maintain a third gate.

 

[wallrock]

Universal is already making a risky decision by aiming to steal one more day from the standard ''We are going to Disney World... oh, and to Universal Studios as well'' tourist. Universal's strategy right now is to create as many new and exciting attractions as possible in order to ensure that their guests will choose to stay that extra day with them instead of giving it to Disney or some other theme park around. Still, based on the recent attendance numbers, although Universal is clearly gaining guests, so is Disney, showing that Universal is not stealing Disney's clients, but is rather bringing new tourists to the Orlando area. That doesn't necessarily mean that they are ready to steal a fourth day from the standard tourist schedule throughout the year to maintain a third gate.

There have been 'David and Goliath' matches in the business world before and the one who sits idle (usually Goliath) while the other takes risks (usually David) can sometimes loose out. I'm not saying that Disney is in any jeopardy, far from it, but it doesn't mean that Comcast can't take a bigger bite out of their pie.

Take a look back to 1997 when Blockbuster Video was king of the hill and a little startup called Netflix decided to change the rental game. At first Blockbuster laughed at them, but we all know what the landscape looks like now.