Steel City Magic
Well-Known Member
I moved her to Miami from Pittsburgh a month ago and live next to the airport. It's so run down and nothing really to do. I dont do bars w/ $7 draft beers and I hate sand. Sooooo....
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New theme park competition coming for WDW in Florida!
- Thread starter Progress.City
- Start date
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
That is a completely different project...Wow, I totally posted this story here first -- except it didn't see the light of day, probably because I added the controversy stemming from this development!
Anyway, the proposed theme park was to be adjacent to the Miami Zoo and called Miami Wilds, sponsored by 20th Century Fox -- and themed after Ice Age. They are now, supposedly, trying to acquire 240 acres of Coast Guard land.
This is the first time I have heard of the mall concept. It's okay I guess but a huge downgrade from what was initially proposed.
ryguy
Well-Known Member
Truthfully there are better examples of competition for Disney in Orlando:
A new $309 million action sports and entertainment resort is in the planning stages for Kissimmee, just down the street from Walt Disney World.
Xero Gravity Action Sports is planning to develop this new park on 75 acres near the intersection of U.S. Route 192 and State Road 535 (see map below). It’s planned to open in early 2018
“Our Company is creating the next step in the tourism sports industry,” said CEO and founder Larry Walshaw. “We are developing a one of a kind sports and entertainment resort which provides unique hands-on experiences. We will be hosting televised pro and amateur competitions, think X-games, with sports shows and clinics, and we will have daily competitions at all venues for visitors who like to compete”.
The resort is planned to have:
• A 14 story ski and snowboard mountain with nine snow tubing lanes
• Five acres of real surfing with up to 10-foot waves and boogie boarding area
• A 25,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor skateboard park
• A USA-BMX sanctioned race track
• Two skydiving pods
• A 20,000-square-foot indoor dodgeball trampoline arena
• A rapid river and wave pool
• Rock climbing up to 140 feet
• Zip lining throughout the park
• Two 14 story competition waterslides
• 20 foot to 120 foot free fall jump zones
• An interactive four story climbing/zipline/ropes challenge course
• Snowball fight arena
Other amenities include, a 250 room Hyatt branded hotel with roof top pool and bar, a 2,000 seat amphitheater, swim up bar and grotto, swimming pools, cabanas, day spa, retail facilities, sports training facility, multiple restaurants and sports bars, and the International Action Sports Hall of Fame.
Chief Operating Officer Jim Hunt, formerly with Village Roadshow and Paramount, added, “The ball and stick industry for amateur sports has decreased 25 percent over the past 10 years, while action sports participation and competition around the world has increased to over 22+ million athletes. Unfortunately, action sports facilities to accommodate training, competition and individual and team sports have not kept pace. We intend to change that by offering an alternative to individuals and families who want to experience more than the typical ride oriented theme parks and to those athletes who want to train and compete.”
Steve Pollak, senior V.P. of Asset and Development Management for Xero Gravity said, “Over the past year and a half, we have put together a world class development team and meticulously vetted and added the top sports venue companies in their respective industry. We are in due diligence on the property and are having substantive discussions with the Osceola County Development Department regarding an incentive program for potential bonding of the project, which is part and parcel of our overall capital raise.”
Here’s a video showing what to expect:
Courtesy of Florida Attractions Magazine.
A new $309 million action sports and entertainment resort is in the planning stages for Kissimmee, just down the street from Walt Disney World.
Xero Gravity Action Sports is planning to develop this new park on 75 acres near the intersection of U.S. Route 192 and State Road 535 (see map below). It’s planned to open in early 2018
“Our Company is creating the next step in the tourism sports industry,” said CEO and founder Larry Walshaw. “We are developing a one of a kind sports and entertainment resort which provides unique hands-on experiences. We will be hosting televised pro and amateur competitions, think X-games, with sports shows and clinics, and we will have daily competitions at all venues for visitors who like to compete”.
• A 14 story ski and snowboard mountain with nine snow tubing lanes
• Five acres of real surfing with up to 10-foot waves and boogie boarding area
• A 25,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor skateboard park
• A USA-BMX sanctioned race track
• Two skydiving pods
• A 20,000-square-foot indoor dodgeball trampoline arena
• A rapid river and wave pool
• Rock climbing up to 140 feet
• Zip lining throughout the park
• Two 14 story competition waterslides
• 20 foot to 120 foot free fall jump zones
• An interactive four story climbing/zipline/ropes challenge course
• Snowball fight arena
Other amenities include, a 250 room Hyatt branded hotel with roof top pool and bar, a 2,000 seat amphitheater, swim up bar and grotto, swimming pools, cabanas, day spa, retail facilities, sports training facility, multiple restaurants and sports bars, and the International Action Sports Hall of Fame.
Chief Operating Officer Jim Hunt, formerly with Village Roadshow and Paramount, added, “The ball and stick industry for amateur sports has decreased 25 percent over the past 10 years, while action sports participation and competition around the world has increased to over 22+ million athletes. Unfortunately, action sports facilities to accommodate training, competition and individual and team sports have not kept pace. We intend to change that by offering an alternative to individuals and families who want to experience more than the typical ride oriented theme parks and to those athletes who want to train and compete.”
Steve Pollak, senior V.P. of Asset and Development Management for Xero Gravity said, “Over the past year and a half, we have put together a world class development team and meticulously vetted and added the top sports venue companies in their respective industry. We are in due diligence on the property and are having substantive discussions with the Osceola County Development Department regarding an incentive program for potential bonding of the project, which is part and parcel of our overall capital raise.”
Here’s a video showing what to expect:
Courtesy of Florida Attractions Magazine.
Bocabear
Well-Known Member
There have been several amazing proposals for Miami over the last decade and nothing but new condo towers have been built...this Mall is not far from another big mall...it will also probably never be built...and if it is, it will just be yet another outlet Mall and they will drop out the attractions...
Horizons '83
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
While interesting, they are going after a totally different market/demo than Disney. This seems to be catered towards active adults/thrill seekers. This really has no true attractions (rides).Truthfully there are better examples of competition for Disney in Orlando:
A new $309 million action sports and entertainment resort is in the planning stages for Kissimmee, just down the street from Walt Disney World.
Xero Gravity Action Sports is planning to develop this new park on 75 acres near the intersection of U.S. Route 192 and State Road 535 (see map below). It’s planned to open in early 2018
“Our Company is creating the next step in the tourism sports industry,” said CEO and founder Larry Walshaw. “We are developing a one of a kind sports and entertainment resort which provides unique hands-on experiences. We will be hosting televised pro and amateur competitions, think X-games, with sports shows and clinics, and we will have daily competitions at all venues for visitors who like to compete”.
The resort is planned to have:
• A 14 story ski and snowboard mountain with nine snow tubing lanes
• Five acres of real surfing with up to 10-foot waves and boogie boarding area
• A 25,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor skateboard park
• A USA-BMX sanctioned race track
• Two skydiving pods
• A 20,000-square-foot indoor dodgeball trampoline arena
• A rapid river and wave pool
• Rock climbing up to 140 feet
• Zip lining throughout the park
• Two 14 story competition waterslides
• 20 foot to 120 foot free fall jump zones
• An interactive four story climbing/zipline/ropes challenge course
• Snowball fight arena
Other amenities include, a 250 room Hyatt branded hotel with roof top pool and bar, a 2,000 seat amphitheater, swim up bar and grotto, swimming pools, cabanas, day spa, retail facilities, sports training facility, multiple restaurants and sports bars, and the International Action Sports Hall of Fame.
Chief Operating Officer Jim Hunt, formerly with Village Roadshow and Paramount, added, “The ball and stick industry for amateur sports has decreased 25 percent over the past 10 years, while action sports participation and competition around the world has increased to over 22+ million athletes. Unfortunately, action sports facilities to accommodate training, competition and individual and team sports have not kept pace. We intend to change that by offering an alternative to individuals and families who want to experience more than the typical ride oriented theme parks and to those athletes who want to train and compete.”
Steve Pollak, senior V.P. of Asset and Development Management for Xero Gravity said, “Over the past year and a half, we have put together a world class development team and meticulously vetted and added the top sports venue companies in their respective industry. We are in due diligence on the property and are having substantive discussions with the Osceola County Development Department regarding an incentive program for potential bonding of the project, which is part and parcel of our overall capital raise.”
Here’s a video showing what to expect:
Courtesy of Florida Attractions Magazine.
NowInc
Well-Known Member
Side note: What is it with South Florida and indoor ski slopes all of a sudden? I know Sawgrass is slated to get one soon-ish, and now this project is boasting one as well? I get it, it doesn't really snow here...but I think anyone coming to FL is getting away from that condition, and any local who REALLY wants to ski would prefer the real thing. Maybe I'm just not seeing the market.
DisneyCane
Well-Known Member
This project is competition for the Sawgrass Mills Mall and Dolphin Mall. There isn't going to be a hotel boom in Pembroke Pines and Miramar to create a resort destination. People might spend an extra day before or after a cruise to go here but they aren't altering an Orlando resort vacation to go to a mall with a couple of attractions (that will all have individual charges).
Essentially, this is pretty much the location that Wayne Huizenga's Blockbuster Park was going to be back in the 90's. I live 20 minutes from the location and I'd be surprised if I went there more than once a year.
Essentially, this is pretty much the location that Wayne Huizenga's Blockbuster Park was going to be back in the 90's. I live 20 minutes from the location and I'd be surprised if I went there more than once a year.
DisneyCane
Well-Known Member
Same reason that there is one in Dubai. It is partly the novelty of it. Also, it will be FAR cheaper to get a few runs at one of these if you are in the mood to ski than it would be to fly to a ski resort. Sure, the latter would be much better but I can't afford to fly out to Colorado for a few hours on a weekend.
Also, I don't think the Sawgrass Mills thing is happening. It was announced in 2012 but I haven't heard anything about it recently.
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While I hate to add fuel to the fire, this thread does have some relevance.
There are SO many things currently making tourists think twice about staying on-property, and this is just the latest – tons of options that didn't exist even 5 years ago. If you're coming to Orlando, and want to truly stretch your tourist dollars, you'll be renting a car and going to WDW, Uni and there will soon be amazing options on I-drive.
This mall will be an international destination and just one more thing to make people think twice about staying on Disney property.
There are SO many things currently making tourists think twice about staying on-property, and this is just the latest – tons of options that didn't exist even 5 years ago. If you're coming to Orlando, and want to truly stretch your tourist dollars, you'll be renting a car and going to WDW, Uni and there will soon be amazing options on I-drive.
This mall will be an international destination and just one more thing to make people think twice about staying on Disney property.
NowInc
Well-Known Member
Except this project is about a 4 hour drive south from Orlando (3 if you speed)
Not a big deal for international travelers at all. It would simply be a day trip for any tourist. And remember, this is on the very north end of Miami, close to the end of the turnpike.
Not saying this one project will have huge impact, but 1-2% here, 5-10% going to Uni, 2-5% thinking about the options on I-drive (outlet malls, Orlando Eye, Polar Coaster, etc.) and soon you could have a major pull in making people think twice about staying on Disney property.
All of these things combined, could mean a 5-15% loss for Disney on folks staying on property – which is a huge amount of money.
Shaman
Well-Known Member
The mega mall alone will not be direct competition to WDW. One could argue that there aren't many things outside Orlando that can compete. But, something interesting is happening in South Florida. In addition to this proposed "largest mall in North America", there is also Miami Wilds, (the 20th Century Fox theme park), downtown museum relocation, SkyRise, and there are a lot of proposed green spaces and all kinds of mix use projects in downtown Miami that have been common lately. But the big threat is: Casinos. Big Vegas players are pushing for licenses in Miami, and Disney is fighting them in the State Legislature. All these things combined with the usual tourist attractions such as the beaches, the Everglades, the Keys and yes the shopping and you have the potential for Miami stealing days that would've been designated for Orlando/WDW.
Miami has always been a major air/sea hub. It is a major city. And like all large cities it has issues. Corruption, traffic, living quality/costs issues are all there. But that has little to do with the topic at hand. Although unlike in Orlando, these projects are being built in busy, congested areas, where in Central Florida, the communities grew around the tourist stuff...so it should be interesting. The environmental side is also interesting considering all this investment in areas that could be flooded if sea level rise prognosticators are correct.
Miami has always been a major air/sea hub. It is a major city. And like all large cities it has issues. Corruption, traffic, living quality/costs issues are all there. But that has little to do with the topic at hand. Although unlike in Orlando, these projects are being built in busy, congested areas, where in Central Florida, the communities grew around the tourist stuff...so it should be interesting. The environmental side is also interesting considering all this investment in areas that could be flooded if sea level rise prognosticators are correct.
Shaman
Well-Known Member
I have to add, since I saw mention of doubts pertaining to the actual construction of this mega mall.... there is currently a massive expansion of I75 underway running south of I595 (right before Alligator Alley) down to the end of I75 in Hialeah, which interestingly enough impacts this proposed project because this complex is getting built on a stretch that touches both I75 and the Turnpike Extension on the county line. Anyone on I75 during morning/afternoon commutes can attest that the traffic is horrible. These new express lanes they were building didn't make sense to me, because the added lanes would simply exacerbate the bottleneck on the ramp to the Palmetto. However, once they announced this mall, it all made sense.
Remember it's proposed as something more than a mall, and I believe Legoland is attached to it as well. The developers kept these plans close to vest and basically dealt with local leaders behind close doors before they had to go public and get official approval. The public portion was fast...clearly to avoid too much scrutiny. But I suspect, the construction on I75 is linked. Traffic will be a nightmare. Planners know this. Already there are studies being done on whether extending the Gratigny all the way down to the Turnpike is feasible/acceptable.
Public transportation exists in South Florida, but it's not exactly anything exciting. Tri-Rail out east helps, but they need to expand Metro-rail, as has long been promised. People in Miami use these services...especially these days.
So, it's hard to say what kind of impact these projects will have on WDW, but they'll certainly impact locals in the western suburbs in Dade and Broward.
Remember it's proposed as something more than a mall, and I believe Legoland is attached to it as well. The developers kept these plans close to vest and basically dealt with local leaders behind close doors before they had to go public and get official approval. The public portion was fast...clearly to avoid too much scrutiny. But I suspect, the construction on I75 is linked. Traffic will be a nightmare. Planners know this. Already there are studies being done on whether extending the Gratigny all the way down to the Turnpike is feasible/acceptable.
Public transportation exists in South Florida, but it's not exactly anything exciting. Tri-Rail out east helps, but they need to expand Metro-rail, as has long been promised. People in Miami use these services...especially these days.
So, it's hard to say what kind of impact these projects will have on WDW, but they'll certainly impact locals in the western suburbs in Dade and Broward.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
A Legoland Discovery Center is attached. They are an in-mall concept that is not on the same scale as the full parks like Legoland Florida.
Donald Razorduck
Well-Known Member
Not always in a mall, usually coupled with another Merlin property but it will certainly pitch for trips up the road to Legoland.
JohnD
Well-Known Member
It's a mall. Sure, I guess it could have a water slide and merry go round like Mall of the Americas but I would hardly call that competition.
DisneyCane
Well-Known Member
The I-75 express lane project has absolutely NOTHING to do with this proposed mall. It is part of the I-75/Palmetto Expressway express lane project and has been being planned for several years.
There will be a direct connection to/from the I-75 express lanes to/from the Palmetto Expressway express lanes (and the regular Palmetto lanes). Therefore, the express lane traffic doesn't use the existing Palmetto ramp.
All of these express lane projects are to try and move traffic during rush hour. There is absolutely no reason to have them for one mall/destination.
Everything is not a conspiracy. There is no link whatsoever between the I-75 construction and this mall.
Shaman
Well-Known Member
But I like my tin foil hat.
It's a stretch, I know, my paranoia and cynicism kick in when I see such a huge project. I start thinking about who is pocketing what, whose interests are being served, which politicians have been bought off, etc. I would have preferred some kind of train, linking Naples to Hialeah. Right down I75. But alas....
It's almost like a monorail expansion. Dreams.
I'm not an expert, but I doubt these express lanes will make a difference for local commuters in the long run. Especially with all the development happening west of 75. It's all about the money.
