Universal to build a new On-Site Hotel

[djlaosc]

I agree Dan, but I think the free express pass is enough to differentiate the two. We will see. I'm sure I can find an answer.

It's enough to differentiate it for us - next time for us we will be staying in one of the other three hotels for one night in order to get the FotLP - will be our first night not staying at a Disney Hotel.

However, in the future, if we decided to start doing split stays between Disney and Universal, we could possibly see ourselves splitting our Universal time between one of the other three hotels for a night or two to get the FotLP and do Universal/IOA, and then move to Cabana Bay while we visited SeaWorld/went shopping, etc.

I think there will be a lot of people in the same situation that we are in (a lot of Brits are now staying at Universal for a night for the FotLP (as well as the early access that you would get at this hotel), so this hotel will probably not appeal to them either - the amount it will cost to upgrade to another hotel with FotLP for a single night would be worth it for them)

But, for those who currently stay offsite, this hotel could be really useful, with some added benefits (in 1hour earlier, closer to site) - I think the hotel is a really good idea, it's just not suitable for us at this time (but that doesn't mean I'm not all for it)!

 

[danlb_2000]

I agree Dan, but I think the free express pass is enough to differentiate the two. We will see. I'm sure I can find an answer.

But if the omission of express pass turns out to be to big a difference they could still add it back it which point they would need other things to differentiate the resorts.

 

[Bolna]

But if the omission of express pass turns out to be to big a difference they could still add it back it which point they would need other things to differentiate the resorts.

I would imagine that before they give everyone at the hotel unlimited express pass like at the others they might rather do other things like giving them an express pass like the ones sold at the parks which are good for one entry for each attraction for free or at a heavy discount.

With regard to the boat transportation: I am not really sure where the new hotel will be located, but considering that boats aren't the fastest, might it not be that the boat trip would just take too long?

 

[danlb_2000]

I would imagine that before they give everyone at the hotel unlimited express pass like at the others they might rather do other things like giving them an express pass like the ones sold at the parks which are good for one entry for each attraction for free or at a heavy discount.

With regard to the boat transportation: I am not really sure where the new hotel will be located, but considering that boats aren't the fastest, might it not be that the boat trip would just take too long?

The hotel is going very close to Royal Pacific so it would add much more time to the trip. And boats aren't generally about speed, it's a just a method of transporation that a lot of people don't do on a regular basis so it can be kind of special. It's like the boats that servce the Epcot area at WDW, you can usually walk to your desitnation faster, but the boats are still popular.

Another possiblity for why they don't want to do it, is that they just don't want to give up the space that the waterways would take.

 

[GLaDOS]

The waterway really doesn't take up all that much room, to be honest.

I will be very, very surprised if they don't extend it. Flabbergasted even. UNLESS they decide to give CBBR a back entrance to IoA or something like that.

 

[JT3000]

The waterway really doesn't take up all that much room, to be honest.

I will be very, very surprised if they don't extend it. Flabbergasted even. UNLESS they decide to give CBBR a back entrance to IoA or something like that.

Into the park? What if they just want to go to USF or CityWalk?

Extending the waterway makes the most sense. Although it would have to pass the RPR dock, creating a potential traffic problem.

 

[GLaDOS]

Into the park? What if they just want to go to USF or CityWalk?

Then they have a shuttle bus. But at least they have a special, dedicated entrance to one of the parks for them that's in walking distance.

 

[Scuttle]

The waterway really doesn't take up all that much room, to be honest.

I will be very, very surprised if they don't extend it. Flabbergasted even. UNLESS they decide to give CBBR a back entrance to IoA or something like that.

Spoke to a few team members ate RPR today and saw the offiial notice posted on the HR door. Everyone seems to say that the canal will not be extended. The notice didn't say anything about the water taxi, but did say it will have two themed pool areas.

 

[marni1971]

Perhaps there are longer term plans for an alternate transport system?

 

[djlaosc]

Perhaps there are longer term plans for an alternate transport system?

Could Universal get a monorail (expansion) before WDW?

 

[cheezbat]

Could Universal get a monorail (expansion) before WDW?

Now that would be ironic.

 

[djlaosc]

Now that would be ironic.

It would allow them to be able to get people to any new bits of land that they buy quickly and easily (although expensively).

Although, if they buy some fairly close by (Major Boulevard, etc.), could they just build their travelators going in the opposite direction from the parking garage (crossing Major Blvd to beside Portofino, and from Portofino across South Kirkman Road, with people also able to use the path from CityWalk to Portofino to access the travelators from there instead of having to go into the parking garages - although this may annoy Portofino guests)?