trr1
Well-Known Member
maybe a bus since its a cross between a mod and a value resort or a walking bridge into IOA
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Universal to build a new On-Site Hotel
- Thread starter invader
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novawildcat18
Well-Known Member
Interesting. So there's still a good sized plot of undeveloped land next to this new hotel. I wonder what they're planning for that?
trr1
Well-Known Member
maybe a water park?
cheezbat
Well-Known Member
menamechris
Well-Known Member
I miss the days when Disney would have been scrambling to get in a bigger, better announcement before Universal. Now they seem rather oblivious to it all - or flat out don't seem to care. But hey, we are getting fancy, Disney odor killers!!
To be fair, Disney have themselves just opened a very similar resort, to go along with there other 23. Now in terms of attractions, something will be announced on that front sooner rather than later.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Based on the description, this is the sort of thing that Disney should have done with the Walt Disney World Value Resorts. The Value Resorts are not "themed" in the way that the term is usually applied to Disney. The decorations have a theme to them, but they do not work to create an experience of a place or even idea. It is decoration. Art of Animation pushes away from this a little, but is still more decorative than experiential. Based on the description there is not going to be any pretending that this is more like a motel or motor lodge, but it is being done in a way that romances the experience beyond what we see today. It will be a themed experience, not just themed decorations.
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Problem is Uni dont own the hotels, Im sure greed is a factor given the claims they are running near capacity.
For a hotel whose theme is meant to "evoke the driving vacations so many Americans grew up enjoying with their families - spending time at sweeping motor courts just off the highway," the name "Cabana Bay Resort" seems like an odd choice.
"Cabana Bay" suggests an island/ocean theme, not one closely tied to cross-country road trips and roadside motels.
"Cabana Bay" suggests an island/ocean theme, not one closely tied to cross-country road trips and roadside motels.
GLaDOS
Well-Known Member
You haven't been to many roadside motels then. Most have names disproportionate to their look/location.
And this evokes the feel of many east coast beach motels. It's a fitting name.
This.
Resort hotel openings aren't a base for one-upping. This is a great thing for Universal and has potential to impact visitor flow in Orlando depending on pricing. But it's nothing for Disney to upstage.
Now, Disney should look in to upstaging Universal's 3 theme park projects, 2 of which are under construction. Maybe that's what Steve is hinting at. ;-)
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
Excellent post!
Me, I have never been able to cast off the suspicion that WDW deliberately underbuilds the values, so as to distinguish them from moderates. The luxury hotels compete on theme and location. The moderates have thematic placemaking, the values have...well, little going for them. Located in the middle of nowhere, no placemaking effort. They're fun, hapy places, they do make me smile, but are they really the best they can do? (Even when allowing for obvious budgettary constraints)
Oversized props are fun, but not superfun. They especially lack staying power. Unlike a convincing placemaking effort. One never grows tired of walking in World Showcase or the Poly, but oversized Country Boots or Yo-Yo's are only fun for so long.
Universal seems to corner WDW in this respect too. A value family resort...but with fully immersive 'Disneyesque' placemaking.
As for the hotel...
It's good that Universal/Loews are catering to a wider demographic (value/moderate instead of deluxe), but no FotLP means that it is unlikely that we would stay there! (Unless you stayed at one of the other hotels for your Uni/IOA Visits and then moved to this one for the other non-Disney parts of your holiday - SeaWorld, Shopping, etc.)
It's good that Universal/Loews are catering to a wider demographic (value/moderate instead of deluxe), but no FotLP means that it is unlikely that we would stay there! (Unless you stayed at one of the other hotels for your Uni/IOA Visits and then moved to this one for the other non-Disney parts of your holiday - SeaWorld, Shopping, etc.)
TarzanRocked99-
Well-Known Member
Steve are you saying an announcement coming from Disney or the multiple ones coming down the road from Uni?
TarzanRocked99-
Well-Known Member
Rumored IOA family ride to open in 2014
GLaDOS
Well-Known Member
Is Express really necessary? In all my time going to Universal, I've never found that lacking Express is a detriment to my trip. And I was there a week after WWoHP opened!
For me, a value hotel from which I can walk to the park is much better than Express.
kcnole
Well-Known Member
There are three major things that I have long thought Universal needed to really make them a focal point vacation stay.
1. Better hotel options onsite, especially at a value price. This seems to grab that one.
2. more family friendly attractions in the parks. They really seem to have grabbed much of that at USF with the new parades and Despicable Me ride. IOA really needs more family friendly rides and I'd love Madagascar in Toon Lagoon.
3. A fully themed water park. I heard from Kevin Yee today that there are plans for a fully themed water park on properly sometime in the next few years.
1. Better hotel options onsite, especially at a value price. This seems to grab that one.
2. more family friendly attractions in the parks. They really seem to have grabbed much of that at USF with the new parades and Despicable Me ride. IOA really needs more family friendly rides and I'd love Madagascar in Toon Lagoon.
3. A fully themed water park. I heard from Kevin Yee today that there are plans for a fully themed water park on properly sometime in the next few years.
GLaDOS
Well-Known Member
The plans are there. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't already a go.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
I wonder if Universal would consider reintroducing a new form of Universal Express Pass as a possible perk for guests of this hotel. Express Pass was essentially Universal's version of FastPass. It coexisted with Express Pass Plus for a short time, before being dropped in favor of the upcharge, unlimited access program. Why not again offer a lower program that allows access to the Express line once per attraction, like it done for Premier Annual pass Holders after 4:00 PM?
I do not see though why for Universal it is some sort of must. Staying at a Disney resort, regardless of it being a Deluxe, Moderate or Value, gets one no additional FastPasses. It may in the future give preference in regards to FastPass Plus, but that has yet to be seen. Other perks (if they are ever needed) can be offered such as early morning or late night access, discounts on Universal Express Plus, discounts to CityWalk attractions and probably much more.
I do not see though why for Universal it is some sort of must. Staying at a Disney resort, regardless of it being a Deluxe, Moderate or Value, gets one no additional FastPasses. It may in the future give preference in regards to FastPass Plus, but that has yet to be seen. Other perks (if they are ever needed) can be offered such as early morning or late night access, discounts on Universal Express Plus, discounts to CityWalk attractions and probably much more.