That's exactly what I thought of when I saw it. I was surprised it wasn't named The Universe and You Hotel.
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Universal to build a new On-Site Hotel
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This is what happens when you give Disney fans a great piece of Universal news. They pick it apart.
What happens when Potter is official? Or they mystery SS44 attraction with drip pans/drains (I'm leaning toward Transformers) is announced? Or the IoA attraction that is not really necessary but they're doing just because they can.
What happens when Potter is official? Or they mystery SS44 attraction with drip pans/drains (I'm leaning toward Transformers) is announced? Or the IoA attraction that is not really necessary but they're doing just because they can.
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
But why should they?
The proliferation of social media sites and blogging has turned many fans, who should be the most critical consumers of all, into BRAND ADVOCATES.
Who cares what happens at UNI, so long as Disney fans will blather on about how MAGICal Dueling Dumbos queue is or the Casey Junior Pee While You Play Fountain is?
WDW fans are being used and abused, and we all suffer no matter how some justify it. Of course, if you think I'm full of pooh, why don't you simply look at what's new at every Disney resort around the globe. Compare Disney to Disney, not even the competition.
unkadug
Follower of "Saget"The Cult
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
I have the feeling you are speaking of Avatar because NEXT GEN isn't an attraction, no matter how it is spun ... that is unless you know something about other attractions at other parks that Disney has managed to keep almost leak-free.
I don't really care much about resorts being opened at either Disney or UNI, but I'd argue that what UNI is doing is more significant because they have so few (and will never have 23 no matter how much land they are able to acquire ... oops, did I say UNI is looking at adding more land?
) and this is the first that is in a lower-priced category and one more family-oriented (a weak, but often used, criticism of UNI to begin with).Just in case you are talking about me (I don't think you are, but just in case)...
I'm all for this new hotel. I think it's great that they are targeting a different demographic (value/moderate instead of deluxe), and I like the look of the concept art - it just doesn't fit into the way that we currently holiday, and so would probably not be ver good value for us at this time. However, in the future, depending on what Disney do (loss of free dining, etc.), I could see this being a hotel that we could possibly use (after spending a night or so at one of the other hotels to get the FotLP, this hotel could be useful if we wanted to do a Disney/Non-Disney split stay (use the FotLP for Uni/IOA, and then move to this hotel to still be close to CityWalk, be close to SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Aquatica, Shopping, etc.)
I have to say, that although Universal Studios is probably my current least favourite park out of the 8 (MK, E, DHS, DAK, USF, IOA, SWO, BGTB) - the resort as a whole is probably the part of my next holiday - CityWalk, Blue Man Group, Despicable Me, Potter 2.0 and two other attractions could help move USF from the bottom of my list!)
I just need this announcements with some opening dates already! Current plan is Nov/Dec 2014, but if Potter is delayed till 2015, then I might try to delay a year so I don't miss it! And I can't wait to find out what the other two new attractions are (and then the possibilities for the future - eg. Kidzone being improved, etc.) I just need them to let us all know what's happening so we can stop all of the speculation and guessing and start to look forward to the actual attractions!
menamechris
Well-Known Member
Well, I definetly have my fingers crossed....
I'd heard the land rumor before but not from such a reliable source. Interesting. Land is at a premium at that location, so it will be interesting to see what happens with that.I have the feeling you are speaking of Avatar because NEXT GEN isn't an attraction, no matter how it is spun ... that is unless you know something about other attractions at other parks that Disney has managed to keep almost leak-free.
I don't really care much about resorts being opened at either Disney or UNI, but I'd argue that what UNI is doing is more significant because they have so few (and will never have 23 no matter how much land they are able to acquire ... oops, did I say UNI is looking at adding more land?
Horizonsfan
Well-Known Member
Didn't Universal at one point own the land that the '00s OC Convention Center expansion was built on? If that's true, it's amusing that now they're actually trying to acquire land.
I don't know that for sure. But Universal has very bold plans limited only by the land they have.
I'm wondering if they'll have to acquire land in the way DL is looking too.
Oh...oops...
HenryMystic
Well-Known Member
That's back when they had money problems. That is no longer the case. It's a shame they had such poor ownership for so long.
nepalostparks
Well-Known Member
As opposed to what some posters do whenever there is news about Disney? It's a discussion forum, where people having different viewpoints will pick everything apart. People on both sides of the proverbial aisle do their fair share of "picking apart."
Horizonsfan
Well-Known Member
Thought so. A shame for sure, though that land would have made for awkward resort transportation/access.
Got to love bold plans.
Certainly does seem like a difficult task to acquire any of the land near them...but I have faith in them. If only there was a strawberry field nearby.
Usually with Disney, it's worth picking apart. But there's praise when due.
What land?
Next to the park there is... Dr. Phillips High school to the west, and to the east is a few hotels, and restaurants... They did demolish the Denny's and Cracker Barrel that were along I4 and that land is empty right now.
The east still has the large doubletree and holiday inn there.
To the north is Lake Cane (which is an extremly clear, spring fed, clean lake good for swimming), and the Windhover area and that is condos, apartments, townhomes and some duplexes. (And much nicer homes along the lake) I can't imagine actually trying to buy out an entire neighborhood.
So what land is the speculation about?
So for a guess, immediately around the park, it's either take over Dr. Phillips High School (and pay for relocation), or take over the area across the street along Major Blvd.
Next to the park there is... Dr. Phillips High school to the west, and to the east is a few hotels, and restaurants... They did demolish the Denny's and Cracker Barrel that were along I4 and that land is empty right now.
The east still has the large doubletree and holiday inn there.
To the north is Lake Cane (which is an extremly clear, spring fed, clean lake good for swimming), and the Windhover area and that is condos, apartments, townhomes and some duplexes. (And much nicer homes along the lake) I can't imagine actually trying to buy out an entire neighborhood.
So what land is the speculation about?
So for a guess, immediately around the park, it's either take over Dr. Phillips High School (and pay for relocation), or take over the area across the street along Major Blvd.
I don't know of any particular plots. But money talks. You'd be surprised what money can move. The only thing I'd count out is the High School because to pay for relocation of the school would cost a small fortune before any project there sees a single truck. Residential areas would be tough, but not impossible. Though I wouldn't bet on that.
Horizonsfan
Well-Known Member
Common logic would seem that they'd either try to get land to the East or South. Commercial owners/developers tend to be more willing to negotiate than residential owners.
EDIT: Jim seemed to beat me to it...
maxairmike
Well-Known Member
Although a very small parcel in the grand scheme, so to speak, from what I can tell the Toscana plot of various condo buildings seems to be at best a walking zombie residential development. There are quite a lot of them that have been making the real estate carousel rounds the last few years, and I don't think they even finished the whole development.
I'd guess so, although the South side is I-4 (The already own the empty lots south of the park), unless they do something next to wet and wild along International drive.
Dr Phillips High School lines up perfectly with islands of adventure on the map, though. The north side has a good chunk of wooded/wetlands area next to the lake that probably isn't buildable, so that side doesn't make much sense either. I have heard that they are running short on employee parking now, and probably need to build an employee garage, if they do that, that could open some land to the studios park. The only way to expand IOA is to the south (probably hotel or water park area though), or by taking over Dr. Phillips High School (and doing something with Turkey Lake Rd. The only place it could be relocated (And still be in the Dr. Phillips Area) would be to the south side of Sand Lake Rd, still along Turkey lake.
Before all this spending that's been going on I would have never thought it possible, but now It doesn't seem as far fetched.
Dr Phillips High School lines up perfectly with islands of adventure on the map, though. The north side has a good chunk of wooded/wetlands area next to the lake that probably isn't buildable, so that side doesn't make much sense either. I have heard that they are running short on employee parking now, and probably need to build an employee garage, if they do that, that could open some land to the studios park. The only way to expand IOA is to the south (probably hotel or water park area though), or by taking over Dr. Phillips High School (and doing something with Turkey Lake Rd. The only place it could be relocated (And still be in the Dr. Phillips Area) would be to the south side of Sand Lake Rd, still along Turkey lake.
Before all this spending that's been going on I would have never thought it possible, but now It doesn't seem as far fetched.
John
Well-Known Member
This has been so interesting, I smell someone writting a book. Its obvious that UNi has parlayed one great themed area into a game changer. They are taking advantage of the momentum that is being built. If anyone thinks Disney has got to be beside themselves for letting Rawlings walk. They are crazy. Comcast bought a theme park saving it from medocrity and changedit to quicky becoming a major threat to TDO's bottom line. Which is the only thing that matters to them. UNI dosnt have to become #1 in Orlando, they dont have to be #2. It all about percentages. If they cut into the stay of the majority of a typical Disney guest we are talking huge numbers.
This proposed resort is to do just that. Think about it. Comcast is being very aggressive, in a time with such economic uncertainty. All the while Disney is playing it safe. Cutting projects, cutting budgets . This isnt D&G here folks....just simple facts. Even the most ardent Disney fan ( can you hear me Jimmy, JT) can argue with this. Has Disney added to WDW. Sure, FL is going to be great....just isnt Potter worthy. Splitsville? Is there a buzz surrounding this project? I dont see it in the fandom. Maybe locally? Someone tell me. Say what you want about CityWalk but the feel I get it is quicky becoming if not already surpassing DTD....Please dont give us the "BIG" things are happening at DTD. This maybe, but with all of TDO project they are always a subject of when.
This new resort, is just another chip out of the castle walls. UNI just keeps taking tiny piesces out one attraction at a time.
This proposed resort is to do just that. Think about it. Comcast is being very aggressive, in a time with such economic uncertainty. All the while Disney is playing it safe. Cutting projects, cutting budgets . This isnt D&G here folks....just simple facts. Even the most ardent Disney fan ( can you hear me Jimmy, JT) can argue with this. Has Disney added to WDW. Sure, FL is going to be great....just isnt Potter worthy. Splitsville? Is there a buzz surrounding this project? I dont see it in the fandom. Maybe locally? Someone tell me. Say what you want about CityWalk but the feel I get it is quicky becoming if not already surpassing DTD....Please dont give us the "BIG" things are happening at DTD. This maybe, but with all of TDO project they are always a subject of when.
This new resort, is just another chip out of the castle walls. UNI just keeps taking tiny piesces out one attraction at a time.