Universal to spend 3 billion on it's Hollywood Property

[janoimagine]

I found this interresting ... what, if any impact do you think this will have on Disney. I have never heard of a company revealing their hand so far in advance.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-universal-studios-hollywood-20101119,0,4003353.story?track=rss

 

[Thumbelina]

I read that article earlier, Idk if it will have any impact on DisneyLand.
It will take them a while to have it all build and such so I dont think Disney has anything to worry about. I think its weird that they are talking about building a
residential neighborhood.

 

[unkadug]

I don't know, but the current location of Whoville village right next to the Bate's Motel never seemed to be good neighbors to me. :shrug:

 

[janoimagine]

I don't know, but the current location of Whoville village right next to the Bate's Motel never seemed to be good neighbors to me. :shrug:

:lol:

Yeah, that was poor planning on somebodys part, but it definately explains what happened to Cindy Lou Who.

 

[Krack]

I read that article earlier, Idk if it will have any impact on DisneyLand.
It will take them a while to have it all build and such so I dont think Disney has anything to worry about. I think its weird that they are talking about building a
residential neighborhood.

Well, a couple things ...

1. Disneyland and Universal are really pretty far away from each other (about an hour's drive). They aren't really direct competitors like they are in Orlando, and ...

2. It's a working studio. The residential neighborhood is going to get use. Right now, when they take you on the backlot tour, they drive you down the street from Desperate Housewives (the houses are just exterior facades) and while you're parked there, they show you a video how one of the Housewives lives in Leave it to Beaver's house. These sets get used constantly.

 

[s8film40]

That Transformers ride looks a whole lot like the Spiderman ride, I know there were rumors a while back that they were going to convert the Orlando Spiderman ride to Transformers. It would seem logical to do that in Orlando. I agree I don't really see this directly competing with Disney, however I think from a theme park brand image point of view I think it's very apparent that Universal is positioning themselves as the real innovator in the theme park industry, and Disney seems to be making it easier for them to take the top spot. Disney is already behind in some ways and a few years can make a big difference.

 

[Thurp]

I think that after the resounding success that Universal has found with the HP expansion, the company is once again discovering the kind of ROI that quality additions can bring to the bottom line.

It is very obvious that Universal Orlando is quickly researching how else they can expand. They have been surveying visitors left and right lately, much more than they have in the past. They are eyeing the rest of the Lost Continent real state, and while we all sort of knew that this part of the park would be the next area to be updated, it now seems like it may be getting fast-tracked. (I have no inside knowledge of this, I'm just speaking based on what I have observed as someone who visits their parks several times a month.)

It's a win for Universal, and it's a win for all of us guests. And it puts Disney back on the defensive, which unfortunately seems to be the only time when they truly try to innovate anymore.

 

[trr1]

does this sound familliar""Fast & the Furious" special effects car show."

 

[TP2000]

I read that article earlier, Idk if it will have any impact on DisneyLand.
It will take them a while to have it all build and such so I dont think Disney has anything to worry about. I think its weird that they are talking about building a
residential neighborhood.

It will have negligible impact on Disneyland, or WDW, or any other theme park in America. If one of the upcoming major rides, like Transformers in '12, is a big enough deal it will bump up attendance at Universal and impact Knott's Berry Farm or Six Flags Magic Mountain. But Disneyland has never seen an impact from previous big ride reveals at Universal Hollywood, and I doubt that will change. Besides, a little thing called Cars Land also opens in '12, so Disneyland isn't worried.

Cars Land model - Disney California Adventure 2012

That said, this 3 Billion Dollars that Universal is spending is more about expanding a huge working movie studio and building out the residential and retail component that is already there.

It's likely difficult for East Coasters who have only been to Universal Orlando to understand, but Universal Hollywood is a movie studio first and the theme park operation on property is a distant second in importance. The modern Universal Studios concept was launched in 1964 as an actual studio tram tour with their famous Glamor Trams [sic].

Glamor Tram heading down the hill to the Lower Lot circa 1979

The Universal Studios Hollywood Glamor Tram tour still exists, it lasts about an hour, and it's spectacularly entertaining in a way that is totally unknown to Universal Orlando visitors. And this sprawling working movie studio is wedged in the foothills of the San Fernando Valley where 3 Million people live and work, who need more places built to live and work.

The Universal Studios theme park is not the primary purpose here. It's a side salad to the big T-bone steak that is Universal's primary reason for being; a working movie studio used by many different entertainment companies, including Disney. (Pirates IV scenes were recently filmed on Universal property, as seen from the tram tour).

This announcement of a 3 Billion dollar investment in Universal's property is more about urban development and movie studio expansion than it is about theme parks. Although that new Transformers ride coming in 2012 does look pretty cool!

 

[unkadug]

does this sound familliar""Fast & the Furious" special effects car show."

Ugh. How stupid is that?

 

[DTM93]

Like people have said, it won't have a huge impact or if any on Disneyland. The distance between them is huge. I remember going to Universal for the day and it taking us an hour and crossing through Downtown Los Angeles, they're no where near each other.
However, this sounds like an incredible idea and I definitely look forward to seeing it if it actually happens and concept art etc. I went to Universal and it was only a day park but I did like the park and I look forward to seeing it.
I don't think it's got a lot over Disneyland Park whatsoever but that's just my opinion. The only thing is has got over Disney Parks is that the Universal CityWalk is amazing but this is coming from a 17 year old so what do you expect? :lol:

 

[devoy1701]

$3B???

seriously? That's quite a number.

 

[raven]

$3B???

seriously? That's quite a number.

Knowing how much attractions cost it isn't really that much for a park being spread over 20 years.

 

[JWG]

$3B???

seriously? That's quite a number.

Isn't that only about half what Disney is spending of RFID
Yes, I know, I'm exaggerating.

 

[devoy1701]

Knowing how much attractions cost it isn't really that much for a park being spread over 20 years.

I didn't read the article. Just thinking how DCA's expansion was $1B...$3B is definitely a pretty signiciant number.

 

[fosse76]

Like people have said, it won't have a huge impact or if any on Disneyland. The distance between them is huge. I remember going to Universal for the day and it taking us an hour and crossing through Downtown Los Angeles, they're no where near each other.
However, this sounds like an incredible idea and I definitely look forward to seeing it if it actually happens and concept art etc. I went to Universal and it was only a day park but I did like the park and I look forward to seeing it.
I don't think it's got a lot over Disneyland Park whatsoever but that's just my opinion. The only thing is has got over Disney Parks is that the Universal CityWalk is amazing but this is coming from a 17 year old so what do you expect? :lol:

It will have very little effect. Disneyland is not a "destination vacation" like WDW. Most tourists fit in a day or two during their Southern CA vacation, which most likely includees a trip to Universal.

Knowing how much attractions cost it isn't really that much for a park being spread over 20 years.

Nonsense. Most of the cost of Disney's attractions is eaten up by themeing costs, the ride systems themselves are the theme park norm. And even so, if the average themed attraction is $200 million, $3 billion is enough for 15 attractions. And Universal is promising 7. We know WDW won't be adding that many attractions during that time. With FLE we're only getting ONE new ride.

 

[devoy1701]

It will have very little effect. Disneyland is not a "destination vacation" like WDW. Most tourists fit in a day or two during their Southern CA vacation, which most likely includees a trip to Universal.



Nonsense. Most of the cost of Disney's attractions is eaten up by themeing costs, the ride systems themselves are the theme park norm. And even so, if the average themed attraction is $200 million, $3 billion is enough for 15 attractions. And Universal is promising 7. We know WDW won't be adding that many attractions during that time. With FLE we're only getting ONE new ride.

Also, I read in an article (top 10 new theme park attractions for 2011) that TLM is only costing $100M and we've heard some great things about the themeing of that ride, albeit it's only an Omnimover system. I afree that $3B is definitely a huge amount of money to be investing into any one place, and with what's described in the article between new attractions coming and moving some existing attractions, that $3B is going to have a VERY significant impact on that park.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Also, I read in an article (top 10 new theme park attractions for 2011) that TLM is only costing $100M and we've heard some great things about the themeing of that ride, albeit it's only an Omnimover system. I afree that $3B is definitely a huge amount of money to be investing into any one place, and with what's described in the article between new attractions coming and moving some existing attractions, that $3B is going to have a VERY significant impact on that park.

I feel that 3 billion over the course of 20 years isn't all that much. I feel that after all the enhancements and new rides, Disney will easilly eclipse that amount in just their California Parks.

 

[_Scar]

Disneyland wins again.

I find this kind of surprising since Uni mainly pays attention to the Florida parks. I hope this doesn't mean WWoHP is meant to cary Uni another decade with no new attractions....

 

[s8film40]

The Studio District Evolution includes:
New, cutting-edge post production facilities
Modern sound stages
Producer bungalows
Rehearsal stages
Studio mill facilities
Prop and Costume shops
Secured and fire-safe film vaults
Upgrading existing office space
Adding two new office buildings with additional meeting space
Adding new parking structures
Relocating and enhancing our Employee Child Care Center

In total, The Studio Evolution consists of:
308,000 net new square feet of production facilities
437,000 net new square feet of production support space, including producer bungalows and post production facilities
495,000 net new square feet of office, including the Child Care Center



The Entertainment Evolution:
Improving our Studio tour
Developing a replacement for King Kong
Creating new attractions
Upgrading CityWalk movie theatres
Enhancing retail and dining facilities
A new 500-room hotel at CityWalk
The option to replace the existing amphitheatre with a smaller venue
In total, The Entertainment Evolution consists of:
146,000 net new square feet attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park
39,000 net new square feet of retail and dining options at the theme park and CityWalk
A new CityWalk hotel and the option to replace amphitheatre with a smaller venue



The Green Evolution:
Transit-oriented project that will bring work and housing together
Pilot membership in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) Program
Reclaimed water for irrigation of open space and landscaping
Comprehensive recycling program during construction and at our studios, theme park and CityWalk operations
Smart design and environmentally-efficient practices and technologies for reducing our energy and water usage and waste
Unprecedented commitment to encourage our employees and new residents to utilize transit, shuttles, carpools, flex cars and bikes to and from work
Using new Green Trams throughout the property that actually leave the air cleaner as a result of their engine filtering systems


The Universal Neighborhood Evolution includes:
2,900 lofts, townhomes, apartments and condominiums across a 124-acre portion of Universal’s nearly 400-acre studio property
Town Center with local restaurants, shops, cafes and other neighborhood-serving businesses
Walkable neighborhoods with 35 acres of public open space, parks, hiking trails and bike paths
A Residential Shuttle System to and from the adjacent Metro Station, CityWalk, surrounding studios, Burbank Metrolink Station, Hollywood and West Hollywood
Member of the Pilot Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) Program

When you look at the project as a whole the $3B doesn't seem so big I wonder how it all breaks down for each division, the whole $3B isn't going to the park after all.