Universal's Potential Growth (2014-2024)

[IAmFloridaBorn]

I posted this over on OU, I'll post it here too.

In the future, if Universal is allowed too, could we see the TL theatre associated with Marvel Superhero Island?

Could we see TL turned into Marvel Stadium? For some stunt show with characters or something?
Avengers Toy Story Mania Type ride?
Rip Comic Strip Cafe Out, Remove those carnival games and put a Springfield Style eatery in the area? Dark Ride for Comic Strip Cafe land area?

Just throwing stuff out there. The area right after spiderman ride up right too comic strip cafe is so dead to a ton of foot traffic even with the games.

This might give people a reason to go right instead of left when entering Islands .

Just some ideas. Toon Lagoon theatre is mysterious too me lol

When talking about expansion Universal seems to want to use every bit of space.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

For the record, here's areas for potential expansion of the parks:

1. Dr. Doom's spot (a little land near it)... if they ever retheme MSHI (not likely, but hypothetically), they should remove Fearfall and build something akin to ToT in terms of theming

Something like this for Example? Space wise?

 

[mahnamahna101]

Something like this for Example? Space wise?
View attachment 56948

Ehh... Universal can't use the live-action Avengers films. And Storm Force is a fun flat ride... just enclose it and add some effects.

And the front area of Toon Lagoon is more likely to become Middle Earth than Avengers since Universal wouldn't want to use the cartoon-based ones. If anything is added to MSHI (already fairly complete), it'll be during a retheme.

I do like the idea of repurposing Comic Strip Cafe area for a dark ride and highly themed restaurants! I know an X-Men themed show similar to Alien Encounter was planned for where you put the Thor/Loki dark ride.

If Toon Lagoon was developing properly, you could fit a dark ride, a show, and a flat ride into the front area and Comic Strip Cafe area.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

But could Universal add an Ironman Flying Coaster (similar to Manta)?

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Ehh... Universal can't use the live-action Avengers films. And Storm Force is a fun flat ride... just enclose it and add some effects.

And the front area of Toon Lagoon is more likely to become Middle Earth than Avengers since Universal wouldn't want to use the cartoon-based ones. If anything is added to MSHI (already fairly complete), it'll be during a retheme.

I do like the idea of repurposing Comic Strip Cafe area for a dark ride and highly themed restaurants! I know an X-Men themed show similar to Alien Encounter was planned for where you put the Thor/Loki dark ride.

If Toon Lagoon was developing properly, you could fit a dark ride, a show, and a flat ride into the front area and Comic Strip Cafe area.

I see. Now this Middle Earth you speak of , what would you like to see? Anything specific? If order to repurpose Toon Lagoon you'd have to De-construct the existing.

Better question for you is do you even make the footprint of whatever (if anything ever does) replaces toon lagoon as huge? Or Can you make it as small as springfield and distrubute that space to even another franchise of attractions and entertainment?

Would have loved the Xmen themed show back there. The Hulk's noise would have ruined that no? lol

 

[mahnamahna101]

But could Universal add an Ironman Flying Coaster (similar to Manta)?

If it's based on the cartoon Iron Man, technically yes. But Disney would probably throw a fit and get it vetoed like they just did with Tonight Show more or less giving Universal Orlando free advertising.

 

[mahnamahna101]

I see. Now this Middle Earth you speak of , what would you like to see? Anything specific? If order to repurpose Toon Lagoon you'd have to De-construct the existing.

Better question for you is do you even make the footprint of whatever (if anything ever does) replaces toon lagoon as huge? Or Can you make it as small as springfield and distrubute that space to even another franchise of attractions and entertainment?

Would have loved the Xmen themed show back there. The Hulk's noise would have ruined that no? lol

It would have been indoor and hopefully sound-proof.

And no, Middle Earth would take up the whole island since it's a rather large franchise. Basically everything would get bulldozed except Popeye (which would be rethemed to the barrel chase from Hobbit 2). Start from scratch like they did with Diagon Alley

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

It would have been indoor and hopefully sound-proof.

And no, Middle Earth would take up the whole island since it's a rather large franchise. Basically everything would get bulldozed except Popeye (which would be rethemed to the barrel chase from Hobbit 2). Start from scratch like they did with Diagon Alley

Gotcha! Sounds cool. Would love to see that. I Love Dudley but it can go. Popeye's system no lol.
Speaking of which. Lets say something such as that did happen. The boat in which people wet you from on Popeye would be eliminated for theming purposes. That would create space in that huge walkway area that leads to it. Tat eatery could be removed as well. Another ride . Dark ride or something could go there. Repurpose the Popeye entrance to where Gasoline alley is . Eliminate Gasoline alley and Wala! You now have two rides, and the entire comic strip cafe/dudley foot print to add anything.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

But could Universal add an Ironman Flying Coaster (similar to Manta)?

I've been calling for a Flyign Coaster for a while. Would love that. Indoor and outdoor. Have an interactive queue similar to that of TestTrack where you can design your own Jarvis/Ironman suit (similar to designing your own car)

 

[Hobnail Boot]

If Toon Lagoon has to go, I'll really miss Blondie's. I love going in there and getting a Dagwood or another sandwich every time I visit. So other than that, I wouldn't mind seeing Toon Lagoon's main drag ripped up as long as Popeye's area stays untouched (which I've seen rumored).

 

[mahnamahna101]

If Toon Lagoon has to go, I'll really miss Blondie's. I love going in there and getting a Dagwood or another sandwich every time I visit. So other than that, I wouldn't mind seeing Toon Lagoon's main drag ripped up as long as Popeye's area stays untouched (which I've seen rumored).

Sweet Haven is perfect... Dudley just needs to be finished, but that whole front area (theater, carnival games, Comic Strip Cafe) definitely could use a revamp.

 

[mahnamahna101]

Gotcha! Sounds cool. Would love to see that. I Love Dudley but it can go. Popeye's system no lol.
Speaking of which. Lets say something such as that did happen. The boat in which people wet you from on Popeye would be eliminated for theming purposes. That would create space in that huge walkway area that leads to it. Tat eatery could be removed as well. Another ride . Dark ride or something could go there. Repurpose the Popeye entrance to where Gasoline alley is . Eliminate Gasoline alley and Wala! You now have two rides, and the entire comic strip cafe/dudley foot print to add anything.

Me Ship the Olive is perfect for Popeye... no reason to remove it. Plus, there's backstage areas to consider. A dark ride, show, and flat in the front area with a new, state-of-the-art E-ticket to replace Dudley would be a little more feasible. Can't see two dark rides - that's not really Universal's style

I like the idea, but there's just slight logistics to consider.

and I just don't see an Iron Man flying coaster happening... JP is the only place where one could come in. But really IOA doesn't need another thrill coaster. It should be one per park (Hulk for IOA, Rockit for USF). There can be thrilling coasters/thrill rides but more 44"-48" range. Maybe a thrill machine where Dudley is? Put a Mt. Doom coaster there - 54" height requirement and all! Honestly, IOA needs family rides, another show or two, a nighttime spectacular, and some C/D-tickets to round out the park. The park has a plethora of E-tickets (Kong + 2 more + Dudley replacement=11 E-tickets in one single park!)

 

[kap91]

Plus, USF isn't really filming much of anything these days so all of those soundstages are unnecessary. The easy solution is to bulldoze a few of them for a nice-sized Seuss expansion. Horton dark ride, Grinch E-ticket, Seussical show, Lorax flat ride (maybe a balloon race themed to Truffula Trees?

As a person in the film industry, who's had to leave Orlando because of the state of it in Florida, I can't really condone this. Granted it's not really Universal's fault that so little is going on, but they're really the last facility left (what's left of them) - and the facilities are really great if there was reason to use them. Personally I'd like to see Universal (and Disney too, though there essentially are no facilities left there) join the fight to bring film back to the state rather than just let it slip away. Also, the entire area has begun being used heavily again, albeit just for La Voz Kids, but it's really taken over the entire backlot. And word is that there's an agreement to keep it that way, so here's hoping.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Me Ship the Olive is perfect for Popeye... no reason to remove it. Plus, there's backstage areas to consider. A dark ride, show, and flat in the front area with a new, state-of-the-art E-ticket to replace Dudley would be a little more feasible. Can't see two dark rides - that's not really Universal's style

I like the idea, but there's just slight logistics to consider.

and I just don't see an Iron Man flying coaster happening... JP is the only place where one could come in. But really IOA doesn't need another thrill coaster. It should be one per park (Hulk for IOA, Rockit for USF). There can be thrilling coasters/thrill rides but more 44"-48" range. Maybe a thrill machine where Dudley is? Put a Mt. Doom coaster there - 54" height requirement and all! Honestly, IOA needs family rides, another show or two, a nighttime spectacular, and some C/D-tickets to round out the park. The park has a plethora of E-tickets (Kong + 2 more + Dudley replacement=11 E-tickets in one single park!)

There is plenty of room for family rides. Another full scale coaster would be welcomed especially if themed correctly. Dueling Dragons is rough and usually has 5-10 minute wait (Which most cases is a walk on because of the long queue)

 

[mahnamahna101]

As a person in the film industry, who's had to leave Orlando because of the state of it in Florida, I can't really condone this. Granted it's not really Universal's fault that so little is going on, but they're really the last facility left (what's left of them) - and the facilities are really great if there was reason to use them. Personally I'd like to see Universal (and Disney too, though there essentially are no facilities left there) join the fight to bring film back to the state rather than just let it slip away. Also, the entire area has begun being used heavily again, albeit just for La Voz Kids, but it's really taken over the entire backlot. And word is that there's an agreement to keep it that way, so here's hoping.

...never heard of it. Sorry, but what channel is that show even on? And Florida just isn't going to be a film production hotspot. Atlanta is taking its place - plus most celebrities would rather be near LA and NYC.

Seuss needs room to expand - and it would only be one or two soundstages. You could even use NBA City's spot for Seuss. I want more than just a dark ride added to Seuss. It needs its own E-ticket and a yearround show as well.

There is plenty of room for family rides. Another full scale coaster would be welcomed especially if themed correctly. Dueling Dragons is rough and usually has 5-10 minute wait (Which most cases is a walk on because of the long queue)

You could put an indoor thrill coaster-dark ride hybrid where Dudley is, and put a mountain-based coaster on part of DC's former plot. Those could be thrilling enough (say 52" for the Dudley replacement and 46"-48" for the mountain-based coaster)

I just don't think another naked steel coaster is necessary for IOA. They have one great one in Hulk. The rest ought to be immersively themed. An Iron Man coaster would be too similar to Hulk, anyways. Plus, MSHI is probably the most well-rounded area of the whole park.

 

[kap91]

...never heard of it. Sorry, but what channel is that show even on? And Florida just isn't going to be a film production hotspot. Atlanta is taking its place - plus most celebrities would rather be near LA and NYC.

#1 rated show on telemundo

Yes tell me about it, now a resident of Atlanta myself. However, Florida very well could be a hotspot, it's just that our government has withdrew all support while other states (like ga) are doing so aggressively. Productions follow the money and there's still a ton of talent here that hasn't left yet. But that's a debate for a different forum I guess.

 

[seascape]

Well, with Diagon Alley appearing to be a smash success in the making, Universal Orlando is in the spotlight... more importantly, at a turning point.
How much more can the parks grow?
Will they add a 3rd gate?
What would be a good theme for a 3rd gate?
Will they keep Wet n' Wild or close it for their new waterpark?
How many hotels will they add?

As someone who considers themselves a fan of both Universal and Disney, I tend to criticize both (Disney World the most - but it's out of love!). Universal has far less to complain about when you consider some of the things that are planned/rumored:

1. Kong E-ticket
2. CityWalk 2.0
3. Gardens of Allah interactive museum
4. Hotel #5
5. Updates to parade and nighttime show at USF
6. KidZone revamp/replacement
7. Mummy upgrade/refurb
8. JP expansion/JW overlay
9. Disaster replacement/overlay
10. Seuss expansion
11. Wondersea Island (game-changing waterpark) & potential 2nd CityWalk-esque area
12. Shrek replacement
13. Mystery plot expansion (by MIB and Springfield)
14. Potter 3.0
15. LC revamp/replacement
16. TL revamp/replacement
17. Potential 6th and 7th hotels
18. T2 3D upgrade/replacement
19. Twister upgrade/replacement
20. Eventual 3rd gate

So what's Universal's peak as far as attendance goes?

2014:

1. USF: 8.6 million
2. IOA: 8.6 million

2015:

1. USF: 9.4 million
2. IOA: 9.3 million

2016:

1. USF: 9.9 million
2. IOA: 9.8 million

2017:

1. USF: 10.2 million
2. IOA: 10.3 million

2018:

1. USF: 10.7 million
2. IOA: 10.9 million

2019:

1. USF: 11.1 million
2. IOA: 11.4 million

2020:

1. USF: 11.5 million
2. IOA: 11.6 million

2021:

1. USF: 11.7 million
2. IOA: 11.9 million

By MK's 50th... both parks could feasibly be in reach of 12 million. Say, the 3rd gate brings 12 million guests as well. The water park is game-changing so it brings in 5-6 million

That's 42 million - of course, this might be wishful thinking.

Where could you see Universal in 10 years?

I would be shocked if Universal didn't increase its attendance much fast than that. I think your 2014 is way too low. Based on everything I've read here they should be at you 2015 number this year.

 

[mahnamahna101]

I would be shocked if Universal didn't increase its attendance much fast than that. I think your 2014 is way too low. Based on everything I've read here they should be at you 2015 number this year.

USF is at 7.0 million for 2013. No way it adds 2.5 million in a single year. 1.5 million is more reasonable and equal to how many Hogsmeade added.

 

[mahnamahna101]

#1 rated show on telemundo

Yes tell me about it, now a resident of Atlanta myself. However, Florida very well could be a hotspot, it's just that our government has withdrew all support while other states (like ga) are doing so aggressively. Productions follow the money and there's still a ton of talent here that hasn't left yet. But that's a debate for a different forum I guess.

True, I wouldn't mind the soundstages staying, but you could fit the show into two or three soundstages, then use the two near Seuss for a nice sized expansion.

Of course, as a Floridian, I definitely wish they hadn't left... but again, that's for another forum.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

You could put an indoor thrill coaster-dark ride hybrid where Dudley is, and put a mountain-based coaster on part of DC's former plot. Those could be thrilling enough (say 52" for the Dudley replacement and 46"-48" for the mountain-based coaster)

I just don't think another naked steel coaster is necessary for IOA. They have one great one in Hulk. The rest ought to be immersively themed. An Iron Man coaster would be too similar to Hulk, anyways. Plus, MSHI is probably the most well-rounded area of the whole park.

Well my problem here is this. IOA has 4 coasters while USF has 2. (Don't consider WWPNHC a thrill of any kind)
If you take away Dueling Dragons, then IOA has 2 Coasters . Harry Potter is the land that currently has 3 coasters. Why must one land have so many coasters? My arguments for JP getting a coaster or Suess even.