While Disney has been fooling around with RFID bracelets...

[pheneix]

Universal has bought up the property Wet N Wild sits on along with its parking lot and all neighboring property. The land is now 100% part of Universal Orlando resort.

Suffice to say they plan on doing something with the land other than writing lease payments for the next 50 years.

http://www.parkscope.net/2013/06/universal-acquires-wet-and-wild-in-full.html?spref=tw

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

I wonder if they're going to keep the water park running, or use the land for a rumored third gate @WDW1974 has been teasing. He did mention a while back that Universal was looking at buying up land in the Orlando area for ambitious future expansion plans. Seems like this might be the beginning of what's happening now?

EDIT- Actually I just saw that a water park was in the future Universal plans in Spirit's information on the matter, perhaps this is that first step-
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...ets-hotels-waterpark-and-theme-park-3.863490/

It would make sense to take an existing water park and build on that foundation and retheme some things. Either way, sounds like spirit's information is already underway. Great news!

 

[nytimez]

They can build a monorail down Universal Blvd.

 

[HenryMystic]

I wonder if they're going to keep the water park running, or use the land for a rumored third gate @WDW1974 has been teasing. He did mention a while back that Universal was looking at buying up land in the Orlando area for ambitious future expansion plans. Seems like this might be the beginning of what's happening now?

From what I've been hearing, Wet 'n Wild needs a ton of work. It may be best to just tear it apart, salvage what they can, and move it to the empty plot between Cabana Bay and Royal Pacific as has been rumored for a while. A name was trademarked a few years ago "Wondersea Island."

I also think they'll buy up as much land around the stuff they bought today. Everything around there seems obtainable. Pretty exciting times and huge implications for WDW and Universal.

 

[HenryMystic]

They can build a monorail down Universal Blvd.

And across I-4...can you imagine?

 

[SirOinksALot]

Looks like that Best Western just hit the jackpot...

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

From what I've been hearing, Wet 'n Wild needs a ton of work. It may be best to just tear it apart, salvage what they can, and move it to the empty plot between Cabana Bay and Royal Pacific as has been rumored for a while. A name was trademarked a few years ago "Wondersea Island."

I also think they'll buy up as much land around the stuff they bought today. Everything around there seems obtainable. Pretty exciting times and huge implications for WDW and Universal.

I don't know anything about Wet n Wild (not a water park person in general, only big one i've been to was Blizzard Beach when I was younger). Makes sense though. Either way, we were told by 74 I believe that Universal was going to be buying up property around there and aggressively expanding in the near future. Sounds like that info was spot on, exciting times!

 

[prfctlyximprct]

From the picture I saw, the land looks smack dab in a bunch of businesses. Hey, Red Lobster, you're gonna make bank.

 

[GLaDOS]

From the picture I saw, the land looks smack dab in a bunch of businesses. Hey, Red Lobster, you're gonna make bank.

Businesses that will crumble in the wake of Comcast's checkbook.

 

[ChrisFL]

Universal has bought up the property Wet N Wild sits on along with its parking lot and all neighboring property. The land is now 100% part of Universal Orlando resort.

Suffice to say they plan on doing something with the land other than writing lease payments for the next 50 years.

http://www.parkscope.net/2013/06/universal-acquires-wet-and-wild-in-full.html?spref=tw

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Disney=Jonah Hill
UNI=Satan

I'll say no more.

 

[WDW1974]

From what I've been hearing, Wet 'n Wild needs a ton of work. It may be best to just tear it apart, salvage what they can, and move it to the empty plot between Cabana Bay and Royal Pacific as has been rumored for a while. A name was trademarked a few years ago "Wondersea Island."

I also think they'll buy up as much land around the stuff they bought today. Everything around there seems obtainable. Pretty exciting times and huge implications for WDW and Universal.

And so it begins ... Ok, that was dramatic sounding, but not really accurate since it began three years ago (or even longer if you look to UNI's acquisition of Potter rights at a watershed moment).

I wouldn't expect that Wet n Wild is long for existence now. There are other plans for that land!!!

 

[HenryMystic]

And so it begins ... Ok, that was dramatic sounding, but not really accurate since it began three years ago (or even longer if you look to UNI's acquisition of Potter rights at a watershed moment).

I wouldn't expect that Wet n Wild is long for existence now. There are other plans for that land!!!

This is very exciting!

 

[ChrisFL]

And so it begins ... Ok, that was dramatic sounding, but not really accurate since it began three years ago (or even longer if you look to UNI's acquisition of Potter rights at a watershed moment).

I wouldn't expect that Wet n Wild is long for existence now. There are other plans for that land!!!

So, waterpark or something different?

 

[TalkingHead]

Does anyone know the story with the Lockheed property south of Sand Lake Rd? Is that an area that Universal has looked at for purchase/expansion, or just rumor mill stuff?

 

[WDW1974]

I don't know anything about Wet n Wild (not a water park person in general, only big one i've been to was Blizzard Beach when I was younger). Makes sense though. Either way, we were told by 74 I believe that Universal was going to be buying up property around there and aggressively expanding in the near future. Sounds like that info was spot on, exciting times!

Universal is going to be growing its theme park business HUGELY and not just in Florida, but in places from SoCal to Seoul ...in ways both expected and shocking. It is a very exciting time ... But, hey, let,s not fret Disney fanbois. WDW will be showing its Patriot Pyro from July 1st to the 7th (but expect the full show only on the 3rd and 4th) ...Do you think if I wear a Hong Kong tee while carrying an Ecuadorian flag that I might be flogged?

 

[the.dreamfinder]

And so it begins ... Ok, that was dramatic sounding, but not really accurate since it began three years ago (or even longer if you look to UNI's acquisition of Potter rights at a watershed moment).

I wouldn't expect that Wet n Wild is long for existence now. There are other plans for that land!!!

I guess they'll acquire more neighboring land as well?

 

[WDW1974]

So, waterpark or something different?

Yes, a water park or something else sounds exactly right!

 

[misterID]

It's going to be interesting to see what kind of theme park Universal Creative can think up. If their Asia parks are a good indicator (or the plans for Universal Dubailand (holy cow!) or Moscow) this is going to be really cool times.

A good question, any former (or soon to be) WDI folks going to be involved? Very exciting stuff.

 

[WDW1974]

I guess they'll acquire more neighboring land as well?

Isn't it telling that the company that still trots out the Waltism that 'We have enough land here for all the timeshares and real estate developments we can possibly imagine' is a traffic-clogged nightmare that has been selling off parcels of land since the 90s, while that competitor that no one ever gives enough credit to is actively buying land and making what they have count.

BTW, how's Flamingo Crossing coming along? Oh, no ... OK, what say you guys/gals about Hyperion Wharf? Oh, I see. ... But, seriously, they must be ready to build that second ring of nations in the World Showcase with 18 nations now at EPCOT? WHAT, you gotta be playing with me. So, how many E-Tickets has the MK added since tickets crossed the $50 a day barrier? ... I give up!!! Someone ...anyone ...please pass the Pixie Dust!