Universal Orlando Construction & Projects

[jzquince69]

any news on those empty tracts of land on their property- south of IOA bordering Turkey lake Road?

[ThatFloridaDude]

Originally Posted by jzquince69

any news on those empty tracts of land on their property- south of IOA bordering Turkey lake Road?

I just remember them not being able to use it for about 5 years. Disney put a hold on it. While working there it was rumored to be a Hotel or another theme par. More than likely another resort.

[ThatFloridaDude]

Hey I was correct. : http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/...versal-orlando

[jzquince69]

wow. that's good. is this going to be like Pop Century Resort in layout, or more like a tower or two? And, will the water taxi service it ala an expanded canal system? I hope so.

[ThatFloridaDude]

Originally Posted by jzquince69

wow. that's good. is this going to be like Pop Century Resort in layout, or more like a tower or two? And, will the water taxi service it ala an expanded canal system? I hope so.

I hope it's uniquue to fit that theme.

But the expansion of the water taxi would be difficult crossing Hollywood way would it not?

[KLStorey]

Originally Posted by ThatFloridaDude

I hope it's uniquue to fit that theme.

But the expansion of the water taxi would be difficult crossing Hollywood way would it not?

It wouldn't cross Hollywood Way anytime soon (i.e. before end of the decade at the earliest) from my understanding and even if it did I don't think it would be difficult, just adding a bridge, something that could be done in a matter of a few months. If planned right they could just have a temp road go around where the bridge is going, then dig it out when they go to build the canal itself.

I'm hearing a lot of talk that the water taxi won't be connecting the entire resort. Instead some new transit system will be in place (I'm still holding out that Orlando will eventually get a PRT system somewhere). With the rumors going wild of Universal expanding into new property it makes sense that the water taxis wouldn't be able to connect all of it, especially if this new property is the property near OCCC.

[jzquince69]

I thought they sold all of that property to the county back before the N/S Bldg was constructed- unless they kept the land near where the Westin Imagine area is.

[jzquince69]

that new 1,800 room new resort- I think its going to be sandwiched between Adventure Way and the Royal Pacific; I don't think its going to border Turkey Lake Road.

Also, there's a tower crane up at Universal. You can see it from Turkey lake Road looking down Universal Studios Plaza.

[SkyDiveJunkee]

The Harry Potter "London side" expansion is also well underway at Universal Studios near the former Amityville section.

[ThatFloridaDude]

Originally Posted by SkyDiveJunkee

The Harry Potter "London side" expansion is also well underway at Universal Studios near the former Amityville section.

London expansion?

[SkyDiveJunkee]

^Yes. The rumors circulating is that the Studios expansion of Harry Potter will be based on the London scenes from the books, and a "Hogwarts Express" train ride will connect the two Harry Potter theme areas (OIA - Universal Studios).

[ThatFloridaDude]

Originally Posted by SkyDiveJunkee

^Yes. The rumors circulating is that the Studios expansion of Harry Potter will be based on the London scenes from the books, and a "Hogwarts Express" train ride will connect the two Harry Potter theme areas (OIA - Universal Studios).

Oh yeah that, I don't like the brrom boy but am excited for it. They are building that building mighty fast in the old amity area.

[jzquince69]

Update on Cabana Bay Resort:

http://www.orlandoinformer.com/unive...-beach-resort/

[jzquince69]

Here's a rough layout of the property:

http://parkrumors.com/first-look-at-...resort-layout/

[HARTride 2012]

Universal Orlando "Transformers: The Ride" will open June 20. The ride has caused a lot of buzz since crews in downtown Orlando started putting up a graphic resembling a giant, Transformer-shaped hole smashed through the side of the Fairwinds Credit Union Tower.
Early Thursday morning the sign was updated with "Prepare for Battle June 20" at the top of the sign.
The attraction is the middle of Universal Studios, overlooking the lagoon. It's behind the Shrek 4-D theater and Universal Studios Florida's central lake. The building formally home to the Hercules and Xena show was leveled for Transformers.

Read the full article here: http://www.baynews9.com/content/news...s_the_rid.html

[spenser1058]

I really like that both Uni & WDW are doing more promotional things downtown. In addition to the Transformers stunt, WDW also had Captain Hook at Eola promoting Flower & Garden. Just another way to tie the two largest private employers to the community. It's marketing, obviously, but on balance a win-win.

[sam06pr]

SeaWorld Needs to join in

[SkyDiveJunkee]

Lots of attractions news and updates recently:

Universal:
Cabana Beach Resort u/c
Springfield Simpsons Expansion formally announced today (well u/c) - opening in June
Transformers the Ride - soft opening now
Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion - Diagon Alley (London) - u/c and formally announced last week
Jurassic Park expansion - announced (games area)

Universal Rumors:
Wet n Wild to close; to be replaced by another on site water park
CityWalk Expansion
Property Expansion - possibly near OCCC or across Kirkman Rd

SeaWorld:
Antarctica - open to public next week

Disney:
Fantasyland Expansion (Phase I open, Phase II u/c)
Downtown Disney renovation and expansion into "Disney Springs": prep work underway
Test Track renovation complete, now open
Avatarland at Animal Kingdom - design continues, 2016 target date

Disney Rumors:
Hollywood Studios to get a Carsland (like DCA)
Hollywood Studios to get Star Wars type attraction or land

I-Drive Live: Under construction

Fun Spot Expansion: now complete

Did I miss anything?

[spenser1058]

Legends of Chima at Legoland Florida, scheduled to open this summer. Gatorland has also expanded recently and is about to add 30 more animals brought from a similar attraction closing in south FL. All in all, this is already on track to be a banner year in central Florida tourism and 2014 should be even bigger. Keep that tourism tax growing and FINISH DPAC NOW.

[jzquince69]

Originally Posted by SkyDiveJunkee

Lots of attractions news and updates recently:

Universal:
Cabana Beach Resort u/c
Springfield Simpsons Expansion formally announced today (well u/c) - opening in June
Transformers the Ride - soft opening now
Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion - Diagon Alley (London) - u/c and formally announced last week
Jurassic Park expansion - announced (games area)

Universal Rumors:
Wet n Wild to close; to be replaced by another on site water park
CityWalk Expansion
Property Expansion - possibly near OCCC or across Kirkman Rd

SeaWorld:
Antarctica - open to public next week

Disney:
Fantasyland Expansion (Phase I open, Phase II u/c)
Downtown Disney renovation and expansion into "Disney Springs": prep work underway
Test Track renovation complete, now open
Avatarland at Animal Kingdom - design continues, 2016 target date

Disney Rumors:
Hollywood Studios to get a Carsland (like DCA)
Hollywood Studios to get Star Wars type attraction or land

I-Drive Live: Under construction

Fun Spot Expansion: now complete

Did I miss anything?

Fun Spot Phase I is done or close to done. Phase II is the water park and expansion of original building; hasn't begun yet.

Hollywood Studios can carve out its niche if they do in fact create a Star Wars world like Harry Potter; a really big one; it would be epic.