Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[Scott W.]

Anyone know if the rumor I heard that the iFly location on I-Drive was purchased by Universal? I just saw they are opening their new location in April and I heard that Universal may have purchased the old one. That could be an integral part of a transportation link between the current property and the Wet N Wild property.

I've not heard anybody say it but I've thought this myself. There are buildings to the north and south blocking a direct path but it sounds plausible.

 

[GAcoaster]

Looks like the "Circus School" and the Walgreens would be the only obstacles. They could always work out deals to relocate them as part of the redevelopment. Universal already has a relationship with Walgreens which runs their Team Care Pharmacy on property.

Google Maps

 

[Scott W.]

Looks like the "Circus School" and the Walgreens would be the only obstacles. They could always work out deals to relocate them as part of the redevelopment. Universal already has a relationship with Walgreens which runs their Team Care Pharmacy on property.

Google Maps

You'd have thought they would have just went to the other side of Universal Blvd and either move IHOP or build them a new car park.

 

[Mad Dog]

Looks like the "Circus School" and the Walgreens would be the only obstacles. They could always work out deals to relocate them as part of the redevelopment. Universal already has a relationship with Walgreens which runs their Team Care Pharmacy on property.

Google Maps

Thanks for posting the link. I was trying to visualize the location. Yes, that certainly would make sense that Universal would purchase that to use it as part of the link (whatever transportation mode that may end up being) to the Wet & Wild parcel and ultimately the fourth park further down Universal Blvd. I remember when Dave (Disney Head) was showing me the green way median strip down the middle of Universal Blvd. Just perfect for the route to the new park.

 

[GadgetGuru]

You'd have thought they would have just went to the other side of Universal Blvd and either move IHOP or build them a new car park.

What exactly would that achieve? It looks like there's a whole bunch of other buildings and complexes between the Lockheed site and the old resort.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Anyone know if the rumor I heard that the iFly location on I-Drive was purchased by Universal? I just saw they are opening their new location in April and I heard that Universal may have purchased the old one. That could be an integral part of a transportation link between the current property and the Wet N Wild property.

Could. Business journal just put an article out that doesn't necessarily say yes or no to that.

To piggy back off of what you said I heard the same so. Not sure. Would be great.

 

[Mad Dog]

What exactly would that achieve? It looks like there's a whole bunch of other buildings and complexes between the Lockheed site and the old resort.

Once they get to Wet & Wild they can just use the median strip on Universal Blvd, until they reach the stretch of empty land that's Universal's and then switch the transportation to that side of the road. Disneyhead drove me through that whole stretch and showed how it could be achieved. Looked pretty feasible to my untrained eye.

 

[Skipper Justin]

They should pull a Disneysea and build a resort hotel in the actual borders of the park. Now, that was an amazing experience.

 

[GAcoaster]

What exactly would that achieve? It looks like there's a whole bunch of other buildings and complexes between the Lockheed site and the old resort.

Getting across I-4 is probably the biggest challenge. Once on the other side it's much easier to get down Universal Boulevard.

 

[Mike S]

They should pull a Disneysea and build a resort hotel in the actual borders of the park. Now, that was an amazing experience.

They're doing it in Beijing so why not?

 

[Scott W.]

Once they get to Wet & Wild they can just use the median strip on Universal Blvd, until they reach the stretch of empty land that's Universal's and then switch the transportation to that side of the road. Disneyhead drove me through that whole stretch and showed how it could be achieved. Looked pretty feasible to my untrained eye.

It's almost perfect for it. The only issues I see, is crossing I4 like @GAcoaster said and the stretch of road north and south of Sand Lake Rd.

 

[Nico]

Once they get to Wet & Wild they can just use the median strip on Universal Blvd, until they reach the stretch of empty land that's Universal's and then switch the transportation to that side of the road. Disneyhead drove me through that whole stretch and showed how it could be achieved. Looked pretty feasible to my untrained eye.

I'd listen to that podcast.

 

[Mad Dog]

What's really sweet is the entrance to the fourth park could end up just about across the street of that huge Orlando Convention Center, if Universal deems it so....Great location.

 

[Mad Dog]

It's almost perfect for it. The only issues I see, is crossing I4 like @GAcoaster said and the stretch of road north and south of Sand Lake Rd.

That's not even too bad since there's that wide median strip down the middle of the road. They'll probably run it through there, avoid the traffic, and when the strip disappears then they just move it to the land off the left side of the road.

 

[JungleSkip]

Anyone know if the rumor I heard that the iFly location on I-Drive was purchased by Universal? I just saw they are opening their new location in April and I heard that Universal may have purchased the old one. That could be an integral part of a transportation link between the current property and the Wet N Wild property.

Funny thing is Universal was asking about a location like iFly in their CityWalk survey a month or so ago.

 

[Imperius]

They should make a HTTYD ifly at City Walk. Kidding, but it would be a cool experience down there.

 

[GAcoaster]

Funny thing is Universal was asking about a location like iFly in their CityWalk survey a month or so ago.

Not surprising since they have one at CityWalk in Hollywood.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I'm surprised Uni didn't try to contract iFly to add to CityWalk or south property so that they can get that piece of land next to WnW

 

[JoeCamel]

I'm surprised Uni didn't try to contract iFly to add to CityWalk or south property so that they can get that piece of land next to WnW

Might be at the south property, they just built one in Tampa so they could have many

 

[Mr. EPCOT]

Not surprising since they have one at CityWalk in Hollywood.

As an aside, it's crazy to me that so much of CityWalk out there is covered by those shade structures like that when the Orlando CityWalk could arguably use them way more.