Lower Lot Redesign

[Viator]

Small note but prevalent: what seemed to be a crawler loader had slipped and flipped itself to be on a inverted level; damaging the roof of the loader as it hung from the edge of the retaining wall.



Might have the machine wrong, but hoping the best for the driver and that they have a speedy recovery (and that they didn't get seriously hurt).

 

[DrStarlander]

I saw this Theme Park Wizard footage the other day and seeing the vehicles driving around on that ledge above the wall, I thought "Jeez, that looks dangerous working above that drop off." Really scary that accident happened.

 

[Viator]

Small note but prevalent: what seemed to be a crawler loader had slipped and flipped itself to be on a inverted level; damaging the roof of the loader as it hung from the edge of the retaining wall.



Might have the machine wrong, but hoping the best for the driver and that they have a speedy recovery (and that they didn't get seriously hurt).

I saw this Theme Park Wizard footage the other day and seeing the vehicles driving around on that ledge above the wall, I thought "Jeez, that looks dangerous working above that drop off." Really scary that accident happened.
View attachment 27325

Small note but I wonder if @Brian G. or anyone on the journalism team could look into this--if nothing else getting a statement for that person's sake.

Hoping once the wall is complete, that there are barriers to ensure things are safe.

 

[Viator]

Double-Posting, to give a few updates.

1: Following the accident on Sunday, as of yesterday; a chain link fence has been set up on the top of the hill to catch for the sake of any potential debris (or if a accident happens again).
2: They have hit surface level for the lot, and it seems now they are beginning the process of extending the wall itself to be thick.


Additionally, it seems utility work is now underway on the surface lot, now that they can properly begin the process.

 

[Viator]

The old Mummy retaining wall is now rubble and dirt, as all they got now a dirt hill left to clear for the Utility Events Space to get properly worked on.

Alongside that, work on the reinforcement of the new retaining wall continues as excavators and diggers are working up on the hillside.

 

[saint.piss]

Moving fast

 

[Viator]

From Mondo--the last bits of dirt from the "Ground Level" section are complete and they seem to be painting the retaining wall black (mind wonders if it's to reduce the amount of moisture risk from when it rains on the hill; to make it more waterproof).

Additionally, through the visuals it seems they might be making the point right now to separate the main road in-between this and Mummy. Mind suspects it's so they can resume ADA shuttle drop off and pickup at this area, in order to alleviate construction headaches that could go on over at Jurassic Overflow (atleast until HHN).

Through talking with friends and colleagues, the turnaround of construction for the "New Sprungs" in Orlando seemingly took place in a period that lasted less than two months. Assuming if the timeline is similar, they might be able to finish construction on the "Ground Level" for the new Utility Events Space, by maybe October/November if they are not going to slow down.

 

[Evan]

Sorry I haven’t been paying much attention to this.

Can someone give me the TLDR version? Why are they doing all this work?

 

[SnideRemarksDept]

Sorry I haven’t been paying much attention to this.

Can someone give me the TLDR version? Why are they doing all this work?

The hill is a bit unstable, especially with all the construction that's been happening over the last few years. The old retaining wall was proving inadequate and they were forced to shore it up with steel reinforcements, but that was really just a temporary fix. Now they're digging out part of the hill to install a better, stronger retaining wall that will hopefully last into the future.

Some people are saying that this will expand the footprint of the lower lot and allow more space for future construction, but it doesn't seem like enough space will be added to really make much of a difference. Maybe in the short term, they could put an extra HHN house in that location. Long-term, it's really hard to say.

 

[Viator]

Some people are saying that this will expand the footprint of the lower lot and allow more space for future construction, but it doesn't seem like enough space will be added to really make much of a difference. Maybe in the short term, they could put an extra HHN house in that location. Long-term, it's really hard to say.

At it's best--the area will only provide about .59 acres of space for them to grow in. Internally it has been said for this to be a Utility Events Space--as it does not seem to be defined for new permanent experiences coming to the park.

From those I've talked too; the plan has apparently always been in place for this to be a new home for seasonal, specifically HHN (and presumably FFN, but that bit hasn't been confirmed to me).

The problem that happened--is that some people spun this off to be a bigger piece of a long term plan for UC/UDX; and not for the notes you bring up. (I say as someone who also didn't really help at first on the subject of getting a understanding of what this truly is now).

 

[KlownzNskullZ]

At it's best--the area will only provide about .59 acres of space for them to grow in. Internally it has been said for this to be a Utility Events Space--as it does not seem to be defined for new permanent experiences coming to the park.

From those I've talked too; the plan has apparently always been in place for this to be a new home for seasonal, specifically HHN (and presumably FFN, but that bit hasn't been confirmed to me).

The problem that happened--is that some people spun this off to be a bigger piece of a long term plan for UC/UDX; and not for the notes you bring up. (I say as someone who also didn't really help at first on the subject of getting an understanding of what this truly is now).

I legit said it on here like 5 times that it’s a smaller thing but the YouTube channels swore this was diagonal alley or something lol

 

[Mad Dog]

Tool shed space, that's about it..

 

[Jerroddragon]

People keep making videos claiming within the next 5 years the Tram will be in the lower lot....like I hope they are right but it feels like more wishful thinking and rumors then anything Universal is planning

 

[Jonathan]

The Studio Tour is going to have to move in the not too distant future. That hillside is sliding. Especially the tram garage. Universal is shoring up all the hill sides around the property.

 

[chris.g]

it’s probably the most consistent rumor I’ve heard since pre COVID too.

 

[Clive]

The hillside/sinking issue is also (part of) why we lost the theaters for Fast & Furious, FWIW. The theaters had to go regardless of what they were replaced by, and I'm guessing Universal didn't see the ROI in demolishing two theaters to build two new ones.

 

[Viator]

The Studio Tour is going to have to move in the not too distant future. That hillside is sliding. Especially the tram garage. Universal is shoring up all the hill sides around the property.

it’s probably the most consistent rumor I’ve heard since pre COVID too.

Personal speculation but I kind of wonder if we might lose SS15 and T-Pad in light for a new plaza/load and unload. With UBE as a full on black box, and with UES's future seemingly being for seasonal events; I wonder if Universal might have a causality to finally take action over there.

Dumb speculation, mind you; but at least with seasonal being given spaces to flourish; I have to wonder if it was a domino that was waiting to fall. Also helps that facilities nearby SS15/T-Pad are either already, or will be obsolete by 2026.

 

[Freak]

Personal speculation but I kind of wonder if we might lose SS15 and T-Pad in light for a new plaza/load and unload. With UBE as a full on black box, and with UES's future seemingly being for seasonal events; I wonder if Universal might have a causality to finally take action over there.

Dumb speculation, mind you; but at least with seasonal being given spaces to flourish; I have to wonder if it was a domino that was waiting to fall. Also helps that facilities nearby SS15/T-Pad are either already, or will be obsolete by 2026.

It would be a strong candidate for Tram relocation. I do hope they are willing to use one of the adjacent sound stages for future HHN use though. We need all the sound stages we can get for this event.

If they use T-Pad/SS 15, I can picture that strip between the Mario Kart building and Transformers be the entrance for the tram. They can make a tunnel out of it for the tram. If they really want to maximize the space they should have the queue go up to a second floor and have the tram loading downstairs.