Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[IzzyB]

That would fit in for good timing to combat WDW's big anniversary. And also solidify Universal's competitive position before Disney gets around to post Star Wars expansions.

Based on what Disney is doing now in the way of additions, if Uni announces a 3rd park for 2021 I think Disney would be done with Phase 3 at Studios during 2021 and probably already have stuff in place at Epcot. They can do it with a 2018 Star Wars date. They are fixing AK and making it a full day park, they are fixing Studios and making it a full day park, so the only thing left is to fix Epcot and get people to go there outside of events. I think they would do that if Uni was opening a 3rd gate. They seem and this is a big statement because we haven't actually seen construction begin, but based on rumors they seem to realize they need to do something to fix their parks. I think once the 4 parks have their gaping holes fixed they will start to go back and fix the medium size holes (i.e. Tomorrowland). But I think after 2021 they will continue to fix Epcot and then move to those other things. Because I don't think Epcot is completely fixed by 2021. I think that is more 2023/2024 timeframe.

 

[Brian G.]

Based on what Disney is doing now in the way of additions, if Uni announces a 3rd park for 2021 I think Disney would be done with Phase 3 at Studios during 2021 and probably already have stuff in place at Epcot. They can do it with a 2018 Star Wars date. They are fixing AK and making it a full day park, they are fixing Studios and making it a full day park, so the only thing left is to fix Epcot and get people to go there outside of events. I think they would do that if Uni was opening a 3rd gate. They seem and this is a big statement because we haven't actually seen construction begin, but based on rumors they seem to realize they need to do something to fix their parks. I think once the 4 parks have their gaping holes fixed they will start to go back and fix the medium size holes (i.e. Tomorrowland). But I think after 2021 they will continue to fix Epcot and then move to those other things. Because I don't think Epcot is completely fixed by 2021. I think that is more 2023/2024 timeframe.

That's a very generous timeline.

 

[JungleSkip]

That's a very generous timeline.

I'll eat my hat if they do anything serious at Epcot any time soon.

 

[IzzyB]

I'll eat my hat if they do anything serious at Epcot any time soon.

You don't think they are going to get hammered with people when Frozen comes out and see they don't have the capacity at that park? I don't know. Maybe I am an optimistic person. But I have got to think they will see it. Again I am looking at 2021 to 2024 for Epcot work to open. And it opening in phases not all at once. I am thinking maybe 2 areas being changed which is imagination and one other area (not sure which area they will do). So not looking for a complete Studios redo, more of a DAK addition thing. Again getting the gaping hole type thing, because Disney has a good amount of gaping holes. Not the medium size holes that are going to be left after they do all this work.

 

[JungleSkip]

You don't think they are going to get hammered with people when Frozen comes out and see they don't have the capacity at that park?

Capacity is totally not EPCOT's issue. Its capacity is honestly its only strength.

I also don't think Frozen is going to be nearly as popular of a ride as we thought it would be 8 months ago.

 

[twebber55]

Capacity is totally not EPCOT's issue. Its capacity is honestly its only strength.

I also don't think Frozen is going to be nearly as popular of a ride as we thought it would be 8 months ago.

i think it would be incredibly popular if it were a new ride or new land but because its just a makeover im not sure how popular it can be
maybe at first
quality typically wins out

 

[JungleSkip]

i think it would be incredibly popular if it were a new ride or new land but because its just a makeover im not sure how popular it can be
maybe at first
quality typically wins out

I'm just going by my current experience with Frozen, albeit with a small sample size. I just see the hype as passed.

 

[quinnmac000]

If anything I expect more and more Japanese based IPs being utilized or even Doctor Who being used in future parks and expansions as it seems Comcast is trying more so for not just the US traveler but international destination. I would also expect more fantasy based IPs besides Potter as that what UNI lacks.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

OH boy more DHS phase three talk. :bonk:

 

[chewbacca1995]

Based on what Disney is doing now in the way of additions, if Uni announces a 3rd park for 2021 I think Disney would be done with Phase 3 at Studios during 2021 and probably already have stuff in place at Epcot. They can do it with a 2018 Star Wars date. They are fixing AK and making it a full day park, they are fixing Studios and making it a full day park, so the only thing left is to fix Epcot and get people to go there outside of events. I think they would do that if Uni was opening a 3rd gate. They seem and this is a big statement because we haven't actually seen construction begin, but based on rumors they seem to realize they need to do something to fix their parks. I think once the 4 parks have their gaping holes fixed they will start to go back and fix the medium size holes (i.e. Tomorrowland). But I think after 2021 they will continue to fix Epcot and then move to those other things. Because I don't think Epcot is completely fixed by 2021. I think that is more 2023/2024 timeframe.

The only problem with fixing Epcot is that there's so many things to fix AK is pretty much set after Pandora. They just need to fix Dinoland and Everest. DHS will also pretty much be set after SWL and the Pixar expansion - just some general plussing/revamps and maybe one C/D family dark ride on Sunset Blvd to complement ToT and RnRC.

But Epcot just has so much to do in order to become a top-notch park once again (as much as Universal Studios Florida did in 2008-2009, actually):

Imagination pavilion (has no vision/ambition at this point)
the empty Wonders of Life pavilion
the empty Odyssey Restaurant
Lack of rides on the right side of World Showcase (opposite Frozen/Three Caballeros)
Adding more Three Caballeros AAs to the Mexico ride (just wishful thinking)
Lack of updates for World Showcase films (China, France, Canada)
Innoventions
Ellen's Energy Adventure
Spaceship Earth finale
Mission - SPACE (more interactivity, randomized sequences, possible expansion to be more ambitious, etc)

I definitely think Epcot is on the list next, because of how much AK and DHS are getting. They'll be far more appealing in 3-4 yrs compared to Epcot. By 2019/2020, it'll most likely be the Orlando area park you skip or do a half-day at.

Hopefully you're right, and TDO decides to get started on a Future World overhaul!

If anything I expect more and more Japanese based IPs being utilized or even Doctor Who being used in future parks and expansions as it seems Comcast is trying more so for not just the US traveler but international destination. I would also expect more fantasy based IPs besides Potter as that what UNI lacks.

I would much rather see Doctor Who, Sherlock and James Bond take over the Fear Factor/MIB areas than Ministry of Magic, but I recognize Potter is their biggest cash cow. If they rework the backstage behind Mummy to allow them to do Magical Congress of NYC instead, I'd rather see more Potter there. Then World Expo is available for possible expansion or overhaul.

Ideally, Doctor Who could replace Fear Factor (could even give Universal a reason to build a ToT-esque ride since the TARDIS lends itself to that type of ride), MIB get updated to a futuristic London setting, and Star Trek/BTTF take over the expansion pad

I know most of that is far-fetched, but other than MoM, I can't think of what they'd put next to Diagon/MIB.

 

[IzzyB]

Capacity is totally not EPCOT's issue. Its capacity is honestly its only strength.

I also don't think Frozen is going to be nearly as popular of a ride as we thought it would be 8 months ago.

I think once people ride it they won't wait in that long line for such a short ride. But people will still ride it that first time. Last time I was at the park a couple months ago the Anna and Elsa lines were still long. All of my niece's birthday parties are still themed as Frozen parties. A bunch of houses have Frozen Christmas decorations up. At Halloween time there was still a bunch of Anna and Elsa costumes on girls during my kid's costume parade. Every time I am around girls the topic still seems to come up. Like my youngest daughter had frozen socks on because she got them as a gift and people commented on them. Or someone will see a dress and go, oh look that looks like an Elsa dress. It still seems to be pretty relevant from what I am seeing. Now again I have a child in the age group that liked it to begin with, but that is also the age group Disney is targeting and hoping to get the massive crowds with.

Epcot is a huge park, but the couple real rides they do have get killed with long waits. They seem to have top tier rides and bottom tier rides. The few middle ground rides they have (Living with the Land and Spaceship Earth) get 30 to 40 minute waits during busy periods. So while there is stuff to do, it is lacking in good quality rides. That is where I think Capacity is an issue. Yes, they can handle a ton of people, but the quality of things they have for people to go on sucks.

 

[IzzyB]

The only problem with fixing Epcot is that there's so many things to fix AK is pretty much set after Pandora. They just need to fix Dinoland and Everest. DHS will also pretty much be set after SWL and the Pixar expansion - just some general plussing/revamps and maybe one C/D family dark ride on Sunset Blvd to complement ToT and RnRC.

But Epcot just has so much to do in order to become a top-notch park once again (as much as Universal Studios Florida did in 2008-2009, actually):

Imagination pavilion (has no vision/ambition at this point)
the empty Wonders of Life pavilion
the empty Odyssey Restaurant
Lack of rides on the right side of World Showcase (opposite Frozen/Three Caballeros)
Adding more Three Caballeros AAs to the Mexico ride (just wishful thinking)
Lack of updates for World Showcase films (China, France, Canada)
Innoventions
Ellen's Energy Adventure
Spaceship Earth finale
Mission - SPACE (more interactivity, randomized sequences, possible expansion to be more ambitious, etc)

I definitely think Epcot is on the list next, because of how much AK and DHS are getting. They'll be far more appealing in 3-4 yrs compared to Epcot. By 2019/2020, it'll most likely be the Orlando area park you skip or do a half-day at.

Hopefully you're right, and TDO decides to get started on a Future World overhaul!

I totally agree with you. Which is why I think that gaping hole will be worked on after SWL opens up in 2018. As I stated because there is so much, it will be done in phases and not all of it will be done right away. But I have got to think they will do SOMETHING since they are fixing the other parks gaping holes.

 

[JungleSkip]

It still seems to be pretty relevant from what I am seeing.

I don't want to drift this tread any more than I already have, so this is the last thing I'll say on the matter.

I'm not questioning its "relevance". I'm questioning whether it'll have EPCOT slammed like I thought it would 8 months ago.

 

[JungleSkip]

SWL opens up in 2018.

 

[IzzyB]

I don't want to drift this tread any more than I already have, so this is the last thing I'll say on the matter.

I'm not questioning its "relevance". I'm questioning whether it'll have EPCOT slammed like I thought it would 8 months ago.

Agreed about going off topic. But if you have time and can post in the Frozen thread I would be curious as to why you think this. Especially since the Frozen summer events and M&G show the opposite.

Oh and I still think if they start construction beginning of next year a end of 2018 opening is possible. I say latest they have it open is early 2019. But again, if you have time you can put your reasoning in the SWL thread and we can debate why or why not there lol

As for Universal Expansion. I think 2021 earliest. Just based on everything else they have going on and I think if they open it they want it to be a good park from day one and not part of their attractions not available and working properly from day 1. I also think they want at least one resort down that way open and a good portion of a city walk there. That is a huge project, not just a land. So I see construction taking longer than 2 1/2 years which is what their lands have been taking them. I think it will be more 3 1/2 to 4 years. I also don't think they have all the lands and IPs nailed down yet. So they still have a good bit of planning that needs to take place before they break ground.

 

[Mad Dog]

I agree. No way do they open it that early. Lot's of overall park, road & parking lot infrastructure work alone, and that always goes slow.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

When do you think it's going to open?

 

[s8film40]

I agree. No way do they open it that early. Lot's of overall park, road & parking lot infrastructure work alone, and that always goes slow.

If they started construction in January after the holiday crowds and opened summer 2018 they would match Diagon Alley's construction timeline. Does anyone really believe WDW construction at this point in time is going to match the pace of Universal?

 

[JungleSkip]

When do you think it's going to open?

2019. I think anyone expecting it to open in 2018 is kidding themselves.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

2019. I think anyone expecting it to open in 2018 is kidding themselves.

I haven't been on Magic in a bit but everyone was always saying late 2018.