Universal Orlando Resort to Epic Universe Transportation News & Speculation

[Parkscope Joe]

However, I'm trying to look at the bright side and steel-man a bit... I (mostly) trust Universal. Woodbury very likely would have signed off on this. There's a good chance they were shown plans which looked 1) reasonably feasible and 2) looked financial sound.

I don’t believe UDX has any control on this project.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

My assumption, if they use the boring tunnel system, is a combination of elevated & underground* portions. The Port of Miami received a tunnel back in 2014 for an estimated $1.1B back then... doesn't even reach a mile long.

*I think by underground, we're looking at a Magic Kingdom-style concept where the tunnel takes place on sea level, but they build a berm on top of that along with bridges on existing medians.

While not the most ambitious use of the system, I think the Orlando market is perfect for a major test that will have far more usage compared to the Vegas tunnels.

 

[Allison]

Choosing to do business with a Nazi in the Epstein files is certainly quite the choice.

At what point do we stop making unfunny jokes and start holding these companies accountable for their completely idiotic choices?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

At what point do we stop making unfunny jokes and start holding these companies accountable for their completely idiotic choices?

Unfortunately a lot of times the only accountability is “failure”. And if this is not controlled by UOR then who is held accountable?

 

[ParkRumors]

I don’t believe UDX has any control on this project.

The Shingle Creek Transit and Utility Community Development District board is made up of almost exclusively all UDX Team members, including their Director of Transportation and a VP of Finance - so I’d imagine they have at least some control.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

The Shingle Creek Transit and Utility Community Development District board is made up of almost exclusively all UDX Team members, including their Director of Transportation and a VP of Finance - so I’d imagine they have at least some control.

Yes, I just did research on this. Everyone on the board works for UOR, so my apologies there.

 

[Brian G.]

Getting this in before any further comment:

Being mentioned in Epstein-related documents or photos isn’t the same as being charged with a crime. If there’s verified evidence of wrongdoing, that’s serious and should be addressed. But guilt by association isn’t a reliable standard, no matter who the person is.

That said, it’s a hot-button issue right now, and it’s understandable that people have concerns about it.

 

[Mad Dog]

As always, it's probably best to stay away from political/cultural stuff here. It just creates hard feelings. Society in general is strongly divided on those issues. Our love of theme parks brings us together here. That alone is a great unifying force.....Actual merits, or lack, of a project are the strongest discussion points.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

As always, it's probably best to stay away from political/cultural stuff here. It just creates hard feelings. Society in general is strongly divided on those issues. Our love of theme parks brings us together here. That alone is a great unifying force.....Actual merits, or lack, of a project are the strongest discussion points.

What if an oligarch or political figure is directly impinging on our enjoyment of the parks? What do we do then? Use euphemisms and code words? Gesture obliquely at "difficult times"?

This is not necessarily a facetious question.

To be clear, outside of my personal distaste for Musk, my primary concern here is still UDX giving carte blanche to a guy with an embarrassing track record in developing functional and high-capacity transportation systems. It concerns me that UDX is making this decision because, from our limited vantage point, any company doing their due diligence would not have made this decision unless the dollar signs were flashing in their eyes like a Vegas roulette wheel.

Being mentioned in Epstein-related documents or photos isn’t the same as being charged with a crime. If there’s verified evidence of wrongdoing, that’s serious and should be addressed. But guilt by association isn’t a reliable standard, no matter who the person is.

You wouldn't convict a man just because he went to Epstein island, but it sure wouldn't help would it?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Personally I think Elon is a morally reprehensible, ethically void shell of a human being who shouldn’t receive any support or benefit of the doubt and that’s not even talking about Epstein.

 

[Allison]

Unfortunately a lot of times the only accountability is “failure”. And if this is not controlled by UOR then who is held accountable?

At this point I can only hope that, the louder people complain about a Nazi that has been named as an abuser by one of Epstein’s survivors making more money off of a contract with a theme park attended by millions of families with children, the more people in higher positions grow a conscience and figure out a way to dismantle this contract.

 

[DeadSexeh]

Wow this thread is a dumpster fire.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

At this point I can only hope that, the louder people complain about a Nazi that has been named as an abuser by one of Epstein’s survivors making more money off of a contract with a theme park attended by millions of families with children, the more people in higher positions grow a conscience and figure out a way to dismantle this contract.

Let's be careful with what we post/reshare. Just looking at this link appears that the images are false and no such account is real.

 

[Allison]

Let's be careful with what we post/reshare. Just looking at this link appears that the images are false and no such account is real.

Here’s a real one for you!

 

[Brian G.]

We can absolutely scrutinize Elon’s contracts and public funding, but let's steer clear of just making this all about Epstein. I’m not dismissing scrutiny. If there’s documented and verified wrongdoing, it should be investigated, and he should face the consequences to the fullest extent. But invoking Epstein every time Elon is mentioned isn't going to move the conversation forward.

 

[DOOMBOT]

Choosing to do business with a Nazi in the Epstein files is certainly quite the choice.

At what point do we stop making unfunny jokes and start holding these companies accountable for their completely idiotic choices?

Look I get the sentiment, but in a real sense what is our actual path to "holding these companies accountable"? What does that even mean, actually?

If this is gesturing at a boycott, I'd say we are an incredibly small group of niche hyperfans. Maybe 350 active users at best? I sincerely doubt the cost of any of our APs, FFP+, F&B, etc. purchases would even show up as a blip on the corporate spreadsheet of a company like Comcast or Boring. Boycotts just don't work like that, and often, don't really work at all.

I'm totally in support of people showing up to local city meetings in opposition to this, or people protesting this partnership in-person, but organization like that seems outside the scope of this forum frankly.

Like again, I get the thought behind it, but statements like that just feel kinda ... larp-y to me if I'm honest? Like idk what do you want us to do, it's literally some of the richest and most powerful corporate entities on the planet, we just talk about Dracula being in B-Mode mostly

 

[Circ]

There’s still a lot you can complain about when it comes to Elon, then. Everything to do with Grok. Rubbing shoulders with Neo-Nazis and espousing their views. Tesla having whistleblowers talking about worker’s rights violations within the company.

 

[Allison]

Look I get the sentiment, but in a real sense what is our actual path to "holding these companies accountable"? What does that even mean, actually?

If this is gesturing at a boycott, I'd say we are an incredibly small group of niche hyperfans. Maybe 350 active users at best? I sincerely doubt the cost of any of our APs, FFP+, F&B, etc. purchases would even show up as a blip on the corporate spreadsheet of a company like Comcast or Boring. Boycotts just don't work like that, and often, don't really work at all.

I'm totally in support of people showing up to local city meetings in opposition to this, or people protesting this partnership in-person, but organization like that seems outside the scope of this forum frankly.

Like again, I get the thought behind it, but statements like that just feel kinda ... larp-y to me if I'm honest? Like idk what do you want us to do, it's literally some of the richest and most powerful corporate entities on the planet, we just talk about Dracula being in B-Mode mostly

I already stated it further up thread, but I’ll reiterate, the louder people are about not wanting a theme park to do business with that man, the more people in charge feel the heat to pull the plug. In the past, I’ve personally been a part of the driving forces in having changes including in the theme park space so while it may feel like “larp-ing” to you, honestly you don’t know my background so in that regard you don’t know what you’re talking about. Real change is capable if people want to do it.

 

[Brian G.]

Let me just nip it in the bud.

I don’t talk politics here because the real world is heavy enough, and this space is meant to be a break from that. When I had a rough May last year, I came here to talk Epic. When January was rough, I wanted to talk silly CineSational ops with RBLX.

That’s why the rule exists. It’s not about hiding from reality or protecting anyone. It’s about giving all of us a respite. I don’t agree on what’s happening in the country right now, but this isn’t the place for those debates. We’re here to talk theme parks.

Sometimes lines blur, like right now with Elon. There are many moving parts in the Epstein Files right now, and speculation is everywhere. The ugly truth is: as it stands, it's all allegations until he's been cleared or formally charged. But this forum isn’t a courtroom or a political arena. You’re free to share concerns about business decisions or partnerships, but we’re not going to turn threads into ongoing political trials.

When issues directly impact this community (BLM, Pulse, COVID, etc.), we’ve addressed them responsibly. Outside of that, I’ll handle politics at the ballot box, not in this forum.

Let’s keep this space what it’s meant to be.

 

[Tbad556]

Personally, I love this choice because there's a good chance it'll either contaminate our aquifer while violating hundreds of environmental regulations or a lot of money will be wasted and it'll just never happen. All while providing nothing of value and trying to reinvent public transportation options that already exist. Completely logical business decision for Universal.