The Future of Wet 'n Wild

[Nick]

There's a lot of spillover in the Volcano Bay thread about the future of the WnW land. I figured we might as well have a thread for it since it will likely become a topic of interest in the coming years and to not clog up that thread.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

@Hockeyman55 from other thread. We were talking about connectivity.


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So whatever land they have and decide to buy, however they develop it, Universal blvd could serve as a potential Hogwarts Express like system (Should Universal decide to go that route) to connect to the other side of Interstate 4.
Buses shouldn't be ruled out either.

I put in green what I'd like to see Universal purchase as far as land.
The blue areas are future proposals and expansions of hotels (Element Orlando, Sunsol Expansion, and ISquare proposal)

 

[Hockeyman55]

Any word yet on what Universal is going (or if they are even going to) to do about connecting this to the current resort? Part of the lure of the current resorts for me is the proximity to the parks and Citywalk now. Im not so sure im going to be that excited to stay off site if there isn't some for of transportation to their current offerings. Something nicer and more efficient that a bug would be super cool also

 

[Nick]

yeah, there's a lot of land around there that I would think would just make sense for them to purchase because much of the area is run down. It would help to feel more isolated by having that land as well.

As far as transit, a Hogwarts type system would be nice, but I don't see it happening. I see buses from the resorts definitely and what I would love to see, as outlines in the other thread, is an overpass over the I-4 on ramp to help connect the resort in a better way.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

There's a lot of spillover in the Volcano Bay thread about the future of the WnW land. I figured we might as well have a thread for it since it will likely become a topic of interest in the coming years and to not clog up that thread.

yeah, there's a lot of land around there that I would think would just make sense for them to purchase because much of the area is run down. It would help to feel more isolated by having that land as well.

As far as transit, a Hogwarts type system would be nice, but I don't see it happening. I see buses from the resorts definitely and what I would love to see, as outlines in the other thread, is an overpass over the I-4 on ramp to help connect the resort in a better way.

Not sure what the difference between having an overpass over I-4 which that is what Universal Blvd already does constitutes to connecting the resort better? Maybe I misunderstand what you guys are asking.

 

[Nick]

Not sure what the difference between having an overpass over I-4 which that is what Universal Blvd already does constitutes to connecting the resort better? Maybe I misunderstand what you guys are asking.

Maybe i'm misreading the area, I haven't been by there in awhile. What I mean though is to make it less pedestrian and feel more connected to the resort.

Some sort of mode of transport beyond just busses would be great, I just don't know that Comcast will put the money in for that since it's only transport (and pretty much all Uni visitors have Cars anyway).

 

[Mad Dog]

Perhaps they mean a pedestrian only walkway (Cabana Bay) unlike the mass highway overpass that exists. But, that's a heck of a long walk. Probably too far for most people.

 

[SeventyOne]

I keep going back to that OI article that mentioned the "indoor theme park" planned for Moscow. Roughly comparable in size to the acreage of the WnW plot, with maybe enough left over for parking and/or a hotel.

 

[Brian G.]

Since we have a new thread, I'll move this over:

From what we understand:

There are other plans for this property.

No. Not 3rd Park either.

 

[Mad Dog]

Since we have a new thread, I'll move this over:

From what we understand:

There are other plans for this property.

No. Not 3rd Park either.

A very Teebensque comment. Tell us more.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Maybe i'm misreading the area, I haven't been by there in awhile. What I mean though is to make it less pedestrian and feel more connected to the resort.

Some sort of mode of transport beyond just busses would be great, I just don't know that Comcast will put the money in for that since it's only transport (and pretty much all Uni visitors have Cars anyway).

Okay. I think we are on the same page but from different approaches.

Lets say Comcast does this. Think about it, when you expand , you need to connect. It's the same layouts for cities, and countries all around.
Universal just expanded building Cabana Bay, and are building Sapphire and Volcano Bay. As a result, Universal built a new walkway which connects the resort and Universal has or is extended the boat connectivity to the new resort. And to add to the offerings the even have THEMED buses to that resort. Two things about this is advertising and access of ease. Universal played it smart.

We may not see any rail method of transportation. IF we don't you can assure yourself that Universal will have themed transit .

If they went with a Train Connecting Universal to both sides of I-4, it wouldn't necessarily be too costly if they stay on Universal blvd and not cross over I-4 directly because that is what Universal blvd Does already.

Picture this


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The teal line would and could be a rail of some sort that connects at a point where WET N WILD is and goes straight over i-4 VIA Universal Blvd directly to a connection point at City Walk.

The red line would be more costly being that they would be going over several I4 Ramps and lanes and not necessarily directly connecting.

As you said, all comes down to money. Likely will be buses.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Perhaps they mean a pedestrian only walkway (Cabana Bay) unlike the mass highway overpass that exists. But, that's a heck of a long walk. Probably too far for most people.

People always walk to Universal though. Everyday. From as far down as the Metropolitan Express and opposite way to the Days Inn. I'm in this area at these hotels (All of them) quite often. People have no problem walking to Universal. It wouldn't make much sense to build a pedestrian only walkway to the resort when there is Universal Blvd that does that already. Maybe beautify it or something but thats it.

 

[JungleSkip]

I'll be honest, I'd be surprised if any resorts are built there. It just is not a desirable place to stay in the slightest, and barring the purchase of A LOT of land I don't see how Universal could fix that.

 

[tielo]

What if they would build a huge resort hotel in the former wet and wild spot with plenty of convention space. It would fit as a convention hotel neatly.
The theme will be movies (ofcourse) and guests who deside to visit the Universal theme parks will be traveling in stretched limo's with a special spot at valet parking with a red carpet like they are going to their movie premier. Transportation will be included and maybe the resort hotel could look a bit like this?

I for one wouldn't mind the short ride.

 

[Hockeyman55]

What if they would build a huge resort hotel in the former wet and wild spot with plenty of convention space. It would fit as a convention hotel neatly.
The theme will be movies (ofcourse) and guests who deside to visit the Universal theme parks will be traveling in stretched limo's with a special spot at valet parking with a red carpet like they are going to their movie premier. Transportation will be included and maybe the resort hotel could look a bit like this?

I for one wouldn't mind the short ride.

Sounds fun and but, theoretically, what happens when its park close and you have a 1,000 rooms worth of people waiting for a ride back to the resort? That would be a lot of limos

 

[Nick]

What if they would build a huge resort hotel in the former wet and wild spot with plenty of convention space. It would fit as a convention hotel neatly.
The theme will be movies (ofcourse) and guests who deside to visit the Universal theme parks will be traveling in stretched limo's with a special spot at valet parking with a red carpet like they are going to their movie premier. Transportation will be included and maybe the resort hotel could look a bit like this?

I for one wouldn't mind the short ride.

Now that would be beautiful. I'm not sure there's a large enough demand for a super deluxe hotel like this though. I mean, I guess people pay upwards of $800-$1K to stay at the grand flo per night, but this would be in a different league. Almost looks like a hotel that should have a Casino in it somewhere (of course per state laws that can't happen anyway).

 

[Brian G.]

I'll just leave this here:

http://www.raleighdesign.com/project/the-silverscreen-resort/

Disclaimer: Not alluding to any future plans, just pointing out past ones.

 

[shiekra38]

I'll just leave this here:

http://www.raleighdesign.com/project/the-silverscreen-resort/

Disclaimer: Not alluding to any future plans, just pointing out past ones.

That looks amazing...The Scorpion King dates it a bit though haha...

Reminds me of a pre-dilapidated Universal Palace

 

[kingcooger]

I'll just leave this here:

http://www.raleighdesign.com/project/the-silverscreen-resort/

Disclaimer: Not alluding to any future plans, just pointing out past ones.

Well since we are doing that: http://www.orlandounited.com/forums/showthread.php/6345-A-4th-On-Site-Hotel?p=228611#post228611

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

What if they would build a huge resort hotel in the former wet and wild spot with plenty of convention space. It would fit as a convention hotel neatly.
The theme will be movies (ofcourse) and guests who deside to visit the Universal theme parks will be traveling in stretched limo's with a special spot at valet parking with a red carpet like they are going to their movie premier. Transportation will be included and maybe the resort hotel could look a bit like this?

I for one wouldn't mind the short ride.

I wouldn't mind the sheer size of that. I like the idea minus the limo thing. But On that side of I-4 you can tower. See Cabana Bay Was supposed to be taller but the residential and school nearby stopped that. So what if Uni is going to build a sheer size resort (be it height like Peabody or room size like Rosen Shingle Creek) along that lake Wet N Wild is at with a mini Cabana Bay Style Lagoon for water recreation? That is a prime corner and the hotel can be massive. All of Universals Resort deal with some kind of water or lagoon type nonsense. Well I don't see why having this property and of them would be any different. :smiley:

Now that would be beautiful. I'm not sure there's a large enough demand for a super deluxe hotel like this though. I mean, I guess people pay upwards of $800-$1K to stay at the grand flo per night, but this would be in a different league. Almost looks like a hotel that should have a Casino in it somewhere (of course per state laws that can't happen anyway).

Well if the ISquare Mega Hotel on the corner of International and Kirkman (About Half a mile away from Wet N Wild Parking Lot) comes to life, that market will be tested. People Pay 500+ to stay at Grand Floridian, Astoria, W Hotel, JW Marriot, ETc. So Maybe so.