Volcano Bay Construction & Preview Discussion

[Alicia]

I am slightly surprised there's not a Minion in sight. I was expecting them to cameo in the kiddy area, TBH

Coke Freestyle cup design, I bet. Or popcorn bucket. They won't be able to resist.

 

[Joel]

I cannot figure out why they travelled to New Zealand. It's hardly tropical. Perhaps researching the native peoples?

Vacation on the company card :bolt:

 

[Mr. EPCOT]

Coke Freestyle cup design, I bet. Or popcorn bucket. They won't be able to resist.

I really want a refillable mug that looks like an Easter Island head... and that I can fill with margaritas.

 

[Alicia]

I really want a refillable mug that looks like an Easter Island head... and that I can fill with margaritas.

That would be cool. Stepping on Trader Sam's territory?

I think the issue might be that food and merchandising are led by different people than Creative. So I worry that the lands will be wonderfully themed and then we have merchandise and all day cups that stick out like sore thumbs and intrude on the immersion...

Now I really want an Easter Island head cup! They better be eavesdropping on our conversation.

EDIT: Then again the Cabana Bay cups and merch is really well themed. If we ever get Eighth Wonder merch at Kong I'll probably quit my belly-aching.

 

[Mad Dog]

Universal has a pretty good track record at theming food & merch to specific lands or parks and hotels. I think we'll see that same level here for VB. They don't lean on the Disney fits all model.

 

[Ryan]

@Schmosby check out the attachment, blue area is the entrance area, red arrow looks like a walkway to front side of Cabana, they don't really show hotel guest parking but its just to the right. To the left of the blue arrow looks like the tram drop off area ?

Ahh okay this is starting to make more sense. The area in front of VB's entrance may compose of a drop-off area at best with parking not much nearby. Smart choice to help with the island feel, although I hope the lush foliage is enough to block off the I4.

As for souvenirs: there's supposed to be many tiki bar-like establishments at the park, correct?

 

[RevFreako]

More tiki culture can only be a good thing.

 

[Alicia]

Universal has a pretty good track record at theming food & merch to specific lands or parks and hotels. I think we'll see that same level here for VB. They don't lean on the Disney fits all model.

Yea. I remember a time when you could go into multiple gift shops at Disney and actually see different things.

 

[graspthesun]

Vacation on the company card :bolt:

 

[quinnmac000]

The other interesting thing is that it has been in development for 4-6 years. I cannot imagine working on the same project for such a long time. I'd quit.

To help shape our vision, we traveled around the world visiting water parks and tropical resorts. We went to Bali, the Middle East, Europe and all across the United States. And from there, we started designing what we wanted Volcano Bay to be.

That definitely helped.

 

[Scott W.]

I'd assume that planning a water park probably takes more time than most attractions. There must be some amount of paper work and site inspections.

 

[Nick]

I am slightly surprised there's not a Minion in sight. I was expecting them to cameo in the kiddy area, TBH

They want to force people to go to USF if they want Minions. No need to put an IP in a water park when kids won't even care that Minions aren't there.

 

[Hockeyman55]

Ahh okay this is starting to make more sense. The area in front of VB's entrance may compose of a drop-off area at best with parking not much nearby. Smart choice to help with the island feel, although I hope the lush foliage is enough to block off the I4.

Picture the set up of Magic Kingdom, you park a TTC then take monorail or ferry to park. Here you park in current Uni parking garage and then they will tram everyone one over similar to MK, minus monorail and ferry. Contemporary is right next to MK just like Cabana is right next to VB

 

[Scott W.]

Cabana Bay is keeps on getting better with this built next door.

 

[Hockeyman55]

Cabana Bay is keeps on getting better with this built next door.

Im really looking forward to the day we roll out of beds at Cabana, walk around the corner and enjoy the day at VB

 

[Mad Dog]

Cabana Bay is keeps on getting better with this built next door.

I wonder if they'll kick CBBR prices up once VB opens. That's prime location. And if Universal would put a auxiliary entrance behind Jurassic Park, next to CBBR & Sapphire for IOA (like they have the auxiliary entrance in the Studios by Blue Man Group), that would make it even more prime. Walk outside your hotel room and a 1 block walk to VB or IOA.

 

[Hockeyman55]

I wonder if they'll kick CBBR prices up once VB opens. That's prime location. And if Universal would put a auxiliary entrance behind Jurassic Park, next to CBBR & Sapphire for IOA (like they have the auxiliary entrance in the Studios by Blue Man Group), that would make it even more prime. Walk outside your hotel room and a 1 block walk to VB or IOA.

That IOA entrance would be sweet but don't think they would do that and miss out on all the foot traffic going thru City Walk

 

[Scott W.]

I wonder if they'll kick CBBR prices up once VB opens. That's prime location. And if Universal would put a auxiliary entrance behind Jurassic Park, next to CBBR & Sapphire for IOA (like they have the auxiliary entrance in the Studios by Blue Man Group), that would make it even more prime. Walk outside your hotel room and a 1 block walk to VB or IOA.

I'm not saying raise the price to the more expensive ones but if you have a choice of express pass or a few minutes walk to VB staying SF or CB, those are some pretty great extras to have.

That IOA entrance would be sweet but don't think they would do that and miss out on all the foot traffic going thru City Walk

That's been my thinking too.

 

[Teebin]

I wonder if they'll kick CBBR prices up once VB opens.

While I don't know, I would really doubt it. VB is going to bring in more cash after all and keep the entire hotel full for more nights.

 

[Frank Drackman]

I recall talking of a walkway under a road which I assume is from the Saphire side, would they be so mean as to make you walk from CBBR over to SF to get to VB by foot just to keep SF a step above CBBR?