Sources: Universal has contract for Colony Cap. land, lobbying for @SKYPLEXOrlando delay https://t.co/wO3Ma3gTEy pic.twitter.com/VpYnMLD6dC
— GrowthSpotter (@orlandogrowth) December 1, 2015The nearly $500 million Skyplex develop would include a 570-foot-tall "polercoaster," a roller coaster that wraps up, down, and around a centering tower. The county's planning and zoning board voted in October not to recommend the project, fueling a massive public relations campaign by both sides leading up to today's vote.
Universal's opposition to the project, which included direct mail campaigns and behind-the-scenes lobbying by Universal officials, seemed a bit puzzling given Universal's growing strength in the travel market, especially relative to what is essentially a single-gimmick project. The world's (______) coaster provides a marketing draw only until someone else builds a coaster that is taller, faster, steeper, or whatever else-er. Ultimately, long-term success in the themed attraction and amusement business goes to those who create uniquely desirable experiences, not temporary record-holders. If Skyplex manages to deliver that kind of experience, then it might become a long-term attraction for the Orlando region. If all it delivers is its record, however, it will be a draw only until someone else Las Vegas or Dubai builds a taller tower coaster.
So why would Universal care? While math models suggested that the coaster tower would be visible from a few points inside Islands of Adventure, its visible size would be trivial compared with other sights within the park. And there's no way that a single coaster is going to make any dent in Universal's annual attendance. (Let's pause to note SeaWorld executives cringing.)
But what if Universal's opposition was not based upon a conflict with its current operations, but some future plans? Universal lobbyist John McReynolds (the new chairman of industry organization IAAPA, FWIW), told the commission that Universal's opposition was not based in any fear of competition, but in a desire for reasonable community development standards along I-Drive. Universal is closing Wet n' Wild and plans to redevelop that property. And today's report of a Universal option on hundreds of acres along Universal Blvd. provides the resort with another option for development.
The Universal Blvd. property (which runs behind I-Drive), would lie in the shadow of the 570-foot Skyplex, creating a design challenge for Universal if it sought to create a environment free from outside visual intrusions within that property. (Such as, oh, say... a third theme park.) And if Universal's designers could hide the Skyplex tower, the precedent that its approval establishes would free any other developer to build a tower of similar or taller height in the neighborhood.
(Pausing again for a history lesson... And that potential for intrusive neighboring development is why Walt Disney didn't buy that land near the intersection of I-4 and Florida's Turnpike that ultimately became Universal Orlando, opting instead to amass tens of thousands of acres down the road instead.)
The Orlando Sentinel's Sandra Pedicini tweeted that the Orange County commissioners were told of Universal's land option before today's vote. The Sand Lake Road complex, located north of the Orange County Conventional Center and totally 474 acres, is more than enough for another park. (Universal Studios Florida is 107 acres, for comparison.) But its location away from the rest of the resort would create additional development challenges for Universal, as it would not have any easy transportation link between the properties.
Ironically, this is land that Universal used to own. In 2003, Universal's previous owner, Vivendi, sold 1,800 acres that it had acquired along Sand Lake Road from Lockheed Martin. Universal would be reacquiring part of that property if it exercised the option it now owns on the 400-plus acres.
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I'm worried this is just going to be a bargaining chip against nearby developers -- buy the land from us or we'll build a 500 foot tower next to you.
I think this is more about being able to keep your guest focused on your property by eliminating as many distractions as possible. Disney World isn't only bussing their guests from their hotels, to their parks, and even the airport to be "great guest service". Disney World is eliminating the ease a guest can leave and visit other parks.
I'm wondering how much more retail and theme park attractions can Orlando support? This is increasing ridiculous. I'm sure Disney will have no choice, but to consider a 5th park since Universal is on its heels. 474 acres can support at least 2 full sized theme parks, a water park, and several hotel complexes. It can make Universal Orlando into a third place destination (since they are separate) when it gets fully built out.
After all they had envisioned hotels and golf courses on this previously owned property already
Mr. Pastor mentions that building a third UO park might create a bit of a transportation issue. Like I said before, WDW's property size has given it an unfair advantage over UO, but it's smaller size has had some perks. Namely, parkhopping. That's never been much of an issue at UO because the parks have always been just a short walk away from each other, meaning that it never takes too much out of your visit. At WDW, things are a bit more complicated. The parks are so far apart from each other that you actually have to take a bus, boat, monorail or what have you whenever you decide to parkhop, which takes quite a bit of time that you could have been using to get back in line for Space Mountain. If UO does aquire more land which they use to open a third gate, that means it'll probably be a further distance from the other two parks and you'll have to probably take a bus or something just to get there.
And the anonymous poster mentioned that they could have used the money for Skyplex's coaster to build an actual park that'd be much more wholesome. There's nothing wrong with building a record-breaking adrenaline coaster, but it is a problem if that's your only big draw. There are many people out there who aren't healthy enough or refuse to go on adrenaline rides and would prefer something more mild. And even if the coaster does break a record or two, it's only a matter of time before someone else builds another coaster that surpasses that record. I've heard from a couple other sources that Skyplex will feature a couple other, more mild rides, but they still probably won't be enough to draw too many non-adrenaline junkies when they have options like WDW.
I Respond: Well it gives Disney an advantage, but I don't see how it could be regarded as "unfair."
And, yes, TH, you may use that for the plot of your next book. ;^)
And while everyone waits for that story, please visit Amazon and download your copy of '7097-050719'. Book One in the Theme Park Trilogy by T.H. Creative.
http://www.amazon.com/7097-050719-theme-park-trilogy-Creative-ebook/dp/B00D3H1PFG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449234436&sr=8-1&keywords=7097-050719
Eh...think I'll wait till the movie comes out...
And while Marty's at it, maybe he could travel back further into the past to prevent Universal from firing Walt. Then it would alter history so that Disney and Universal could be the exact same park (or parks)!
I am now slowly drifting into La La Land at the thought of Splash Mountain sharing the same park as Forbidden Journey...
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