Gareth H
Gareth H

Universal steps up the competition with Disney

June 13, 2007, 11:18 AM · As we all know Universal Studios, who over the past few years have lacked investment for the guests, announced that The Simpsons would be coming to the Universal Orlando Resort.
Then they announced the HUGE plans for a "Harry Potter Theme Park within a Theme Park"

Now it seems they plan on increasing their resort with a new Low Price hotel, to be built on the plot if land next to Islands of adventure.

This low Price Hotel would be aimed at the vacationer with a lower disposable income but who would still like to stay resort style.

This Loews resort hotel would have a planned opening around the same time the Harry Potter "theme Park" is scheduled to open in Late 2009, early 2010.

Replies (12)

evilash43
Chris Wilkes
June 13, 2007 at 12:54 PM · So does this mean the new resort with be HP-themed? That seems like the smart thing to do. And didn't some of the earlier reports say that part of the HP theming at IOA WOULD include a Hogwarts themed hotel?
nenacoqui
Iris Hernandez
June 13, 2007 at 1:57 PM · about time!!!!
yaytez
Erik Yates
June 13, 2007 at 2:10 PM · Is this a reality? Last I heard it was a rumor, and only one of two they plan on building. There is also a rumor that they are building another theme park starting in 2012.
Disneyguy85
Jack Williams
June 13, 2007 at 2:49 PM · Interesting about the Loews hotel. I wonder if it will have a Harry Potter theme, although that's not very likely. But they might make a hotel similar to Wilderness Lodge or Grand Californian, with a forest-lodge theme to it. I'd like to see what they do.
elerico
Eric Malone
June 13, 2007 at 5:23 PM · Excellent. Looking forward to staying on-site there!
ukfloridafun
Gareth H
June 13, 2007 at 5:58 PM · This is all I could get, but another update is that EarthQuake is being changed slightly in the near future (Next year I think). The ride will remain but the pre-shows are getting dumped or renovated, but it will be a big overhaul.

Harry Potter theme'd hotel would be a great idea!

yaytez
Erik Yates
June 13, 2007 at 6:31 PM · Until its official, I dont buy it. It makes sense with the new Harry Potter land coming,but again....not official. I heard the same thing back in March, and the theme was supposed to be a carribean themed hotel, with Pirates.....
coasterdude
Writer
Anthony Murphy
June 13, 2007 at 7:36 PM · Is there some Disney places that are not resort style?

Just wondering!

TamaraB
Tamara B
June 14, 2007 at 8:34 AM · As an employee for one of the Loews properties, I can tell you what rumors have been going around.

The word is that the hotel is going to be a pyramid, kind of like a mini Luxor in Vegas, and while it will be owned and operated by Loews and Universal, it cannot hold the Loews name because of branding issues. (Loews hotels have to be at least 4-diamond, and are all upper-upscale, so it can't be called Loews and be sold as a budget hotel.)

It is supposed to be built next to the Royal Pacific on that little tract of land that stretches towards Adventure Way, and may share facilities with the Royal Pacific.

VERY EXCITING!

ukfloridafun
Gareth H
June 15, 2007 at 7:11 AM · Thanks for the confirmation Tamara.

Ha ha Erik, Joking...

yaytez
Erik Yates
June 16, 2007 at 3:08 PM · G....you also had confirmation on Babylon 5......I aint sayin, I'm just sayin.
ukfloridafun
Gareth H
June 16, 2007 at 8:21 PM · No, it was Stargate, and don't rule that one out just yet my good buddy ;-)

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