IOA in California?

Do you ever think the company that does the theme park division will ever put a Universal's Islands of Adventure @ Universal Studios in California? With the recent dropping of a park in Asia, as well as the one proposed for Germany, do you ever forsee another Islands of Adventure?

What would you like to see different if there is a new one?

I think as long as GE/NBC owns the chain, you won't see any new parks. But who knows. It's hard to tell if the company's general distaste for the park is real or something encouraged by analysts and journalists.

If they did decide to build one, I'd like to know where they'll find the space to build one. I believe the Hollywood theme park is land-locked, unlike the Orlando one - which had acres among acres to expand upon.

Also, dont forget Universal Studios Hollywood's back lot is the Universal Backlot. Putting an IOA next door would ruin some angles in the backlot because there would be a roller coaster in the background and the screams would be a headache for directors.

There already *is* an IoA in California, Clint...it's called DCA...;)

Seriously, look at their guest demographics, their line-up of rides, the lack of wood, the REALLY well-done water rides, the really solid (yet not quite top ten) steelies, the low NUMBER of attractions. You wouldn't see an IoA in SoCal for the reason that THAT particular market niche is *covered*...

Or so goes gator's "Crackpot theory of the day"...:)

True, Gator, never really thought of that. I've never been to IOA, hope to do it early next year(or possibly late if I don'tfind the time...). As for space, I didn't know USH was landlocked. Hmmm. But for coasters and such in the background, most movies now a days have Special FXs to get rid of unwanted stuff anyhow, I'm sure that wouldn't be a major prob.

I can't find the link but there was an article in the orlando paper that IOA is still losing money because of the debt incured to build it. I do not know if this is an accounting trick like the 100 million dollar movies that never show a profit.

Too bad vivendi sold the expansion land (in orlando) so they could pocket the money before the merger/sale A third universal park in orlando would be cool.

I doubt we would get a new park while NBC owns it.But I heard a rumor that a venture capital firm which owns half the parks allready might buy NBC out. They might invest in New Rides/Parks.

I don't think that Universal in Florida had a ton of room to expand, either. They built IOA on the old Universal Studios parking lot and built a parking garage across the street to compensate.

Universal Orlando is pretty landlocked, as I believe that land they wanted to buy was bought by Lockheed Martin, and I think their idea of 2 more hotels got squashed too...

just my input though

---

Turbo said:
Universal Orlando is pretty landlocked, as I believe that land they wanted to buy was bought by Lockheed Martin

---

Actually, UO had bought the land from Lockheed Martin a couple of years ago -- for expansion purposes (though it wasn't adjacent to Universal Orlando -- simply a huge tract of land nearby). But once GE took over it sold off the land to real estate developers earlier this year.

---

TeknoScorpion said:
As for space, I didn't know USH was landlocked.

---

Unfortunately..everything in Southern California is landlocked Tekno! It's hard enough finding vacant land for houses around here!

Unless you want to build in the desert or on a platform in the ocean, there simply is NO room for a decent sized park. The one exception being the old El Toro Marine base which is being turned into houses/manufacturing/and a big park along the lines of Central Park in NY or Balboa Park in San Diego.

At some point we're going to run out of land altogether. I guess then we'll start all over again..lol

Hey, perhaps we'll see the return of the great California amusement pier.

Funny you should mention Balboa Park...I created a Balboa Park scenario for RCTII. I think that I would not touch the West side of the park, but there is a large chunk of land to the East of Park street. ;)

Seriously though...from what I understand, Universal Studios Hollywood wanted to expand but met opposition from neighbors over the whole noise issue.

The noise issue is a major one for USH, especially when it concerns the Ampitheater.There is a set dB rating for the facility and it's closely monitored. I believe there is a curfew also.This is a direct result of the incursion of some very high priced housing into the area, with owners with plenty of politcal clout. The times that it has been exceeded by an act usually costs Universal and the promoters heavy fines. *** Edited 7/27/2004 12:20:50 AM UTC by Dutchman***

The noise factor is a huge one for Universal. Not only do they have the nieghbors but they also have the studio. It's amazing what they went through just building the mummy.

---

kRaXLeRidAh said:
If they did decide to build one, I'd like to know where they'll find the space to build one. I believe the Hollywood theme park is land-locked, unlike the Orlando one - which had acres among acres to expand upon.

---

Acres and acres? It's more like a few. They don't have the space for a new park, only one, or two, hotels.

Maybe they can build one in Northern California and introduce people to good theming. There is a lot of vacant land in Brisbane; or better yet knock down some of the old buildings on 3rd St in San Francisco. (Near 280) Janfrederick, can you please upload your Balboa Park scenario..I would like to play it :)