Universal sells 1,800 acres in Orlando

Wow. I can appreciate that they're paying taxes on land that isn't doing anything, but I just can't see how this is a good idea. It's not like there are giant parcels of undeveloped land all over that area or anything. If the tourism industry bounces back, and I don't see why it wouldn't, you need space to expand, and that was it.

At the rate they are expanding IOA, no wonder....

(posted before I saw Jeff's comments)

Does the land border IOA?*** This post was edited by janfrederick 12/22/2003 10:54:25 AM ***

This leads me to believe that NBC is going to sell off the parks. Selling the land gave them a quick infusion of cash which makes the parks unit look good. Time will tell.

What is interesting is how bad Universal originally wanted that land, only now to give it up.

The land didn't border IOA. It is further west and a little south, down near the Convention Center. Any "sister" park there would have required some type of transporation system, like the proposed high speed train that Universal had hoped would make a stop on the International Drive corridor.

Come to think of it, that might have been the straw on the camel's back which led them to the conclusion to sell the land.*** This post was edited by wahoo skipper 12/22/2003 11:28:03 AM ****** This post was edited by wahoo skipper 12/22/2003 11:28:24 AM ***

Agreed, wahoo....that land was NOT going to be useful for a park expansion, only for a separately gated attraction (got lost once or twice down in that area, LOL).

I don't see the need for Universal to try and build *another* attraction in the area, as they're doing QUITE well with what they've got....

I'm just bummed they never received approval to expand their California park. Darn!

The north border is just a couple of blocks south of the primary Universal property. I saw the map somewhere, and I think it bordered 482, so it doesn't really close.

But just look at how far apart the Disney parks are. DAK is way out in the boonies. Distance from the existing parks isn't an excuse not to build a park there.

Don't be suprised if the sold to the Busch family.....

Distance IS an issue when you consider the major route between the two pieces of property is the (God Help Me) International Drive.

It wouldn't be I-Drive though, it would be Universal Blvd, which I was surprised to find has nothing open on it. It's like a ghost town.

wahoo, don't you mean "International Parking Lot"?

Oops, you're right. Sorry about that.