Orlando Attractions Area News & Developments

[speck76]

right... I got confused. wow. yeah, Intercontinental-- isn't that hotel in Miami downtown right where One Miami just got built?

Also, where on Lake Butler? I thought this was going near Caribe Royale?

It is actually on Lake Brian....535 between I-4 and 536

[gibby]

It is actually on Lake Brian....535 between I-4 and 536

I think it is on the other side of Lake Bryan, on I-Drive.

[speck76]

I think it is on the other side of Lake Bryan, on I-Drive.

Sorry, I was giving the location of Lake Brian (Lake Butler would be near Isleworth.....I think the article was incorrect)

I think this resort is getting built on this parcel (orange)

[SMR17]

so here's what we know:

- THe Point Orlando-- they are clearing the land;

- Citymark- they are demolishing the Delta;

- Blue Rose- they are selling units really well since 2/23/06;

- Westin Imagine- U/C

- Shingle Creek- U/C

- Vista Cay- U/C

- Reunion Grande- U/C

- Floridays Resort- U/C

- Peabody- got approved for construction loan last month;

- LBV Res.& Spa- tower #3 U/C

- Blue Heron- Tower #2 is now U/C

- Pointe Orlando-- undergoing renovation

what am I missing for the attractions area?

- Hilton Vacation Club- tower #5 U/C (at Orl. Premium Outlets)

Here's a few that are missing here, maybe not all up and running but been talked about

-WorldQuest Resort U/C

-Sage Resort - now preselling which is off Turkey Lake Rd

-San Marco Resort- Who knows what's happening there??? been "pre-selling" for years now

-Regency Suites- preselling- not that glamorous but a good buy, for someone looking to buy

-Elegante Resort- preselling- they were selling 800 units but lowered it to 400 units, that's located directly to the right of Blue Heron

-Buena Vista Towers - who knows what's happening here also-might never come out.

-Aqua- again may never come out but was the big talk of town last year

-Bella Casa- Preselling also-located off I-drive and Central Florida Pkwy

-Ballari Resort- been just a rumor so far but is talked about on the developers website

-Eden Springs - EB Developes - was pre-selling but stopped suddenly same developers as Citymark I think

- Lighthouse Key- Fractionals off 192 by hwy 27

[JRS1]

nice list...

So Intercontinental will be opposite Blue Heron on Lake Bryan with access to I-Drive.

I am still super enthused about the Hilton, b/c its going to connect to the OCCC.

[Dale]

Sure, I wish the Hilton were taller, but I like the design. And JRS1, will the Peabody still be 32 stories ?

[JRS1]

last I heard, yes. they got approved for a loan-- phase 1 is the 8 story parking deck and concourse and phase 2, later in the year, is the new tower, at 750 rooms. still, it will be I-drive's tallest.

I wonder if Hyatt will renew its plans for a convention center hotel.

[shardoon]

how tall will the revised 750 room tower be? do you have a rendering of the 750 room tower? all i seem to be able to find is the old 1000 room tower rendering.

[JRS1]

all I've seen is the old rendering too. its 32 or 33 stories.

[SMR17]

JRS1-not trying to compete-hope you understood the reply was because you mentioned earlier you were looking for a complete list so....

I do like the idea of the Hilton but it would be nice for something with a little more glitz and glamour to it though. I would love to see Orlando REALLY become a place when people come here they are simply in awe..The BLUE ROSE was a start-Palazzo will help-Citymark will be nice-but I wish more hotels would come here and shock the area. I think that's one reason why Vegas has an upper-hand on Orlando, we don't need to compete with Vegas-we'll never win since Vegas has such a big start, but would really like to see more of a "Vegas" look come to Orlando. What do you think??

[JRS1]

Shaun, this forum is about getting a heads up on stuff, no matter who posts it. good werk.

Hilton-- yeah, I agree about the glamour element. But, the fact that Hilton is in essence endorsing the center by committing 1,400 rooms is huge; it a chicken and egg thing: booking shows vs. having the rooms available.

Vegas-- Vegas was THE tourist town since the days of Frank and Elvis. It still is. Its 4 hours from LA. THe Mega-Resorts made their splash with Mirage in the late '80's. It became the trend in the '90's and continues today. It's not hard to build a 3,000 room hotel in Vegas when the casino finances at least the start of construction.

What Orlando does is more impressive, b/c there is no casino money. THe only big-money entities in town are Universal and Disney. Next would be Rosen. Disney has 18 or so resorts and Universal has 3. Rosen is building his 3rd (Shingle Creek).

Here, tourism drives hotel reservations which drives new hotel construction. Because of that, it has been easy to expand the OCCC-- Up until recently. Orlando lacked the convention-class hotels within walking distance- now, Hilton, Westin, and Peabody will give us another 2,620 rooms by 2009. More shows will get booked as a result. As a result of that, more hotel proposals will be made. Domino effect.

Orlando's style is the complete resort and convention center type of resort. Take Marriott, Grande Lakes, Championsgate, Hyatt Grand Cypress, and Shingle Creek. Vegas is more urban; the casinos compete with each other. Same in Orlando, though, as Peabody wants a greater market share as did Marriott World Center and Sheraton World.

With all Orlando lacked this past 2 years with the criticisms of lack of bookings at the OCCC, it managed to beat Chicago for the No.2 spot. And, mind you, look at the floorplans of the N/S Bldg.; it was designed to double in size. If all goes well, I foresee it expanding yet again within 10 years to 3M ft2 total with more close-in hotels to make Orlando the world leader in conventions.

It could still happen without another expansion. Vegas has booked certain shows b/c of the hotel room advantage it has-- but that advantage will end in 2009. Sso from that point forward, ORL will be on a similar footing to offer a product as good or better than Vegas'.

[facilities man]

I agree with the North South building. It was built to be expanded. The first time I went to the building I saw the layout and the parking lot and said to myself that back parking area has temporary written all over it. I expect a huge parking structure between the East West building and I-4 eventually and the North South building being expanded onto all the present parking space. Hopefully they'll upgrade the North South facility at that time. It just seems like it was built cheaper than the East West building. Give it about 10 years, or more likely they'll expand it as soon as the new hotel projects get built.

[radiostatic102]

I think we should stay away from the Vegas "look" entirely. We need to stand on our own two feet. When people come to Orlando, they need to see things that remind them that they're in Florida, not Nevada. Otherwise people will see Orlando is just a "wannabe" city, a mock Las Vegas, a second rate version of the real thing, when in reality Orlando is, and should be, completely different.

For all the casinos and shows Vegas has (which are obviously a powerful draw), we have Disney World Resort. No other city in America can say that, (not even L.A.) and that is something to be proud of. To say nothing of Universal, Sea World, the nearby beaches, etc. I know we need to grow beyond Disney, (we REALLY need to do that) and that is what is going on with these new resorts being built. But they need to be distinctly Orlando-ish.

[JRS1]

You are right-- and I think they are... Orlandoish; from Gaylord to Grande Lakes to Marriott World to Peabody to Hyatt to Championsgate. Each resort features a major golf element (save Gaylord) which is one of Orlando's strengths.

New resorts: Shingle Creek and Reunion Resort U/C, with Intercontinental closing in. And every one of these places has its own convention space incorporated into the development. Even the Hyatt OIA expanded its space 5 years ago.

Vegas is great. I love it. But Orlando is its own animal. Nobody has a complex like Universal. Its very impressive. And WDW Resort is the world's largest PUD (of its kind).

Orlando also offers the cruise ships out of PC. Vegas can't do that, unless its a travel agent booked vacation sending you to Port of LA as well. And PC is the world's 2nd busiest cruise port, right down the 528.

And the LV CC is just a giant box. OCCC is actually attractive- like McCormick Place. Orlando just needs to start booking alot more shows.

[merlin307]

Hi all

not really a reply but I have been holidaying in and around I Drive for a few years now and I stumbled across your forum..I like the updates so keep them coming - just reading whats (possibly) happening in the sunshine of Orlando brightens a drab Scottish evening

Keep it up guys

Edited March 28, 2006 by merlin307

[JRS1]

welcome to the forum.

Hey, not to advertise another thread, but goto: Florida-other cities-New Tallest for Daytona...

Daytona is kind of Orlando extended metro, so check out the list of U/C and Proposed projects I listed: there's over 51 projects for E. Volusia County (condo's). that's 51 on and off A1A and US1; beachside and intracoastal.

[radiostatic102]

Yes, welcome to the forum! I like your user ID!

Glad to help out anytime! But it's not all roses down here, the dry season is kicking up some nasty pollen and making life miserable for some of us...

[cwetteland]

Hi all

not really a reply but I have been holidaying in and around I Drive for a few years now and I stumbled across your forum..I like the updates so keep them coming - just reading whats (possibly) happening in the sunshine of Orlando brightens a drab Scottish evening

Keep it up guys

Welcome Merlin. I lived in Scotland for two years. About midway between Aberdeen and Dundee. I'd love to go back.

[SMR17]

Merlin - Welcome. Good to hear this forum is really has World Wide viewers....gotta watch what we say now!!!!

[merlin307]

Yes, welcome to the forum! I like your user ID!

Glad to help out anytime! But it's not all roses down here, the dry season is kicking up some nasty pollen and making life miserable for some of us...

Whats a little allergy when you got the sun in the sky most of the year............anyway thanks for the welcomes...........

Merlin

[Dale]

Welcome, Merlin ! I'm watching the movie Excaliber right now. And you play a central role !

[merlin307]

Welcome, Merlin ! I'm watching the movie Excaliber right now. And you play a central role !

what can I say .......although I have been told I am magic !!

SO anyway ....whats the latest on all of the developments planned

any timescales?

news?

wish lists?

what about attractions as well as all of the hotels and condos?

[prahaboheme]

what can I say .......although I have been told I am magic !!

SO anyway ....whats the latest on all of the developments planned

any timescales?

news?

wish lists?

what about attractions as well as all of the hotels and condos?

Merlin, check out UPSDan's website for all updates and current proposals: Orlando Skyscrapers

[merlin307]

Merlin, check out UPSDan's website for all updates and current proposals: Orlando Skyscrapers

thanks for the tip - I had a wee look and it all seems very positive for the area....Any furhter news on the mid and top sections of I drive ?

I keep hearing about the Point Orlando redevelopment but any updates or photos?

What about the "popular"Spanish village Mercado - the last time I visited (Dec05) it was even worse that I remember it.............any sign of a knight in shining armour for this piece of real estate?

[prahaboheme]

thanks for the tip - I had a wee look and it all seems very positive for the area....Any furhter news on the mid and top sections of I drive ?

I keep hearing about the Point Orlando redevelopment but any updates or photos?

What about the "popular"Spanish village Mercado - the last time I visited (Dec05) it was even worse that I remember it.............any sign of a knight in shining armour for this piece of real estate?

The proposed Aqua development will replace it. Don't hold your breath.