Orlando Attractions Area News & Developments

[JRS1]

I'm not quite used to this new format at UP.

Anyway, there's 14 eateries at Pointe Orlando now. I didn't realize that. Restaurant Row is impressive on SLR from Dellagio/Viscaya all the way to Rialto/Whole Foods Plaza. But I-Drive has a healthy assortment too from SLR down to the OCCC. That's pretty impressive as well.

It's a great place now,but they need to fill in the remaining development gaps, starting with Mercado and the losts behind Point Orlando where Westin was once proposed to be built on.

[prahaboheme]

I'm not quite used to this new format at UP.

Ditto...it's not so easy on the eyes.

[uncreativeusername]

Ditto...it's not so easy on the eyes.

You're both being generous - it's absolutely terrible. Readability went down 80%.

[FLheat]

You're both being generous - it's absolutely terrible. Readability went down 80%.

anyone else experiencing slow loading of pages here? I hate when change means moving backwards.

[JRS1]

actually, this new format does suck now that I think about it.

if they would just bold the text, that would be better.

[uncreativeusername]

actually, this new format does suck now that I think about it.

if they would just bold the text, that would be better.

Pages load slower, each post in a thread is hard to differentiate, there is a serious lack of design hierarchy, and, I've just discovered, there is no longer a quick reply button!

[prahaboheme]

This already dying forum has been pushed over the edge.

We should revive the orlandoskyscrapers.com page with a forum option similar to wirednewyork.com or archboston.com.

[JRS1]

THE SQUARE:

Unicorp is the developer. They are the company developing the Dellagio project off of SLR. There a a few tenants over there already and there's a few more buildouts underway. I have a feeling they won't do anything with the former Mercado property for a while until they have a majority of the Dellagio leased. That must have been a huge expenditure; that place is gorgeous.

Edited November 2, 2009 by JRS1

[Neo]

I noticed several comments regarding the upgrade. I believe that I have addressed most of the concerns brought up by users. The layout for threads is now what we had previously. Loading times should also be greatly improved (even faster than what we had with the older version of the site). If you guys could comment I would greatly appreciate it as I do want to address concerns that folks have.

Keep in mind that I've gotten dozens of e-mails and PM's commenting on the new site in a positive light thus I realize that change is easier for some. I do want to address concerns, but keep in mind that I simply will not be able to please everyone. I will do my best however.

[mgsports]

Seminole County needs some more Attractions including a Event Center so a Basketball and Hockey team can play their,Minor League Baseball Park,Amusment Park and so on.

[go_vertical]

I drove by The Peabody last week and they had the spire lit up. It was a very elegant shade of blue and looked real nice from I-4. Had the chance to pass by again last night and this time I had my camera, but unfortunately the lights were off. I'm sure they'll have them back up soon.

[prahaboheme]

Disney obtains $15 million permit for Little Mermaid ride:

Orlando Sentinel Article

[prahaboheme]

Disney begins pre-sales on uber luxury residential development, to include a Four Seasons: http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/06/disney-begins-pre-sales-for-luxury-residential-development/

Something about this seems very UN-Disney like to me.

Edited June 23, 2010 by prahaboheme

[go_vertical]

Driving down I-4 the other day I noticed two tower cranes near the intersection with 192. The structure looks to be around four maybe five stories right now. Any idea what is going up there and how tall this might be? Can't imagine it would be much taller than what it is so far, but does add a little bit of density for the area.

[Kaz]

Driving down I-4 the other day I noticed two tower cranes near the intersection with 192. The structure looks to be around four maybe five stories right now. Any idea what is going up there and how tall this might be? Can't imagine it would be much taller than what it is so far, but does add a little bit of density for the area.

Celebration Health (Florida Hospital) is expanding.

[prahaboheme]

Love it or hate it, Celebration has changed the entire dynamic of the West 192 corridor. You'd think Osceola County would look to this as an example of how to grow the decaying East section of 192.

[spenser1058]

Love it or hate it, Celebration has changed the entire dynamic of the West 192 corridor. You'd think Osceola County would look to this as an example of how to grow the decaying East section of 192.

I would imagine it will come, but I think the zeitgeist of US192 has yet to be transformed. When WDW finally completes the second half of Pop Century (now renamed Art of Animation), that will be another couple of thousand rooms competing in the value segment. Needless to say, regardless of the ecomnomy or whatever is going on, Disney will always do whatever it takes to put heads in beds, and I see no way for most of the motels on 192 to thrive in that situation. The heyday of US192 was when WDW first opened and there was only one way on to property for guests, via US 192. Back then, that was the closest you could get without staying at WDW. Once Epcot opened and a second entrance was created, that advantage was gone forever. The development of I-Drive, LBV, Universal and perhaps most importantly the creation of the All Star resorts all chipped away at US192's reason to exist as a tourism location. Further, Osceola County has never really been able to expand much beyond mom and pop tourism, which is the most cyclical segment of the industry.

At the same time, there has always been an "us vs. them" between Celebration and the other folks down there, and so I think that, despite all evidence to the contrary, the locals have been slow to embrace another vision for US192. Will the area take Celebration as a lead and develop a post-tourism approach to development similarly based? Or, alternatively, should the existing mom and pops be converted to sorely needed affordable housing for locals working in the industry? It's an open question, I think, but one I've seen before.

A few years back in Anaheim, Disneyland sought to expand and to work with the city to create a more upscale vision for the area. Despite the fact that Disneyland is the economic engine for Orange County (CA) - and for those unfamiliar with the area it's right in the middle of town with no buffer, unlike WDW - a move developed to use the political process to build affordable housing right next door. It took a few years to finally sort things out in Disney's favor (without really solving the affordable housing issue).

How will all that play out in Kissimmee? I'm not sure, and I don't really have a dog in that fight since I don't live there. It will be fascinating to watch, however.

Edited June 29, 2010 by spenser1058

[prahaboheme]

Nice post.

I was born and raised until a young age in a small town North of Boston, until my family moved to Kissimmee where we rented for a few years (around 1989) before moving to Orlando. I remember a time, through the 90s, when 192 was a thriving corridor from the Osceola Mall westward to the main entrance to Disney. Sure, it was a cheaper, less glamorous alternative to I-Drive, but is was also a quirky and fun alternative -- Old Town, the big Orange, the tacky t-shirt shops, Arabian Nights / Medieval Times, the air boats, and this new strange place called Celebration. It was a slice of Americana, Florida style.

It seems at this point though, for those reasons stated above as well as a lot of socioeconomic, transportation, and cultural changes, this corridor will never regain it's former glory.

That said, I think it could do much better then even it's heyday with some zoning changes and some key mixed-use development:

1) Old Town: Structurally and physically, Old Town is already a bona fide town center development. It's essentially new urbanism before new urbanism existed. In recent years Old Town has shifted it's focused from less family friendly to more of a local bar scene. Why not extend upon this but turning this whole area into a West 192 town center development. Redevelop the property to include apartment housing options that cater specifically to tourism industry young professionals and build out that main street through Old Town with more bars, clubs, and every day type destinations. Provide a larger Lynx inter modal terminal on site that brings people directly to Disney, and other areas with easy access. Create a zoning bubble around the "Old Town" corridor that gives high density residential development tax breaks. Ultimately, over time, Old Town becomes a nice, residential area that would be both appealing to the younger crowd seeking housing in the area (instead of say, Poinciana or further into Kissimmee)as well as tourists can still come for the urban benefits and enjoy the area.

2) Osceola Mall Area: Redevelop the mall into a mixed use area that features residential and office development. There is a plan to build a larger Lynx inter modal station on property. Perhaps they can even redevelop this area with a new charter school. Make this an attractive, walkable area.

By focusing on Old Town and Osceola Square Mall, these two hubs along the 192 corridor focus be the focus of the most high density development. Then, allow for urban, mid density development between these two hubs to build up over time.

I think this would change the entire dynamic of the 192 corridor.

Further East along 192, at the intersection of OBT (downtown Kissimmee), they have been planning a redevelopment strategy for many years: http://www.redevelopvinestreet.com/

[prahaboheme]

^Celebration was "touristy" when it begin, primarily because people were drawn to the concept of new urbanism and a Disney built community.

Now, it is home is over 9,000 residents and a fairly decent restaurant/bar scene. Three schools, a hospital, offices, some retail, and a University. Tourists come to check it out, but it's much more than that. It sounds like a good example for the whole of the corridor.

[prahaboheme]

I am not suggesting that the entire 192 corridor should become Celebration -- what I am saying is that it should embrace urban residential development, specifically affordable housing for Osceola residents who work in the tourism industry. Celebration is not a sustainable model mainly because it is much too expensive for the average homeowner or even leaser, that said, the principles behind Celebration are sound ones, and deserve recognition.

[bic]

Dave and Buster's has finalized plans to move into the old Race Rock building on I-Drive.

[prahaboheme]

Some good news on the business front:

Trade show settles in Orlando for 10 years

[prahaboheme]

Looks like Disney is altering it's princess heavy renovation plans for Fantasyland -- one has to assume this is in response to Universal's overwhelming Harry Potter success and mass appeal:

Sentinel

[bic]

Orlando now has two Premium Outlets

[tennis32801]

Saw the news last night and they mentioned about a developer proposing to build a new theme park on I-Drive near Festival Bay area?? Its being called Orlando Thrill Park for now.