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Plans for Universal project on I-Drive may cause tangle of transportation issues

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Details, be it few, were released Tuesday about Universal Studios’ plans for 475 acres it recently purchased on International Drive and Universal Boulevard near Destination Parkway.

While the land appears to be ready for a new theme park, it could also bring a tangle of transportation issues.

Universal Studios purchased the land in February for $130 million.

The property is broken up into one large chunk and several smaller pieces, and it's located south of Tangelo Park.

But it's also a bit far from Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The question is, how do you get guests from the parks to the new park on an already busy Universal Boulevard?

"Whatever happens, they've got to move a lot of people. It's got to be a very high-volume transportation option," Robert Niles of themeparkinsider.com said.
Last week, Universal submitted a conceptual plan to the county to add a new tourist district as part of the I-Drive improvement project.
The plan shows a transportation connection, but it only connects the main lot to the smaller parcels and nothing to the other theme parks on the other side of I-4.
But it also appears to go over water, which makes one wonder if it could be plans for some kind of monorail.
If so, that means Universal would be very anxious to play ball with Orange County officials, who also would like to see some kind of large-scale people mover for I-Drive.
“Do you think they would go after some kind of government funding for this?" asked Channel 9’s Jamie Holmes.
"Absolutely. What we're seeing now is the beginning of a process where they're going to be working with local, state, potentially even federal authorities to identify money or incentives available to them," said Niles.
The plan includes zoning for a theme park.
That too begs the question: What concepts could Universal develop into a third park?”
"The big one that a lot of fans are excited about is Nintendo. Fans have been asking for a Nintendo or video game park for years. Universal has the rights," said Niles.
Universal also owns the rights to Dreamworks animation and all of its characters, such as "Kung Fu Panda" and “How to Train Your Dragon.”
Universal told Channel 9, "We are in the very early stages of planning for this property.  We plan to work closely with both our neighbors and with planning officials.  Beyond that, it's too soon to share more details."
Sources told WFTV there likely won't be any formal decisions or announcements until the end of the year.
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