ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Universal Studios is planning on putting one of the largest hotels in Central Florida next to the old Wet 'n Wild property, Channel 9's Racquel Asa learned.
Demolition is still happening at the Wet ‘n Wild site after closing down almost three months ago.
The 4,000-room hotel that is planned would be in addition to the five hotels on Universal’s property.
The hotel would rival Disney's largest hotel, Port Orleans, which is a thousand rooms fewer than what Universal has planned.
It's the only hotel that'll be owned by Universal that's on the other side of Interstate 4. The location presents the challenge and question of how will they get guests one side of Interstate 4 to the other when Universal Boulevard already handles roughly 17,000 cars a day.
"Hotel traffic would be different from Wet ‘N Wild traffic?" Asa asked.
“I think so, yeah. Different times of the day with check in and check out. You have different traffic patterns that need to be accommodated,” said Duncan Dickson, UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management.
The benefit of the hotel will be for the consumer. Those looking for a more affordable option so close to the park could find it here once Universal decides to build.
“You are probably looking at price points at $100 to $120 a night. That's the market they are underserved in. You look at I-Drive and the market and fits there,” Duncan said.
There are also plans to build three parking garages that will be roughly two to three stories high.
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