Universal Citywalk

filmfreak11 · 06-25-2007, 03:00 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citywalk

^ Not the best source, I know. But working at Citywalk I became curious. Didn't Universal think of actually EXPANDING THE THEME PARK into what is now Citywalk? Most of us know the space limitations the park has. Were they really concerned about getting more money by constructing Citywalk? Was this really their alternative to "your finale to the Universal parks" instead of the show they had to rival Disney's Fantasmic!? (sorry, couldn't remember the name, took place in the Miami Vice stage). Then again that show was also created to keep guests longer in the park and Citywalk at night.

Your thoughts.

PragmaticIdealist · 06-25-2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filmfreak11

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citywalk

^ Not the best source, I know. But working at Citywalk I became curious. Didn't Universal think of actually EXPANDING THE THEME PARK into what is now Citywalk? Most of us know the space limitations the park has. Were they really concerned about getting more money by constructing Citywalk? Was this really their alternative to "your finale to the Universal parks" instead of the show they had to rival Disney's Fantasmic!? (sorry, couldn't remember the name, took place in the Miami Vice stage). Then again that show was also created to keep guests longer in the park and Citywalk at night.

Your thoughts.

Jon Jerde's master plan for Universal City was ingenious. CityWalk is probably better than Universal Studios, itself. Positioning the ungated entertainment center between the parking terraces and the studio's guest entrance makes so much more sense than the current Downtown Disney layout does.

aimster · 06-25-2007, 03:39 PM

I have to admit I like CityWalk better than Downtown Disney.

desertdweller · 06-25-2007, 03:41 PM

My recollection of City Walk was to create a safe and friendly "downtown" experience. During the planning stages there were few real downtowns left in the LA areas and it was felt that that in itself would be the attraction.

I've been a few times and found it fun but certainly not the same experience that historical downtown LA, Hollywood, Pasadena, Santa Monica and even Burbank has.

Culver City has even been making a comeback where once the only thing worth seeing there were the old MGM Studios.

filmfreak11 · 06-26-2007, 01:12 AM

Oh, I definately agree the design for CityWalk to be between the Parking Garages and Theme Park entrance is great. Which is a reason I kinda think a new amphitheater entrance should be on the other side of CW where that lame multi-deplayed SkyVenture is. Then you'd have the theme park on 1 side and concert amphitheater on the other. Then again, I think the Curious George Parking would literally be around the corner instead of the other side of CW... you still have Jurassic Park which is kind of in the middle of CW...

There's definately something more to CityWalk than Downtown Disney. I visit more shops in CW than DD, that's for sure.

So the goal was to create a safe and friendly "downtown" experience. That seems to be fair. And it was recreated in Florida with the same idea of CW between the theme parks and parking. Never been to Japan's. But with Florida's DD, it's in a mall complex to itself. And in CA, it's west and inbetween the 2 parks but at least it leads to the hotels...

Mousey Girl · 06-26-2007, 05:34 PM

I do not care much for City Walk. the walkway is too narrow, and very claustrophobic when it gets crowded. For the most part, the shops fall into 1 of 2 catagories. Either it is a store you find in your local mall or it is a store that is carrying the same thing as a store 3 doors down. There aren't enough seating areas, and again it is too crowded to put more seating anywhere.

CoasterMatt · 06-26-2007, 09:37 PM

You gotta do the CityWalk Drinking Tour some time - it's especially fun when you can stumble to a room at the Sheraton (just don't lose any party members in the elevator)

Mousey Girl · 06-26-2007, 10:21 PM

Is that an invitation?

CoasterMatt · 06-26-2007, 10:37 PM

I don't really drink anymore, but I'm an excellent tour guide

filmfreak11 · 06-26-2007, 10:56 PM

Citywalk Drinking Tour... I must know more

Is that a reference to the Citywalk club pass? I just recently found Citywalk used to sell this pass that gets you into all their clubs but was discontinued in March for some reason. Maybe they were losing money??

Flickering Bulb · 06-26-2007, 11:17 PM

i used to enjoy going to citywalk. but now, the shops don't really interest me. now that the nature company is gone, that place is nothing to me, and $10 parking? i'd rather be charged by the length of time i'm there instead of automatically having to pay upfront.

Mousey Girl · 06-27-2007, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoasterMatt

I don't really drink anymore, but I'm an excellent tour guide

I promise to leave Boy at home for that trip!!

06-25-2007, 03:00 PM	#1
filmfreak11 ...TWO BITS! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Disneyland, USA Posts: 3,103	Universal Citywalk http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citywalk ^ Not the best source, I know. But working at Citywalk I became curious. Didn't Universal think of actually EXPANDING THE THEME PARK into what is now Citywalk? Most of us know the space limitations the park has. Were they really concerned about getting more money by constructing Citywalk? Was this really their alternative to "your finale to the Universal parks" instead of the show they had to rival Disney's Fantasmic!? (sorry, couldn't remember the name, took place in the Miami Vice stage). Then again that show was also created to keep guests longer in the park and Citywalk at night. Your thoughts. __________________ "You're not thinking fourth dimensionally!" -Back to the Future "With this place, I wanted to give them something real, something that wasn't an illusion, something they could see and touch. An aim devoid of merit." -Jurassic Park

06-25-2007, 03:41 PM	#4
desertdweller Minion Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Palm Springs, CA Posts: 1,125	Re: Universal Citywalk My recollection of City Walk was to create a safe and friendly "downtown" experience. During the planning stages there were few real downtowns left in the LA areas and it was felt that that in itself would be the attraction. I've been a few times and found it fun but certainly not the same experience that historical downtown LA, Hollywood, Pasadena, Santa Monica and even Burbank has. Culver City has even been making a comeback where once the only thing worth seeing there were the old MGM Studios. __________________ "America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between." Oscar Wilde

06-26-2007, 01:12 AM	#5
filmfreak11 ...TWO BITS! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Disneyland, USA Posts: 3,103	Re: Universal Citywalk Oh, I definately agree the design for CityWalk to be between the Parking Garages and Theme Park entrance is great. Which is a reason I kinda think a new amphitheater entrance should be on the other side of CW where that lame multi-deplayed SkyVenture is. Then you'd have the theme park on 1 side and concert amphitheater on the other. Then again, I think the Curious George Parking would literally be around the corner instead of the other side of CW... you still have Jurassic Park which is kind of in the middle of CW... There's definately something more to CityWalk than Downtown Disney. I visit more shops in CW than DD, that's for sure. So the goal was to create a safe and friendly "downtown" experience. That seems to be fair. And it was recreated in Florida with the same idea of CW between the theme parks and parking. Never been to Japan's. But with Florida's DD, it's in a mall complex to itself. And in CA, it's west and inbetween the 2 parks but at least it leads to the hotels... __________________ "You're not thinking fourth dimensionally!" -Back to the Future "With this place, I wanted to give them something real, something that wasn't an illusion, something they could see and touch. An aim devoid of merit." -Jurassic Park

06-26-2007, 05:34 PM	#6
Mousey Girl Just Me Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Trying to be the better person. Posts: 1,304	Re: Universal Citywalk I do not care much for City Walk. the walkway is too narrow, and very claustrophobic when it gets crowded. For the most part, the shops fall into 1 of 2 catagories. Either it is a store you find in your local mall or it is a store that is carrying the same thing as a store 3 doors down. There aren't enough seating areas, and again it is too crowded to put more seating anywhere.

06-26-2007, 09:37 PM	#7
CoasterMatt Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 844	Re: Universal Citywalk You gotta do the CityWalk Drinking Tour some time - it's especially fun when you can stumble to a room at the Sheraton (just don't lose any party members in the elevator)

06-26-2007, 10:21 PM	#8
Mousey Girl Just Me Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Trying to be the better person. Posts: 1,304	Re: Universal Citywalk Is that an invitation?

06-26-2007, 10:37 PM	#9
CoasterMatt Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 844	Re: Universal Citywalk I don't really drink anymore, but I'm an excellent tour guide

06-26-2007, 10:56 PM	#10
filmfreak11 ...TWO BITS! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Disneyland, USA Posts: 3,103	Re: Universal Citywalk Citywalk Drinking Tour... I must know more Is that a reference to the Citywalk club pass? I just recently found Citywalk used to sell this pass that gets you into all their clubs but was discontinued in March for some reason. Maybe they were losing money?? __________________ "You're not thinking fourth dimensionally!" -Back to the Future "With this place, I wanted to give them something real, something that wasn't an illusion, something they could see and touch. An aim devoid of merit." -Jurassic Park

06-26-2007, 11:17 PM	#11
Flickering Bulb keh! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: So. CA Posts: 373	Re: Universal Citywalk i used to enjoy going to citywalk. but now, the shops don't really interest me. now that the nature company is gone, that place is nothing to me, and $10 parking? i'd rather be charged by the length of time i'm there instead of automatically having to pay upfront.

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