After a very public battle with Universal Orlando, Orange County’s Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a zoning grant Tuesday for Skyplex Orlando; clearing a major hurdle for the project and allowing it to move forward.
Since the project was first announced, Universal Orlando has been heavily against it, stating it would interfere with the resort’s sight lines and cause issues with light pollution and traffic around the I-Drive/Sand Lake Rd intersection.
After an almost 3 1/2 hour meeting in front of Orange County’s Board of Commissioners, featuring an overwhelming majority of the 55 people that had signed up to speak as a part of the public input portion offering their support of the project, the commissioners unanimously approved the project.
The Skyplex comprises approximately 1,500,000 square feet located on 14 acres in north part of I-Drive and will feature the area’s largest indoor theme park complete with an upscale arcade, simulators, bars, and a host of rides and games; as well as additional opportunities for attractions, interactive venues, restaurants and retail. The signature attraction, The Skyscraper – with an approximate planned height of 570 feet, will be the world’s tallest roller coaster and the world’s first Pollercoaster vertical roller coaster. In addition, a 450-foot drop ride called SkyFall will be located within the structure, as well as the world’s largest Perkins Restaurant & Bakery.
Skyplex also will include a 2400-car parking garage with a valet parking option. The Skyscraper observation deck will offer views 535 feet from the ground and will be accessible by the region’s tallest glass elevators.
‘The Skyscraper, SkyFall, and the new SkyPlaza are just part of the excitement that guests will be able to experience at Skyplex,” said David Wallack, Founder of Mango’s Tropical Café, “the thrills abound and the ‘art of it all’ is really what is so special.”
Skyplex is expected to be completed by 2018.
