A Universal Studios Theme Park Is Headed For North Texas
Universal Parks & Resorts is bringing one of its signature entertainment complexes to North Texas.
The 97-acre theme park will be located at the Dallas North Tollway and Panther Creek Parkway in Frisco, according to a news release. The property, which will fall within the forthcoming $10B Fields development, was acquired in December using a Delaware-based shell company, per the Dallas Morning News.
Aimed at families with young children, the park is slated to include family-friendly attractions, interactive shows, character meet-and-greets, merchandise, and food and beverage venues, according to the release.
Plans include an adjacent 300-room hotel and additional land for future growth. The property will also include retail and restaurants.
“You have a fantastic town,” Universal Parks & Resorts Chairman and CEO Mark Woodbury said in a joint announcement with city of Frisco officials Jan. 11. “It’s vibrant and full of energy and full of young families, which make it the perfect place for what we are doing."
Universal chose Frisco due to its growing population and business community, company executives said. The city has grown dramatically over the past decade, with just over 200,000 North Texans calling Frisco home in 2020 compared to 117,000 in 2010, according to Census Bureau data.
“Frisco is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. and has been recognized as a great place to plant professional roots and raise a family,” Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney said in a statement. “This new Universal concept will continue to enhance our tax base, expand employment opportunities and bring even more fun to Frisco benefiting our residents, businesses, and visitors.”
The Frisco destination will be roughly a quarter of the size of Universal Studios parks in Orlando and Los Angeles, President Page Thompson said in her remarks. A timeline wasn't shared, although property records show the company has four years to open the park, per the DMN.
