Walt Disney Co. (DES) – Get a free report Major theme park rival Universal Studios revealed plans for its new Epic Universe theme park in August 2019, which were stalled by the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020. In March 2021, Universal restarted its construction plans for the new theme park and has revealed details about the project as it develops.
Epic Universe theme park, the third gate to Universal Orlando Resort, will open in summer 2025. Universal has said the theme park is developing themed lands, including Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, Universal Classic Monsters and How to Train Your Dragon.
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When Universal's new theme park opens in Florida, it will offer additional competition to Disney World and SeaWorld's four parks. (SEAS) – Get a free report in Orlando. Universal Studios is not only locked in a theme park battle in Florida, but is also competing in California with Disney and Six Flags Entertainment. (SIX) – Get a free report and Cedar Fair (FUN) – Get a free report Theme parks. Now a rivalry is beginning with the theme parks of North Texas.
Theme park rivalry intensifies in North Texas
Merlin Entertainments said in March 2023 that it had partnered with toy maker Hasbro. (HAS) – Get a free report to develop America's second Peppa Pig theme park in North Richland Hills, Texas, scheduled to open in 2024. Merlin already operates the country's first Peppa Pig theme park in Winter Haven, Florida. Merlin also operates Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life Aquarium in Grapevine, Texas.
Merlin Entertainments will soon have competition in North Texas, as Universal Studios is developing a new theme park, which will likely open in the next few years.
Comcast (CMCSA) – Get a free report Universal Destinations & Experiences proposed a one-of-a-kind theme park designed to inspire fun for families with young children in January 2023, according to a statement. The theme park will be designed to be more intimate and attractive to younger audiences and will be sized appropriately for a regional audience.
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97-acre theme park including adjacent hotel
The new venue will include family-friendly attractions, interactive and playful shows, character meet and greets, unique merchandise and fun places to eat and drink on a 97-acre site in Frisco, Texas. The theme park also plans to have an adjacent 300-room theme hotel and room for expansion. The area is intended to have a completely different look, feel and scale than Universal's existing parks and will attract a new audience for the brand.
The theme park will be located east of the Dallas North Tollway and north of Panther Creek Parkway in the North Texas community of Frisco.
On December 1, Universal unveiled its first theme park designed specifically for families with young children as Universal Kids Resort, bringing the company's innovative style of storytelling to a new, younger audience. The theme park will include immersive themed lands that will celebrate Universal's brand of entertainment, humor and fun, bringing its popular characters and stories to life in ways that will surprise the theme park's youngest guests, according to a release.
In March, the Frisco City Council approved Universal's special use permit for the theme park and the company broke ground on the project in November. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs, including 2,500 new construction jobs.
Universal, however, has not revealed when the project is expected to be completed or when Universal Kids Resort will open. The company said it will reveal more details over time with the latest developments posted on the Universal Destinations & Experiences website.
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