Is Disney Paying For Universal’s NEW Theme Parks?

The Disney Company owns one of the world’s most extensive theme park portfolios. It contains Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Paris Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Shanghai Disney Resort.

Related: Disney Reveals Plans To Move To Another U.S. State

Aside from its theme park resorts, the company owns multiple studios, including Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Pixar. In addition, Disney has its Disney Vacation Club, streaming service, and numerous other forms of revenue, such as merchandising, media sales, and the Disney Cruise Line.

Universal Resorts

Meanwhile, Universal Resorts has Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Hollywood, and a handful of other parks worldwide. But in recent years, Universal has been clipping at Disney’s heels.

Related: Want FREE Universal Studios Tickets?

In addition to announcing its new theme park Epic Universe as part of its Florida resort, the company has also announced a new Universal Kids Resort coming to Frisco, Texas.

There are also rumors of a Universal Studios-themed resort coming to Europe…but that’s another story.

But let’s dive into how Disney is helping pay for Universal Parks…and why.

Hulu Purchase

Disney+ has been less than successful for The Walt Disney Company. Due to its lackluster performance and revenue, the company has been looking for ways to make it profitable.

Disney’s purchase of Fox in 2019 granted them majority ownership of Hulu. Disney has owned 2/3 of Hulu for the past few years, with Comcast owning the remaining 1/3. Comcast gave Disney control of the app and essentially became a silent partner…with plans to sell Disney that last 1/3 in 2024.

Related: Disney Officially Buying Complete Control of Hulu

Although a final price was not decided, Comcast and Disney agreed that a minimum price would be $8.6 billion (which was paid on December 1).

Disney Paying For Universal Parks?

In other words, about two weeks ago, Disney gave Comcast $8.6 billion. And as some may or may not know, Comcast owns Universal theme parks. And what is Universal Parks doing? They are spending a few billion to construct Epic Universe in Florida and half a billion on the new Universal Kids Resort in Texas.

So, while Disney scrambles to finance its acquisition of Hulu, Comcast Universal is sinking billions into its newest theme parks and expansions.

Related: Families Are Flocking to Universal, Finding Disney World ‘Too Complicated’

The Hulu money may also be helping fund the Donkey Kong expansion to the Universal Studios Japan theme park.

Some Disney fanatics would much rather see Disney spend that $8.6 billion investing in its own theme parks (or building a fifth gate in Orlando…or a third gate at Disneyland).

But what do you think?