Universal Gets Go Ahead to Build New Park, And Residents Aren’t Happy

Back in January, Universal announced that they were going to build a brand-new theme park, one that would focus on families with young children. The Park would be completely different from anything Universal had built. While each Universal theme park — like the ones in Hollywood, California, and Orlando, Florida — has an area for children, this new Park will be focused solely on younger Guests. This new theme park will be built in a place many have thought perfect in the past — Texas. Specifically, Frisco, Texas.

While many families are excited to hear about a theme park that will cater to their young ones, the people of Frisco, Texas, are not fans of the idea. Residents are worried about what a theme park will do to the area — specifically for traffic and home values. However, the local government wants to move full steam ahead with the Park.

According to reports, the Frisco City Council approved the plans for the new theme park.

After a long meeting, the highly anticipated theme park was approved during a special joint city council meeting with the Frisco Planning and Zoning Commission. Planning and Zoning voted unanimously to push the Specific Use Permit (SUP) for Universal Studios to the council’s approval. 

The city council, including Mayor Jeff Cheney, voted 4-2 to allow the theme park in Frisco…

Council voted to approve the request for the SUP for a 97.4-acre outdoor commercial amusement venue on the northeast corner of Dallas Parkway and Panther Creek Parkway. Thirty acres are dedicated to the theme park area and additional acres will be used for parking and hotel space. 

The city council also voted to enter a development agreement among FTNV Corp, the City of Frisco, Texas, the Frisco Economic Development Corporation and the Frisco Community Development Corporation for the park. 

According to those who were at the vote, residents tried to fight the new Park, but were unsuccessful. Residents want the council and Universal to be more transparent about what will happen with the project. They also want to know how the theme park will affect traffic in the area, especially since the Park will be built incredibly close to homes in the area.

For anyone curious: This isn’t going well for the city and Universal. This will pass but the residents want ZERO part of this.

For anyone curious: This isn't going well for the city and Universal. This will pass but the residents want ZERO part of this.

— Mike Albanese (@Malbanese1922) March 8, 2023

At this time, we only have limited details about the new theme park. We do know that the Park will be full of family-friendly attractions, character meet and greets, specialty food and merchandise, interactive shows, and more. Universal has also said that the theme park’s hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but they will vary based on the time of year (holidays and summer especially), as well as the Park’s demand.

Universal has promised that the Park will not open before 9 a.m. (8 a.m. for hotel Guests and Annual Passholders) and will not close later than 9 p.m. However, there are 20 days on the calendar when the theme park will be allowed to remain open until 10 p.m.