Universal Parks & Resorts introduced a brand new theme park in Texas designed for households with younger youngsters. This put up shares particulars in regards to the new regional park idea, plus our commentary about one of many \u2018big players\u2019 shifting to a smaller scale and whether or not Disney may observe swimsuit.<\/p>\n
According to Universal, the brand new child park idea is ready in a lush inexperienced panorama and options themed lands that commemorate Universal\u2019s model of leisure, humor, and innovation. The park will convey to life its beloved characters and tales in methods that may wow even the youngest theme park goers.<\/p>\n
Universal\u2019s proposed park will likely be designed to be extra intimate and interesting for youthful audiences and will likely be sized for a regional viewers. It will likely be stuffed with family-friendly points of interest, interactive and playful exhibits, character meet and greets, distinctive merchandise and enjoyable meals and beverage venues.<\/p>\n
Although smaller in dimension, it’ll nonetheless carry the identical high quality as Universal\u2019s different bigger resort locations, in line with the corporate. The idea will likely be roughly 97 acres in dimension, as in comparison with roughly 110 acres for Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.<\/p>\n
However, that\u2019s not precisely an apples to apples comparability, as a part of the 97 acres of land bought by the corporate, the proposed park additionally has plans for an adjoining themed resort and room for enlargement. The total space is meant to have a totally totally different look, really feel, and scale than Universal\u2019s current parks and can enchantment to a brand new viewers for the model.<\/p>\n
Universal Parks & Resorts chosen the town of Frisco, in North Texas, as the realm for this new idea given the town\u2019s rising inhabitants and skill to draw companies to the realm. The proposed location for the brand new idea is ideally located east of the Dallas North Tollway and north of Panther Creek Parkway.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are excited about the opportunity to partner with the city of Frisco and Mayor Cheney as we work to bring this innovative, new concept to life designed specifically for a younger generation of Universal fans,\u201d stated Page Thompson, President, New Ventures, Universal Parks & Resorts. \u201cWe think North Texas is the perfect place to launch this unique park for families given its growing popularity within this part of the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFrisco 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,\u201d stated Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney. \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Universal Parks & Resorts, extra particulars in regards to the Frisco Family Park Project will likely be revealed over time.<\/p>\n
Our Commentary<\/h3>\n In the unique press launch, Universal launched this new idea by calling it a \u201cone-of-a-kind theme park, unlike any other in the world, specifically designed to inspire fun.\u201d We deleted that line as a result of there\u2019s nothing within the idea artwork or official particulars to counsel it\u2019s true. (This isn’t any knock at Universal\u2013so much <\/em>of inaccurate or deceptive advertising and marketing puffery will get deleted from Disney releases, too.)<\/p>\nIt\u2019s powerful to say what this can find yourself being as soon as it goes from idea to actuality. Right now, it sounds so much to us like LEGOLAND, however swapping out these iconic bricks for various mental properties. Those are stable parks for what they’re, providing great enchantment and worth for households on a smaller scale.<\/p>\n
In our view, it is a good transfer by Universal. There\u2019s a ton of unhappy demand for regional theme parks from households who both don\u2019t need\u2013or can\u2019t afford\u2013to take weeklong holidays to the flagship resorts. Destination theme park complexes are usually not for everybody, and there are a number of boundaries to entry for Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World.<\/p>\n
Cost is clearly one, stamina is one other, and so is a need to dedicate trip time to theme parks. There are most likely a number of different causes many households don\u2019t take into account journeys to Central Florida\u2019s complexes. I\u2019m hardly the one to put out the argument in opposition to<\/em> visiting Orlando, as I can’t relate!<\/p>\nRegional parks are simpler as an extended weekend getaway with decrease stakes. They might not supply the identical diploma of all-ages enchantment and pleasure, however they\u2019re additionally cheaper and simpler. Lower reward, however decrease threat. In brief, they fill an essential area of interest.<\/p>\n
Disney has dabbled with regional leisure ideas prior to now, however by no means with something like this. I don’t see the Walt Disney Company taking place this path for a few causes. One is their previous failures on this entrance and deserted ideas alongside the way in which.<\/p>\n
Another is that they largely seeming to be aiming upstream, establishing Disney as a premium product. I don’t assume that positioning is in step with this strategy, a minimum of, not at current.<\/p>\n
Honestly, I\u2019m unsure whether or not this is able to be a superb enterprise transfer for Disney or not. Until sitting down to put in writing this text, it was by no means one thing I even thought-about. The upside could be that it might be one other addition to Disney\u2019s flywheel, and a solution to seize audiences that aren’t at present served by Walt Disney World or Disneyland. That\u2019s good for model consciousness and affinity, and would reinforce synergies with Disney+ and the corporate\u2019s many merchandising initiatives.<\/p>\n
The potential draw back is that it may cannibalize enterprise at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Right now, households with babies in Texas and neighboring states seemingly take costly week-long rite-of-passage journeys to Florida, spending 1000’s of {dollars} within the course of. If lots of these may \u201ccheck the box\u201d (so to talk) by visiting a considerably cheaper kiddie park for a weekend, they most likely would go for that as a substitute. (One of the issues it\u2019s essential to do when analyzing choices like that is placing your self within the sneakers of the typical American\u2013not a diehard Disney fan.)<\/p>\n
Ultimately, it\u2019ll be fascinating to see how this works out for Universal Parks & Resorts. The calculus for Comcast is sort of definitely totally different than it might be for Disney, largely as a result of Universal Orlando sometimes courts a special demographic. Its friends skew older, and are often not rite-of-passage households as is the case with Disney.\u00a0That\u2019s not the one means the 2 park operators differ; the businesses even have entry to very totally different libraries of mental property (my guess is this can find yourself being all issues DreamWorks).<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, I actually hope it is a large success for Universal Parks & Resorts. In truth, I hope\u00a0all the things\u00a0<\/em>Universal is at present doing\u2013together with each different amusement and theme park operator\u2013is a big success. Cheering for the failure of Disney\u2019s rivals will not be the easiest way to \u201cprove\u201d to the corporate that you just\u2019re a loyal, diehard fan. Rather, it\u2019s an actual doofus transfer that demonstrates you take pleasure in paying extra, enduring bigger crowds, and settling for much less. The final beneficiary of competitors is shoppers; all of us win when theme parks increase the stakes and attempt to outdo each other to courtroom prospects.<\/p>\nNeed journey planning ideas and complete recommendation in your go to to Central Florida? Make positive to learn our\u00a0Universal Orlando Planning Guide<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0for all the things about Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Also take a look at our\u00a0Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>for all the things about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra. For common updates, information & rumors, a heads up when reductions are launched, and rather more,\u00a0join our FREE e-mail e-newsletter<\/a>!<\/p>\nYOUR THOUGHTS<\/h3>\n What do you consider Universal\u2019s plan to construct a regional park geared toward households with babies in Texas? Think this will likely be a hit\u2013much like LEGOLAND? Would you prefer to see Disney construct comparable parks in Texas or different areas exterior the California and Florida markets? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Will you be trying to go to Universal Orlando or Hollywood anytime quickly? Any questions we might help you reply? Hearing your suggestions\u2013even whenever you disagree with us\u2013is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!<\/p>\n