On March 7th, 2023, the Frisco City Council approved the Special Use Permit (SUP) for a 97-acre outdoor commercial amusement venue on the northeast corner of Dallas Parkway and Panther Creek Parkway. Get the answers to all the FAQs regarding this exciting project:
Is There a Universal Studios Theme Park Coming to Frisco, Texas?
Yes! Universal Studios' new park will be located off the Dallas North Tollway and Panther Creek Parkway in the Fields development in North Frisco. There will be a dedicated exit off the tollway, directing traffic away from existing luxury apartments near Universal Frisco and including natural sound barriers for the comfort of nearby residents.
When is it going to open?
The Universal Studios Frisco theme park will be built by the parent company of NBC 5 with a projected inauguration date of 2026. Working hours were confirmed to be 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except for hotel guests and annual pass holders, who may be able to enjoy a preferential opening time at 8:00 a.m. Closing time will not be later than 9:00 p.m., except for up to 20 days per year, like holidays and special events, when the park may close at 10:00 p.m.
How big will Universal Studios Frisco be?
The development is 97.4 acres, just less than half the size of Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, and the footprint is projected to be 1/4 of the size of Universal Orlando Resort. According to the site plan, around 30 acres are dedicated to the theme park area, and additional acres will be used for parking, further expansions, and an adjacent themed 300-room resort. This new addition to the Universal Studios parks roster is expected to welcome 7,000 visitors on weekdays and double on weekends, which is still less traffic than what H-E-B and Stonebriar Mall get on a regular day.
Is Universal Frisco geared only for kids?
This is an all-new, unique park in the Universal catalog, explicitly designed for families with young children. As seen on this park render, different themed lands will be designed to be more intimate and engaging for children ages 3 to 11. They have also committed to keeping a lush green landscape at each themed land.
What attractions will this park have?
Expect it to have a different look, feel, and scale than Universal’s existing parks. In part due to the limited space and also to respect the peaceful, family-friendly environment of Frisco, there will be less focus on massive roller coasters. Instead, the offer is state-of-the-art technological attractions for immersive indoor entertainment, maintaining Universal’s iconic brand of fun and captivating storytelling.
Will there be a Harry Potter section?
Universal Parks and Resorts hasn’t officially announced any details. However, we know they will have traditional offerings like rides, shows, and food. There will also be meet and greets with characters from popular Universal properties, films, and shows, like Minions or Shrek.
This is an exciting addition to many fun, family-friendly things to do in the city. The area is ripe with great options of Frisco apartments near golf courses, worth looking into if you’re interested in settling in this up-and-coming neighborhood.