Frisco City Council Approves Universal Theme Park

The Frisco City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a zoning proposal that would make way for the Universal Theme Park.

The theme park, which will be built by parent company NBC 5, will be located near the Dallas North Tollway and Panther Creek Parkway.

The proposed park has been the subject of several public meetings and even some repulse by worried residents including people who live close to the area.

Jonathan Hubbard, Frisco’s planning and zoning manager, spoke at a joint meeting of the Frisco City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission.

He told council members that the theme park was for children aged 3 to 11. Residents say this is an older age group than they were originally told.

According to Hubbard, the theme park will need to meet city noise and lighting requirements. Opening hours vary, but the ride can open as early as 8am and close as late as 10pm.

The height limits for the theme park and hotel also differ and may require additional board approval, but may exceed 100 feet or 10 floors.

The city provided a traffic comparison for what the land is already zoned for as a commercial mixed-use residential development and as an outdoor theme park. According to the city, the theme park is expected to receive 7,000 weekday visitors versus 28,000 weekday visitors in high-rise buildings, restaurants and retail space. The number of weekend theme park visitors will double.

City officials say there is more weekday traffic at HEB and Stonebriar Mall than Universal expects.

The current plan is for park construction to begin later this year on what is currently a vacant field on the east side of the Dallas North Tollway, immediately north of the Panther Creek property. The park is expected to open in 2026.

The proposed project size is 97 acres. Thus, the size of the park will be just under half of the Six Flags Over Texas park in Arlington.

Universal Parks and Resorts, part of NBC 5’s parent company, hasn’t released specific details about the park, but company officials say it will have traditional offerings like rides, shows and food, as well as meet and greets with characters from Universal properties. , movies and shows – like Minions or Shrek.

The visualization of the park, which was shown when it was announced in January, showed a lush border with a front entrance that opens onto the lagoon. From there, guests can travel in several directions to visit the theme areas of the park.