Frisco Approves SUP For Proposed Universal Theme Park Along Dallas North Tollway in 4-2 Vote

Frisco City Council approved a special use permit on Tuesday, clearing the way for Universal to move forward with its planned theme park at Panther Creek Parkway and Dallas North Tollway.

Planning and zoning approved the item unanimously but the city ouncil approved the SUP by a 4-2 vote. One council member requested the item be tabled. The city announced Universal would need to open by June 2026 as part of a $12.7 million incentive package that spans over a 10-year period.

Assistant City Manager Ben Brezina said Universal would also need to comply with the SUP and report capital expenditures of $415 million in phase 1 and $135 million in phase 2 to be eligible for the incentive package.

Brezina also touted the economic impact of the deals saying, the city may see $16.7 million in hotel tax and $8.3 million in sales tax over the first 10 years.

“Dog and pony show”

Numerous residents spoke during the meeting, the vast majority opposing the plan.

Notably, Frisco business owner John Pavle called the meeting a “dog and pony show,” saying the council is being “condescending” and it is an “insult to his intelligence” when city officials say this is a small project.

“The size of the city that we are in and the process this has gone through is embarrassing … this major project that has been shoved down our throats,” Pavle said.

Two audience members requested the city table voting on the theme park to continue to address residents’ concerns and provide more information to the city.

“Please give us time,” said Cobb Hill resident Lance Taylor.

Frisco resident Emily Rottenberg also requested the item be tabled, noting that 95 of the 97 respondents opposed the project in the city’s SUP project form.

Former city council member and Frisco ISD board member Buddy Minett was one of the few voices supporting the theme park. He called it “a great project for this location”

A One-of-a-Kind Theme Park

Universal and the city announced in January that Frisco will be home to a one-of-a-kind theme park, specifically designed for families and young children.

A release by the city says the park will feature themed lands, Universal’s brand, and characters in “ways that will wow even the youngest theme park goers.”

The park is proposed for a 97-acre plot of the Fields development along the Dallas North Tollway and Panther Creek Parkway. Universal executives say the theme park will be small, approximately half the size of Six Flags Over Texas. The park will be just one-fourth the size of Universal’s parks in Orlando and Los Angeles, though Universal has also proposed plans for an adjacent themed hotel and room for expansion.

Logistical Concerns

Senior Planner Jonathan Hubbard noted the park’s hours are reported to be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but Universal does have flexibility to alter that at their discretion.

He added operation times could vary based on peak season, holidays, and demand, and that the park could open at 9 a.m. and as early as 8 a.m. for annual pass holders or hotel guests. The park can also stay open as late as 9 p.m. and can stay open until 10 p.m. for 20 days in the calendar year for events and holidays.

Joel Fitts, Frisco’s transportation manager, said the traffic impact would be minimal and noted that surrounding developments such as Stonebriar Mall, COSTCO and HEB, have a greater impact on traffic than what is proposed by Universal.

He said a mixed-use development could generate 28,000 daily trips, which is much more than the estimated 7,600 weekday trips to the theme park. It is estimated theme park traffic on Saturdays could be as high as 14,000 visitors.

Fitts said this is still less traffic than the nearby H-E-B grocery stores, which has an average of 10,000 trips during a weekday.

John McReynolds, Universal’s SVP of External Affairs, said Tuesday that the theme park wants to “live in harmony” with the community.

“We think it’s the right fit,” he said.