ORLANDO, Fla. – After months of rumors and speculation, Universal announced on Thursday in an earnings call that it is "looking at" creating a fourth theme park in Orlando.
NBCUniversal CEO Stephen Burke discussed the potential for a fourth park in Orlando during Comcast's second-quarter 2018 earnings call.
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"In terms of as a new gate in Florida, we are looking at it. We filed, basically, a name registration,” Burke said. “We have a lot of great (intellectual property). We love the theme park business, it’s one of our best, most-consistent businesses, and we think we have a very long runway. Another gate in Florida would have the advantage of turning Florida from a two- or three-day destination to potentially a week-long destination. We think that that would be attractive."
Universal last month trademarked the name “Fantastic Worlds” for use in amusement parks.
The potential theme park could be developed on Universal-owned property at Universal Boulevard and Destination Parkway, near the Orange County Convention Center.
In 1998, Universal’s previous owners bought the same land then sold it in 2003 due to financial lows, but now Universal is buying it back.
UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management professor Dr. Duncan Dickson said a new park could bring thousands of jobs and more tourists to the area.
"Their intention is to create a place where you don’t have to leave their property to spend your vacation," Dickson said.