Universal Destinations & Experiences (UD&X),[5] formerly Universal Parks & Resorts, is the theme park unit of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast.[6]
The company, headquartered in Orlando, Florida operates Universal theme parks and resort properties around the world. Universal Destinations & Experiences is widely known for its wide range of attractions, themed lands, and other experiences that draw inspiration from popular classic and modern pop culture icons and intellectual properties in various media, both from NBCUniversal and third-party companies across all Universal parks.
History
The origins of Universal Destinations & Experiences date back to the 1910s, beginning as a studio tour at the Universal Studios Lot in Universal City, California, before expanding into themed entertainment and resort destinations worldwide. In 1915, Carl Laemmle allowed the public to enter Universal City and observe films in production for a 25-cent admission fee, representing the first step to the theme park attractions that would later develop.[7] By the early 1960s, studio tours run by tour bus companies had become a recurring attraction.[7]
In 1964, Universal Studios Hollywood formalized the Studio Tour as an organized visitor experience, with purpose-built trams, parking, and food facilities. The tours offered guests a behind-the-scenes look at motion picture production, setting the stage for the park's gradual expansion into a full-fledged theme park. Its success paved the way for additional parks in Florida and overseas.
In 2024, approximately 59 million guests visited Universal Studios theme parks, making it the fourth largest amusement park operator in the world.[8] The company operates four theme parks in the United States — Universal Studios Hollywood and the three parks at Universal Orlando Resort — as well as parks in Japan and Beijing. Its brand is licensed for Universal Studios Singapore. The Orlando Resort also includes the Universal Volcano Bay water park. Two additional Universal theme parks are currently under development: Universal Kids Resort, scheduled to open in May 2026, and Universal Studios Great Britain, planned for 2031.
On March 8, 2023, Universal Parks & Resorts announced it was rebranding as Universal Destinations & Experiences.[9][10] The company's newest theme park, Universal Epic Universe, opened in May 2025.
Current theme parks
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood became the first Universal Studios theme park when it opened its doors on July 15, 1964, long after it was originated as a studio tour in 1915, after the Universal original founder, Carl Laemmle, opened Universal City, California near Los Angeles. In May 1993, Universal CityWalk opened outside the gates of the theme park, featuring 65 entertainment-themed restaurants, nightclubs, shops, and entertainment spots. It also contains Universal Cinema operated by AMC Theatres, offering 19 screens including an IMAX Theatre and stadium-style seating. Approximately 415 acre is within and around the surrounding area of Universal City, including its theme park and the film studio adjacent nearby.
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort (formerly called Universal Studios Florida) opened to the public on June 7, 1990, in Orlando, Florida, starting with Universal Studios Florida. It features themed areas and attractions based on the film industry.
Future theme parks and experiences
Universal Kids Resort
On January 11, 2023, Universal also announced a "new concept"-styled theme park, geared towards families with children. The park, to be constructed in Frisco, Texas, will feature immersive themed lands and celebrate Universal's brand of entertainment, innovation, and characters.[36][37] On December 1, 2023, the name of the resort was officially revealed as "Universal Kids Resort", while construction began by November 2023.[38] The park is expected to open in late 2026.[39]
Universal Studios Delhi
In May 2025, it was announced that a 300,000 square-foot (or 7 acre) entertainment and retail hub will be built at
Cancelled and former parks
Cancelled
Following the establishment of Disney in Europe with the construction of Euro Disney Resort, Universal Studios Recreation Group considered construction of its own park in Europe between the late 1980s and early 1990s. The work was being considered for a site located in either Paris or London.[54] The Rainham Marshes site in east London is abandoned, and later became the Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve. The French state was much more willing to offer tax advantages for the establishment of a park on its territory.[55] A site in Sénart was chosen, the plans were drawn up, and the land was purchased at agricultural prices in 1971.[56][57] They covered 1300 acre of arable land in Combs-la-Ville. The theme park's construction was planned to commence in 1996, and consist of: a theme park mostly based on
Theme park attractions and lands
Universal Studios incorporates replicas of attractions and lands in multiple parks around the world. The pages linked above contain comprehensive lists of the attractions and lands at Universal theme parks. Most of the attractions and lands are based on Universal licenses and other licensed properties.
Steven Spielberg's relationship with Universal Destinations & Experiences
Director Steven Spielberg has a long-time collaboration with Universal Destinations & Experiences due to his relationship with Universal Studios while working as a Universal intern staff in the late 1960s as well as the films he directed or produced for the studio, such as Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Back to the Future, The Land Before Time, Jurassic Park and Schindler's List. In March 1987, Spielberg signed on to be a creative consultant for Universal theme parks when the Music Corporation of America (MCA) owner of Universal Studios was planning to build its first full-fledged theme park in Orlando in an effort to compete with Walt Disney World.[72] Universal Parks Chairman and CEO Thomas L. Williams stated in regards to praising the Universal Creative team and a few popular people for the new Florida park:
"Take, for example, Steven Spielberg. He was the creative consultant on our first [full] theme park, Universal Studios Florida. Steve was the guy who came up with that park's core concept, that we were going to put our Guests in their favorite scene from their favorite film. Ride the Movies, if you will.[73]"
Universal Products & Experiences
Universal Products & Experiences is the consuner products & brand licensing division of Universal Destinations & Experiences that manages the global expansion of its IP portfolio through consumer products, games, and retail experiences. It creates merchandise, toys, apparel, and digital initiatives based on brands & franchises such as Jurassic Park, Minions, and horror properties.
In May 2006, Universal Studios Consumer Products Group established its mobile entertainment unit named Universal Mobile Entertainment, the new mobile entertainment division would handle mobile publishing based on Universal Pictures' IP franchises alongside NBCUniversal's television franchises such as Battlestar Galactica for mobile platforms, Jeremy Laws who was Universal Studios Consumer Products Group's licensing executive had been named senior VP of the new mobile unit.[76][77]
In May 2009, Universal Studios Consumer Products Group was merged with Universal Studios' fellow division Universal Studios Partnerships to form one consumer products & licensing division that all of the studio’s consumer product licensing, film and home entertainment promotions and corporate alliances for Universal's theatrical, home entertainment, theme parks and stage productions alongside licensing consumer products within the group aa the former being renamed into Universal Partnerships and Licensing. Universal Studios Partnership header Stephanie Sperber assumed the title role of the merged consumer products division as executive VP, whilst senior VP Amy Taylor would oversee Universal Partnerships & Licensing's North American promotions, worldwide licensing and retail development; it would rebrand themselves to Universal Brand Development by 2016.
See also
- Universal's Halloween Horror Nights
- Incidents at Universal parks
- List of properties at Universal Destinations & Experiences
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Fright Nights
- LEGOLAND
External links
References
- {{Official website|http://themeparks.universalstudios.com}}^
- Comcast to Buy Rest of Universal Studios Japan for $2.3 Billion Bloomberg L.P., February 28, 2017^
- Congratulations Universal Studios Hollywood Tram Tour 50 Years Old Today MiceChat, 2014-07-15, retrieved 2016-03-29^