Universal Studios in Orlando confirmed Monday that the company has finalized the $27.5 million purchase of 100 acres of vacant land along West Sand Lake Road.
Universal has been mum on what the land may be used for in the future and would not say if it would be used to build a new theme park in Central Florida like Islands of Adventure or Volcano Bay.
In recent years, purchases of land and revamping of current theme parks has been a common practice for Universal Studios as it works to accelerate its competition with Central Florida mainstay Disney World.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Related stories:
Wet 'n Wild to close its doors permanently Saturday
City staff approve Universal's plans for old Wet 'N Wild site
Two large hotels are planned at the site of Universal’s Wet ‘n Wild, which was replaced by Volcano Bay in May.
The most recent land purchase on West Sand Lake Road joins a nearby 470-acre, $130 million purchase made by Universal nearly two years ago.
When Channel 9 reached out to the company for comment Monday, representatives would only say they were “excited for the future.”
icFlorida attraction expert Shelley Caron said that Universal is committed to adding a large attraction every year and the additional land gives the company the space it needs to do that.
How the space is utilized, though, is key, she said.
"They need to hone in on making an experience that's really family friendly," Caron said. "You've got a lot of big attractions and then you do have some family attractions. But really, the draw are things that are for older children."
Cox Media Group
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/BNFJWY7KSJHWJDTQ67DZYV5FGY.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/POUP6PICARG6VAHN44FO7OWGKE.PNG)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LQTC5VLK2VDLVOYEH7YQ3WFIQE.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/VJUHROMDQVHPDA34Z2O3S2UGJU.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/Y7WCEYBRQNHP5MUJK5VR7JLRXQ.png)