MCA, parent of the Universal Pictures film studio, and a British leisure group signed an agreement to build a $2 billion resort and theme park next to their Universal Studios movie theme park in Florida.
MCA, owned by Seagram Co. of Canada, will manage the park, expected to be completed by mid-1999.
Rank Organisation of London and MCA are 50-50 partners in the Universal Studios movie theme park in Orlando, which is also managed by MCA. The British group and MCA had previously said they planned to build a second park but had released few details.
The resort, Universal City Florida, will feature a theme park called Universal’s Island of Adventure, an “entertainment zone” and up to four hotels.
The park will have five islands with themes including Jurassic Park, based on Steven Spielberg’s dinosaur movie released by Universal Pictures in 1993; “Seuss Landing,” based on the world of children’s author Dr Seuss; Marvel Comics Superheroes Spiderman and the X-men and Popeye and his fellow “Sweethaven” cartoon residents.
The 12-acre entertainment zone will include themed restaurants, nightclubs, a 16-screen, 5,000-seat movie theater and retail shops.
