[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.
In May 1993, Universal CityWalk opened outside the gates of the theme park, featuring 65 entertainment-themed restaurants, nightclubs, shops, and entertainment spots.
Approximately 415 acres (168 ha) is within and around the surrounding area of Universal City, including its theme park and the film studio adjacent nearby.
The new water park consists of 18 attractions, including slides, two lazy rivers and raft rides.
The land it currently sits on is 20 hectares (49 acres) in size, which occupies the easternmost part of the 49-hectare (120-acre) Resorts World Sentosa, and is marketed as a "one-of-its-kind theme park in Asia".
It features rides and attractions themed primarily to Universal-owned movies, TV shows, animation, and music, and as well as licensed properties from other companies (e.g. Warner Bros., etc.).
Unlike Universal's temporary Halloween Horror Nights events, this building will be a permanent and year-round fixture.
Occupying a 110,000 square-foot space, this new Universal experience is an innovative, creative complement to Area15's roots in experiential art and entertainment.
The park, to be constructed in Frisco, Texas, will feature immersive themed lands and celebrate Universal's brand of entertainment, innovation, and characters.
[30] On December 19, 2023, Universal Destinations & Experiences confirmed that 480 acres (190 ha) of land had been purchased in Bedford, United Kingdom for potential theme park development.
The project, already in its advanced stage, will have two new railway stations, with Kempston Hardwick's moved further south to the entrance with its level crossing replaced with a bridge, flat car parks, a better road connection with the A421 and improvements to Junction 13 of the M1, and the location of the park with its Street Area and four original restaurants and 500-bed hotel within the southern section of the bought land, with the park starting off similar in size to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe, but would later expand to be the size of Universal Studios Japan, which doesn't include the northern section by the lake which will be reserved for temporary buildings and future projects.
[37][35] The setbacks and financial woes of Euro Disney Resort influenced the realization that this project would not succeed.
The group preferred to be the buyer of an already established park, and Universal Studios bought 37% of Port Aventura's shares in June 1998.
[40][50][51] In 2002, two hotels and a water park (Costa Caribe) were constructed, and the resort was rebranded as 'Universal Mediterranea' the same year.
In March 1987, Spielberg signed on to be a creative consultant for Universal theme parks when the Music Corporation of America (MCA)—then 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.
[56] The director also got the opportunity to trigger a June 2017 exit deal clause and collect a lump sum payment equal to the value of the contracts.
[56] The deal also prevents any film Spielberg worked as a director to go to any rival theme park but Universal;[57] the exception is the Indiana Jones movies, which Spielberg directed, but with the story entirely created, written, and held by his long-time friend George Lucas, who regularly worked with Disney Experiences as their creative consultant for attractions like Star Tours, Captain EO, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Extraterrorestrial Alien Encounter.