There’s a theme brewing in the North Texas real estate sector—theme parks, that is.
Dallas-Fort Worth is getting another kid-friendly attraction with the announcement that a Peppa Pig Theme Park will open in 2024 in the Tarrant County city of North Richland Hills.
The news came on the same day that Frisco’s city council approved zoning for a Universal Theme Park designed for families with young children.
The North Richland Hills location will be the second Peppa Pig Theme Park in the nation, with the first located in Florida.
Third area theme park from Merlin Entertainments
Merlin Entertainments, which has an established presence in North Texas, has a licensing agreement with global entertainment leader Hasbro, owner of the Peppa Pig brand, to build and operate Peppa Pig attractions, which are aimed at the preschool market. Merlin is a global leader in location-based entertainment with brands including LEGOLAND, Madame Tussauds, and SEA LIFE Aquariums.
“Merlin’s platform and reach continues to grow in the U.S. as we build on the success of the world’s first standalone Peppa Pig Theme Park in Florida. Given the incredible success of our LEGOLAND Discovery Center and SEA LIFE Aquarium in Grapevine, Texas, the North Richland Hills community was a natural next step in our expansion and rollout,” Merlin Entertainments CEO Scott O’Neil said in a statement. “Merlin is the definitive partner of choice for brands engaging children, holding the research, care, experience and interest in bringing iconic brands to life through location-based attractions. Thank you to our friends at Hasbro for partnering with us to bring the playful world of Peppa Pig to this vibrant community.”
Designed to be the ultimate theme park experience for little ones, the all-new standalone Peppa Pig theme park in North Richland Hills will feature multiple rides, interactive attractions, themed playscapes, and shows, all based on recognizable locations from the brand that’s popular around the world, Merlin said.
‘A destination for family fun’
Merlin said that families will meet Peppa and her friends as they snort, giggle, and play to build their first theme park memories together.
“The success of the Peppa Pig Theme Park has been phenomenal, and we are excited to embark on the journey again with our friends at Merlin to bring another park to the city of North Richland Hills,” Matt Proulx, VP of location-based entertainment at Hasbro, said in a statement. “Adding another Peppa Pig Theme Park for fans to experience continues our Blueprint 2.0 strategy of offering more meaningful ways for families to engage with our brands. We cannot wait for more guests to create lifelong memories with Peppa and her friends.”
North Richland Hills Mayor Oscar Trevino said the theme park adds to the city’s reputation as a family destination.
“North Richland Hills is known for its family-friendly amenities and activities and we could not be more thrilled to add Peppa Pig Theme Park to the mix. This will be a great addition to our community,” Trevino said. “Conveniently located next door to NRH2O Family Water Park, Peppa Pig Theme Park will bring more energy to an area already known as a destination for family fun. I’m certain it will provide unforgettable entertainment that keeps families coming back again and again.”
Universal plans Frisco theme park
Universal Parks & Resorts announced in January that it aims to capture a whole new generation of fans with its “one-of-a-kind” theme park in Frisco.
Calling the planned park “unlike any other in the world,” Universal said it is designing it specifically for families with young children.
The new park concept—set in a “lush green landscape featuring immersive themed lands”—will bring well-known Universal characters and stories to life “in ways that will wow even the youngest theme park goers,” the company said.
The company recently purchased 97 acres of land east of the Dallas North Tollway and north of Panther Creek Parkway in Frisco. The parcel will provide room for the new “regional” sized park, an adjacent themed hotel, and future expansion. While the park will be smaller in size than the company’s other larger theme parks, Universal says it will “carry the same quality.”
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R E A D N E X T
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Universal Parks & Resorts is planning a new theme park concept "unlike any other in the world"—and it aims to build it right here in North Texas. The proposed park will be sited within 97 acres of land Universal recently purchased in Frisco, and will target "a whole new generation of fans" on a more intimate scale than larger Universal parks. An adjacent themed hotel will be also be part of Frisco's newest attraction.
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