LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - It won't be long before you can make your way to a Universal theme park that is much closer than Orlando, Florida.

According to reports, Universal is working on a park that will open in the next couple of years in East Texas, which isn't too far a drive for those of us in Louisiana.

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The new park will be called "Universal Kids Resort, and sit on 97 acres of land in Frisco, Texas - near the Dallas area. The park, according to one report, is expected to be completed in 2026.

"The city of Dallas said the park is expecting to bring in 7,000 guests on a weekday and 14,000 on weekends," the website AllEars.net reported. "We also know that the park will have rides, shows, a hotel, and character meet and greets that are all geared toward kids and families. It’s meant to be a 1-2 day destination, so no weeklong vacations here!"

More, via the website:

  • It’ll be a family-focused resort

  • It’ll be on 97 acres of land (ultimately it’ll end up being around 1/4 the size of the parks in Orlando)

  • You’ll find it in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas (on the east side of the Dallas North Tollway near Panther Creek Parkway)

  • It’ll have rides, shows, and a hotel

  • There will also be character meet-and-greets tied to films and TV properties like Minions and Shrek

  • It’s meant to be a 1-2 day destination

Here's a look at what we can expect.

It's a big deal for the East Texas area, and for a lot of us looking for a solid theme park that isn't too far away, a Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, is not that bad a drive.

If you're looking for something to do that is a bit more local, though...

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Gallery Credit: Joe Cunningham

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