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NEWS
Universal theme parks break US$1bn barrier in first quarter with staggering results
POSTED 29 Apr 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
Universal has smashed expectations with a staggering 57.5 per cent jump in theme park revenues
Prior to its acquisition of DreamWorks on 28 April, Comcast released its financial results for the first quarter of 2016, with its theme park division smashing expectations through a staggering 57.5 per cent jump in theme park revenues.

In Q1, Universal’s theme parks drew US$1.02bn (€901m, £701m) in revenue, up from US$651m (€575.3m, £447.3m) with operating cash flow for theme parks also jumping 53.6 per cent to US$375m (€331m, £257.7m), up from US$244m (€215.6m, £167.7m) in Q1 2015.

It’s been a busy period for Universal, with the opening of its new Harry Potter attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood and the acquisition of majority ownership of Universal Studios Japan, which the company acquired in late 2015.

Overall, Comcast reported a 5.3 per cent revenue increase to US$18.7bn (€16.5bn, £12.8bn) for the quarter, a rise from US$17.8bn (€15.7bn, £12.2bn) for the same period in 2015.

While Universal has been enjoying great success with its new attractions, the company is not resting on its laurels. During a conference call last year, Comcast promised one 'great attraction' a year at all Universal resorts, something it has so far lived up to with upcoming notable investments including Skull Island: The Reign of Kong for Islands of Adventure and its Volcano Bay waterpark in Orlando.

RELATED STORIES
  Comcast acquires DreamWorks as theme park giants battle for top IPs


With Comcast confirming the US$3.8bn (€3.4bn, £2.6bn) acquisition of DreamWorks, sources close to the deal say the move isn’t about acquiring its famous IPs to produce movies, rather to boost its theme park businesses and accelerate consumer products.
  Harry Potter’s magic spell yields Universal US$1bn in latest earnings report


The ongoing success of Harry Potter, in addition to Universal’s increased stake in Universal Studios Japan, has resulted in strong earnings of more than US$1bn (€896m, £683m) for parent company Comcast in its latest earnings report.
  Harry Potter drives attendance as Universal racks up record numbers for Q3


Universal has continued its theme park growth spearheaded by Harry Potter, with parent company Comcast reporting record attendance at its theme parks in Orlando and California.
  Comcast to purchase US$1.5bn majority stake in Universal Studios Japan


Comcast is set to make its largest purchase outside of the US when the entertainment conglomerate buys a majority stake in Universal Studios Japan for US$1.5bn (€1.3bn, £988m).
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
+ More news   

COMPANY PROFILES
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Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
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Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
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RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
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By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
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NEWS
Universal theme parks break US$1bn barrier in first quarter with staggering results
POSTED 29 Apr 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
Universal has smashed expectations with a staggering 57.5 per cent jump in theme park revenues
Prior to its acquisition of DreamWorks on 28 April, Comcast released its financial results for the first quarter of 2016, with its theme park division smashing expectations through a staggering 57.5 per cent jump in theme park revenues.

In Q1, Universal’s theme parks drew US$1.02bn (€901m, £701m) in revenue, up from US$651m (€575.3m, £447.3m) with operating cash flow for theme parks also jumping 53.6 per cent to US$375m (€331m, £257.7m), up from US$244m (€215.6m, £167.7m) in Q1 2015.

It’s been a busy period for Universal, with the opening of its new Harry Potter attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood and the acquisition of majority ownership of Universal Studios Japan, which the company acquired in late 2015.

Overall, Comcast reported a 5.3 per cent revenue increase to US$18.7bn (€16.5bn, £12.8bn) for the quarter, a rise from US$17.8bn (€15.7bn, £12.2bn) for the same period in 2015.

While Universal has been enjoying great success with its new attractions, the company is not resting on its laurels. During a conference call last year, Comcast promised one 'great attraction' a year at all Universal resorts, something it has so far lived up to with upcoming notable investments including Skull Island: The Reign of Kong for Islands of Adventure and its Volcano Bay waterpark in Orlando.

RELATED STORIES
Comcast acquires DreamWorks as theme park giants battle for top IPs


With Comcast confirming the US$3.8bn (€3.4bn, £2.6bn) acquisition of DreamWorks, sources close to the deal say the move isn’t about acquiring its famous IPs to produce movies, rather to boost its theme park businesses and accelerate consumer products.
Harry Potter’s magic spell yields Universal US$1bn in latest earnings report


The ongoing success of Harry Potter, in addition to Universal’s increased stake in Universal Studios Japan, has resulted in strong earnings of more than US$1bn (€896m, £683m) for parent company Comcast in its latest earnings report.
Harry Potter drives attendance as Universal racks up record numbers for Q3


Universal has continued its theme park growth spearheaded by Harry Potter, with parent company Comcast reporting record attendance at its theme parks in Orlando and California.
Comcast to purchase US$1.5bn majority stake in Universal Studios Japan


Comcast is set to make its largest purchase outside of the US when the entertainment conglomerate buys a majority stake in Universal Studios Japan for US$1.5bn (€1.3bn, £988m).
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx- Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Sally Corporation

Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS