by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:45 AM ET, Wed November 1, 2017
The Universal Orlando Resort purchased an additional 101 acres of land that many believe could be used for a massive theme-park expansion project.
According to WESH.com, the new purchase of 101 acres for $27.5 million was announced Thursday and will be in addition to the 475 acres Universal previously purchased in December 2015 around the Sand Lake Road area.
Per the Orlando Sentinel, Universal also filed a plan in court to add for 2,451 overflow parking spaces on the 475-acre vacant lot along Destination Parkway near the Orange County Convention Center.
In total, Universal now owns more than 570 acres of land to use for expansions, which is more space than Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, CityWalk and several hotels combined.
"They need to hone in on making an experience that's really family friendly," icFlorida attraction expert Shelley Caron told WFTV.com. "You've got a lot of big attractions and then you do have some family attractions. But really, the draw are things that are for older children."
While Universal officials have not announced their intentions with the land, the company's continued focus on purchasing property in the Orlando area indicates it is working to further compete with theme park king, Walt Disney World.
In addition to the land purchases, Universal announced plans to build two large hotels near the Volcano Bay water park, one of the newest and most exciting attractions to arrive in the Central Florida theme park region over the last several years.
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