FRISCO — Valerie Wood said when she first heard Universal was planning to build a theme park in Frisco, she thought it was a joke.

“I thought people were messing with me. We go to Disney and Universal every year. There’s no way this is real,” Wood said, recalling her thoughts on the day Universal Parks & Resorts announced purchase of a site on the Dallas North Tollway for a new, kids-focused park and hotel.

Wood was one of dozens who attended a “meet and greet” Saturday with officials from the city of Frisco and Universal Parks & Resorts.

The meeting was rescheduled a couple of times because of the icy weather.

Wood’s 8-year-old daughter Addison, who came to the meeting in her Harry Potter robe and wand, said she is excited about the park and hopes it will have a few boat rides to enjoy.

The park is a win for Frisco residents, Wood said.

“I don’t see a downside to it,” she said. “If it isn’t this, it’s going to be office buildings with traffic anyway.”

Brenda Flores, a real estate agent who lives in Frisco, said once the news hit about the park, her phone started ringing.

“I have investors reaching out, wanting to buy houses for Airbnb or rentals. I’m excited,” Flores said, adding that her two children are as well.

Frisco resident Tao Wen said her 18-year-old son was thinking like an investor when he heard the news, telling her “The price of our house will go up.”

Wen said she and her husband have concerns about heavy traffic, but otherwise are OK with a theme park in the neighborhood.

John McReynolds, senior vice president of external affairs with Universal Parks and Resorts, told those in attendance to forget everything they know about theme parks.

“I want you to take the idea of a huge mega park and pull it out of your mind and throw it away,” McReynolds said. “This is to be a family facility, that is our goal … It’s a different size, a different mindset. That’s being done intentionally.”

McReynolds took a giant yardstick to the stage to show the height that rides at the park will be suited for — children 36 inches tall. The height requirement is 52 inches for riding on a Hulk-themed roller coaster at other parks.

As for traffic concerns, which have made up the bulk of questions during past meetings, McReynolds said the park will fit in with the city’s traffic plans.

“If I crash your transportation network, I’m crashing my business,” he said. “This actually perfectly compliments the capacity your community has built into the long-range transportation plan.”

On potential crime concerns, McReynolds said Universal works with local law enforcement everywhere it has theme parks.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy. It’s what we stand for, it’s our brand,” he said.

Robert Gecker, a Frisco resident who lives in Cobb Hill, a subdivision close to where the park will be built, said having the city share information and having meetings like Saturday’s is helpful.

“There are a lot of rumors online, that’s one of the reasons we came today, to hear what they have to say,” he said. “We are agnostic to the whole thing right now. We want to gather information.”

Gecker said the park sounds fabulous, but the concept has not been proven.

“It’s a lot to process. But I am glad there is more information being shared,” he said. “They sprung this on us initially but they’ve been pretty open to answer any questions and for that we’re grateful.”

Will Russell, who lives a few miles from the proposed site, said, “It’s Frisco.”

“We need one of everything so why not,” Russell said. “And hugging the [Dallas North Tollway], it should help with any traffic issues.”

Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney said City Council has the same questions residents do about traffic and crime.

“We’re seeing the public transition much like we did,” Cheney said. “We were skeptical, then as we learned more, that apprehension grew to excitement. We saw that in the public today.”

Next steps

On Tuesday, Frisco City Council will have a joint meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission. During that meeting, the public will have a chance to speak about the proposal.

No vote is expected on Tuesday because the company has requested additional time to figure out development phasing, according to a city memorandum. City staff has requested the item to be tabled until the Feb. 21 meeting.