Comcast on billion-dollar ride to expand Universal theme parks

Comcast is pouring billions into Universal Orlando and a sister property in California, opening major attractions and resort hotels at breakneck speed, and visitors are flooding the gates as a result. But is Comcast moving too fast?

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Universal theme-park chain was the last thing Comcast was interested in when it bought NBCUniversal four years ago. Endless upkeep? Endless spending on new rides? Endless anxiety about public safety?

Thanks, but no thanks. Some analysts predicted a speedy sale.

Instead, Comcast did an about-face, identifying Universal Orlando in particular as a growth engine and spending $100 million to build a “Transformers” ride here in 2013.

Still, there was…