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Universal Kids Resort

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Universal Kids Resort
The Universal Kids Resort sign, with the main hotel and gates to the theme park in the background
Map
Interactive map of Universal Kids Resort
LocationUniversal Kids Resort, Frisco, Texas, United States
Coordinates33°11′33″N 96°49′59″W / 33.192469°N 96.833137°W / 33.192469; -96.833137
StatusOperating
OpenedJuly 1, 2026; 2 months ago (July 1, 2026)
OwnerNBCUniversal (Comcast)
Operated byUniversal Destinations & Experiences
Theme
Area32-acre (13 ha)
WebsiteOfficial website

Universal Kids Resort is a 32-acre (13 ha) children's theme park and entertainment resort in Frisco, Texas, United States. Limited test operation started on June 24, 2026, before it fully opened on July 1, 2026. It is the sixth Universal Studios Resort, and the third in the United States. The park features several themed areas based on Gabby's Dollhouse, Trolls, Shrek (also Puss in Boots), Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Despicable Me.

History

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On January 11, 2023, Universal Parks & Resorts announced a "new concept"-styled resort, geared towards families with children.[1] On March 8, 2023, Universal Parks & Resorts changed their name to Universal Destinations & Experiences.[2] Construction began on the theme park in Frisco, Texas, in November 2023,[3][4] with an estimated cost of around $550 million.[5] On December 1, 2023, the name of the resort was revealed to be Universal Kids Resort.[3] The resort encompasses 32 acres (13 ha) of land and a 5-story, 300-room hotel.[6][7]

In February 2024, Moss Utilities LLC was hired as the utilities contractor for the park.[8] On June 1, 2024, the park was expected to open in June 2026.[4][5][9] In November 2024, the park was estimated to open by May 2026, in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which occurred in the region.[10] The main road to the resort, Universal Parkway, was expected to open in 2024, with an estimated cost of around $12.94 million.[11][12] By January 2025, the road was then projected to open later in the year.[13] By February 2026, the park was set to open in late 2026.[14] On May 28, 2026, it was announced that the park would open on July 1, 2026, with the names of the lands revealed.[15] The park also opened on the same day as Universal Pictures's Minions & Monsters.[15][16] The park had an early preview on June 24.[17]

Lands and attractions

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Universal Kids Resort consists of seven themed lands. In clockwise order from entry, the themed lands are based on Gabby's Dollhouse, Trolls, Shrek, Puss in Boots, Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, SpongeBob SquarePants,[a] and Despicable Me.[18][19] The themed lands consist of swing rides, a river rapids ride, an aerial carousel, a rockin' tug, and two roller coasters.[18]

Isle of Curiosity

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Isle of Curiosity is inspired by DreamWorks Animation's Gabby's Dollhouse series.

TrollsFest

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TrollsFest is inspired by DreamWorks Animation's Trolls franchise.

Attraction Date opened Manufacturer Model
Rhonda's Trollfest Express July 1, 2026 Zierer Force 190[20]
Hair in the Clouds Zamperla Samba Tower

Shrek's Swamp

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Shrek's Swamp is inspired by DreamWorks Animation's Shrek franchise.

Attraction Date opened Manufacturer Model
Shrek & Fiona's Happily Ogre After July 1, 2026 Zamperla Convoy

Puss in Boots Del Mar

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Puss in Boots Del Mar is inspired by DreamWorks Animation's Puss in Boots films.

Attraction Date opened Manufacturer Model
Swings Over Del Mar July 1, 2026 Zamperla Flying Carousel

Jurassic World Adventure Camp

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Jurassic World Adventure Camp is inspired by Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation's Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous series.

Attraction Date opened Manufacturer Model
Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster[21][22] July 1, 2026 Mack Rides YoungSTAR[23]
Mr. DNA's Double Helix Spin Metallbau Emmeln Flying Wheels
Pteranodrop Zamperla Jumping Towers

SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom

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SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom is inspired by Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants series. As of 2026, it is the only section in the park to be based on a licensed property.

Attraction Date opened Manufacturer Model
Barnacle Bus July 1, 2026 Zamperla Rockin' Tug
Bobbing Barrels Zamperla Watermania
Jellyfish Fields Jamboree Zamperla Aero Top Jet
Mrs. Puff's Boating School Zierer Roundabout

Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club

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Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club is inspired by Illumination's Despicable Me franchise.

Attraction Date opened Manufacturer Model
Bello Bay Cruise July 1, 2026 Hafema Wild Raft
Bello Bay Golf Cart Derby Zamperla Demolition Derby

Hotel

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Universal Kids Resort features one official on-site hotel, which is located in front of the entrance to the park.

Name Opening date Number of rooms
Universal Kids Resort HotelJuly 1, 2026[15]300[7]

Critical reception

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The announcement of Universal Kids Resort was met with local enthusiasm yet upon opening was immediately criticized by visitors, with many finding the park cheaply designed, utilitarian, and generally falling well below the standards of theming within other Universal parks.[24] Many reviews also criticize the park for lacking appropriate shade while being situated in Texas, while other reviews described it as "ugly, underthemed ... barren concrete stretches" that overall reflect "a type of cheapness and tackiness".[25]

Notes

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References

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  1. ↑ "Universal Brings Kids Theme Park to Frisco". Universal Parks & Resorts. January 9, 2023. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  2. ↑ White, Abbey (March 8, 2023). "Universal Parks Rebrands Division Name As It Broadens Focus". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  3. 1 2 Wong, Kathleen (December 1, 2023). "Universal Kids Resort: What we know about Universal's first theme park for young kids". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Frisco to give updates on proposed Universal theme park". CBS News. December 1, 2023. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Tsiaperas, Tasha (December 4, 2023). "Construction begins on Universal Kids Resort in Frisco". Axios. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  6. ↑ Albanese, Mike (November 7, 2024). "Ruling on potential hotel for Frisco's Universal Kids resort tabled". Star Local Media. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  7. 1 2 Goldsmith, Jill (December 1, 2023). "Universal's New Texas Park For Families With Young Kids Will Have Themed Lands, A 300-Room Hotel". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  8. ↑ Adatia, Noor (February 9, 2024). "Construction of $550M Universal Kids Resort in Frisco advances with utility contractor". WFAA. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  9. ↑ "New Drone Footage of Universal Kids Resort In Frisco Construction Progress, Expected To Open In June 2026". Theme Park Tourist. June 1, 2024. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  10. ↑ Gupta, Aayush (November 26, 2024). "Universal Kids Resort shoots out of ground in Frisco". WFAA. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  11. ↑ Douty, Samantha (July 19, 2024). "Universal Parkway, Frisco Street projects move toward 2024 completion". Community Impact. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  12. ↑ Reece, Alex (May 16, 2024). "Universal Parkway set to open before 2025". Community Impact. Archived from the original on January 22, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Frisco drivers to see less traffic as Universal Parkway nears completion". CBS News. January 24, 2025. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  14. ↑ Tsiaperas, Tasha; Rajwani-Dharsi, Naheed (February 26, 2026). "Universal Kids Resort drops new teaser". Axios. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 Kennedy, Alice (May 28, 2026). "BREAKING: Universal Kids Resort Announces Opening Date - WDWNT". WDW News Today. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  16. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 10, 2025). "Universal Delays 'Shrek 5', Moves Up 'Minions 3' & More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 11, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  17. ↑ Kolenovsky, Zoe (June 10, 2026). "Universal Kids Resort will open early for 'preview' with discounted tickets". Dallas News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2026. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  18. 1 2 Taylor, Blake (February 21, 2025). "Universal Kids theme park in Texas: All lands revealed". Attractions Magazine. Archived from the original on January 13, 2026. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  19. ↑ Ace, Shannen (February 21, 2025). "BREAKING: 6 Themed Lands Confirmed for Universal Kids Resort Opening in 2026". WDWNT. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Rhonda's Trollfest Express Goes Vertical at Universal Kids Resort". Diservations. May 9, 2025. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  21. ↑ Waltz, Kendall (March 13, 2025). "Name Revealed for New Coaster Coming to Universal's Texas Theme Park". All Ears. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  22. ↑ Ace, Shannen (March 13, 2025). "Universal Files Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster Trademark, Likely for Universal Kids Resort". WDWNT. Archived from the original on March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Mack Rides' Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster Coming to Universal Kids Resort". Diservations. May 5, 2025. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  24. ↑ Reid, Caroline. "How To Fix Universal Kids Resort". Forbes. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  25. ↑ Sundstrom, Jacob. "Universal Kids Resort: What were they thinking?". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
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