Taking a Deep Dive into the New Universal Kids Resort

Did you know the “F” in Frisco, Texas, stands for “fun”? And did you also know that this city is the soon-to-be home of Universal Destinations & Experiences’ newest theme park, Universal Kids Resort? While “fun” may not actually be what that “F” stands for, it is one of the many things you and your family will be having when you visit. Officially opening in 2026 in the Lone Star State, Universal Kids Resort is Universal’s first theme park designed and developed just for kids. What’s that? A place where kids can truly be kids? Sounds like a dream.

Picture your kids’ favorite characters coming to life while unlocking new levels of imagination and creativity — all within one whimsical place! That’s a pretty big picture, so allow me to break it down for you with a behind-the-scenes look at what’s coming to Universal Kids Resort.

What is Universal Kids Resort?

In short, Universal Kids Resort is a whole universe made just for kids. That means every facet of the theme park caters to the little ones and their parents. From the theming and entertainment to the rides and hotel — everything is designed with families in mind.

“It is a world where kids are encouraged to play, to use their imagination, to pique curiosity, and to find fun ways to explore,” Randolph Borden, senior show producer of Universal Kids Resort, says. He also adds that this is the first time Universal has focused on such a particular age bracket for an audience. “This is a park that young kids are going to know immediately is for them.”

Additionally, Universal is truly putting the “resort” part of this theme park’s namesake to work as Universal Kids Resort is bringing guests much more than colorful theming, exciting rides, and nonstop fun.

Posing as both the park entrance and a cozy place to stay is the 300-room on-site hotel. Thoughtfully designed with families in mind, this colorfully-themed hotel is the perfect place for families to rest and relax after a long day (or days) of engaging play.

In addition to fostering a playful, safe environment where kids can express themselves and test the limits of their imaginations, Universal has taken careful consideration of the well-being and enjoyment of all its guests.

“We are deliberately creating several sensory garden zones,” Randolph says. “If the day becomes overwhelming, families can go into these areas and cool off, chill out, take a break, and not feel that overload that can come with a park.”

Universal’s dedication to creating an environment that welcomes everyone and has something to offer each guest visiting its theme park is sure to have a lasting impact on new fans and first-time visitors alike.

With an all-new location coming to a state Universal has never explored before, there’s much to look forward to. Frisco, Texas, is becoming one of the fastest growing communities in the country, and Randolph says it was a no-brainer for Universal to bring a new theme park to its grounds.

“It’s filled with young families, and that’s who this park is geared toward,” he says. “I’m really excited for the fact that they’re going to get to experience a new type of Universal. It’s a theme park that will give new audiences a chance to experience something at a Universal level.”

As a certified “fanboy” himself, Randolph says the theming within Universal Kids Resort is going to have tremendous appeal to all audiences. “Moms and dads of this age bracket have grown up with SpongeBob, and when you think about the longevity of those characters and the familiarity of them, there’s going to be great appeal,” he says. “I think people are going to be surprised by some of the approaches that we’ve taken with how to present some of these worlds.”

At Universal Kids Resort, little ones and their parents can play in the worlds of their favorite movies and television shows as they’re transported into seven lands for an exciting day filled with endless fun. Here are the themed lands you and your kids can look forward to:

• Isle of Curiosity
• Dreamworks’ Shrek’s Swamp
• Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom
• Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club
• Jurassic World Adventure Camp
• Dreamworks’ TrollsFest
• Dreamworks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar

You may be familiar with some of these themes from areas within Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, such as Illumination’s Minion Land and DreamWorks Land in Universal Studios Florida, Jurassic Park in Universal Islands of Adventure, and both Jurassic World and Minion Land in Universal Studios Hollywood. Now, you’ll see them come to life in a totally new way through a lens crafted especially for your little ones. Here’s what each land at Universal Kids Resort will have to offer:

Isle of Curiosity

At the center of Universal Kids Resort, you’ll find the park hub, Isle of Curiosity, which features DreamWorks’ Gabby’s Dollhouse. This vibrant spot is filled with shady lawns to keep cool throughout your visit and an immersive retail experience where kids can meet their favorite characters from “Gabby’s Dollhouse.”

Start your day at Universal Kids Resort Café, where you’ll find breakfast to fuel a fun-filled visit, snack packs, and all-day pastries. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, stop by Cakey’s Cupcakes for — you guessed it — cupcakes! Afterward, head to Gabby’s Cat-Tastic Dance Party! to show off your moves with Gabby herself.

This area also houses the Universal Kids Resort Store and Gabby’s Dollhouse to fill all your merchandise needs.

Dreamworks’ Shrek’s Swamp

Play as the ogres do in a swamp-themed playground built by the ferociously fun star himself, Shrek. Join his wild trio of tots with your little ones and explore everything the swamp has to offer.

Hop aboard Shrek & Fiona’s Happily Ogre After, a ride Shrek created for his triplets to tell the story of how he and their mother, Fiona, fell in love. You’ll get to relive the quest to rescue Princess Fiona from a fearsome fire-breathing dragon with Donkey by your side, see new friendships come to life, and witness Shrek and Fiona’s love blossom.

You and your kids can also meet the lovebirds themselves at Meet Shrek & Fiona.

This land will also feature dry and wet play areas with Shrek’s Swamp Rompin’ Stomp and Shrek’s Swamp Splash & Smash where kids can unleash their inner ogre and play to their heart’s content.

Savor the tastiest treats from Swamp Snacks while rocking your favorite gear and the best toys from Triplets Treasures.

Nickelodeon’s Spongebob Squarepants Bikini Bottom

Are you ready, kids? Aye, aye, Captain! I can’t hear you! AYE, AYE, CAPTAIN! OOOOOO! Who’s got his own themed land at the new Universal Kids Resort? SpongeBob SquarePants! That’s right: kids and their families get to explore Bikini Bottom, where every day is the best day ever!

We’ll start off our ventures with Jellyfish Fields Jamboree, a wild ride atop a school of pink jellyfish where you float high above the coral along a current of fun in your own Jelly Angler.

If you’re looking for the best way to bring it around town, you’ll find it on the Barnacle Bus. This ride takes you on a dizzying adventure as you coast and look out your window at the picturesque views of beautiful Bikini Bottom.

Our under-the-sea ventures aren’t complete without a wet and wild ride like Bobbing Barrels! As you spin round and round, you’ll use your cannon to blast water at your opponents with help from your friends Patrick and Sandy.

It’s never too early to learn how to drive a boat, and you can do so for free at Mrs. Puff’s Boating School. From the safety of your boat, you’ll speed around the course, navigate bumps and hills, and even spin backward before coming to a halt and earning your own boating license.

Get close with all your favorite characters at Meet SpongeBob & Friends, or head to Glove World Midway to try your luck at winning cool prizes at Gone Jellyfishin’ and cheer on Gary in The Great Snail Race.

Don’t be a fish out of water and take on the wet play area, Pineapple Paradise or take a break in the shade and snap a picture with Larry the Lobster at Mussel Beach.

I’m a goofy goober, you’re a goofy goober, we’re all goofy goobers, and that’s why we dine at Goofy Goober’s when we’ve worked up an appetite during our fun adventures in Bikini Bottom! If you’re in a hurry, you can get a quick sweet treat from Goofy Goober’s Grab & Go window or the Snack Bar for even more variety.

Don’t plan a day in Bikini Bottom empty handed; find everything you’ll need for a good time at Barg’N-Mart from stylish apparel to classic memorabilia. If you just need to make a quick pit stop, Grab-It Mart has all the essentials as well.

Illumination’s Minions Vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club

Next, guests step into the mayhem of a spirited water battle, full of unexpected surprises that only Illumination’s iconic Minions can deliver. Grab a water blaster and join the action. A game of golf and a boat cruise are far from relaxing at the Minions Bello Bay Club. Find yourself in the splash zone on the Bello Bay Cruise as you witness the antics between the Yellow Minions and their Purple counterparts. Then, take the wheel and hold on tight as the competition spins out of control at the Bello Bay Golf Cart Derby. Choose your side with pride by visiting Bello Bay Boutique and fashion yourself with Team Yellow, Team Purple, and other themed merchandise. And after all that mischief, you can recharge at Bello Bay Bites with some tasty Minion-themed snacks. Capture the fun with photos at the Minion meet and greet, discover playful Minion moments, and experience surprising water features at Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club.

Jurassic World Adventure Camp

The Jurassic World Adventure Camp welcomes the newest generation of dinosaur enthusiasts to a land where you’ll have close encounters with newly hatched dinosaurs, participate in interactive experiences, and immerse yourself in thrilling attractions.

Speaking of thrills, we’re starting off strong with an invigorating ride on the Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster, where you’ll help find the missing curious Ankylosaurus, Bumpy.

In case you can’t get enough twists and turns, Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin has a lot in store for you. Step into your pods and spin up and down a spiraling tower for a dizzying lesson in genetics.

Get a Pteranodon’s-eye view of Jurassic World Adventure Camp on the breathtaking Pteranodrop ride, which features gentle drops, bounces and dips.

We’ve done a lot of talking about playing in the water, but what’s in store for the kiddos who want to stay dry? A lot, actually! Let your kids’ imaginations run wild from atop the Jurassic World Lookout Towers or within the Paddock Play.

More baby dinosaur cuteness awaits at an up-close hatching of a baby Velociraptor.

If you’ve got a T.rex-sized appetite, you’ll need to fill it at Jurassic World Canteen, the ultimate destination for carnivores, herbivores, and even omnivores. Enjoy eye-catching murals of all your favorite dinosaurs while chowing down on bold flavors and tasty beverages.

If you’re going to prepare for a dinosaur-filled day, you’ll need to pick up your gear from Jurassic World Outfitters, or if you’re on the go, get what you need from the fully stocked Supply Depot.

Dreamwork’s Trollsfest

It’s celebration time! Take on TrollsFest with Poppy, Branch and friends while surrounded by vibrant music, endless singing, tons of dancing, and all the glitter you could ever imagine.

All aboard Rhonda’s TrollsFest Express for an in-depth ride through the exciting TrollsFest. You can’t help but move to the rhythm as the wind blows through your hair while you take a bunch of twists and turns through the festival grounds.

Speaking of hair, join Sheila B for a high-in-the-sky tour of TrollsFest on the Hair in the Clouds ride. This fleet of balloons provides you with a 360-degree view of the excitement taking place below.

Send your friends and family the most fantastimazing picture from Meet Poppy & Friends, where you’ll meet all your favorite Trolls in person and celebrate Hug Time.

Can’t stop the feeling of wanting to dance? No need to at the King Trollex Techno Dance Party! Join the party king and his crew for the ultimate celebration of rhythm and fun as you groove to the sickest tunes all day long.

Help prepare for the TrollsFest concert at an interactive show jam-packed with familiar music and new tunes. You’ll help bring the party to life through sound check, focusing the lights, or choreography. Whatever your job may be, you’re in for a fun time.

There’s no such thing as too much playtime, and your kids will have plenty of it in Poppy’s Playland and Trolls Critter Crawl. There’s also a vibrant Sensory Garden filled with benches and shade for guests who want to relax and decompress.

To really ensure you have an unforgettable time at TrollsFest, you’ll need to stop by Sparkle Shine Glitter Glow, a shop home to the finest festival must-haves and the iconic Troll-ify Me! salon. You can also pick up more essentials at Mr. Dinkles’ Market if you’re shopping on the go.

Who’s hungry? Curb all your cravings at Trolls Eatz!, a dining spot overflowing with a symphony of flavors. If all you’re in the mood for is a sweet treat, BroZone Cones brings you a bevy of snacks inspired by the most bro-dacious boy band around.

Dreamworks’ Puss In Boots Del Mar

In the lively town of Del Mar, we celebrate our four-legged furry hero, Puss in Boots, on Kitty Adoption Day at Mama Luna’s. How are we celebrating, you ask? I’ll show you:

We kick off this celebration with Swings Over Del Mar, an exhilarating ride in a flying carousel full of magical colors and stunning painted illustrations of Puss in Boots and his pals.

Watch Del Mar’s hero put his swashbuckling skills to the test in Mama Luna’s Adopt a Kitty Day!, where you’ll laugh, cheer, habla un poco Español, and even throw in a “meow” and “bark” or two! Once the show is over, enjoy the Character Meet & Greet and snap a photo with Puss in Boots himself and all his friends.

Channel your inner kitty at the carnival areas Barriles de Leche and El Gato’s Meow. You can also relax and unwind with your kids at the Sensory Garden, which features a soft winding path filled with various tactile plants and textures.

Looking for the most purr-fect souvenir? You’ll find that and more at Mercado de Perrito. Once you’ve picked up something special, treat yourself to something sweet at Tienda de Dulces. Then, fill up on delicious bites at Comidas y Leche and toast to an exciting celebration with your friends and family!

New Experiences on the Horizon

The creativity and next-level joy that’s coming to Universal Kids Resort is nothing to play with. From Shrek’s familiar swamp to the undersea world of Bikini Bottom, the presentation is on a whole other level — completely different from anything Universal has done before. “I think people are just going to be blown away by it,” Randolph says.

Working on Universal Kids Resort has been nothing short of a rewarding process for Randolph, and he says that as soon as he heard of an opportunity to take part in creating something new and special for kids, he wanted to be a part of it.

“There’s always that amazing first day when people get to come and explore and we get to stand on the outside and watch as people are just amazed, mesmerized, engaged, and energized — that’s a great feeling,” he says. “The imagination that kids have is just unfiltered and has no limitations, and creating worlds where they can step into and immerse themselves and become a part of the story — that’s such a great thing to witness on the peripheral. It’s a great payoff.”

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What excites you the most about the new, upcoming Universal Kids Resort? Let us know in the comments below!

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