Universal Kids Resort

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Wikipedia

Universal Kids Resort
Concept art
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
StatusUnder construction
OpensMay 2026
OwnerNBCUniversal (Comcast)
Operated byUniversal Destinations & Experiences
Theme
Area32-acre (13 ha)
WebsiteOfficial website

Universal Kids Resort is an upcoming 32-acre (13 ha) children's theme park and entertainment resort under construction in Frisco, Texas, United States. Scheduled to open in May 2026, it will be the sixth Universal Studios Resort, and the third in the United States. The park will feature several themed areas based on Gabby's Dollhouse, Trolls, Shrek (also Puss in Boots), Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Despicable Me.

History

On January 11, 2023, the company announced a "new concept"-styled resort, geared especially towards families with children.[1] The resort will feature immersive themed lands and celebrate Universal's brand of entertainment, innovation, and characters.[2][1] On March 8, 2023, NBCUniversal's theme park division Universal Parks & Resorts changed their name to Universal Destinations & Experiences.[3] Construction began in Frisco, Texas, in November 2023,[4][5] with an estimated cost of around $550 million.[6] On December 1, 2023, the name of the resort was revealed to be Universal Kids Resort.[4] The resort will encompass 32 acres (13 ha) of land and include a 5-story, 300-room hotel.[7][8]

In February 2024, Moss Utilities LLC was hired as the utilities contractor for the park.[9] On June 1, 2024, the park was expected to open in June 2026.[5][6][10] In November 2024, the park was estimated to open by May 2026, in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will occur in the region.[11] The main road to the resort, Universal Parkway, was expected to open in 2024, with an estimated cost of around $12.94 million.[12][13] By January 2025, the road was then projected to open later in the year.[14]

Areas and attractions

Universal Kids Resort will consist of seven themed lands. In clockwise order from entry, the themed lands will be based on Gabby's Dollhouse, Trolls, Shrek, Puss in Boots, Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, SpongeBob SquarePants,[a] and Despicable Me.[15][16] The themed lands are expected to consist of swing rides, a river rapids ride, an aerial carousel, a spinning tea cup ride, and two roller coasters.[15]

Isle of Curiosity

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

TrollsFest

TrollsFest will be inspired by DreamWorks Animation's Trolls franchise.

Attraction Year opened Manufacturer Model
Rhonda's Trollfest Express 2026 Zierer Force 190[17]
Hair in the Clouds Balloon Tower Ride
King Trollex Techno Dance Party Interactive Live Show

Shrek's Swamp

Shrek's Swamp will be inspired by DreamWorks Animation's Shrek franchise.

Attraction Year opened Manufacturer Model
Shrek & Fiona's Happily Ogre After 2026
Shrek's Swamp Rompin’ Stomp
Shrek's Swamp Splash & Smash

Puss in Boots Del Mar

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

Attraction Year opened Manufacturer Model
Swings Over Del Mar 2026 Wave Swinger
Mama Luna's Adopt a Kitty Day! Live show

Jurassic World Adventure Camp

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

Attraction Year opened Manufacturer Model
Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster[18][19] 2026 Mack Rides YoungSTAR[20]
Mr. DNA's Double Helix Spin Flying Wheels
Pteranodrop Drop Tower

SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom

SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom will be inspired by Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants series.

Attraction Year opened Manufacturer Model
Barnacle Bus 2026
Bobbing Barrels Blast Water Cannons
Jellyfish Fields Jamboree Sub-Marinara
Ms. Puff's Boating School

Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club

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

Attraction Year opened Manufacturer Model
Bello Bay Cruise 2026 River rapids ride
Bello Bay Golf Cart Derby Teacups

See also

Notes

References

  1. 1 2 "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. ↑ "Frisco, Texas location Announcement-Twitter". Twitter. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. ↑ Albanese, Mike (November 7, 2024). "Ruling on potential hotel for Frisco's Universal Kids resort tabled". Star Local Media. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ Adatia, Noor (February 9, 2024). "Construction of $550M Universal Kids Resort in Frisco advances with utility contractor". WFAA. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ Gupta, Aayush (November 26, 2024). "Universal Kids Resort shoots out of ground in Frisco". WFAA. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  12. ↑ Douty, Samantha (July 19, 2024). "Universal Parkway, Frisco Street projects move toward 2024 completion". Community Impact. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  13. ↑ Reece, Alex (May 16, 2024). "Universal Parkway set to open before 2025". Community Impact. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Frisco drivers to see less traffic as Universal Parkway nears completion". CBS News. January 24, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Taylor, Blake (February 21, 2025). "Universal Kids theme park in Texas: All lands revealed". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  16. ↑ Ace, Shannen (February 21, 2025). "BREAKING: 6 Themed Lands Confirmed for Universal Kids Resort Opening in 2026". WDWNT. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Rhonda's Trollfest Express Goes Vertical at Universal Kids Resort". Diservations. May 9, 2025. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  18. ↑ Waltz, Kendall (March 13, 2025). "Name Revealed for New Coaster Coming to Universal's Texas Theme Park". All Ears. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  19. ↑ Ace, Shannen (March 13, 2025). "Universal Files Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster Trademark, Likely for Universal Kids Resort". WDWNT. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Mack Rides' Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster Coming to Universal Kids Resort". Diservations. May 5, 2025. Retrieved November 17, 2025.