What You Need to Know About Universal’s New Theme Park, Universal Kids Resort
Universal Kids Resort is the newest theme park in town, with Frisco, Texas the town in question. It’s not every day we see a brand-new regional theme park open, and it’s especially uncommon to see a new park specifically dreamt up and built with young kids in mind. I was recently invited by Universal to attend a media preview for a sneak peek at Universal Kids Resort, which officially opens July 1.
Is Universal Kids Resort worth a visit? For some families, absolutely. Let’s break down what you need to know about this new park and its on-site hotel.
Universal Kids Resort 101
Universal Kids Resort is a new theme park in Frisco, Texas, designed for kids ages three to eight years old. There are seven themed worlds (we’ll dive into each one in a bit) inspired by popular family and children’s film and television franchises. This includes Minions, SpongeBob SquarePants, Jurassic World, Shrek, Trolls, Puss in Boots, and Gabby’s Dollhouse.
Because this park is designed specifically for a younger age cohort, the rides you’ll find in Universal Kids Resort are tamer in nature. No high speeds, big drops, or loud sound effects here. Another thing to note is all of the rides are outdoors. If you have kiddos that are hesitant to get on rides, they will be able to see the entirety of the attraction before entering the queue, so they know exactly what to expect.
As of opening day, admission to Universal Kids Resort costs $54.99 per guest for one-day admission, and $73.99 per guest for two-day admission (if you want the refillable Coca-Cola Freestyle Souvenir Cup, the price goes up to $69.99 and $101.99, respectively). Silver Annual Passes offer admission year-round and are currently sold out as of this writing.
The park has an adjoining hotel called Universal Kids Resort Hotel, complete with 300 guest rooms outfitted with a twin-over-full bunk bed for the kids. A select number of family suites are also available. We’ll dive into more detail about the hotel shortly.
For the most part, Universal Kids Resort is open year-round, with a few exceptions. Per Universal’s website, “Any brief seasonal closures and schedule adjustments can be found on the Universal Kids Resort website once the park is officially open.”
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Universal Kids Resort’s seven themed lands
Isle of Curiosity featuring DreamWorks’ Gabby’s Dollhouse
When entering Universal Kids Resort, the first land you’ll find yourself in is Isle of Curiosity. While there are no rides in this land, there’s still plenty to check out. This is also where you’ll find the park’s main gift shop, Universal Kids Resort Store.
Keep your eyes peeled! You may spot Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse greeting guests here. A select number of food and beverage options are available, though you’ll find the lion’s share elsewhere in the park. For kids with a sweet tooth, they can always grab a cupcake at Cakey’s Cupcakes on your way out of the park as the perfect night cap.
Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club
As you venture past Isle of Curiosity and head to your right, you’ll spot signs of minions up to their usual antics – this time, they’re running the show at Bello Bay Club. The central focal point of Universal Kids Resort is Bello Bay Cruise, a raft ride that appears to achieve the task of splashing plenty of water onto its riders (I did not partake; I didn’t want to take the risk of getting unnecessarily soaked). The two rides in this land and their height requirements are:
- Bello Bay Cruise (40” minimum)
- Bello Bay Golf Cart Derby (36” minimum)
Bello Bay Club is home to some Instagram-worthy treats, which you’ll find at Bello Bay Boutique and Bites. Epic Universe foodies will recognize the viral Mac & Cheese Cone, which found its way onto the menu here complete with a Minion Tot garnish.
Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom
As a 90s kid, I was looking forward to exploring Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom the most. There are four rides in this land:
- Puff’s Boating School (36” minimum, 76” maximum)
- Bobbing Barrels (36” minimum)
- Barnacle Bus (30” minimum)
- Jellyfish Fields Jamboree (no height requirement)
You can also meet SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, and Sandy here. The main eatery is called Goofy Goober’s, and there’s an outdoor snack stand where you can find cute SpongeBob-shaped pressed grilled cheese sandwiches.
Jurassic World Adventure Camp
If you’re familiar with Universal’s major theme park destinations in Orlando and Hollywood, then Jurassic World Adventure Camp may feel like the most “junior” version of its more intense counterparts of all the lands here. This is a great primer for kids who love dinosaurs but aren’t quite old enough to brave Jurassic Park River Adventure at Islands of Adventure. Another highlight of this land is the chance to meet a baby raptor.
The three rides in this land are the following:
- Pteranodrop (36” minimum)
- DNA’s Double Helix Spin (no height requirement)
- Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster (39” minimum)
Cretaceous Coaster earns my medal for the most “intense” ride in the park, but if your kid can handle Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Slinky Dog Dash in Walt Disney World, then they should do just fine here. I sat behind a three-and-a-half-year-old rider who appeared to love the experience.
DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar
Compared to the other lands in Universal Kids Resort, I found DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar to have some of the most distinct theming. Wandering through this Spanish village, you might pick up on the fact that it’s kitty adoption day, and we are invited to celebrate. There’s an adorable puppet show, Puss in Boots Theater featuring ‘Mama Luna’s Adopt A Kitty Day!’ that I’m glad I didn’t miss during my visit.
There is one ride in this land:
- Swings Over Del Mar (42” minimum)
I have to give a shout out to the indoor dining location here called Comidas y Leche. Not only was there plentiful seating, but parents will appreciate some of the menu items found here. One of my favorite items I had during my visit was Jack & Jill’s Magic Bean Salad.
DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp
DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp features the first-ever Shrek ride in the U.S. (the others can be found at Motiongate in Dubai and at Universal Studios Singapore). This ride, called Shrek and Fiona’s Happily Ogre After, is a slow-moving outdoor ride that takes guests on a winding path that retells the events of the first Shrek movie.
The ride is the land’s sole attraction, with the exception of a splash pad and character meet-and-greets:
- Shrek & Fiona’s Happily Ogre After (30” minimum)
The one dining location in Shrek’s Swamp is an outdoor stand called Swamp Snacks where you’ll find the Shrek-shaped pretzel that has gained viral notoriety at Universal Orlando.
DreamWorks’ TrollsFest
Last but not least, there’s DreamWorks’ TrollFest, a high-energy land complete with dance parties, meet-and-greets, and the chance for kids to transform themselves into trolls. When tallying up the rides, entertainment, dining, and shopping, this land has the most to offer. In addition to its rides, there’s a King Trollex Techno Dance Party, the Troll-ify Me! Experience, and a chance to meet Poppy and more from the Trolls gang.
This land is home to two rides, one of which being the other roller coaster you can find at Universal Kids Resort:
- Rhonda’s TrollFest Express (36” minimum)
- Hair in the Clouds (36” minimum)
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Universal Kids Resort Hotel
At the end of a long day at Universal Kids Resort (or if you need a break in the middle of the action), Universal Kids Resort Hotel is steps away the park entrance, or rather, steps above, as the hotel sits atop the park entrance. Following the design of Universal Grand Helios Hotel, which provides instant access to Epic Universe, Universal Kids Resort Hotel is a great option for families looking to visit from out of town and want to be as close to the park as possible.
The hotel is colorful and vibrant without being too over-the-top. While each floor is “themed” to a different franchise found in the theme park, the only major difference you’ll see from floor to floor is a character wall located next to the elevators. Like the rest of the hotel, the guest rooms are a kaleidoscope of just about every color in the rainbow.
There are four room types, with the first three offering similar sleeping set ups (the major difference being varying square footage):
- Standard Queen: 288 square feet with one queen bed plus a twin-over-full bunk bed.
- Deluxe Queen: 314 square feet with one queen bed plus a twin-over-full bunk bed.
- Signature Queen: 424 square feet with one queen bed plus a twin-over-full bunk bed. Bathroom has a separate toilet area.
- Family Suite: 486 square feet with one king bed in a private room, plus a bunk bed, queen pull-out sofa, kid-friendly bathroom and extended living room.
The rooms are equipped with plenty of storage. The cabinet doors feature a soft-close design so no one can make too much noise while getting ready in the morning. There are more than enough plugs, with AC outlets, USB ports, and USB-C ports on both sides of the main bed as well as next to the sitting area.
The bathrooms, while on the smaller side, are functional for a family of four or five staying for just a night or two, complete with a bath tub and Dove products.
Forgot to pack your white noise machine? No worries; each room has a Bluetooth speaker that has noise functions as well as a wireless charging port.
If you want to grab a bite to eat, the main dining option at the hotel is Curiosity Café, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I dined here for both breakfast and dinner and found there to be plenty of menu options both kids and their parents will appreciate. There’s also a mini mart located off the lobby that’s open 24 hours with snacks and sundries.
Universal Kids Resort Hotel also has a zero-entry pool with perhaps the coolest feature of them all: underwater speakers. For parents, there’s a small but well-appointed gym on the second floor of the hotel.
As an added perk, select lands and attractions in the theme park open one hour early for hotel guests. There’s also a dedicated entrance for hotel guests. Hotel guests can also have their gift shop purchases delivered to their room, free of charge.
What you need to know about Universal Kids Resort
How many days do you need to “complete” the park?
One full day should be plenty for most families to experience the park. However, if you want to work at a more leisurely pace, or if you’re staying at Universal Kids Resort Hotel and you want half a day to relax by the pool, then two days would certainly give you plenty of time to see all that there is to see. Generally, the park opens at 10:00 AM and closes between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM, depending on the season and day of the week.
How is the shade situation?
The day I attended the media preview for Universal Kids Resort, we had bright, sunny skies and a high temperature of 94 degrees (to add insult to injury, the dew point was 75 degrees). Needless to say, I was acutely aware of the need for shade from moment we entered the park. Unfortunately, that seemed to be few and far between. I think adding mature trees and canopies around the park would go a long way in providing much-needed shade.
I will point out that most of the lands had at least one indoor gift shop you could duck into for some air conditioning, as well as multiple indoor dining options throughout the park. The numerous splash zones around the park are great for kids to cool off, too. Definitely make sure everyone has a swimsuit packed.
Be aware that all of the rides and attractions are outdoors, so make sure you apply and reapply sunscreen. Drink plenty of water and bring a handheld fan or cooling towel if visiting on a hot day.
What’s there for adults to do? Can a couple with no kids enjoy the park?
Happiness is in the eye of the theme park guest, but this park is truly designed for kids first and foremost. Universal has been very upfront with the fact that they built this park with kids in mind, and it shows in the major attractions to minor details, from the ride designs to the menu items to even the restrooms. Of course, kids can’t wander the park alone without a grown-up, so of course there are going to be things for parents and kids to experience together: rides, shows, dining, etc.
I will say that there were a number of food items that I thought were especially appealing to an adult crowd, including salads. The menu at Universal Kids Resort Hotel was especially impressive with entrees including an Ahi Tuna Salad, Vegetable Curry, and Braised Short Rib. Don’t worry, you won’t be stuck eating nothing but chicken tenders (though the ones at Goofy Goober’s were actually incredible).
You’ll also find a full bar adjacent to Curiosity Café in Universal Kids Resort Hotel, where you can order beer, wine, and cocktails.
Who will enjoy Universal Kids Resort the most?
In case it isn’t apparent already, this resort was designed and built for kids ages three to eight. While there are a couple of rides that have no height requirement, the majority of the available attractions require kids to be taller than 36 inches. Of course, every kid’s thrill tolerance is different. Having all of the rides be completely outside, and for the most part lower in volume, might help a few brave their first roller coaster or try new experiences they wouldn’t otherwise consider.
Beyond that age cohort, it was also built for families living in the Dallas area. This will make for an excellent day trip for families within driving distance of Frisco. You could even make it a nice staycation and stay at Universal Kids Resort Hotel for a night or two, or if you live just outside of that “day trip” radius.
If you aren’t local, however, this will not replace your vacation to Orlando or Southern California. If you were already planning to pack your bags and get the entire family on an airplane to go on vacation, you’re still going to prioritize those major theme park markets. If you were already planning a family vacation to Dallas, however, this could be a great add-on to your itinerary.
What are the must-try food items at Universal Kids Resort?
If you’re like me, then you’re going to be on the hunt for the most delicious and/or photogenic menu item in a theme park (those traits need not be mutually exclusive).
The menu item that elicited the most gasps and giggles among us visiting the park was the Dinosaur Bites at Jurassic World Canteen. Think dinosaur chicken nuggets on a volcano of mashed potatoes erupting with gravy. If you’ve ever wanted an excuse to play with your food, now’s your chance.
Once word got out about what Goofy Goober’s had in store in Bikini Bottom, everyone was carving time out of their visit to head over and order the Triple Gooberry Sunrise, just like the ice cream treat seen in “SpongeBob SquarePants.” If you don’t want to brave the full-size sundae and are looking for something more manageable, smaller soft-serve ice cream and Dole Whip treats are available and are just as tasty.
There are other long-standing Universal favorites, like the aforementioned Mac & Cheese Cone found in Bello Bay Club and the Shrekzel found in Swamp Snacks.
Whether you’re a Universal veteran or this is the first time you’re visiting one of their theme parks, you’ll find a lot of carry-over at Universal Kids Resort. This is by design, as the park is meant to serve as a stepping-stone to their major destinations in Orlando and Hollywood. While certainly not a replacement for those theme parks, Universal Kids Resort does more than enough to pique young kids’ interest in the branding, storytelling, and experiences that us adults are already familiar with.
By the time they are a little older and a little taller, today’s three- to eight-year-olds will be well-oriented to what Universal is and, if Universal Kids Resort does its job, they’ll be eager to explore more of what this portfolio of theme parks has to offer.
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