Kids now have their own Universal park too! Shrek’s swamp, Bikini Bottom, and Jurassic World all brought to life
From rides and a sensory garden to the hotel, Universal Kids Resort is redesigned just for little ones
Key highlights
- Universal Kids Resort will officially open in Frisco, Texas, on July 1, 2026. It is Universal’s first theme park designed specifically for young children.
- The park features seven themed lands that bring the worlds of Shrek, SpongeBob SquarePants, Minions, Trolls, Jurassic World, and more to life.
- Along with family-friendly attractions, the park includes shaded rest areas, a sensory garden, and a 300-room hotel.
For young children, a typical theme park can be too large and too intense; even waiting in line and walking around can be exhausting. Universal has opened an entire Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, designed specifically for young children, rethinking everything from ride intensity and walking distances to rest areas from a child’s perspective.
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Not a scaled-down Universal, but one redesigned around children’s needs
images from/universal kids
Universal Kids Resort will officially open in Frisco, Texas, on July 1, 2026. Unlike typical Universal parks, which emphasize large roller coasters and cinematic effects, this new park focuses on play, exploration, and imagination, giving children room to run freely without parents having to rush from one attraction to the next all day.
Along with family-friendly attractions, the park includes splash areas, interactive shows, character meet-and-greets, and play zones. Shaded seating and quieter sensory gardens are placed throughout, giving children who need a break from the lights and sounds a place to rest and regulate their emotions.
Step into Shrek’s Swamp, Bikini Bottom, and Jurassic World
images from/universal kids
The park has seven themed lands: DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp, SpongeBob SquarePants’ Bikini Bottom, the Minions’ Bello Bay Club, Jurassic World Adventure Camp, TrollsFest, Puss in Boots’ Del Mar, and Isle of Curiosity, inspired by Gabby’s Dollhouse.
Children can step into the swamp where Shrek’s family lives, explore Jellyfish Fields and Mrs. Puff’s Boating School in Bikini Bottom, or ride the Cretaceous Coaster in Jurassic World, climb a lookout tower, and meet baby velociraptors up close. Those who love singing and glitter can join dance parties and character makeover experiences at TrollsFest.
Even the hotel and rest areas have been planned with families in mind
images from/universal kids
A 300-room Universal Kids Resort Hotel sits next to the park, so families won’t have to make a long journey with tired children after a full day out. From bunk beds and the pool to its dining spaces, the hotel continues the child-friendly design.
What makes this park special isn’t simply that it brings Shrek, SpongeBob, and the Minions together in one place. It also no longer expects children to keep pace with adult travel schedules. With shorter walking distances, gentler attractions, and gardens where they can rest quietly, the entire Universal Kids Resort seems to tell children: this time, the theme park is truly yours.
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