Following this year’s debut of Universal Epic Universe in Orlando and Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas, the busy media company is forging ahead with its latest concept, Universal Kids Resort, which is scheduled to open next year near Dallas in Frisco, Texas. The scaled-down park will be geared to young children and their families. Universal recently revealed the seven themed lands that will be featured.
Just beyond the front gate, guests will encounter the Isle of Curiosity and get to meet Gabby from DreamWorks’ Gabby’s Dollhouse. Heading left, they will discover TrollsFest and the funky doll characters from the popular films. Universal says this land will include two interactive play areas, including Poppy’s Playland. Befitting the target audience, play zones will abound throughout Universal Kids Resort.
It will also include rides, although the company didn’t explicitly announce any details about what’s in store. Looking at the concept art it shared, however, it’s clear that TrollsFest will feature a kiddie coaster (see above). According to rcdb, it will be called Rhonda’s Trollfest Express (although “TrollsFest” seems more likely as the middle name for this ride) and will be manufactured by the German company, Zierer. It should be similar to the Grover-themed coasters at the two Busch Gardens parks, which incorporate booster wheel lift hills. Also pictured in the TrollsFest image is a spinning ride which appears to be a Zamperla Samba Balloon.
DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida, the revamped kids area that debuted in 2024, offers Trolls Trollercoaster (love that name!). In fact, the Florida outpost for kids seems to have served as something of a template and testing ground for the new park.
Heading counter-clockwise from the entrance gate, guests will enter SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom, which will feature a sprayground. In addition to giving kids a chance to expend energy in multiple play zones, Universal Kids Resort will also offer plenty of opportunities for them to get wet. Given the hot and humid weather in Texas, that seems like a wise choice. Case in point, the Minions vs. Minions- Bello Bay Club in the center of the park will offer a soaking river raft ride. There will also be a character meet-and-greet with the quirky yellow characters as well as a play zone in this area.
In the back of the park, guests will find three lands, including Shrek’s Swamp. It, too, will feature a sprayground, Shrek’s Swamp Splash & Smash, as well as a playground, Shrek’s Swamp Rompin’ Stomp. Shrek’s buddy will have his own land, Puss in Boots Del Mar, which will give kids a chance to participate in games such as El Gato’s Meow.
Rounding out the lands at the new park will be Jurassic World Adventure Camp. According to Universal, kids will be able to interact with a newborn dinosaur and romp in yet another play area. As shown in the picture above, there will apparently also be a coaster in this land. Rcdb contends this one will be called Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster and will be similar to the Flight of the Hippogriff coasters at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands at the Universal Studios parks in Hollywood and Florida. And do I spy a mini drop tower ride?
I’m holding out hope that Universal Kids Resort will have at least one dark ride among its attractions. The concept art shows structures that could be show buildings in the Jurassic World, Puss in Boots, and TrollsFest lands. However, they could also be theaters, restaurants, or gift shops. Regardless, it’s unlikely that any dark ride at the modest park would be an E-Ticket attraction along the lines of The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. Instead they would probably be lower-profile attractions (think: Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride).
Just beyond the front gate, the 300-room Universal Kids Resort Hotel will offer accommodations at the new property. It, too, will include a play area as well as a pool.
“We envisioned this park through the unbridled creativity of kids where infinite imagination, curiosity and free-spirited play were core to our design philosophies,” said Brian Robinson, executive VP and chief creative officer at Universal Creative. “It produced a park that’s pure joy and an absolute celebration of what it is to be a kid.”
Might you plan a visit to Universal Kids Resort? Or do you think this will be more of a regional park catering to folks primarily from Texas?