Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort have always been family-friendly parks, but it’s no secret that families with very young children may opt to take their children to places like The Magic Kingdom, where rides tend to be less intense and more gentle for the little ones. Thinking about the difference between something like Transformers: The Ride 3D and Peter Pan’s Flight, the choice seems obvious – with less intense rides featuring beloved Disney characters from all eras of animation, there’s something for every child at The Magic Kingdom.
But just because The Magic Kingdom tends to be the milder, more kid-friendly experience doesn’t mean Universal hasn’t dipped its toes into family entertainment catering to younger kids before – since 1999, Universal Studios Florida has operated a kids’ section of the park, whether it be called Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone, or the more recent replacement, DreamWorks Land, the idea to cater to young kids has always been there.
In 2023, Universal announced its plans to construct a brand-new park in Frisco, Texas, featuring a more kid-friendly style of park that allowed families with young kids to experience a Universal getaway without having to cherry pick which rides and attractions will be suitable for their age group. This park, announced to be coming to Texas in 2026, is a first-of-its-kind resort “specifically designed and developed for families with young children,” that allows the kids to engage in the attraction in a way that “inspires [their] unbridled creativity through play, discovery, and imagination” while still being a park suited for the whole family.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to bring these iconic stories to life for kids and families to experience, interact with and play together,” said Sarah Gibbon, VP & Executive Producer, Universal Creative. “At each point, we considered how we could design a place especially for kids where they could explore, imagine and adventure with their families and friends. They’ll be able to do all this while being fully immersed in some of their favorite stories – ones full of curiosity, laughter and joy.”
Universal Destinations & Experiences has now announced six immersive themed lands and the lineup of characters and properties that families will be able to experience at this new resort, including classics like Spongebob Squarepants and Friends, Shrek, Puss in Boots, and Illumination’s Minions, as well as some new faces like Trolls, Gabby’s Dollhouse, and a kid-friendly Jurassic World experience.
In addition to these familiar faces, there will also be a central hub connecting all these incredible new attractions, featuring shady lawn space and interactive play areas that give kids and their families a place to kick back, rest, and play at their own leisure. Meet and Greets will also take place in this Hub area, with characters like Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse.
For families looking to visit Frisco to experience this new park, Universal’s got you covered with an accompanying 300-room on-site hotel, designed for families looking for the perfect balance of play and relaxation.
“At Universal Kids Resort, children will have the opportunity to play, sing, dance and discover with some of their favorite characters,” said Dan Cuffe, Vice President and General Manager of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas. “Beyond the highly-engaging attractions and shows, families will find ample areas to rest and also enjoy themed food and beverages and shop for fun character souvenirs. Each of these areas elicit wonder with a lush, colorful environment.”
This park marks Universal’s first foray into a new style of theme park designed specifically for families with young children at varying stages of their early childhood development where play and discovery are the cornerstones of learning, and exploring the world around them comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Theme Park Shark will continue to report on new details of the Universal Kids Resort park as they become available – but in the meantime, guests can check out the newly-launched official site for this new park at the Universal Kids Resort page [here], and sign up for updates through Universal!
