Yes, Universal’s New Theme Park Is Opening This Year — Here’s What We Know

DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp

In DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp, you’ll get to travel to Shrek’s swamp and meet Shrek and Fiona!

The land will include two major attractions — a “waterlogged paradise built especially for Shrek’s triplets at Shrek’s Swamp Splash and Smash” featuring two play areas and a more traditional family ride.

Shrek & Fiona’s Happily Ogre After will take riders on a fun ride that retells “how an ogre and a princess were enchanted by love.”

Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom

A new SpongeBob SquarePants-themed land will be home to “SpongeBob’s Pineapple House and other locations from the show!”

Goofy Goobers will be able to engage in some serious nautical nonsense at familiar locations from the show, like Mussel Beach, Jellyfish Fields, and Mrs. Puff’s Boating School. In fact, there are SIX confirmed attractions at this land. They are as follows:

• Jellyfish Fields Jamboree — You get to board your very own Jelly Angler and float above the coral “on a current of fun as you catch bouncing jellyfish with the one and only SpongeBob SquarePants.”
• Barnacle Bus — This bus ride will take you on a tour of Bikini Bottom, as you take in the sights and familiar faces — “from Goofy Goober’s to Glovey Glove and SpongeBob’s loyal pet, Gary the Snail.”
• Bobbing Barrels  — Join Patrick Star or Sandy Cheeks and use your cannon to blast water “as you spin ‘round and ‘round”, not knowing where the next splash will come from!

• Mrs. Puff’s Boating School — Grab your undersea boating license as you “swerve and spin — and even go backwards — through her [Mrs. Puff] specially designed course.”
• Interactive play areas “where kids can splash around with Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, Sandy, and Squidward.”
• A meet-and-greet featuring SpongeBob, Patrick Star, Squidward, and Sandy.

Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club

In this Minions-themed land, the “Yellow Minions try to tame their wild Purple counterparts.” Universal is teasing tons of “water- soaked fun” in this area, so you make sure you plan ahead!

Rides include:

• Bello Bay Cruise — A rapids ride where the Yellow and Purple Minions face off in a water-soaked battle. Be sure to “watch out for the splash zone!”
• Bello Bay Golf Cart Derby — This kid-friendly ride features a chaotic golf game that has you “take the wheel and hold on tight,” spinning you out of control.

The land will also include opportunities to meet the Minions, as well as interactive play areas.

Jurassic World Adventure Camp

Jurassic World Adventure Camp will feature some exciting rides and the chance to meet baby dinosaurs! That’s right — you’ll get to meet a baby raptor at a designated meet-and-greet!

This land will also offer three new rides:

• Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster — This family coaster has you search for Baby Bumpy — a curious ankylosaurus that has gone missing. You’ll board a Jurassic World ranger vehicle and zoom through twists, turns, peaks, and valleys on your journey!
• Pteranodrop — This ride takes you into the skies like a pteranodon, giving you great views of Jurassic World Adventure Camp as well as “the thrill of gentle drops, bounces, and dips just like a real flying Pteranodon!”
• Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin — Hop in your colorful pod and join Mr. DNA for a fun experience pack with tons of twists and turns!

Of course, there’s more fun to be had with a serene sensory garden, paddock play areas, and the Jurassic World Lookout Towers!

DreamWorks’ TrollsFest

DreamWorks’ TrollsFest will be a “glitter-filled, ‘round-the-clock party where you can sing, dance, and play along with Poppy, Branch, and friends.” This area has something for everyone!

The land will include Rhonda’s TrollsFest Express — a fun coaster/Armadillo Bus ride that has you “turn and groove through the land with Rhonda and friends!” It’ll also feature Hair in the Clouds — a colorful balloon ride that takes you up above the land!

The King Trollex Techno Dance Party will invite both kids and adults “to an electric celebration, hosted by the party king himself!” You can dance along to some up-tempo music accompanied by a glimmering disco ball.

Of course, you can meet Poppy and friends in a postcard photo op, as well as enjoy the two interactive play areas: Poppy’s Playland and Trolls Critter Crawl.

DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar

Over in the village of Del Mar, you can experience all sorts of offerings inspired by Puss in Boots — such as rides, games, and festive food!

The lone ride in this land is Swings Over Del Mar — which will take you on a spin “high above the colorful kitty adoption day festivities of Del Mar with Puss in Boots, Perrito, Mama Luna, and more of his adorable furry friends.”

Mama Luna’s Adopt A Kitty Day! will be a show full of laughs, cheers, opportunities to speak some Spanish, and take in a silly puppet performance.

The land will also be home to an interactive games area and a character meet-and-greet with Puss in Boots.

Isle of Curiosity

Finally, the Isle of Curiosity will be “a perfect playtopia where you and your kid can roam, explore, and buddy up with some of your favorite characters.”

Located near the entrance, this land will feature an epic dance party and the opportunity to meet Gabby and friends from Gabby’s Dollhouse!

And of course, there will also be a hotel so families can have a place to stay after a day full of Universal fun! So they are building the Universal Kids Resort Hotel, which will be attached to the park!

When Will It Open?

There is currently no set opening date in 2026 for Universal Kids Resort. What we do know is that the hotel has not started accepting reservations yet, signaling we could still be a few months out. Based on construction progress, our guess would be fall or late 2026. Again, that’s just a guess, but we’re hoping to get an official opening date soon!