A NEW Game Changing Universal Theme Park Opens Next Week

We are just DAYS away from Universal opening a brand new, potentially game-changing theme park. No, you didn’t accidentally click on a Spring 2025 article about Epic Universe: We’re talking about the Universal Kids Resort, which is opening July 1st!

Located in Frisco, Texas, this new park features several lands based on popular Universal and Universal-adjacent properties, with rides, character experiences, and even food aimed at kids (the name should be a dead giveaway) and families. This is a potential game-changer for the company since it’s targeting a demographic that Universal has — arguably and fairly — been accused of somewhat ignoring in the past. Plus, it’s located in a geographic area of the country that features no competition from Disney, a first for a U.S. Universal park.

We had a chance to attend a special preview of the park and see its lands, which include:

• Isle of Curiosity: The park’s main entry thoroughfare is themed to the popular Gabby’s Dollhouse series.

• Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom: First up, there’s the Jellyfish Fields Jamboree, which will allow guests to “float above the coral on a current of fun” as they catch bouncing jellyfish with the one and only SpongeBob SquarePants. Next, there’s the Barnacle Bus Surf, which allows guests to see how many Bikini Bottom sights and residents they can spot, like Goofy Goober’s, Glovey Glove, and Gary the Snail! Meanwhile, the Bobbing Barrels is a water cannon-based ride featuring Patrick and Sandy. And finally, Mrs. Puff’s Boating School will allow kids and their grown-ups to try to impress Mrs. Puff as they put their driving skills to the test where they’ll swerve and spin (and even go backwards!) through her specially designed course.

• Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club: This iteration of a Minions-based land will feature the Bello Bay Cruise, a mini-rapids ride, which will showcase Yellow and Purple Minions creating a little water-soaked chaos! And the Bello Bay Golf Cart Derby will see the Purple Minions turn a relaxing round of golf completely upside down.

• Jurassic World Adventure Camp: The headline attraction of the newest dino-themed island, Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster, will see guests ride a ranger vehicle and join the search for the missing Baby Bumpy, a curious Ankylosaur. Guests will roar through the land on this exciting roller coaster ride, zooming around with twists and turns while keeping an eye out for an adorable dinosaur! The area will also feature Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin, a  Metallbau Emmeln Flying Wheels attraction, and the Pteranodrop, which will offer gentle drops, bounces, and dips just like a real flying with a Pteranodon!

• DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar: The Swings Over Del Mar attraction is a seated swing ride which will take guests high above the colorful kitty adoption day festivities of Del Mar with Puss in Boots, Perrito, Mama Luna and some more of his furry friends!

• DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp: Shrek & Fiona’s Happily Ogre After will take families through the story of how Shrek and Fiona met in a fun ride that Shrek built for their triplets. The ride features scenes like the heroic rescue from the dragon’s castle, with the help of Donkey of course, and other memorable moments all leading up to their happily ogre after.

• DreamWorks’ TrollsFest: Based on the popular franchise, this land will be headlined by Rhonda’s TrollsFest Express, an armadillo bus ride. Meanwhile, Hair in the Clouds will allow guests to have great views of the festival grounds by climbing aboard a balloon attraction!

On top of the park, the Universal Kids Resort is also home to a 300-room hotel, which features amenities including…

… standard guest rooms and family suites…

… three dining options, a pool, a fitness center, an arcade, and direct entry to the theme park!

You can even find some popular characters right in the hotel!

Since previews, the park has been getting roasted online for looking like “a concrete jungle with cardboard cutouts.” AllEars reader Marilyn made a valid point: “I don’t think the confusion or negative feedback is regarding who their target audience is for this park or that kids won’t have fun. It seems the main concern is overall value for what you get for its high ticket cost.”

However, many people who experienced the park with young kiddos praised the park. Instagram user @emilydworkin commented, “Thank you!! As a local I am just thrilled we have something close now. My nephew is coming up on the perfect age for it (18months) so I can’t wait to take him! Plus it will be good practice for him for when we eventually take him to the bigger parks in Orlando.”

See what else fans had to say about Universal Kids Resort

Universal’s new, revolutionary for the company Universal Kids Resort is set to open on July 1st! Stay tuned to AllEars for more on the park and its opening.

ALL Height Requirements For Universal’s NEWEST Kids Theme Park

Are you planning a visit to the Universal Kids Resort? Let us know in the comments below.

Disclosure: We were invited by Universal to attend the Universal Kids Resort press event. This did not affect our reporting of the event — our opinions are our own.

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