Universal has unveiled new details for its first-ever theme park designed entirely for young children. Universal Kids Resort, coming in 2026 to the fast-growing city of Frisco, is under construction along the Dallas North Tollway. Coasters and water rides, play areas and splash zones, and a colorful, 300-room hotel at the park entrance are all part of the impressive plans.
Artist conceptual renderings depict seven individual “lands,” each with a different theme starring much-loved characters: Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants; Illumination’s Minions; DreamWorks’ Shrek, Puss in Boots, Trolls and Gabby’s Dollhouse—and many of the fiercest and cutest dinos from Jurassic World.
“It is a world where kids are encouraged to play, to use their imagination, to pique curiosity, and to find fun ways to explore,” says resort senior show producer Randolph Borden, in a press release.
Each individual land will have its own uniquely themed sweet shops and café, retail stores, and character meet and greets—and at least a couple of the areas will have another much-appreciated feature: sensory garden zones. They are designed to offer a calming respite for families with kids who may find all the fun overwhelming. Here are more of the highlights from the themed lands you and your kids can look forward to:
Isle of Curiosity
This hub at the resort’s center features DreamWorks’ Gabby’s Dollhouse. With shaded lawns, a retail space, and a resort café with snacks and pastries available all day, plus more sweets from Cakey’s Cupcakes shop. The Isle of Curiosity will be the place you go when you and the kids need a rest and refuel for the rest of your day, and they’ll have interactive play here too with Gabby’s Cat-Tastic Dance Parties.
TrollsFest
This high-energy zone is packed with play areas and rides for littles, like a coaster fashioned to look like the Rhonda armadillo bus, and the Hair in the Clouds balloon ride with high-up, 360-degree views. TrollsFest also promises a Troll-ify Me! salon (yep, expect lots of glitter), one of those aforementioned sensory gardens, and interactive experiences like hug time with costumed Poppy and friends and King Trollex Techno Dance Parties. That’s an interactive show where visitors will help put on a concert through sound check, lighting and choreography.
Shrek’s Swamp
Featuring both dry and wet play areas, this swamp-themed playground stars Shrek, Fiona and their toddler triplets named (checks notes) Fergus, Farkle and Felicia. (They showed up in the Shrek the Third movie.) This land is designed to look as if Shrek built it himself. The Happily Ogre After ride takes visitors on a journey through the ogres’ whole origin story of how they fell in love. And their story’s not over either. Shrek 5 is slated to hit theaters in 2027.
Puss in Boots del Mar
Next door to the swamp is this swashbuckling cat’s own town with rides, treats and live shows. You’ll witness puppets making music in Mama Luna’s Adopt a Kitty Day, followed by meet and greets with costumed characters. Carnival rides include elevated swings and others called the Barriles de Leche and El Gato’s Meow. (We can’t wait to see what those look like.)
Minions Vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club
Now here comes the splash zone, where your kids can hop on a boat cruise through the rapids, get behind the wheel of racing golf carts, and more—all alongside the yellow Minions and their wild, purple foes. We’re expecting the character meet and greets here to be extra wild.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom
For even more fun in and around the water, strap into the Barnacle Bus or Jellyfish Fields Jamboree, use water cannons to blast other visitors on the Bobbing Barrels ride, and even drive your own boat at Mrs. Puff’s Boating School. The nautical theme keeps going strong with midway games, another wet play area, and a shady spot for lounging.
Jurassic World Adventure Camp
The farthest trek from the entrance is to Jurassic World, where your young dino lovers will encounter a baby Velociraptor freshly hatched from its egg, a Paddock Play area and—the highlight—the thrill rides: the Cretaceous Coaster, Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin, and the more gentle Pteranodrop ride. To take in the whole of this land from above, climb up to the Jurassic World Lookout Towers.
More Details About Universal Kids Resort
All of these attractions are designed for young kids, so that everyone can get in on the thrills. Minimum height requirements vary for individual rides but look to range between no height requirement at all and, for the biggest coaster, up to a 42-inch minimum height. For more details on the rides, the foods and treats, and more, visit universalkidsresort.com.
For families wanting to get a jump on planning, you’ll need to wait a little longer. Universal has not yet released pricing or reservations, and no firm grand opening date has been announced. We’ll share more updates here when they’re available. Until then, as we inch closer to 2026, we’ll be rewatching Shrek and more of those favorite shows with the kids.
More Kid-Friendly Roller Coasters in DFW
Looking for kid-friendly coasters in the meantime? Check out the new Peppa Pig Theme Park and the indoor Malibu Jack’s (both in North Richland Hills) and Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. Six Flag’s 40th annual Holiday in the Park kicks off this Sunday, November 23, and next year, they’ll open an all-new coaster: Tormenta Rampaging Run in the park’s new Spanish village.
Find more family fun events every day of the week at dfwchild.com/calendar.
