Universal has confirmed that its first-ever theme park designed exclusively for young children, Universal Kids Resort, will open its doors on July 1, 2026, in Frisco, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas. Tickets are now on sale at universalkidsresort.com.
The 20-acre resort marks a significant new direction for Universal Destinations and Experiences (UDX), the company behind Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort. Unlike those large-scale parks, Universal Kids Resort is specifically built for families with younger children, offering what the company describes as a more accessible, regional destination experience.
The park is divided into seven themed lands, each based on a beloved franchise. DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp features the first-ever Shrek ride in the United States, Shrek and Fiona’s Happily Ogre After, which retells the couple’s action-packed story. Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom marks the first-ever SpongeBob SquarePants land at any Universal park. Jurassic World Adventure Camp includes the family coaster Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster, the spinning ride Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin, and the drop ride Pteranodrop. Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club, DreamWorks’ TrollsFest, DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar, and the Isle of Curiosity featuring DreamWorks’ Gabby’s Dollhouse complete the lineup.
Across the resort, families can access more than 30 experiences including rides, live entertainment, character meet-and-greets, interactive play areas, and sensory gardens designed for guests with additional needs.
Brian Robinson, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer at Universal Creative, described the park’s vision: the resort is designed to celebrate imagination, discovery, and the courage to be unapologetically oneself, while welcoming a new generation into Universal’s world of entertainment.
The resort also includes a 300-room hotel located at the entrance to the park, featuring an outdoor pool, restaurants designed to appeal to even the most selective young diners, and a range of family-friendly amenities. Room types include the Standard Queen, Deluxe Queen, and Signature Queen, the latter sleeping up to five guests, as well as Family Suites accommodating up to six. The hotel begins accepting guests from June 30, one day before the park officially opens.
Admission pricing is notably more affordable than Universal’s flagship parks. A one-day general admission ticket starts at $54.99, while a two-day ticket begins at $73.99. Prices vary by date, with peak periods such as Labor Day Weekend reaching $79.99 for a single day. Children aged two and under enter free.
The Universal Kids Resort Silver Annual Pass, priced at $129.99, provides 12 months of general admission, though blackout dates apply. Parking-inclusive annual pass options are also available.
For families looking to combine accommodation and park access, UDX offers a “Create Your Own” vacation package that can be customised to include tickets, hotel stays, and flights. Package holders receive a range of exclusive benefits including Early Park Admission one hour before general opening, resort-wide charging privileges, and free delivery of merchandise purchased within the park. A specialty 1.5-day ticket option is also available within the package, allowing guests to enter the park from 2 p.m. on their arrival day followed by a full second day.
The park is located at the northeast corner of the Dallas North Tollway and Panther Creek Parkway in the Fields development in Frisco. Universal broke ground on the site in November 2023, following approval of a zoning request by Frisco City Council earlier that year. The project took more than three years to complete and is expected to generate significant sales, property, and hotel tax revenue for the city.
The nearest major airport is Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). International travelers flying from London Heathrow can access direct services operated by British Airways and Finnair.
Meanwhile, Universal’s expansion ambitions extend well beyond Texas. In the United Kingdom, the government has granted planning approval for a major new Universal theme park to be built at a former brickworks site in Kempston Hardwick, Bedfordshire. The project is expected to create around 8,000 permanent jobs and approximately 20,000 construction roles, with economists projecting a £50 billion boost to the UK economy. The park has been described by Universal as unlike anything currently existing in the country, with potential ride heights of up to 115 metres that would make them the tallest in Europe.
In a letter published following the planning approval, Universal stated it is committed to sharing progress updates in the months ahead, including job opportunities and information on how local businesses and suppliers can potentially become partners in the project.
