Universal Kids Resort
Universal's theme park for young children
Since 1 July 2026, Universal has had its own theme park for families with young children: Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, just outside Dallas in Texas. You can meet Shrek, SpongeBob, the Minions and Gabby, enjoy gentle rides and play with water. On this page you can read what there is to do, what the hotel is like and how to get there.
What is Universal Kids Resort?
According to Universal, Universal Kids Resort is the company's first theme park designed specifically for families with young children. The park is mainly aimed at children aged 3 to 8, but parents and grandparents can join in everywhere.
The park covers around 20 acres (just over 8 hectares) and has seven themed lands featuring characters from DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Illumination and Universal Pictures. You'll find small rides, shows, water play areas, calm sensory gardens and plenty of places to meet characters. The park's own Universal Kids Resort Hotel stands by the entrance.
Discover Universal Kids Resort
The seven themed lands
Your day starts in Isle of Curiosity, the area by the entrance. From there you walk to the other worlds:
- Isle of Curiosity: a play plaza with shade and benches, where you meet Gabby from Gabby's Dollhouse.
- DreamWorks' Shrek's Swamp: Shrek and Fiona's swamp, with a ride and two water play areas.
- Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom: Bikini Bottom, with SpongeBob's pineapple house and four rides.
- Illumination's Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club: yellow and purple Minions in a watery holiday club.
- Jurassic World Adventure Camp: dinosaurs, the park's most thrilling rides and lookout towers.
- DreamWorks' TrollsFest: a party with Poppy and Branch, featuring music, dance shows and a glitter makeover.
- DreamWorks' Puss in Boots Del Mar: Puss in Boots' little village, with a swing ride, a puppet show and fairground games.
Rides and height requirements
The rides are small and child-friendly. Children under 122 cm must be accompanied by an adult on most rides (Universal calls this a Supervising Companion). The minimum heights according to the park:
- No minimum: Jellyfish Fields Jamboree (SpongeBob) and Mr. DNA's Double Helix Spin (Jurassic World).
- 77 cm: Shrek & Fiona's Happily Ogre After and Barnacle Bus.
- 92 cm: Bobbing Barrels, Mrs. Puff's Boating School, Bello Bay Golf Cart Derby, Pteranodrop, Rhonda's TrollsFest Express and Hair in the Clouds.
- About 1 metre (39 inches): Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster, the park's roller coaster.
- 102 cm: Bello Bay Cruise, a boat ride full of water fun.
- 107 cm: Swings Over Del Mar, the Puss in Boots swing ride.
Check the current list on the park's website before your visit.
Shows, characters and play
You'll meet characters in almost every land: Shrek and Fiona, SpongeBob with Patrick, Squidward and Sandy, the Minions, a baby raptor, Poppy and Branch, and Puss in Boots. In TrollsFest you can dance along at the King Trollex Techno Dance Party and Trollstastic: Concert Countdown. In Del Mar you can watch the puppet show Mama Luna's Adopt a Kitty Day!.
There are also play areas in every land, often with water, such as Shrek's Swamp Splash and Smash and Poppy's Playland. Jurassic World and Del Mar have calm sensory gardens for when things get a bit too busy. At Sparkle Shine Glitter Glow, children get a Trolls makeover (the Troll-ify Me! Experience costs $25 per person per day, as of November 2026).
Opening times:
The park is open for most of the year, with short seasonal closures. Opening times vary by day.
Tickets:
A one-day ticket costs from $44.99 plus tax (as of November 2026). Children under 2 get in free.
Height requirements:
Most rides have a minimum height of 77 to 107 cm. Under 122 cm, you ride with an adult.
Universal Kids Resort Hotel
The Universal Kids Resort Hotel stands by the park entrance and has 300 rooms and family suites. There's a quick-service buffet (Curiosity Café), a bar, an outdoor pool, a gym and a games room. Every room has a queen-size bed and a bunk bed:
- Standard Queen (about 27 m²), Deluxe Queen (29 m²) and Signature Queen (39 m², with a separate toilet): up to five people.
- Family Suite (45 m²): a bedroom with a king-size bed, a bunk bed and a sofa bed, for up to six people.
Hotel guests can enter the park an hour before opening for a selection of rides (Early Park Admission, with a valid park ticket), have their own entrance to the park and can have their purchases delivered to the hotel free of charge.
Tickets and prices
You buy tickets on the Universal Kids Resort website. Prices vary by day (as of November 2026, always plus tax):
- 1-Day General Admission: from $44.99.
- 2-Day General Admission: from $59.99.
- Explorer Ticket: $69.99 for multiple visits up to and including 11 March 2027, Sunday to Thursday only and not on 20 December or 27 to 30 December.
- Silver Annual Pass ($129.99) and Gold Annual Pass ($199.99, with parking and no blockout dates).
Children under 2 go free. If you'd like to see the park with your own guide, there's the VIP Experience: a four-hour tour with priority access to rides and shows, from $999.99 for up to six people. You can hire a double pushchair for $15 per day.
Holidays in the park
From 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, Universal Kids Resort celebrates the holidays, at no extra cost on top of your ticket. You'll meet the penguins from Madagascar, SpongeBob and Patrick, Gabby in her festive outfit and Father Christmas. Children write a letter to Father Christmas, and every evening the Christmas tree is lit, with the dance show Gabby's Meowy Christmas.
Travelling to Frisco
Frisco lies in the north of the Dallas–Fort Worth area in Texas. According to Visit Frisco, it's about a 25-minute drive to Dallas and also to the airports Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) and Dallas Love Field. From the Netherlands and Belgium you fly to DFW, usually with a connection. For a holiday in the United States you'll need an ESTA.
The easiest way to reach the park is by car or a ride-hailing app. The parking address is 1 Universal Parkway, Frisco, TX 75033. On arrival you choose between Regular and Premium Parking and pay by card (cash is not accepted). There's a dedicated pick-up and drop-off point for ride-hailing apps. Hotel guests park in a separate car park at the hotel.
Measure your children
Measure your children at home and compare with the height requirements. That way you'll know in advance which rides they can go on.
Bring dry clothes
In Shrek's Swamp, Bikini Bottom and at the Minions you'll get wet. A towel and a change of clothes will come in handy.
Check the calendar
The park has short seasonal closures. Check the park's calendar before you book your trip.
Staying nearby
Besides the Universal Kids Resort Hotel, you'll find plenty of other hotels in Frisco and Dallas. Take a look at the options below.
More from Universal
Want to visit the big Universal parks? Then read our guides to Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood too.