Universal Kids Resort - Universal Destinations & Experiences First-Ever Theme Park Designed for Families With Young Children Officially Opens on July 1, 2026
Tickets, hotel packages and the park’s first annual pass option are on sale now.
May 28, 2026
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| Courtesy of Universal |
Universal has big news for its littlest fans! Universal Kids Resort, Universal Destinations & Experiences first-ever regional theme park specifically designed for kids, will officially open on July 1. Guests can now plan an exciting “kidcation” to the park as tickets, on-site hotel packages and the park’s first annual pass option are now on sale.
Located in the heart of Frisco, Texas, Universal Kids Resort brings UDX’s renowned theme park expertise to life in a whole new, playful way – inviting a new generation to embark on kid-sized Universal thrills made just for them. Across the 20-acre park, kids and their grown-ups will find fun at every turn as they laugh, splash, dance and play through seven amazing lands that celebrate some of their favorite characters and stories: DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp, Jurassic World Adventure Camp, Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom, 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.
Universal Kids Resort Grand Opening July 1, 2026
Plus, families can stay just steps away from the excitement at the Universal Kids Resort Hotel. Located at the entrance to the park, the colorful hotel features 300 rooms and family suites, delicious dining that will delight even the pickiest of eaters, an outdoor pool, and other family-friendly amenities – making it the perfect place for guests to rest or gear up for their day of play at Universal Kids Resort.
Tickets, packages and the first annual pass option for Universal Kids Resort are on sale now, specifically:
- 1-Day and 2-Day General Admission tickets
- The Universal Kids Resort Silver Annual Pass, which provides 12 months of access to the park (blockout dates apply). Pass options inclusive of parking are also available.
- A “Create Your Own” Package that allows guests to customize their experience and includes multiple ticket options – including a specialty “1.5-Day” admission ticket – hotel accommodations, flights and access to exclusive benefits such as Early Park Admission, resort-wide charging privileges, free delivery of purchased merchandise, and more.
- All room types at the Universal Kids Resort Hotel for stays beginning June 30, including the Standard Queen, Deluxe Queen and Signature Queen rooms, which can sleep up to five guests, and the Family Suites, which can sleep up to six guests.
- Tickets, Hotel Packages and the Park’s First Annual Pass Option are On Sale Now
For more information about Universal Kids Resort, visit UniversalKidsResort.com.
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Update (6/20) - The Universal Kids Resort arcade will feature at least two SpongeBob SquarePants arcade games: the virtual reality game VR Bubble Coaster, and Wacky Racer, which will allow players to win tickets! The latter looks to be a Whack-a-Mole type of game.
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| SpongeBob SquarePants VR Bubble Coaster | Laughing Place |
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| SpongeBob SquarePants VR Bubble Coaster | Laughing Place |
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| SpongeBob SquarePants Wacky Racer | Laughing Place |
About Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom:
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| Courtesy of Universal |
Nautical Nonsense Encouraged
Dive into an undersea adventure with Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and friends as you soak in the sights and sounds of Bikini Bottom. Opening at Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas on July 1, 2026. Additional details about the lands will be coming soon, so stay tuned! All images are artist conceptual renderings.
We’re All Goofy Goobers Here
Get ready for an undersea adventure with Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick and Sandy in Bikini Bottom. There’ll be oceans of nautical nonsense as you explore familiar locations from the hit show—strolling around Mussel Beach, frolicking in Jellyfish Fields and putting your boating skills to the test at Mrs. Puff’s Boating School.
Soak Up the Fun
Get ready for an undersea adventure with Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and friends. There’ll be oceans of nautical nonsense as you explore the Pineapple House and other places from the hit show!
Explore All of Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom's Awesome Experiences
Ride - Jellyfish Fields Jamboree
Board your very own Jelly Angler and float above the coral on a current of fun with Bikini Bottom’s #1 jellyfisher, SpongeBob SquarePants!
We’re Going Jellyfishing: Grab your jellyfishing net, climb aboard your very own Jelly Angler and get ready to try out Bikini Bottom’s buzziest sport! Float above the coral on a current of fun as you catch bouncing jellyfish with the one and only SpongeBob SquarePants. From the sounds of it, it’s going to be the Best Day Ever.
Height Requirement: No Height Requirement
Ride - Barnacle Bus
Bring it around town as you soak in all the sights of Bikini Bottom from your spot aboard the real-life Barnacle Bus.
All Aboard the Barnacle Bus!: Surf a wave of fun as you bring it around town aboard the real-life Barnacle Bus! Look out your window and see how many Bikini Bottom sights and residents you can spot—from Goofy Goober’s to Glovey Glove and SpongeBob’s loyal pet, Gary the Snail.
Height Requirement: Minimum Height 30” (76 cm)
Ride - Bobbing Barrels
Blast water as you spin ‘round and ‘round with SpongeBob SquarePants’ best friends. You never know where the next splash will come from!
Splash Around with Sandy & Patrick: Are you on team Patrick Star or team Sandy Cheeks? Use your cannon to blast water as you spin ‘round and ‘round with SpongeBob SquarePants’ best friends. You never know where the next splash will come from on this wet, wild and whirling water ride!
Height Requirement: Minimum Height 36” (92 cm)
Ride - Mrs. Puff’s Boating School
Is today the day you qualify for a Bikini Bottom boating license? Put your skills to the test as you zoom around Mrs. Puff’s course.
Boating School is in Session: Free boating lessons, for one day only! Is today the day you finally qualify for your Bikini Bottom boating license? Kids and their grown-ups will put their skills to the test and try to impress Mrs. Puff as they swerve and spin—and even go backwards—through her specially designed course.
Height Requirement: Minimum Height 36” (92 cm) / Maximum Height 77” (195 cm)
Character Encounters - Meet SpongeBob & Friends
Get ready to meet SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star and more of your kid’s favorite Bikini Bottom residents.
Meet SpongeBob SquarePants and Friends in Bikini Bottom: Get ready to meet all your kid’s favorite Bikini Bottom residents! Join SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Squidward Tentacles, and Texas’ own Sandy Cheeks for an awesome undersea meet and greet.
Appearance of characters listed is subject to change without notice, and not all characters listed are guaranteed to appear at the same time, or on the same day.
Meet and Greet, Photo Opportunity
Interactives & Play
There’s Interactive Fun All Around Bikini Bottom!
It’s the best day ever in Bikini Bottom, where kids can splash around with Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, Sandy and Squidward in awesome interactive play areas.
Character Encounters
An Undersea Meet and Greet with SpongeBob SquarePants and Friends
Bikini Bottom’s #1 jellyfisher is here—and so are all his friends! Get ready to meet SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Squidward Tentacles and Texas’ own Sandy Cheeks.
SpongeBob Restaurant and Shop
There are no announced plans to build a Krusty Krab restaurant in Universal’s new SpongeBob land, but Goofy Goober’s will be there. It’s SpongeBob’s favorite ice cream eatery in The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, and here at Universal Kids its menu expands with chicken sandwiches, salads, and hot dogs in addition to its “sky-high sundaes.”
The land’s gift shop will be Barg’N-Mart. In the TV series, it’s where SpongeBob goes grocery shopping, but here it’s where guests can find souvenirs.
Themed Areas
Pineapple Paradise is a water play area themed after SpongeBob’s iconic pineapple house.
Mussel Beach is a relaxation zone, though we don’t have concept art or other details for this space just yet.
About Isle of Curiosity
Curiosity is Your Superpower
Where Curiosity Leads the Way
Your family’s first land to explore is Isle of Curiosity: a perfect playtopia designed for kids to freely roam and play alongside their favorite characters. Enjoy shade and restful benches, fill up on delicious, kid-approved classics, then join the one and only Gabby for an epic dance party.
Character Encounters
Meet Gabby in Her Dollhouse
Pinch on your left, pinch, pinch on your right, grab Pandy’s hand and hold on tight at a mini-sized meet and greet with Gabby and friends.
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| Jellyfish Fields Jamboree | Courtesy of Universal |
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| Barnacle Bus | Courtesy of Universal |
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| Bobbing Barrels | Courtesy of Universal |
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| Jellyfish Fields Jamboree | Courtesy of Universal |
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| Jellyfish Fields Jamboree | Courtesy of Universal |
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| Bobbing Barrels | Courtesy of Universal |
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| Courtesy of Universal |
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| Pineapple Paradise | Courtesy of Universal |
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| Isle of Curiosity | Courtesy of Universal |
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| Courtesy of Universal |
A Theme Park for All KidKind! Universal Kids Resort – Universal Destinations & Experiences’ First-Ever Theme Park Created for Young Children – is Now Officially Open
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| Courtesy of Universal |
The Park Celebrated its Grand Opening in True Kid Fashion with a Special Appearance by Laila Lockhart Kraner, Star of “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” a Dance-Filled Processional featuring Hundreds of Excited Local Kids Alongside Fan-Favorite Characters, and a Colorful Ribbon Cutting with an Oversized Pair of Children’s Scissors
The playdate is finally here! Today marks the grand opening of Universal Kids Resort, Universal Destinations & Experiences’ first-ever regional theme park in Frisco, Texas specifically designed for young kids ages 3-8.
To celebrate the big day, the park hosted a kid-tastic celebration emceed by Laila Lockhart Kraner – who plays “Gabby” in DreamWorks’ “Gabby’s Dollhouse” – and kicked off with a special performance of the Universal theme song by dozens of young recorder players. The excitement continued with a playful processional as hundreds of kids, alongside their favorite characters, paraded to the Isle of Curiosity, where catchy choreographed dance moments came to life inspired by the park’s beloved brands – Gabby’s Dollhouse, Shrek, Trolls and Puss in Boots from DreamWorks Animation, Illumination’s Minions, Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants from Paramount Products and Experiences and Universal Pictures’ Jurassic World. It all culminated with a countdown to the park’s official opening, marked by a storm of colorful confetti, vibrant daytime pyro, a ribbon cutting with a giant pair of children’s scissors – and tons of smiles, laughter and dancing throughout.
“Today’s an exciting day for all kidkind as we officially open Universal Kids Resort,” said Page Thompson, President, New Ventures, Universal Destinations & Experiences. “Every aspect of this park was designed with kids in mind, and it’s amazing to see the smiles on their faces as they enjoy all that Universal Kids Resort has to offer.”
“Universal Kids Resort offers a completely unique experience to what we have at our other destinations – introducing a younger generation to Universal fun crafted just for them,” said Molly Murphy, President, Universal Creative. “We set out to develop a park that invites kids to splash, play, dance and laugh with some of their favorite characters. We’re excited for kids to create lasting memories here with their families as they embark on the ultimate playdate.”
Three years in the making, Universal Kids Resort features seven dedicated areas that celebrate beloved characters and stories: DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp, Jurassic World Adventure Camp, Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom, 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. And located at the entrance of the park is Universal Kids Resort Hotel, a 300-room vibrant hotel featuring various room types that sleep up to five or six guests, an array of family-friendly amenities, and delicious dining that will delight even the pickiest of eaters – creating the perfect place for guests to rest or gear up for their day of play at Universal Kids Resort.
Tickets, packages and park upgrades for Universal Kids Resort are available for purchase at UniversalKidsResort.com. Options include 1-day and 2-day general admission tickets, the Private VIP Experience – a 4-hour guided walking tour of the park for up to six guests that includes priority access and seating at attractions and entertainment offerings, along with other perks (separate theme park admission is required), and the Troll-ify Me! Experience – which offers the ultimate Trolls makeover with glittery, photo-ready cosplay looks themed to fan-favorite characters including Branch, Poppy and Guy Diamond. There are also a variety of customizable options and programs for groups, including the ability to plan a fun-filled birthday party at the park.
For more information about Universal Kids Resort, visit UniversalKidsResort.com.
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| Courtesy of Universal |
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| Courtesy of Universal |
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| Courtesy of Universal |
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| Courtesy of Universal |
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| Courtesy of Universal |
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| Courtesy of Universal |
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| Courtesy of Universal |
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"We designed every aspect of Universal Kids Resort with kids in mind and their grownups," said Molly Murphy, the president of Universal Creative, per NBC 5 DFW (via Dallas Express Media). "There are hundreds of our team members who've worked so hard to make this day."
Murphy said North Texas was selected for the project because of the region's rapid growth and strong appeal to families.
"We chose North Texas because it is one of the fastest-growing destinations in the United States and perfect for young families," she said. "Frisco has been a wonderful, welcoming partner with us."
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Originally published: May 29, 2026.
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