The brand new Universal Kids Resort set to open in Frisco, Texas 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. Universal Kids Resort is set to open on Wednesday, July 1. Find out more about the resort, designed especially for families with young children, below!
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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 |
Goofy Goober's is real at Universal Kids Resort. The SpongeBob sweet shop serves the Triple Gooberberry Sunrise, a $19.99 collectible-cup sundae loaded with ice cream, Dole Whip, fudge, s'mores crumble and Pop-Tarts pieces 🦈#Hosted #UniversalKidsResort @UniversalORL pic.twitter.com/fIpU5Q8gFg
— Theme Park Shark 🎢🦈 Dustin Sparage (@ThemeParkShark) June 18, 2026
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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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 |
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Originally published: June 20, 2026.
Additional source: @WalterSalmon13.
