Universal Kids Resort

On January 11, 2023, Universal Parks & Resorts announced a "new concept"-styled resort, geared towards families with children.^[1] On March 8, 2023, Universal Parks & Resorts changed their name to Universal Destinations & Experiences.^[2] Construction began on the theme park in Frisco, Texas, in November 2023,^[3][4] with an estimated cost of around $550 million.^[5] On December 1, 2023, the name of the resort was revealed to be Universal Kids Resort.^[3] The resort encompasses 32 acres (13 ha) of land and a 5-story, 300-room hotel.^[6][7]

In February 2024, Moss Utilities LLC was hired as the utilities contractor for the park.^[8] On June 1, 2024, the park was expected to open in June 2026.^[4][5][9] In November 2024, the park was estimated to open by May 2026, in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which occurred in the region.^[10] The main road to the resort, Universal Parkway, was expected to open in 2024, with an estimated cost of around $12.94 million.^[11][12] By January 2025, the road was then projected to open later in the year.^[13] By February 2026, the park was set to open in late 2026.^[14] On May 28, 2026, it was announced that the park would open on July 1, 2026, with the names of the lands revealed.^[15] The park also opened on the same day as Universal Pictures's Minions & Monsters.^[15][16] The park had an early preview on June 24.^[17]

Universal Kids Resort consists of seven themed lands. In clockwise order from entry, the themed lands are based on Gabby's Dollhouse, Trolls, Shrek, Puss in Boots, Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, SpongeBob SquarePants,^[a] and Despicable Me.^[18][19] The themed lands consist of swing rides, a river rapids ride, an aerial carousel, a rockin' tug, and two roller coasters.^[18]

Universal Kids Resort features one official on-site hotel, which is located in front of the entrance to the park.

The announcement of Universal Kids Resort was met with local enthusiasm yet upon opening was immediately criticized by visitors, with many finding the park cheaply designed, utilitarian, and generally falling well below the standards of theming within other Universal parks^[24]. Many reviews also criticize the park for lacking appropriate shade while being situated in Texas, while other reviews described it as "ugly, underthemed ... barren concrete stretches" that overall reflect "a type of cheapness and tackiness".^[25]