Universal Kids Resort was created for all of KidKind — that’s right, all. This means that the Universal team built the theme park to support every family as they experience their perfect day. It also means Universal Kids Resort offers several resources to support families with certain sensory needs.
- Universal Kids Resort, located in Frisco, TX, is designated as a Certified Autism CenterTM by IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education). Team Members are equipped with education and tools to support guests with autism and other sensory needs.
- Sensory Guides on the Universal Kids Resort website give you the information on how each experience will engage the five senses. This way, your family can plan which experiences work best for you.
- At all Universal Kids Resort dining locations, menus detail exactly what goes into each dish. That means fewer surprises and more fuel to keep on playing!
- Quiet Rooms to take a break in are available at Universal Kids Resort, located at both Family Services locations, which can be found at the entrance and halfway through the park.
Inclusivity is a topic near and dear to my heart. Several members of my family, including myself, rely on these kinds of sensory resources to have the most fun possible. My four-year-old little brother is the perfect example: Like the rest of the kids at Universal Kids Resort, he likes to play, splash, and eat a lot of snacks. Because he has autism, our family plans every outing using sensory guides and other resources to ensure he doesn’t get overstimulated. Having the right resources means we can give him the best experience possible.
So, let’s jump in and learn about the sensory resources at Universal Kids Resort!
All About The IBCCES Certification
I recently spoke with Emily Dziuban and Brandi Zimny from the Inclusion team at Universal Destinations & Experiences about the importance of bringing inclusivity resources to life at Universal Kids Resort.
As Brandi puts it, inclusivity is central to the theme park. “Universal wanted all KidKind to see themselves at Universal Kids Resort from the moment that we started talking about it,” she says.
To help put those words into action, Universal Kids Resort obtained a designated Certified Autism CenterTM certification from IBCCES. This specialized training teaches Team Members about best practices when welcoming autistic, sensory-sensitive and sensory-seeking children and adults. Universal Kids Resort includes this training in onboarding for all Team Members and the training touches every role at the resort. By equipping Team Members with the tools and insights to better welcome, understand, and support neurodivergent guests, we can work toward a better experience for everyone!
Want to dive into the details? To learn more about the IBCCES certification, you can head to Universal Kids Resort’s accessibility information pageor IBCCES’s blog about Universal Kids Resort accessibility offerings.
Experiences For All KidKind
Sensory Guides
The certification also included an onsite review and creation of sensory guides. Speaking from experience, I know that having the resources to plan our day ensures that my family members in need of accommodations feel more of a sense of belonging. As Kelly Schwartz, the director of operations at Universal Kids Resort, says, “My number one goal from an operations perspective is to make sure that every child feels like they belong here.”
To accomplish that goal, Universal provides several tools for guests and caregivers of those with sensory needs to plan their day, including sensory guides. Tailored for each attraction, ride, and show, these guides break down how each experience will engage the five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. The guides are available online and at Guest Services.
Because sensory needs look different for each person, these guides can help guests plan their trip based on individual sensory needs.
“If a caregiver has a child who gets overstimulated by loud noises, when planning their visit, they can look at the sensory guides and look for specific shows or rides,” Kelly says. She says the sensory guides help empower families to make the right choices for their kids. “We’re not going to be able to remove all the sensory exposure. But we are going to provide you with the knowledge in advance on how to have the greatest day that you can.”
Emily agrees that upfront information is the key to inclusivity. With more complete knowledge of experiences, everyone can plan their days at Universal Kids Resort around the type of fun that works best for them. As she puts it, “We want you here. We are prepared to welcome everyone. We are going to try and give you as much information as possible so you can design your day.”
Take a Break
Universal Kids Resort is all about bringing out the vibrant and unapologetic playfulness in kids and kids-at-heart. Big fun might mean needing a quiet moment to recharge.
When someone in your party is ready for a break from the play, Quiet Rooms are available for downtime. Quiet Rooms are located at both Family Services locations, which can be found at the entrance and halfway through the park. Here, sensory wall panels, floor cushions and soft floors are available upon request.
There are additional break areas available as well. If your little adventurer would prefer to stay closer to the action, there is also a Sensory Garden in Jurassic World Adventure Camp. While outdoors, this area is equipped with calming music and interactive elements. And if you’re staying at the Universal Kids Resort Hotel inside of the theme park, taking a rest there is another great option for a midday break!
Other Resources
You can also ask a Team Member about complimentary sensory kits that are filled with resources to aid you throughout your Universal Kids Resort day. Think items like headphones, sensory toys, and communication cards.
Also, keep an eye out for our Play Ambassadors throughout the park! In this special role created just for Universal Kids Resort Team Members directly interact and play with guests through fun activities like trivia, hopscotch, bean bag toss or just chatting with guests.
Menus For All KidKind
Inclusive menus make for happier mealtimes. Universal Kids Resort therefore strives to make all its menus more inclusive for guests by listing out the ingredients on each food or drink item.
If you’re visiting with a selective eater, you can browse menus with peace of mind. There are no surprises — you can dig in assured you are getting only the ingredients that you ordered. If you let a Team Member know about any allergies or food sensitivities, a chef will come out to discuss menu options with you. You can also ask about opting to plate food separately, so it doesn’t touch!
As Emily says, “If there’s a person in your party who wants to have food that is very familiar and comfortable, we’re going to list the ingredients out so that you know what you’re going to get.”
By taking the mystery out of meals, we can minimize stress and save all the excitement for the rides, shows, and play areas!
These resources can empower you and your family to have the best day possible. Above all else, you should know that the team at Universal Kids Resort is excited to meet you where you are at, no matter what fun looks like for you and your family!
What are you most excited to experience at Universal Kids Resort? Let us know in the comments.