Kids (and kids-at-heart), rejoice! Universal Kids Resort’s grand opening is on July 1, 2026, and the energy on the ground is electric. This will be the first-ever U.S. Universal theme park built outside Florida or California, and it’s designed from the ground up for families with toddlers through elementary schoolers. Not built just for “kids while parents watch from the sidelines,” but genuinely built for the whole family.
Creative director Jimmy Pickering sums it up perfectly: “We want this to be a park for the entire family.”
And here’s the kicker: Everything — the colors, the scale, the storybook curves of buildings — is crafted so kids instantly understand this world was built just for them. Jimmy sketched the original vision for the theme park himself, which explains why every corner feels like a page pulled straight from a giant illustrated storybook.
After touring the lands, chatting with Jimmy and associate producer Emily Probus and standing inside spaces that are bursting with personality, I can safely say there are plenty of things for kids and parents to look forward to when Universal Kids Resort opens on July 1, 2026.
1. A Park Designed for Kids — Without Forgetting the Grown-ups
Universal is known for big thrills, but this project flips the script in the best way. This time, kids get the headline moments, and because everything is sized for them — from ride heights to land layouts — the whole park moves at a kid-friendly rhythm. More play. Fewer meltdowns. Bigger smiles.
Of course there are height requirements to the rides! But…of the kid-size variety.
2. Characters Kids Can Connect With
If traditional theme park meet-and-greets are all about that classic “smile big!” moment, Universal Kids Resort adds a fresh twist. Here, those interactions are created to feel extra personal. The kind where kids light up, giggle uncontrollably, and create the memories that get retold for years. Because we’ve designed kid-scale experiences, the characters connect with little ones right at their level — physically and emotionally — making the whole experience feel natural, warm, and genuinely special.
Stroll into Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom and you might find SpongeBob, Patrick, and Squidward breaking into play mode, or Sandy Cheeks meeting guests in her home state for the first time ever, ready to represent Texas with full squirrel energy.
Over in DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar, the whole vibe shifts to storybook theater. After Mama Luna’s Adopt a Kitty Day! show, Puss in Boots, Mama Luna, and Perrito will stay behind after the show to meet and greet with guests.
In DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp, Shrek and Fiona greet families in a cozy, handmade-feeling space designed for young adventurers.
Sometimes Poppy bursts into TrollsFest with a confetti explosion.
Sometimes a Minion wanders into Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club to overrun a peaceful vacation retreat.
Emily articulates it best: A kid’s biggest thrill isn’t always a coaster. Sometimes it’s a character bending down, looking them in the eyes, and telling them they’re brave.
3. Attractions Made for Kids — But Still Fun for Parents
The rides at Universal Kids Resort are full, legit attractions designed so kids get thrills on their scale and parents have the chance to join in the fun.
In Jurassic World Adventure Camp, the Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster becomes a milestone bragging ride — where guests will zoom through twists, turns, peaks and valleys. On Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin, guests can put on their imaginary lab coats, climb aboard the colorful pods and join Mr. DNA for a twisting and turning spin on a giant double helix! Pteranodrop takes kids and their grown-ups to the skies, delivering the thrill of gentle drops, bounces and dips just like legitimate flying Pteranodon.
DreamWorks’ TrollsFest keeps the energy high with Rhonda’s TrollsFest Express, a gentle armadillo bus tour through the festival, and Hair in the Clouds, a breezy balloon lift with big-sky views.
In Bikini Bottom, Jellyfish Fields Jamboree, Barnacle Bus, and Mrs. Puff’s Boating School deliver pure cartoon chaos. And Bello Bay Cruise in the Minions land is basically a raft ride through comedic rivalry.
Emily says, “The same thrill an adult has from experiencing a 70-mph coaster can equal the excitement a child feels after going on their very first roller coaster… or meeting Puss in Boots for the first time.” At Universal Kids Resort, kids can have their first coaster moment — and you’ll get to experience it beside them.
Looking for information on all the incredible rides, meet and greets, and play areas at Universal Kids Resort? Read our Deep Dive article here.
4. Play Spaces Where Kids Can Just… Be Kids
Free play zones are tucked everywhere throughout Universal Kids Resort, and they’re primed for energy-exerting.
Shrek’s Swamp Splash & Smash and Shrek’s Swamp Rompin’ Stomp in Shrek’s Swamp? What swamp dreams are made of.
Jurassic World Lookout Towers and Paddock Play? A world of interactive fun.
Poppy’s Playland and Trolls Critter Crawl bring color, motion, and sensory textures.
This is really only scratching the surface of play areas throughout the theme park. Every land has a spot where kids can roam while parents recharge — quietly thanking the theme park designers.
5. Dance, Music & Movement Everywhere
If your kid is powered by rhythm, this park may just be their natural habitat.
Isle of Curiosity kicks off mornings with Gabby’s Cat-Tastic Dance Party!, a warm-up disguised as a dance show. Over in TrollsFest, King Trollex Techno Dance Party becomes a family cardio class with glow effects. Rhonda’s TrollsFest Express and Hair in the Clouds keep the lively, music-filled festival vibe buzzing throughout the theme park. And to make sure every little one is having the best day ever, Play Ambassadors will be stationed all around — blowing bubbles, sparking mini-games, starting surprise dance parties, and keeping the fun rolling from one moment to the next.
6. Water, Splash Zones & “Oops, We’re Wet” Moments
The park embraces the universal truth: kids + water = happiness.
At Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club, you’ve got absolute Minion chaos. When Yellow Minions attempt to rein in their Purple counterparts, it leads to a wave of unpredictable, water-soaked fun.
Bikini Bottom brings big, bubbly water play to life, with plenty of spots for kids to splash, spray, and laugh their way through the chaos. Shrek’s Swamp, on the other hand, leans into gentler splash moments; think softer sprays, cozy play zones, and just enough water to feel refreshing without being overwhelming. It’s a mix that gives every kid, from the bold splash seekers to the more cautious dippers, a place to play their way.
Don’t worry: We have full-size dryers you can step into — a quick blast of warm air and it’s almost like you never got splashed (or drenched) in the first place.
7. Retail That’s an Extension of Storytelling
A few standout shops keep the storytelling going long after the rides. The Gabby’s Dollhouse store in Isle of Curiosity feels like stepping straight into Gabby’s world, with colors, textures, and surprises that pull kids in instantly. Troll-ify Me! in TrollsFestturns the whole day up to 11, letting little fans walk out looking like they just joined the band — glitter, hair flair, and all. Everywhere you go, the retail moments feel less like “shopping” and more like extensions of the worlds kids already love, giving them a way to carry a piece of the story home. Even snacks double as souvenirs: the Shrekzel, the BroZone Berry soft serve, and the Minions vs. Minions Popcorn that looks like it escaped from a Purple Minion experiment.
8. Food That Makes Everyone Happy (Including Parents Who Need Real Coffee)
The food throughout the park is designed for children with all kinds of tastes — from the selective nibblers to the adventurous eaters — while still giving adults what they need to fuel their day. Right near the entrance, Universal Kids Resort Café doubles as a parent oasis: real espresso, fresh pastries, and sandwiches that live well beyond the nugget multiverse.
Each land brings its own flavor personality. Puss in Boots Del Mar leans cozy and Latin-inspired. TrollsFest goes bright, sweet, and colorful. Jurassic World Adventure Camp serves explorer-ready bites. And Bello Bay Bites introduces the instantly iconic Bello Bay Mac & Cheese Cone — delicious, photogenic, and very Minion-coded.
Food fuels everything here: the next ride, the next laugh, the next milestone-memory.
9. Where the Day Begins (and Begins Again)
The Universal Kids Resort Hotel sits just steps from the front gate, which makes those midday resets totally realistic. With 300 rooms designed to feel bright, fun, and easy to settle into, the hotel carries the same energy as the theme park without feeling like you ever left it.
The pool is the star of the show. It’s the spot where everyone can shake off the Texas heat, splash around, and recharge before round two. Plenty of loungers, shady corners, and space to sprawl make it just as appealing for the grown-ups as it is for the splash-happy crowd.
Staying here keeps everything close, simple, and in rhythm with how families actually travel. Roll out of bed and into the action. Pop back for a breather when you need it. End the day sun-warmed, pleasantly tired, and already talking about tomorrow.
10. A Universe You Can Build at Home
Emily told me one of the guiding principles behind Universal Kids Resort: “The scale and layout of the park was designed with kids in mind to make it as manageable as possible — and less overwhelming for parents to navigate.” And that’s the heart of this whole place. It’s built so families can move, breathe, play, and discover without any stressors weighing down the day.
July 1, 2026, is coming fast. After walking the construction site at the end of 2025 and seeing how much care is going into every bolt and beam, I can say this with full confidence: This resort is absolutely worth putting on your family’s radar.
You can sign up for updates on the official site and follow @UniversalKidsResort on Facebook and Instagram. Or, if you’re already picturing your kid’s face during their first coaster, first dance party, or first character moment they’ll talk about for months… you can start planning your visit now.
The countdown is officially on. Which rides, shows, treats, or characters are you most excited about? Drop it in the comments — we can’t wait to hear.