Universal Kids Resort in Texas: Our Review on Whether it is Worth the Trip for Families
- paigelandrum
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Universal Destinations & Experiences has officially expanded into a brand-new market with Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas. Unlike Universal Orlando or Universal Studios Hollywood, this park was designed specifically with younger children and their families in mind. Understanding that is key.
The compact park features themed lands inspired by fan-favorite franchises including Shrek, Jurassic World, SpongeBob SquarePants, Minions, and Trolls, with kid-friendly rides, interactive play areas, splash zones, character meet-and-greets, and entertainment throughout the day. Because of its smaller size, most families can comfortably experience the park in less than a full day, making it an easy addition to a Dallas-Fort Worth vacation, a cross-country road trip, a weekend getaway, or a fun stop on your way to a cruise vacation out of Galveston.
Two of our A Mouse and a Beach travel advisors have gotten the chance to experience the park firsthand. Here are their unfiltered thoughts on who this park is for, what not to miss, and whether it's worth adding to your next trip.
What are your top must-see areas/attractions within the park?
Swings Over Del Mar – The most thrilling of all the rides!
Bello Bay Cruise – Water rides are a necessity in the Texas heat.
Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster – If Velocicoaster and Flight of the Hippogriff had a baby, but the Hippogriff genes were the dominant ones. 🤭
Shrek's Swamp Splash and Smash – The most popular of the splash pad areas.
Trolltastic Concert Countdown – Very lively show with fun tunes and in the shade. A definite bonus!
Would all ages like it or is it truly built for kids?
I would say they were right on the money with their advertising. This is definitely a park for smaller kids. If you're only looking for thrill rides like at Universal Orlando, you will be pretty disappointed. This is more comparable to the Peppa Pig Theme Park about 45 miles down the road from UKR. Ages of children would enjoy this park are between 3–10, especially if they're on the shorter side. A tall 10-year-old might be pushing it.
How does it compare to other Universal parks? Is it worth a visit?
I think the theming was pretty similar to Universal Orlando Resort, and the food options too. The biggest difference to me is the thrill factor and the size. I don't think it's worth a drive longer than 5 hours or any flight, if this is the only thing you're doing. If you're already coming to the area, this would be a solid add-on for families with smaller children. I do like that you don't have to commit a full day to it.
Any other pieces of advice or things to note before visiting?
Unlike Universal Orlando Resort, I don't think you're gaining as much by staying on site. However, if you want the convenience of a fun place to sleep and an easier entrance to the park, it could be a great fit.
The rides are built for smaller children, so they can be pretty snug. I had trouble fitting in the seats for Pteranodrop (and I'm short). The middle seats are very narrow, and I had to move to an edge seat. Riding with parents might not always be an option here.
What are the must-see areas/attractions within the park?
I'm going to answer this a little differently because my biggest takeaway wasn't a ride. It was the environment.
Everywhere I looked, families were laughing together while making memories, and there were Team Members who genuinely cared about making each interaction special. Universal has created something that fills a niche their other parks don't. It's a park that isn't trying to be the biggest or the most thrilling. It's a park that's intentionally built for kids and families. That, more than anything, is what made these three areas stand out to me.
Jurassic World
This was one of my favorite lands because it strikes a balance between adventure and accessibility. Kids who may not be ready for bigger thrill rides at Universal Orlando can still experience dinosaurs in a way that's exciting without being overwhelming.
One ride I wouldn't bypass is Mr. DNA's Double Helix Spin. It was one of my biggest surprises in the park, but if you're someone who gets motion sickness, know that this attraction combines three different types of movement. Think spinning teacups while the entire tower rotates, and then your ride vehicle also moves like a Ferris wheel. It packs a lot more motion than it looks like it should!
One of my favorite moments from the entire trip also happened in Jurassic World. A little girl wanted to meet one of the baby velociraptors, and the Team Member handling the interaction was incredible. They were patient, kind, and let the experience happen at her pace. Watching that interaction made me realize how much thought Universal has put into making these moments comfortable and memorable for every child.
Pro-Tip: Families looking for sensory-friendly experiences will appreciate Team Members who understand that every child experiences the park differently. This is a potential option for guests with autism to enjoy their vacation with supportive people around them.
DreamWorks Shrek's Swamp
The interactive play spaces in Shrek's Swamp are as much of the attraction as the ride itself. I found myself watching kids explore, climb, play, and use their imaginations. Meeting Shrek and Fiona here was also a highlight!
SpongeBob SquarePants
Walking into Bikini Bottom took me back to those afternoons after school watching SpongeBob. Whether you grew up with the show or your kids are discovering it for the first time, there are so many fun details to take in. Between the splash pad, colorful theming, and familiar scenes, it's impossible not to smile.
One thing I also wouldn't skip is the character meet-and-greets. Universal really made these interactions feel personal instead of rushed, giving families time to enjoy the moment.
Would all ages like it or is it truly built for kids?
This park is built for kids, and I mean that as a huge compliment. It's not trying to compete with Universal Orlando, Hollywood, or Epic Universe because that's not what it was designed to do.
Everything from the ride heights to the entertainment, food options, character experiences, and play areas have been created with young families in mind.
I think the sweet spot is around ages 3 to 12. Our son is 12, and he had a blast. He's still at the age where he loves meeting characters, is always up for riding rides with mom and dad, and enjoys noticing all the little details. What stood out to me most was how excited he was watching younger kids experience the park.
It also made me think about how perfect this park would be with his younger cousins. There is something for everyone. The younger kids have rides built just for them, while older siblings can still enjoy the experience and families can create memories together.
Another thing that really impressed me was how welcoming the park felt for families with different needs. Universal has put real effort into creating an environment where more families can enjoy the experience together. It fills a gap that really hasn't existed before within the brand. Instead of planning a week-long vacation around major thrill rides, families now have a destination that's easy to navigate and intentionally designed for younger children.
As someone based in the Midwest, I also think this park is going to be an incredible option for families in this part of the country. Orlando or Hollywood isn't always realistic for everyone, but a long weekend in the Dallas-Fort Worth area absolutely can be. If you have young children, I absolutely think it's worth the visit.
Any other pieces of advice or things to note before visiting?
Hydrate! We visited when temperatures were around 100 degrees. The splash pads, misting stations, and cooling areas definitely helped, but you'll still want to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
The refillable mug is one of the best values in the park. When we visited in June 2026, a single drink was around $4.99, while the refillable mug was $19.99 and includes unlimited refills throughout the day. You can choose from sports drinks, flavored waters, and even a specialty soda unique to each land.
Don't rush through the park trying to check every ride off your list in just a few hours. Some of my family's favorite moments came from slowing down, noticing the little details, and talking with Team Members about how they brought the park to life.
The Team Members were one of my biggest takeaways from our visit. Every person we talked with was excited to be there and wanted families to have an amazing day. They are the heartbeat of this park.
Don't judge it for what it isn't. I've seen people comparing it to the other Universal parks. That is missing the point. Universal Kids Resort wasn't designed to be the next big destination theme park. It was designed specifically for young families, and I think Universal accomplished exactly what they set out to do.
Give it time. Every new park has growing pains. I'd love to see a dedicated app with ride wait times and mobile ordering, but I am sure those will come in time. The landscaping is also still very young. Once those trees have had time to grow, they'll provide even more shade, and I think the park will become even more enjoyable during those hot Texas summers.
So, would we recommend a visit?
If you're expecting huge thrill rides and a park designed for teenagers and adults, Universal Kids Resort is likely not the right fit for you. What stood out most to both of our advisors is how intentionally the park was built for younger kids. Everything, from the attractions and play areas to the character interactions, was designed with children in mind.
For families with kids ages 3 - 12, Universal Kids Resort offers something different. It's a park you can comfortably enjoy without feeling like you need to cram everything into a 12-hour day or plan an entire week around it. It's an easy addition to a Dallas–Fort Worth vacation or a fun destination for a long weekend. The Peppa Pig amusement park is close by along with another fun stop for kids, Dig World.
The biggest piece of advice from our advisors? Don't compare it to Universal Orlando. Think of it as its own experience: one created specifically for younger families. If that's the stage of life you're in, there's a good chance this park will be exactly what you're looking for.
If you're thinking about adding Universal Kids Resort to your next vacation, we'd love to help. Start here, and we'll help you decide whether it's the right fit for your family, build an itinerary that matches your kids' ages, and take care of all the planning so you can simply enjoy the trip.
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