Universal this morning revealed new details about its upcoming new theme park in Texas.
While Universal Orlando is putting the finishing touches on its new Epic Universe theme park, Universal Creative also is working on a new theme park in Frisco, Texas - just outside Dallas. Announced in 2023 as Universal Kids Resort, the 97-acre site will feature a new theme park and a 300-room hotel.
We got some new concept art for the hotel, which will stand at the park's entrance.
Inside the park, Universal Kids Resort will feature six lands, themed to:
The park's hub also will offer an "immersive retail experience" with character meets, including Gabby from DreamWorks' Gabby's Dollhouse.
"At Universal Kids Resort, children will have the opportunity to play, sing, dance and discover with some of their favorite characters," Universal Kids Resort Vice President and General Manager Dan Cuffe said. "Beyond the highly-engaging attractions and shows, families will find ample areas to rest and also enjoy themed food and beverages and shop for fun character souvenirs. Each of these areas elicit wonder with a lush, colorful environment."
Universal Orlando visitors last year got their first look at Shrek's swamp in a new kids' DreakWorks Land. The Texas park also promises a Trolls music festival and a kitty adoption drive with "sideshow games, fun rides and festive food" as well as a sensory garden for cat naps in its Puss in Boots land.
Universal has introduced Minion lands at most of its theme parks, as well, most recently at Universal Studios Singapore. In Texas, the Minions land will feature Yellow and Purple minions battling in "water-soaked fun," according to Universal, suggesting a sprayground attraction.
As for Jurassic World, the new website for the park illustrates that with a cartoon of a baby dinosaur, so that tips what the focus of that land might be. Finally, Universal Kids Resort will be the first time we see an attraction based on SpongeBob from Universal, though we have seen the character in multiple parades and a shop at Universal Studios Florida.
"From earning a boating license to relaxing on the beach as bubbles float by, kids and their families and friends can enjoy the nautical, nonsensical delights," Universal said of this new land.
Outside of Universal, SpongeBob used to appear in the former Paramount theme parks - now part of the new Six Flags - and currently appears in a dark ride in Las Vegas.
"It's an amazing opportunity to bring these iconic stories to life for kids and families to experience, interact with and play together," Universal Creative VP & Executive Producer Sarah Gibbon said of the park. "At each point, we considered how we could design a place especially for kids where they could explore, imagine and adventure with their families and friends. They'll be able to do all this while being fully immersed in some of their favorite stories – ones full of curiosity, laughter and joy."
Universal Kids Resort opens next year.
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I'm just hoping the attractions are more than just some lightly themed stock flat rides like at Peppa Pig Park. Universal could really change the game if they're willing to provide some unique attractions in this park.
I agree Russell. They could really carve out a unique and lucrative space in the theme park business with this model. It’s kinda funny, Disney’s arm reaches towards its ever expanding fleet of cruise ships and Universal counters with a family day park and a year-round horror experience in Vegas. One wonders if attendance continues to stagnate in Florida if we don’t begin to see more and more niche offerings from these two behemoths?
Out of the 4 big Universal Parks expansions either in process or under development I would probably rank this fourth in terms of potential for success behind Britain, Las Vegas and Epic. Stand alone kiddy parks are a tough market to crack. If Universal Kids Park is made up mostly of lightly themed off the shelf attractions found in other venues it’s going to struggle to bring in repeat business. And if Kabletown invests sufficiently to replicate the immersive experience of its coastal destination resorts it may price out local families. If I were a betting man I’d put my money on Vegas over Frisco.
My guess is we should probably be looking at something similar to the Legoland parks when it comes to the level of theming and detail in this park and its attractions. I don't think we're going to get anything nearly as impressive as what's coming to Epic Universe this year, but I also think it's going to be a bit fancier than simply dressed up carnival rides like the kids areas found in Six Flags parks. Judging from the concept art, it looks like there will be one major attraction (roller coaster/dark ride/water ride) for each of the six areas, with the rest of the attractions being much smaller in scale, which is fine for a park like this. I also think they've picked a good mix of IPs, though I do feel like there are a couple obvious picks that are surprisingly absent. As for me, this definitely doesn't look like a place I'd go out of the way for, and even if I were visiting that part of Texas I don't know that I'd necessarily take the time to stop by, but I do think it has potential and could very will set a new standard for what a top tier kids park should provide.
I just can’t see how this doesn’t run into the same problems Hanna Barbara land did. The markets effectively limited to families with only young kids, once one ages out, the entire family goes elsewhere.
Chad H: you could say the same argument for disney, how many grown adults or teenagers do you see prancing around magic kingdom? yet i feel if its a good enough park, it will attract audiences from everywhere, probably nothing like orlando, but it wont be nothing.
I’m a pretty big Universal fan and a pretty big Disney fan as well and I can honestly say that I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone “prancing” anywhere. But maybe I’ve just visited at the wrong times?
i think the comment of "once ONE ages out," is the most salient point. The oldest kid will dictate the entertainment. Its why the second child is generally better at sports than the first. Parents were randomly seeing what stuck. Junior has been at the hockey rink his whole life... he knows the ins and outs. More resident than tourist.
What I meant was: if its a good enough park, people will come, no matter the age group its set at. magic kingdom attracts people from everywhere, they want that disney magic. Even if they don't like princesses people will come.( Sorry fattyackin)
@epicuniversefan: you’re good! My attempt at sarcasm failed, and until we can leave voice memos on this page all my attempts shall fail to do so. Welcome to TPI by the way!
I'm just saying hopefully it comes in the west side bc there is hardly anything near here in seminole
@epicuniversefan I wouldn’t call the Disney parks as being aimed at kids though. They’ve always been intended to be places where the whole family can experience the park together, and that goes all the way back to Walt on the bench watching his daughters on the carousel, maybe feeling a little left out.
I have a feeling there will be a lot of Big Kids there - Like the 50 year old kind...
Another money grab by Universal. They won't have to pour much money into building this park and hope that by overcharging they will make mega-profits.
This sounds cool. My kids aren't tall enough for all the Universal rides yet so this fills a much needed gap. Honestly some of these attractions should be going into their regular parks. If it includes dark rides and not just flat rides we will be going to Texas next year.
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I’m genuinely intrigued by this park. There’ll clearly be no game-changing attractions but with this being a Universal branded and themed destination, the expectation of quality is assumed to be at a certain level.