Credit: Inside The MagicUniversal’s newest theme park destination is still under construction in Frisco, Texas, and the fences have not all come down yet. But enough of them have that close-up photos of the hotel and construction site have started appearing online, and the people who have been following this project carefully have a message for everyone else: stop doing that.
Diservations, posting on X as @diservations, put it plainly this week: “Now that some of the Universal Kids Resort fences are down, I’m seeing a lot more up-close photos of the hotel pop up online. Don’t do it. Stay back and use your zoom. I’ve been doing it for years.”
Now that some of the Universal Kids Resort fences are down, I’m seeing a lot more up-close photos of the hotel pop up online. Don’t do it. Stay back and use your zoom. I’ve been doing it for years. pic.twitter.com/Kha7GGXgtm
— Diservations (@diservations) May 3, 2026
The reason is not simply etiquette. Signage at the Universal Kids Resort construction site explicitly prohibits photography, social media posts, videography, FaceTime calls, and drone usage, with no exceptions listed. The sign states that violators will be moved immediately from the site. That is not a suggestion. For anyone who has been driving past the construction and thinking about stopping for a closer look or a photo, that sign is the answer.
Universal Kids Resort is coming to Frisco, a suburb north of Dallas, Texas, and it represents something Universal has never built before: a theme park designed specifically for young children. Universal describes it as its first theme park just for kids. The full age range is welcome, but the design philosophy, the characters, the ride scale, the land concepts, and the overall experience are built around the youngest guests in a way that larger Universal parks are not. The park is slated to open in 2026, with no confirmed date yet. The hotel attached to the park has not begun accepting reservations, which suggests the opening is still a few months out. Based on construction progress, a fall or late 2026 timeline has been speculated by observers, though Universal has not confirmed anything.
What Universal Kids Resort Actually Contains
DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp takes guests into the world of the Shrek films with two major attractions. Shrek’s Swamp Splash and Smash is a waterlogged play experience built for Shrek’s triplets, featuring two play areas. Shrek and Fiona’s Happily Ogre After is a family ride that retells how an ogre and a princess were enchanted by love, with a chance to meet Shrek and Fiona in person.
Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom is one of the most expansive lands in the park with six confirmed attractions. Jellyfish Fields Jamboree puts guests in a Jelly Angler to float above the coral catching jellyfish alongside SpongeBob. Barnacle Bus is a tour of Bikini Bottom taking in sights from Goofy Goober’s to SpongeBob’s loyal pet Gary the Snail. Bobbing Barrels is a spinning water ride with Patrick Star and Sandy Cheeks. Mrs. Puff’s Boating School has guests swerving and spinning through her specially designed undersea course. Interactive play areas and a meet-and-greet with SpongeBob, Patrick Star, Squidward, and Sandy round out the land.
Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club pits the Yellow Minions against their Purple counterparts in a water-soaked land. Bello Bay Cruise is a rapids ride featuring the Yellow and Purple Minion face-off, and Bello Bay Golf Cart Derby is a kid-friendly spinning ride. Opportunities to meet the Minions and interactive play areas are also confirmed.
Jurassic World Adventure Camp brings the Jurassic World franchise to a scale built for younger guests. Three rides are confirmed: Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster sends riders on a ranger vehicle searching for Baby Bumpy, a curious ankylosaurus that has gone missing. Pteranodrop takes guests into the skies for gentle drops and dips like a flying pteranodon. Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin is a colorful spinning pod experience. A baby raptor meet-and-greet, a sensory garden, paddock play areas, and Jurassic World Lookout Towers are also part of the land.
DreamWorks’ TrollsFest celebrates the world of Trolls with rides and performances. Rhonda’s TrollsFest Express is a coaster-style Armadillo Bus ride. Hair in the Clouds is a balloon ride over the land. The King Trollex Techno Dance Party is a hosted dance celebration with a disco ball. Character meet-and-greets with Poppy and friends and two interactive play areas, Poppy’s Playland and Trolls Critter Crawl, are included.
DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar offers the lone major ride of the land, Swings Over Del Mar, spinning guests high above the kitty adoption day festivities of the village. Mama Luna’s Adopt A Kitty Day! is a show with puppet performances and opportunities to speak some Spanish. An interactive games area and a character meet-and-greet with Puss in Boots are also confirmed.
Isle of Curiosity is the entrance land, featuring a dance party and the opportunity to meet Gabby and friends from Gabby’s Dollhouse.
The park will also have an attached hotel that will allow families to stay on-site when it opens, though reservations are not yet being accepted.
If Universal Kids Resort is something your family is watching for its 2026 opening, follow the resort’s official channels for the eventual announcement of an opening date and hotel reservation availability. The park has not set a firm date yet and the hotel is not booking, so the announcement when it comes will be the signal that planning can begin in earnest. In the meantime, if you are near the Frisco construction site, respect the posted signage and stay at a distance.
