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Our Review: Is Universal Kids Resort Worth Visiting?
Universal Kids Resort officially opens on July 1, 2026, but we were invited to Frisco, Texas for a special media preview to experience the park before opening day. Since this was a preview event, some attractions, entertainment offerings, operations, and other elements may change before guests arrive next month.
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After spending time exploring the park, riding attractions, sampling the food, and taking in everything Universal has created, one thing became very clear: Universal Kids Resort knows exactly who its audience is. This isn’t Universal Orlando. It isn’t Epic Universe. And it isn’t trying to be. Instead, this is a park designed specifically for younger children and their families, with what we believe is a sweet spot of kids under the age of 8.
The park itself is relatively compact, which may actually be one of its biggest strengths. Parents of young children know that spending an entire day trekking across a massive theme park can sometimes be exhausting. Universal Kids Resort offers a more manageable footprint that allows families to experience most of the park without feeling like they’re running a marathon in the Texas heat. That said, we did find ourselves wishing there was more shade throughout the park.
While some areas provide relief from the sun, additional covered spaces and mature landscaping would go a long way toward improving the overall guest experience. Some sections of the park also felt a bit light on theming compared to what many guests have come to expect from the Universal name, especially given the incredible theming throughout Epic Universe as well as the theming in many of the lands at Islands of Adventure.
When it comes to attractions, younger guests are absolutely the stars of the show. Families will find several fun rides, play areas, splash zones, character encounters, and live entertainment offerings spread throughout the park. Older kids, teens, and adults may not find a lot of must-do attractions, but that’s by design. Universal built this park around kids first, and it shows in nearly every decision throughout the resort.
One area where Universal truly exceeded our expectations was the food. The dining options were a pleasant surprise and easily one of the highlights of our visit. Parents will likely appreciate the variety and quality of offerings available throughout the park while their kids are busy meeting favorite characters and enjoying attractions. In a park built for children, it’s nice to see that the adults weren’t forgotten when it came to dining.
The biggest factor in determining whether Universal Kids Resort is worth visiting may ultimately be the price. If Universal were charging Orlando-style theme park prices, this would probably be a much tougher recommendation. However, with tickets starting at just $55, the value proposition becomes much more appealing. For families with young children looking for a fun day out together, we can absolutely see Universal Kids Resort finding its audience.
At the end of the day, Universal Kids Resort isn’t trying to compete with Universal Orlando’s blockbuster attractions or the absolutely beautiful Epic Universe. It’s a smaller-scale experience designed specifically for younger kids, and viewed through that lens, it largely succeeds. While we’d love to see additional shade, more immersive theming in certain areas, and continued growth as the resort matures, we think many families with younger children will have a genuinely good time here.
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Would we travel across the country just to visit Universal Kids Resort? Probably not. But if you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, or have kids who fall squarely into that under-8 age range, this could be a fun family outing that delivers exactly what it promises.
And if you’re planning a visit after the park officially opens on July 1, be sure to contact our friends at Get Away Today for help planning your Universal vacation adventures.
We would be remiss if we did not thank Universal for their hospitality in hosting us at Universal Kids Resort!
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