Universal Kids Resort in Frisco: The Local's Guide

Updated July 7, 2026 · Downtown Frisco

It finally happened. After three years of construction along the Dallas North Tollway, Universal Kids Resort opened its gates on July 1, 2026. It is Universal's first theme park built entirely for families with young kids, and it landed right here in Frisco. Here is what you need to know before you go.

What Universal Kids Resort actually is

This is not a Texas version of Universal Orlando. Universal built this park as a new concept: a regional resort sized and themed for young children and their parents. Rides are gentler, walkways are shorter, and the whole park fits on about 20 acres. Universal announced the project in January 2023, broke ground that November, and reported a construction budget around $550 million.

The bet is simple. DFW has millions of families within a short drive, and none of the big destination parks are within day-trip range. Frisco gave Universal a site right on the Tollway, and the park gives Frisco one more reason people drive in from all over North Texas.

The seven lands

The park wraps seven themed lands around characters most kids under ten already know:

• Isle of Curiosity. The gateway land, home to Gabby's Cat-Tastic Dance Party from Gabby's Dollhouse and the flagship park store.
• Shrek's Swamp. DreamWorks' swamp brought to life, with Puss in Boots making appearances.
• Jurassic World Adventure Camp. A kid-scaled take on the dinosaur franchise.
• Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob SquarePants' underwater town.
• A Trolls land. Music and color, built for the youngest visitors.
• A Minions land. Despicable Me characters and mischief.

Universal also built several sensory gardens between the lands, quiet spots where kids can pause and reset. Parents of young children will appreciate that detail by early afternoon.

Tickets and prices

Universal sells date-based admission, so the calendar sets your price. At launch, one-day tickets ran from $54.99 on quieter weekdays to $79.99 on peak dates like Labor Day weekend. Children age 2 and under enter free. There is also a specialty 1.5-day ticket sold with vacation packages, and the park's first annual pass starts at $129.99 with blockout dates.

Buy directly from the official Universal Kids Resort site. Prices move with demand, and third-party sellers add nothing here.

The hotel

The Universal Kids Resort Hotel sits directly in front of the park entrance with 300 rooms. Standard, Deluxe, and Signature Queen rooms sleep up to five, and Family Suites sleep up to six. The hotel has its own themed design, dining, and an outdoor pool. Room rates do not include park tickets, but packages bundle rooms with admission and perks like early park entry.

Getting there and parking

The resort sits at Dallas Parkway and Panther Creek Parkway, on the west side of the Tollway in north Frisco. From Dallas, take the Dallas North Tollway north and exit at Panther Creek Parkway. The city finished Universal Parkway ahead of opening to move traffic off the neighborhood streets. On-site parking is paid, and some annual pass tiers include it.

Make a Frisco day of it

The park closes earlier than the big destination resorts, which leaves your evening open. Stonebriar Centre is ten minutes south for dinner and shopping, the Rail District has the best casual restaurants in the city, and a RoughRiders game at Riders Field is the cheapest great night out in Frisco all summer.