Universal Kids theme park in Texas: All rides, lands revealed
Universal Kids Resort, a new theme park, will open in 2026 near Dallas, Texas with ries themed to “Shrek,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Trolls,” “Minions,” “Puss in Boots,” and “Jurassic World,” plus a “Gabby’s Dollhouse” area.
Universal Destinations & Experiences revealed the names of all seven lands on Oct. 15, 2025, following the previous announcement of the roster of characters from Feb. 21, 2025. The project, first revealed in early 2023, will focus on family-friendly attractions rather than the thrill rides Universal’s other parks are known for.
Concept art for the theme park (see below) depicts swings, a rapids ride, a Dumbo-style flat ride, a teacups-style flat ride, and two roller coasters.
A specific opening date for Universal Kids has not been announced other than “2026.”
Here are all the lands, rides, attractions revealed for the Universal Kids theme park.
DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp
Official description: “In DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp, meet Shrek and Fiona as they take you through their fairytale — or ogretale — love story.”
Attractions in Shrek’s Swamp
- Shrek & Fiona’s Happily Ogre After, a ride showing “how an ogre and a princess were enchanted by love”
- Shrek’s Swamp Splash and Smash, a playground built by Shrek for his triplets
- Meet & greet with Shrek and Fiona
Nickelodoen’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom
Official description: “Dive into an undersea adventure with Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and friends as you boat around Bikini Bottom — playing in SpongeBob’s Pineapple House and other locations from the show!”
Attractions in SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom
- Mrs. Puff’s Boating School (named by Universal but not described)
- Pineapple Paradise, a play area
- Mussel Beach, a relaxation zone
- Meet & greets with SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, and Squidward
Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club
Official description: “Let the games begin as Illumination’s Minions overrun a peaceful retreat. When Yellow Minions try to tame their Purple counterparts, it leads to a wave of unpredictable, water-soaked fun.”
Attractions in Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club
- Water raft ride (name TBA)
- Meet & greets with Minions
Jurassic World Adventure Camp
Official description: “Jurassic World is on the hunt for its newest class of young adventurers! Experience the excitement as you explore and come face-to-face with dinosaurs in roaringly fun play areas!”
Attractions in Jurassic World Adventure Camp
- Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster, a kiddie coaster
- Mr. DNA’s Double-Helix Spin, a kid-sized NebulaZ ride system of sorts)
- Kid-sized drop tower ride (name TBA)
- Lookout Towers, a play area
- Meet & greets with baby dinosaurs
DreamWorks’ TrollsFest
Official description: “You’re invited to the most colorful, most joy-filled, and, of course, most glittery music festival of all time!”
Attractions in TrollsFest
- Sparkle Shine Glitter Glow (may or may not be balloon ride pictured in concept art)
- Kiddie coaster (name TBA)
- Trolls Pop It Up, a dance party
- Poppy’s Playland, a play area
- Trolls Critter Crawl, a play area
- Sensory garden
- BroZone Cones (assumedly a dining location)
DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar
Official description: “It’s a legendary day with Puss in Boots in Del Mar as the kitty adoption drive is in full swing with colorful decorations, sideshow games, fun rides, and festive food.”
Attractions in Puss in Boots Del Mar
- Swings Over Del Mar, a swing ride
- Mama Luna’s Puppet Show
- Carnival games
- Sensory garden
- Meet & greets with Puss in Boots, Mama Luna, and Perrito
Isle of Curiosity featuring Gabby’s Dollhouse
Official description: “A central hub with interactive play areas and shady lawns for rest & recharge, plus an immersive retail experience where guests can meet characters from Gabby’s Dollhouse.”
More concept artwork for Universal Kids theme park rides
Though this IP portfolio wasn’t official until Feb. 21, 2025, and the attractions themselves weren’t revealed until Oct. 15, 2025, the Universal Kids concept art from late 2023 (below) more or less revealed the possibility of these franchises being part of the theme park. For example, landmarks from “SpongeBob,” like the Krusty Krab restaurant, are clearly visible in the artwork revealed over a year ago. Notably, Universal owns all of the franchises except one: “SpongeBob SquarePants,” which belongs to Paramount’s Nickelodeon.
Notably, the version of the artwork above differs from the first concept art shared in early 2023 (below).
As previously announced, the resort will also include a 300-room hotel.
Universal’s descriptions for the areas representing films from DreamWorks Animation — “Shrek,” “Trolls,” and “Puss in Boots” — seem similar to attractions within DreamWorks Land, which opened in 2024 at Universal Studios Florida and includes a playground at Shrek’s swamp.
Photo by Matt Roseboom
Universal refers to the theme park itself as “Universal Kids Resort.” The park does not have a different name from the property at large.
Universal Kids Resort will be located in Frisco, Texas (about 30 miles from Dallas). This places it in direct competition with the similarly kid-oriented Peppa Pig Theme Park Dallas-Fort Worth, which opened March 1, 2025, nearby.
It’s an ambitious era for Universal Destinations & Experiences. In addition to the Universal Kids theme park opening in Texas in 2026, the full-scale (i.e. not just for kids) Universal Epic Universe theme park opened on May 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. and the year-round haunt Universal Horror Unleashed opened on Aug. 14, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nev.
For an idea of the type of kid-friendly attractions and theming to expect at Universal Kids, enjoy our walk-through of DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida:
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