Universal’s New Shrek-Filled Resort in Texas Is the Millennial Playground You Didn’t Know You Needed
Universal has announced a new family-focused resort called Universal Kids Resort, coming to Frisco, Texas, next year. The resort will feature themed areas for franchises such as Shrek, Trolls, SpongeBob SquarePants, Puss in Boots, Jurassic World, and Illumination’s Minions, plus an entry area called the Isle of Curiosity with a Gabby’s Dollhouse dance party.
Overview
Universal Kids Resort is a new property aimed at families with young children, announced by Universal. The company says the resort will center on well-known kids’ and family franchises, and will include multiple themed areas and attractions tied to those properties.
Featured lands
The resort will include several franchise-based areas. These are listed by Universal in its announcements and concept art. The named properties include:
- Shrek
- Puss in Boots
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Jurassic World
- Trolls
- Illumination’s Minions
- Gabby’s Dollhouse (Isle of Curiosity)
Shrek area and attractions
The Shrek-themed section is described as *Shrek’s Swamp* and will include an attraction called Shrek’s Swamp Splash & Smash, described by Universal as an oversized splash pad designed to look like a swamp. The resort’s materials show concept art for the Shrek area.
Other themed areas
Additional concept art and descriptions from Universal list the following:
Puss in Boots
A Puss in Boots-themed area called Puss in Boots: Del Mar appears in the resort concept art and materials. The art shows coastal and adventure motifs for that land.
SpongeBob SquarePants
A Bikini Bottom area is included in the concept materials under the name SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom. The artwork depicts recognizable SpongeBob settings.
Trolls
Trolls-themed elements are shown under the name TrollsFest in Universal’s materials.
Minions
Illumination’s Minions are represented with a concept called Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club, which includes a water play attraction in the artwork.
Jurassic World
Jurassic World appears as an adventure camp area in concept images titled Jurassic World Adventure Camp. The art shows themed outdoor and adventure elements.
Gabby’s Dollhouse / Isle of Curiosity
The resort’s entry area is named the Isle of Curiosity. Universal’s description says it will host a dance party featuring Gabby from the Netflix series Gabby’s Dollhouse.
Location and opening
Universal Kids Resort is planned for Frisco, Texas, and is scheduled to open next year. Universal’s announcement and the resort concept art were released publicly as part of the site’s promotional materials.
Official quote
Brian Robinson, Universal Creative executive vice president and CCO, is quoted in the announcement, saying: “envisioned this park through the unbridled creativity of kids, where infinite imagination, curiosity, and free-spirited play were core to our design philosophies.”
Background
Universal has previously developed franchise-based lands at its other U.S. parks. In recent years, Universal Orlando Resort has added lands based on DreamWorks properties and the Minions franchise.
Separately, cultural connections to the Shrek franchise have appeared in streetwear and events; for example, streetwear brand Supreme released a Shrek-themed shirt, and Shrek-themed raves have been reported elsewhere. More details on those can be found on Supreme’s preview and in a report on Shrek raves.
