Construction Update: Tracks, Ride Vehicles Show Up at Universal Kids Resort
Universal Kids Resort construction went vertical last fall. While I shared a few photos and videos on social media, I held off on writing any articles. Footings and forms aren’t the most thrilling updates. But a lot has changed since then. The hotel has reached three stories, and several attraction buildings have started to take shape. The most exciting development? Ride vehicles and tracks have officially arrived on-site. We’ll get to those in a bit.
Note: We’ll update this article as new details emerge.
Universal Kids Resort Hotel
The hotel is the resort’s most prominent structure. Concept art indicates that two more floors are yet to be built. Speaking of concept art, the hotel’s look has changed drastically since the park was announced. The facade has been toned down with each new concept.
In early December, the Frisco City Council approved Universal’s final hotel design, despite a 10-year-old resident’s objection that “the bright colors make it look cheap.” I guess it’s a good thing Universal Kids is intended for 3- to 9-year-olds.
In addition to the hotel, several other buildings have seemingly sprung up overnight.
Universal Kids Resort rides
Earlier today, Universal shared details about the lands coming to Universal Kids Resort. I’ll share those details in a separate article. The announcement contained no surprises for Alicia Stella’s followers, who predicted the lands last year. Since I wrote most of this article before Universal’s release, her reporting was invaluable.
Equally as invaluable was @Aahs_n_Oohs, who provided many of the details that follow. @ParkWizar1 shared some great tips, as well.
I found numerous ride materials when I visited Universal Kids last week. I took photos from the park’s southern perimeter, the area closest to SpongeBob SquarePants.
Let’s look at the land’s concept art, which includes a possible Krusty Krab, three outdoor rides, and a larger-than-life pineapple connected to a large building. The first ride is an aerial spinner in the center of the map. A dual flat spinner water ride can be seen in the bottom right. Finally, a simple tracked ride is bottom center.
SpongeBob aerial flyer
Updated February 23
The following photo contains ride parts for two attractions. First, the large blue piece is the center hub for a Zamperla Aero Top Jet 12. Universal Studios Florida’s Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl is an Aero Top Jet 12.
SpongeBob Watermania
The partially uncovered “barrel” is a SpongeBob ride vehicle for a Zamperla Watermania, the land’s dual spinner. We love seeing those flowers.
These pallets confirm what @Aahs_n_Oohs had already determined. “Watermania” is printed on the label. You can see the barrels’ light blue support arms in the background.
Updated March 10
We visited Universal Kids over the weekend and found that crews rewrapped several items. While the tighter stretch wrap now hides those SpongeBob flowers, it may have revealed Patrick Star on the side of a barrel. If you scroll up to our first Watermania photo, you’ll spot that same shape beneath the looser white plastic.
SpongeBob SquarePants Rockin’ Tug
The third SpongeBob attraction is a Zamperla Rockin’ Tug, a ride that “combines a unique mix of rocking and whirling motions.” Remember, this is the ride with the bright yellow vehicle in the concept art.
Updated March 16, 2025
The bottom half of the Rockin’ Tug ride vehicle has been unveiled in Frisco.
A Minions demolition derby
Updated February 22.
We originally speculated that the black materials in this image could be for a ZIERER Advanced Dark Ride in SpongeBob SquarePants Land. Unfortunately, my less-than-stellar photo didn’t show a “Demo Derby” label on those parts. Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney said the park wouldn’t have dark rides in a Facebook post two years ago, so we’re confident putting this one to bed.
So where will the newly discovered demolition derby go? Looking at the concept art, Minions Land has a ride that lines up with Zamperla’s 2-turntable Demolition Derby.
Updated March 1.
Today, we spotted a new ride vehicle. The piecemeal metalwork and rivets remind us of the Grumobile. And the two-row layout matches Zamperla’s demo derby ride vehicles. Still, we’re not ready to mark this one as confirmed just yet.
Another Trollercoaster?
I also found several pink rollercoaster track segments. The concept art shows two coasters in the DreamWorks’ Trolls and Jurassic World lands. A pink dinosaur coaster seems unlikely, so they’re probably for the Trolls coaster. We believe Frisco’s version is a ZIERER Force 190. Vekoma built Universal Studios’ Trollercoaster.
Trolls balloon gondola ride
Added February 24
We spotted more ride materials over the weekend. This wrapped blue column could be for a Trolls-themed balloon ride, possibly a Zamperla Samba Tower 8.
A Puss in Boots swing ride
These next photos show materials that could be for a swing attraction similar to the ZIERER Wave Swinger 40 or the Zamperla Flying Carousel. Universal’s art shows a swing ride in Puss in Boots.
Jurassic World drop tower ride
Updated March 1.
Initially, we speculated that these gray towers might be Ride Entertainment’s Flying Wheels, though we weren’t entirely certain. After watching The Midway Dispatch’s latest video, we took a closer look and reached the same conclusion: these are the central columns for dual Zamperla Jumping Towers. At only 33.5 feet tall, this is the perfect introduction to more intense drop rides like Doctor Doom’s Fearfall and Tower of Terror.
Landscaping updates
Crews have also been busy planting trees around the resort’s perimeter. Small evergreens and larger deciduous trees will eventually grow large enough to create a Universal bubble in the middle of Frisco. Unfortunately, North Texas experienced a deep freeze this week, with temperatures plunging to 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Some trees might need to be replaced after those conditions.
Road construction
Frisco crews are expanding Panther Creek Parkway and finalizing the brand-new Universal Parkway. The Panther Creek project will connect the Dallas North Tollway with Preston Road, two major north-south conduits. While paving is still a ways off, bridge girders have been installed over train tracks and a creek. Universal Parkway is mostly complete. Once it opens, I’ll explore more of the park’s north and west sides.
Universal Kids Resort is expected to open in the summer of 2026. I might not be the target demographic, but that won’t stop me from enjoying a Krusty Burger on opening day.
