Every Ride, Restaurant, and Shop Coming to Universal Kids Resort
I knew it was going to happen this week. I booked our vacation right in the middle of the IAAPA Expo, so I figured now was as good a time as any for Universal to share a boatload of information about Universal Kids Resort. Right on cue, my phone blew up while I was riding a bus to Magic Kingdom this morning.
Today’s release has us feeling pretty good about our Universal Kids coverage. Thanks in large part to Aahs n Oohs, we’ve been able to predict many of the details shared by Universal. But we appreciate them filling in the blanks while also releasing beautiful new concept art.
Before we get to the details on the park’s seven lands and hotel, let’s hear how Universal conceived its first kids’ resort:
“When creating Universal Kids Resort, we leaned into that childlike curiosity and invited play to be our guide. Every detail was designed through a child’s eyes, from signs at their height to colors that invite them in. The result is a park that celebrates the joy of being a kid — where imagination isn’t just encouraged, it’s embedded in every attraction, space, and experience.”
Molly Murphy, President of Universal Creative
Isle of Curiosity
Attraction
- Gabby’s Cat-Tastic Dance Party!
Young dancers can dance with Gabby herself. We thought this would be an immersive retail experience based on CAMP’s stores, but it sound like shopping will be reserved for Gabby’s Dollhouse, instead.
Restaurant
- Universal Kids Resort Café
Featuring “breakfast to fuel a fun-filled visit, snack packs, and all-day pastries.” - Cakey’s Cupcakes
Serving chocolate, vanilla, and rainbow cupcakes
Shops
- Universal Kids Resort Store
Isle of Curiosity will house the flagship retail spot for the resort - Gabby’s Dollhouse
In one press release, Universal said Gabby’s Dollhouse gear can be found in the Resort Store. Another said that Isle of Curiosity “houses the Universal Kids Resort Store and Gabby’s Dollhouse to fill all your merchandise needs.” We’ll reach out for clarity.
Dreamworks’ Shrek’s Swamp
Ride
- Shrek & Fiona’s Happily Ogre After
Shrek created this ride to tell the triplets how he and Fiona fell in love.
Free play areas
The land features two wet and dry play areas where “kids can unleash their inner ogre and play to their heart’s content.”
- Shrek’s Swamp Rompin’ Stomp
- Shrek’s Swamp Splash & Smash
Restaurant
- Swamp Snacks
This spot will serve Shrek’s triplets’ favorite snacks, including the Shrekzel
Shop
- Triplets Treasures
This store will sell Shrek gear and toys
Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom
Rides
We covered all of the SpongeBob SquarePants rides in a single article.
- Jellyfish Fields Jamboree
This aerial spinner takes guests above a school of pink jellyfish in their very own Jelly Anglers. - Barnacle Bus
This Zamperla’s Rockin’ Tug will take riders on a “dizzying adventure” filled with views of Bikini Bottom - Bobbing Barrels
Another Zamperla attraction, this time a Watermania. Patrick and Sandy headline this ride that lets guests blast other riders with water. - Mrs. Puff’s Boating School
This Zierer Roundabout comes complete with Bikini Bottom’s Boatmobiles. Here’s how Universal describes it: “From the safety of your boat, you’ll speed around the course, navigate bumps and hills, and even spin backward before coming to a halt and earning your own boating license.”
Characters
We don’t know the name of the character experiences, but Universal promises you’ll be able to meet all of your favorites.
Glove World Midway games
- Gone Jellyfishin’
Guests can try their luck at winning cool prizes - The Great Snail Race
Cheer on Gary!
Free play areas
- Pineapple Paradise
This is a wet play area. Concept art shows kids getting sprayed while running through SpongeBob’s iconic pineapple. - Mussel Beach
This is where kids can “take a break in the shade” and also meet Larry the Lobster.
Restaurants
Sorry, the Krusty Krab didn’t make the final cut. But we got a great consolation.
- Goofy Goober’s
- Goofy Goober’s Grab & Go
Shops
- Barg’N-Mart
This store offers “stylish apparel to classic memorabilia.” - Grab-It Mart
This quick shop stop carries “all the essentials.”
Jurassic World Adventure Camp
Rides
- Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster
Bumpy, a curious Akylosaurus, is missing. Riders will zoom through this family-friendly coaster to help find her. - Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin
With four ranges of motion, Universal promises this ride will provide a “dizzying lesson in genetics.” - Pteranodrop
The Zamperla Jumping towers will provide riders with views of the entire park as they also enjoy “gentle drops, bounces, and dips.”
Free play areas
- Jurassic World Lookout Towers
This playground features elevated wooden platforms and corner towers. - Paddock Play
This is another free play area in the land.
Restaurant
- The Jurassic World Canteen
This restaurant will satisfy carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores. The dining room includes “eye-catching murals of all your favorite dinosaurs.”
Shops
- Jurassic World Outfitters
- Supply Depot
Character interactions
Guests will be able to watch up close as a baby Velociraptor hatches.
Illumination’s Minions Vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club
Rides
- Bello Bay Cruise
Riders will be caught in the middle of the mayhem caused by Yellow and Purple Minions. - Bello Bay Golf Cart Derby
“Take the wheel and hold on tight as the competition spins out of control.”
Shop
- Bello Bay Boutique
Outfit your young ones with Team Yellow, Team Purple, and other themed merchandise.
Restaurant
- Bello Bay Bites
This location specializes in Minion-themed snacks
Characters
Kids (and adults) should love snapping pics and hanging out with Purple and Yellow Minions.
Dreamworks’ TrollsFest
Rides
- Rhonda’s TrollsFest Express
This roller coaster will take riders on twists and turns through the festival grounds. - Hair in the Clouds
This Zamperla Samba Tower 8 features Sheila B as she spins riders around on a tour of TrollsFest.
Characters
- Meet Poppy & Friends
Guests will meet their favorite Trolls while celebrating Hug Time.
Show
- Trollstastic: Concert Countdown
This concert will have kids dancing and singing along with their favorite songs from the Trolls series.
Dance party
- King Trollex Techno Dance Party
“Join the party king and his crew for the ultimate celebration of rhythm and fun as you groove to the sickest tunes all day long.”
Free play areas
- Poppy’s Playland
- Trolls Critter Crawl
- Sensory Garden
Guests can relax and decompress in the shade
Shops
- Sparkle Shine Glitter Glow
This store specializes in the finest TrollsFest merchandise and also includes the Troll-ify Me! salon. - Mr. Dinkles’ Market
Pick up essentials when shopping on the go at Mr. Dinkles’.
Restaurants
- Trolls Eatz!
This is a dining spot “overflowing with a symphony of flavors.” - BroZone Cones
This quick service location specializes in “snacks inspired by the most bro-dacious boy band around.”
Dreamworks’ Puss In Boots Del Mar
Ride
- Swings Over Del Mar
This Zamperla Flying Carousel will feature magical colors and painted illustrations.
Show and character meet
- Mama Luna’s Adopt a Kitty Day!
“Watch Del Mar’s hero put his swashbuckling skills to the test in Mama Luna’s Adopt a Kitty Day!, where you’ll laugh, cheer, habla un poco Español.” After the show is over, guests can meet Puss in Boots and his friends..
Carnival areas
- Barriles de Leche
- El Gato’s Meow
Sensory Garden
Del Mar will also include a place to relax with your kids while they explore tactile plants and textures.
Shops
- Mercado de Perrito
This shop will sell the most “purr-fect” souvenirs.
Restaurants
- Tienda de Dulces
This spot features sweet treats. - Comidas y Leche
Enjoy Puss in Boots’ approved eats.
Universal Kids Resort Hotel
In addition to ride and restaurant names, Universal also shared details on the resort’s hotel. Specifically, rooms will sleep up to five or six guests. Standard, Deluxe, and Signature Queen rooms have a queen bed and a twin-over-full bunk bed. Suites will include a king bed in a separate bedroom, a queen pullout sofa, a twin-over-twin bunk bed, and an eating area.
The hotel’s Curiosity Café is a quick-service restaurant that will serve meals throughout the day. The hotel also includes a full-service bar, outdoor pool, fitness room, and a game room.
Universal’s latest drop finally fills in most of the blanks for Universal Kids Resort, giving us a much clearer picture of everything the park will offer. Now we’re just waiting to update our countdown clock with an official opening date.
