How to Beat the Heat at Universal Kids Resort

Against my better judgment, I opened the weather app while walking the dog yesterday evening. I was baking in the sun and needed to know exactly what I was up against. The temperature was 101 degrees. The heat index was 112.

Unfortunately, those numbers won’t be improving any time soon. Over the next 14 days, North Texas is forecast to hit triple digits 12 times. The two days it doesn’t will top out at 99. Blessed relief.

Most of my neighbors have stopped going outside. With a dog, I don’t have that luxury. And neither do the guests visiting Frisco’s new theme park.

So how can they deal with the heat? Repeated rides on Bello Bay Cruise and the Bobbing Barrels should help, along with plenty of time in the splash pads. But there are other ways to make a summer visit more manageable. Below, we’ll cover a few, from what you should bring to how you can plan your day around the worst of the heat.

Arrive Early

Universal Kids Resort doesn’t open early enough to take advantage of “cooler” morning hours. Day guests can enter at 10 AM. By then, the sun has already been cranked to 11. But you should still arrive as early as possible to take advantage of lighter crowds.

Universal has gradually increased the park’s capacity since opening day. And as attendance has risen, wait times have followed. Mornings remain fairly manageable, however. At 11 AM last Thursday, Jurassic World Cretaceous Coaster still had a five-minute wait. Most other rides were walk-ons, although Rhonda’s TrollsFest Express had climbed to 35 minutes.

Our advice is to be there for rope drop and ride as much as possible before the late arrivers show up. And don’t worry too much about Rhonda’s. Her wait usually drops later in the day. Most evenings we’ve been able to walk right on.

A quick caveat on those wait times: As Universal makes more tickets available, they will rise. Even so, arriving early will always be your best bet.

Take breaks and enjoy the air conditioning

Universal Kids Resort has some excellent air conditioning. And since it’s such a small park, you’re never far from that cool air. Thermostats in the restaurants and shops are set to frigid. There’s nothing better than feeling the 30-degree drop when you walk through those doors.

You can also cool off while watching Trollstastic: Concert Countdown, Mama Luna’s Adopt a Kitty Day, and the King Trollex Techno Dance Party. King Trollex wins thanks to it having actual air conditioning. Trollstastic takes second place with its oversized ceiling fans. We recommend saving Mama Luna for later in the day, when shade covers more of the Puss in Boots Theater’s seats.

Locals might also consider leaving during the hottest part of the day and returning in the evening. I usually visit an hour or two before closing, walking in as the crowds are heading home. Most ride waits are minimal by then.

Drink plenty

Universal Kids Resort has several water fountains and refill stations. Since I usually have a camera attached to one hand, I rarely bring a reusable bottle. Instead, I opt for ice water from the park’s many Coke Freestyle machines. Just ask a Team Member at the counter for a cup.

You can also purchase a Coca-Cola Freestyle souvenir cup, which comes with unlimited refills throughout the day. Buying one at the park will set you back $20. You can save a few dollars by bundling it with your theme park ticket.

My only warning about those cups: most Freestyle drinks are loaded with sugar. You will get thirsty in this park, and those drinks taste really good when the heat index is approaching the temperature of the sun. But unlimited sugar, extreme heat, and children are never a winning combination.

Powerade has less sugar than most sodas, but it still adds up when you have unlimited refills. Diet drinks are another option, though they come with their own considerations.

Electrolyte powders might be the best option. They add a little flavor to your water while helping replace what you lose through sweat. Pedialyte packets cost about a dollar per drink, considerably cheaper than a souvenir cup.

Universal has begun enforcing its no-outside-food policy, although I doubt a few electrolyte packets will set off any alarms. The policy doesn’t specifically address them, so call ahead if you want to be certain.

Eat when everyone else isn’t

Universal Kids Resort’s restaurants offer air conditioning and comfortable seats. Naturally, everyone wants those things at lunchtime, so Jurassic World Canteen, Comidas y Leche, and Goofy Goober’s can get crowded around noon. The park’s outdoor dining areas have umbrellas, but shade alone isn’t enough for me to recover when it’s this hot.

Consider eating before or after the main lunch rush. An early or late meal gives you a better chance of finding a table indoors and spending some quality time beneath an air-conditioning vent.

Visit the splash pads during the hottest part of the day

Most of Universal Kids Resort’s ride queues are covered, but many of the rides themselves are not. Their seats can also get hot after sitting in direct sunlight for hours. That makes the afternoon a good time to visit the park’s three wet play areas, each of which offers a different level of soaking.

The Minions free-play area is filled with Yellow and Purple Minion statues and interactive water features. Pineapple Paradise in Bikini Bottom lets children run through SpongeBob’s pineapple house. Shrek’s Swamp Splash & Smash has a large tipping bucket that will completely soak your children. Or you. Feel free to get in there with your kids.

We recommend bringing swimsuits and water shoes. The Bikini Bottom and Shrek play areas both have changing rooms, so there’s little reason to spend the rest of the day in damp clothes.

Children who visit the splash pads in their regular clothes will dry fairly quickly during the summer. Universal has also installed paid drying machines around the park. I haven’t seen anyone use one yet. Not because they don’t work, but because few people want to pay for a blast of dry heat when North Texas is already providing plenty for free.

Wear moisture-wicking clothes

Lightweight, moisture-wicking clothes are a must. I’ve worn both cotton T-shirts and performance shirts at Universal Kids Resort, and the latter are far more comfortable in the heat.

Cotton holds onto sweat and water. Moisture-wicking fabric dries faster, which matters after a splash pad, water ride, or several hours outside in July.

The same goes for shorts. I won’t get into the details, but quick-drying fabric is your friend.

Cooling towels, fans, and UV umbrellas

I’ve never used a neck fan, but their owners love telling me what I’m missing. For me, it’s one more thing to charge and carry around the park. They do provide some relief, however. Stroller-mounted fans might be the better option, especially for younger children.

Unlike fans, I wholeheartedly recommend cooling towels. These lightweight pieces of fabric are a godsend on hot days. They weigh next to nothing and are easy to stow before riding. You’ll need to rewet them throughout the day, but Universal has plenty of water stations. The park’s misting areas can also help with that.

Finally, UV umbrellas can block the sun while providing some relief from the heat. We’ve seen guests use regular rain umbrellas, but they actually absorb sunlight, creating mini heat domes. Look for one designed to reflect UV rays instead.

Wear a big, dorky hat

Once again, I can’t really carry an umbrella while also snapping photos. So I opt for a big, dorky hat. It’s become my calling card. Several people have approached me inside the park and asked whether I’m “Diservations.”

“Sure am. What gave it away? The camera or the hat?”

“Both.”

I love my hat. It covers my ears and forehead, meaning I don’t have to worry about sunscreen streaming down into my eyes. It should be a must for anyone unconcerned with making a fashion statement while ordering dino nuggets at a children’s theme park. Buy the big, dorky hat. We’ll start a club.

Wear sunscreen

I almost left this one out because wearing sunscreen in Texas should go without saying. And yet, I’ve seen plenty of bright-red shoulders around the park.

Use sunscreen. Reapply it after Bello Bay Cruise and the splash pads. If you forget yours at home, the Universal Kids Store has you covered.

Be cool

North Texas is hot. Most of Universal Kids Resort is outdoors. No amount of planning will change either of those things. But arriving early, taking breaks, drinking plenty of water, and surrendering what remains of your fashion dignity can make the day considerably more manageable.

I can’t wait for fall.

Want to learn more about Universal Kids Resort and its seven themed lands? We’ve got you covered. Visit our Universal Kids Resort hub for everything available at the new Frisco theme park.