Photos: Universal Kids Resort’s First Month

Universal Kids Resort is celebrating its one-month anniversary today. And it’s been through a lot in that month. The park had to weather a storm of early criticism before actual guests could spread the word that, hey, it’s a blast for the families it was built for.

But I’m not here to rehash all of that. Instead, I want to share some of our favorite photos from the first month of a brand-new theme park. This article will be light on words and heavy on pictures. Tap or click any photo to see a larger view.

The hotel

The Universal Kids Resort Hotel dominates the view as you enter the property. A sign with huge bubble letters greets guests, calling them to snap a photo or five before entering the park.

Characters

Universal Kids Resort’s characters always draw a crowd. Shrek and SpongeBob are big hits, but the baby raptors in Jurassic World Adventure Camp and the Minions in Bello Bay may be the park’s biggest draws.

The Purple Minion is one of my favorite character interactions anywhere. The knuckle-dragging arms and constant side-eye get me every time. I mean, look at him.

So many Minions

In addition to the Minions character meets, Bello Bay is dominated by dozens of character statues. They fill the splash pads, Bello Bay Cruise, and the walkways.

Speaking of the Bello Bay Cruise, it’s a fantastic white water rafting ride. And I’m not saying that because North Texas is enduring a brutal summer, although we are. Its thrills are way beyond what you’d expect for a park aimed at younger children.

The Cruise was one of the attractions that received the most negative press when the park debuted. But nobody actually riding those rafts is listening to that noise. They’re having a blast.

SpongeBob is so photogenic

I keep taking pics of SpongeBob atop his perch on Jellyfish Fields Jamboree. I think you can see why.

Bikini Bottom has other photogenic spots, like the Barnacle Bus and the Bobbing Barrels.

Pineapple Paradise, one of the park’s three splash pads, includes SpongeBob’s house.

A Jurassic World for kids

Among other things, Jurassic World Adventure Camp includes the Cretaceous Coaster, the Lookout Towers, and one of my favorite places to set up shop to photograph the park: Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin. And it has a gyrosphere!

Del Mar

Puss in Boots Del Mar is our favorite Universal Kids Resort land from a theming standpoint. Along with Swings Over Del Mar, its brightly colored, Spanish Mission-inspired architecture dominates the park’s skyline. The swing ride also delivers some of the biggest thrills in the park.

Shrek’s big bucket

Shrek’s Swamp Splash & Smash is one of the park’s most popular areas. As soon as the bell on that giant bucket starts dinging, kids race underneath to experience the full effect.

The land is also home to the much-maligned Shrek & Fiona’s Happily Ogre After. Most kids seem to love it, but its sparse sets and overly simple storytelling have left many guests wishing Universal had built a dark ride instead. But we can all agree that the onion carriage hood ornaments are a hit.

TrollsFest

TrollsFest has one of the best spots to escape the heat in the park. The Trollstastic: Concert Countdown comes with plenty of shade, Big A** Fans (with the logos removed), and Delta Down covering Shania Twain’s “Man, I Feel Like a Woman.” It also has Rhonda’s TrollsFest Express, the only coaster I’ve ever ridden that takes guests through the circuit twice.

So that’s it for now. I could’ve included hundreds more photos (I’ve taken thousands), but these are the ones that best capture Universal Kids Resort’s vibe over the first month.

Up next, I’m looking forward to photographing the park when it isn’t being baked by the sun. It currently closes well before sunset, but fall and winter should finally bring opportunities to shoot the Puss in Boots Theater and those Minions statues during golden hour. I’m also eager to see what Universal has planned for Halloween and the holidays.

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.