Trolls, Jurassic World, and Shrek Playgrounds Staged at Universal Kids Resort

If there was ever proof that Universal Kids Resort plans to take the “Kids” part seriously, it rolled into the new staging yard this week.

Yes, the Frisco, Texas, park will have coasters. There’s also a large Minions water ride and multiple spinners that will test the stomachs of parents who just ate a Triple Gooberberry Sunrise. But sprinkled throughout the seven lands are something just as important: free-play areas that don’t require a height check or a standing in line.

On Thursday, I spotted several large pieces of playground equipment staged in the new lot. These weren’t your basic swing sets and slides. They were fully themed, highly detailed elements. I found myself staring at the bulging eyes of a Caterbus. Over the next two days, parts of a stegosaurus arrived, along with a Shrek-themed towers.

The pieces are supplied by KOMPAN, a playground manufacturer known for its intricate designs and inclusive playsets. Their massive catalog ranges from “okay, I’ve seen that before” to “how is that even possible?”

During my first visit, I fired off a few iPhone photos to Aahs n Oohs while I was still shooting with my camera. Universal didn’t exactly hide the goods this time. “KOMPAN” was stamped all over the shipping materials. That helped.

But that didn’t mean the work was done. One of KOMPAN’s catalogs is over 400 pages. While I was still walking the perimeter, Aahs was already digging through it and texting product links. By the time I made it back to my car, we had a solid handle on what we were looking at.

As usual, his help on this article was invaluable.

The Caterbus

The most eye-catching pieces belong to a Caterbus, the living caterpillar transport used by the Pop Trolls. The structure features multi-colored pink and purple planks, tiny caterpillar feet along the base, and bright green bus windows. Inside, there are multiple interactive play panels. Segments for large Trolls pods (houses) were staged nearby as well.

Two play areas are coming to TrollsFest: Poppy’s Playland and Trolls Critter Crawl. We know the Caterbus is headed for the play area closest to the hotel. The other is next to Hair In The Clouds. We just don’t know what name goes with each free-play area yet.

This wouldn’t be the first Caterbus in a Universal park. Universal Studios Florida has its own version, but that one is far more mobile. It’s the ride vehicle for the Trolls Trollercoaster in DreamWorks Land. That park also features Poppy’s Playground, a free-play area complete with a giant pod and caterpillars.

A stegosaurus?

Last week, Universal released a video packed with new details about Jurassic World Adventure Camp. It also offered us our first glimpse at one corner of the land that hasn’t received much attention. That’s understandable when you’ve got the Cretaceous Coaster, Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin, Pteranodrop, and the Lookout Towers competing for the spotlight.

But we finally got a clearer look at Paddock Play, the area where kids will run free on oversized dinosaurs. We believe at least one of them, a stegosaurus, is mixed in with the Trolls playground equipment in the staging lot. That dinosaur’s tail and some of its back plates are visible. At least, that’s what it looks like through the chain link.

KOMPAN’s catalog includes complete dino playsets, and once again, they are incredible. We didn’t find a perfect stegosaurus match, but there are triceratops and T-rex builds that give you an idea of what’s coming. If Universal’s dinosaur playground comes close to those concepts, some kids may decide the real apex predator of the Jurassic World isn’t its coaster.

Shrek towers

We also spotted what appears to be a Shrek-themed tower. The color scheme and intentionally cobbled-together style match other areas of Shrek’s Swamp. We believe these parts are headed to Shrek’s Swamp Rompin’ Stomp. The area already includes the previously installed Shrek’s Swamp Splash & Smash wet-play zone.

Accessible, inclusive free play

Even with those eye-popping playsets, KOMPAN’s designs aren’t the headline. The company has built its reputation around inclusive play, and they’re not just checking boxes. Inclusion is the focus.

At a baseline, that means ramps, wide pathways, and elements reachable for kids using wheelchairs or walkers. Those accessibility features should be standard in 2026.

But true inclusion goes further. KOMPAN integrates sensory components, side-by-side play opportunities, quiet nooks for kids who need a reset, and equipment designed so caregivers can actively participate. The Caterbus appears to reflect that philosophy. Play panels, large buttons, and other interactive features sit low to the ground. The windows are within reach, too.

Universal partnering with a company like that feels intentional. We’ve already seen accessible ride vehicles and thoughtfully designed queues across the park. Bringing in a playground manufacturer that prioritizes inclusion reinforces the idea that this isn’t just a theme park with smaller rides. It’s a park designed for a wide range of kids and their families.

It’s also a smart move locally. North Texas has become a draw for families needing strong special education programs and supportive communities. Frisco and Plano schools, in particular, have built reputations for their resources and services. Universal leaning into inclusivity fits this community.

Playground construction

Although KOMPAN is transitioning to using more recycled materials, pairing long-term durability with a sustainability angle, they do still use natural hardwoods like robinia in their sculptures. From our vantage point, it’s difficult to determine how much recycled material is being used on the pieces currently staged on site.

Materials aside, the multi-colored slats create a layered, mosaic-like effect that elevates the Caterbus and the dinosaurs beyond standard playground equipment. They feel theme park–ready.

I regularly post about Universal Kids Resort on social media. Most of the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. But there’s always a small group that wants this park to skew more Epic Universe and less Legoland. That mindset leans heavily on the “Universal” in the name and overlooks the “Kids.”

Frisco’s park isn’t trying to compete with Orlando’s thrill lineup. It’s being built for a different audience. Universal partnering with KOMPAN makes that clear. Universal Kids Resort isn’t a scaled-down version of something else. It’s intentionally designed for an entirely different demographic.

Read more: SpongeBob SquarePants Revealed at Universal Kids Resort as Jellyfish Fields Theming Emerges