Trolls Mural Completed at Universal Kids Resort Hotel in Frisco
Three down, one to go. Crews removed scaffolding from the northwest corner of the Universal Kids Resort Hotel this morning, fully revealing the Trolls mural. Poppy and Branch have assumed their position, ready to greet guests as they arrive in the resort’s parking lot.
The Frisco, Texas, hotel wasn’t always supposed to include these massive pop-art murals. Early Universal Creative concepts went big with cloud awnings and dramatic domes. It was eye-catching, but not necessarily kids-centric.
What we ended up with may be less dramatic in terms of architecture, but I think it’s more welcoming to the resort’s target demographic. The color-blocked hotel’s four wings are each anchored by a 40-foot character mural. Universal originally revealed that SpongeBob, Trolls, Shrek & Puss in Boots, and the Minions would each get one of those spots.
But Universal has been moving pieces around. Last month, Gabby’s Dollhouse showed up where the Trolls were supposed to be. That sent Poppy and Branch around the corner to the parking lot side, displacing Shrek, Donkey, and Puss in Boots. Shrek survived the musical chairs. I saw painters applying the finishing touches to Puss in Boots on the hotel’s southwest corner earlier today.
Which means the Minions missed the cut. But considering Minions Vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club is basically the center of the park, they’ll be fine.
What’s interesting is that the Trolls mural is also the only one that closely resembles its concept art. Wrong spot, right look. Aside from a few small tweaks, it’s pretty much exactly what we were shown.
The other murals? Not so much.
SpongeBob’s had to be reworked once it was determined that the hotel’s air conditioning units were blocking the lower third of the scene. Crews actually started painting the concept before they realized Patrick Star was completely hidden. After a reset, we’re happy to share that he’s now prominently displayed.
Shrek’s changes are a little harder to pin down. There’s nothing physically in the way, so this feels more like an artistic pivot. I’ll write an article about his mural soon, but here’s a sneak peek.
As for the Trolls, they may not have landed where originally planned, but they ended up with prime real estate. Front-facing, high visibility, and impossible to miss on the drive in. Poppy wouldn’t have it any other way. Branch is probably just happy it’s over.
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 attraction details, construction updates, and everything coming to the new Frisco theme park.
