TrollsFest’s Hair in the Clouds Begins Testing at Universal Kids Resort

Ride testing is picking up at Universal Kids Resort. Last Monday, a Cretaceous Coaster train was making laps in Jurassic World Adventure Camp. By Friday, TrollsFest joined the party, with Hair in the Clouds running multiple test cycles.

I wasn’t expecting to see much when I pulled up that day. Sustained 30 mph winds with even stronger gusts didn’t have me hopeful. But that didn’t stop Zamperla’s testing team from firing up their Samba Tower 8.

The family-friendly spinner is themed to Sheila B, Queen Poppy’s go-to hot air balloon. It was one of the first rides to go vertical last May, but didn’t receive its eight gondolas until September. Then it sat motionless until Friday. At least, I think.

Now that it’s moving, we’re getting a better sense of what riders will experience. TrollsFest sits higher than much of the park, so they should get some solid views of the surrounding lands and hotel, including a very large Gabby and her cats.

While guests will be able to spin their individual vehicles, the eight gondolas will rise and lower together. During testing, though, the empty baskets stayed static. Once it’s up and running, the ride will carry up to 32 guests per cycle (16 kids and 16 adults), lifting them nearly 40 feet into the air. Children must be 36″ to ride, or 48″ to ride without a supervising companion.

In addition to ride testing, I also spotted the Hair in the Clouds marquee in the staging lot a few weeks ago. With the ride now active, it probably won’t be there for long.

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.