Universal Kids Resort Was Built for Kids. That Doesn’t Mean It’s Only for Kids.
Universal Kids Resort, Universal’s newest theme park, is unlike anything the company has ever attempted. Coming just over a year after Epic Universe debuted in Orlando, UKR will open its gates to an entirely different audience on July 1. Sure, Epic has some child-sized thrills, but that’s not the same thing as building an entire park around younger guests.
Surprisingly, the concept has generated some strange reactions.
Ever since Universal announced the project, people have been trying to define who the park is for. Some theme park fans argue that it needs bigger rides and more thrills. We’ll get to their opinions in a minute. Others have gone in the opposite direction, insisting that adults without children shouldn’t visit at all. I’ve found myself caught in the middle of both arguments.
When I posted that my all-adult family would be staying at the Universal Kids Resort Hotel on opening day, one person responded with something along the lines of, “That’s weird.” This is someone who, according to his social media profile, is a huge Pokémon fan. Apparently, loving cartoon monsters is perfectly normal as an adult. Visiting a theme park built around SpongeBob and Minions? That’s where he draws the line.
Another person asked how I expected to fit on the rides. I had to explain that Universal Kids Resort requires younger children to ride with older companions. It would be a strange business model if parents couldn’t ride, too.
Theme park gatekeeping is one of my biggest pet peeves, but this debate is baffling. Theme park fans don’t get to decide who a park is for. Universal does. Last week, the Universal Kids Resort social media team made that point pretty clear:
“The sign says KIDS but the vibe says EVERYONE!”
If that wasn’t unambiguous enough, the company doubles down in its FAQ:
Universal Kids Resort was specifically designed and developed for families with young children, however, the park welcomes guests of all ages.
So, yeah, Universal Kids Resort was designed with young children in mind. But it wasn’t designed exclusively for young children.
If you visit without kids, just be cool
What is important to remember, however, is that adults without children need to respect who this park was built for. They aren’t the target audience, and that’s okay.
Young children are unpredictable. They’ll be experiencing new sights, sounds, and emotions. Some will be thrilled. Others will decide a Troll is the most terrifying thing they’ve ever encountered. My wife and I learned that lesson on our first family trip to Walt Disney World. We took our young son on Snow White’s Scary Adventures. He was not a fan.
So our advice is simple: be thoughtful, considerate, and kind. Universal Kids Resort is designed to introduce children to theme parks. Let’s make sure they have a great time.
Universal Kids Resort was never supposed to be Epic Universe
The other side of the debate is equally frustrating. Quite a few self-appointed theme park experts have spent the last few years explaining what Universal Kids Resort needs. More thrill rides. Dark rides. Big expansion plans. A mini Epic Universe in Frisco.
I understand where they’re coming from. I’d love it if VelociCoaster came to Texas. But that’s not what Universal pitched.
When they announced the concept a few years ago, Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney got a lot of people talking with comments he made on Facebook. He was attempting to reassure residents who worried that a Six Flags-style park was coming to town. One of his bullet points said: “No dark rides.”
That statement sent theme park fans into a panic. Dark rides are theme park staples. Later in the same discussion, however, Cheney clarified what he meant:
“We are working with [Universal], and there will be indoor immersive rides and experiences. This references full dark thrill rides targeting teens and adults.”
Most people never saw the follow-up comment. They focused exclusively on the original bullet point and missed the larger message. They were still thinking of Universal Kids Resort as a smaller version of a traditional Universal park. But Universal was building something different.
Aahs n Oohs and I were talking about this last year. He made an observation that has stuck with me ever since. I’m paraphrasing, but it went something like this: “If you’re spending your time online arguing about what Universal Kids Resort should be, this park probably isn’t for you.”
One last point about dark rides. The park won’t debut with one, so Cheney wasn’t wrong. But his broader message was about the tone of the park, not ride specifics.
That said, the absence of dark rides at launch doesn’t necessarily mean Universal is opposed to them. If the resort expands in the future, a child-friendly dark ride feels like a natural fit. It just isn’t what Universal prioritized for opening day.
So, who is Universal Kids Resort for?
- Kids
- Adults with kids
- Adults without kids who enjoy theme parks
- Curious locals who want to see what Universal built
Universal Kids Resort probably isn’t for:
- People who dislike family-friendly vibes
- People who will spend the day complaining about the lack of thrill rides
- Unsupervised minors
No, you can’t drop your kids off
That last point is addressed in Universal Kids Resort’s FAQ. Universal doesn’t want parents dropping children off at the front gate. Team Members aren’t babysitters. The company also doesn’t want kids wandering away from their families once they’re inside the park. Here’s the exact language:
Guests under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or designated chaperone at all times. The accompanying adult must be at least 18 years old and present a valid government-issued photo ID showing date of birth.
This isn’t an unusual policy in Frisco. Stonebriar Centre recently implemented a similar chaperone requirement following what the mall described as disruptive youth gatherings. Minors now need an accompanying adult from 3 PM until closing on Saturdays.
UKR knows exactly what it wants to be
Universal Kids Resort doesn’t have an identity problem. The internet does. Universal built exactly what it set out to build: a theme park designed for families with young children. The company has also been remarkably clear that guests of all ages are welcome.
So visit with your kids. Visit with your grandkids. Visit with your spouse. Visit by yourself. Just don’t show up expecting Epic Universe. And don’t tell other people they don’t belong there.
Oh, and have a great time!
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 coming to the new Frisco theme park.
