Frisco, Texas — a city that's grown from 33,000 people in 2000 to nearly 240,000 today — is about to add the most ambitious family attraction in its history. Universal Kids Resort is a brand-new, ground-up theme park from Universal Destinations & Experiences, purpose-built for families with children ages 3 to 9. It's a different model from the Orlando and Hollywood parks: smaller in footprint, focused entirely on younger kids, and designed so that a four-year-old can enjoy everything in the park without a single "you must be this tall" disappointment.
Here's what we know, what to expect when it opens, and how to plan a Universal Kids Resort family trip — including how Purple Heart Limo can carry you, the bags, and the car seats from DFW or Love Field straight to the resort door.
What Is Universal Kids Resort?
Universal Kids Resort is being built on a 97-acre site in Frisco, just east of the Dallas North Tollway near Panther Creek Parkway. It will include:
- A daytime theme park with multiple themed lands inspired by Universal's classic family-friendly IP — DreamWorks characters, Jurassic World favorites scaled for younger kids, and original characters created for the park
- An on-site hotel with around 300 themed guest rooms — every room designed to extend the storytelling
- Interactive land-based experiences instead of high-thrill coasters — meet-and-greets, walk-through immersive sets, kid-scaled rides, splash zones, and live shows
- Restaurants and retail built into the themed lands
The whole resort is designed around one principle: nothing in the park is too tall, too scary, or too long for a 3-9 year old. That sounds simple, but it's the opposite of the trade-off most families make at Disney World or Universal Orlando, where huge stretches of those parks aren't appropriate for young kids and lots of "kid attractions" still come with 40" or 48" height minimums.
When Does It Open?
Universal Kids Resort was publicly announced in January 2023. Construction has been underway since 2024. As of this writing, Universal has not announced a firm public opening date — projections have shifted, and the most reliable source for current timing is always universalkidsresort.com or Universal's official press releases. Plan to check the official site close to your trip dates.
Why Frisco?
Frisco was a deliberate pick. Universal looked at every major metro in America and chose North Texas for three big reasons:
- Population growth: DFW added more residents than any US metro 2020-2024, and Frisco itself is one of the fastest-growing cities in America
- Family demographics: Frisco has one of the highest concentrations of school-age children of any major US city — the local target audience is enormous
- Climate: Texas weather means longer outdoor-park season than the Northeast or Midwest, and the resort design will lean into shaded and indoor experiences for July and August
- Infrastructure: The Dallas North Tollway, DFW International Airport, the Cowboys at The Star, the Rangers and Cowboys at Arlington — Frisco is becoming the family-tourism hub of Texas
What to Plan For (When It Opens)
Where to Stay
The on-property hotel will be the headline option — themed rooms, easy walk to the park entrance, early access perks expected (Universal does this in Orlando and Hollywood). For families who want more space or budget options, Frisco itself has hundreds of hotel rooms within 10-15 minutes of the resort. Top picks:
- Omni Frisco at The Star — Cowboys-themed, walkable to Toyota Stadium
- Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa — full resort with kids' pool and lazy river, 12 minutes away
- Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park — large rooms, indoor pool, kid-friendly
- Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco — two-room suites perfect for families
How Long to Visit
Based on what Universal has shown of the park layout, families should plan 2 full days minimum to see everything without rushing. Three days lets you spread out, swim at the hotel, and add a day at the nearby Frisco attractions (more on those below).
What to Pack
- Sun protection — Texas sun is no joke from April through October. Bring SPF 50, hats, sunglasses
- Water shoes or sandals — splash zones are part of the park experience
- A change of clothes per child — packed in the diaper bag, not back at the hotel
- Light jacket if visiting November-March (Frisco gets actual winter)
- Stroller — even for 5-7 year olds. The park is walkable but younger kids will hit a wall
- Refillable water bottles — most modern parks have fill stations
The Best Frisco Family Itinerary
Even with Universal Kids Resort as your anchor, build in time for what makes Frisco itself amazing for families:
Day 1: Universal Kids Resort
Full day at the park. Stay until the evening show.
Day 2: Universal in the morning, The Star in the afternoon
Tour the Dallas Cowboys headquarters at The Star — even kids who don't know football love the field tours. Eat at the Cowboys Club restaurant or the food hall.
Day 3: Sci-Tec Discovery Center and Frisco Commons
The Sci-Tec Discovery Center is one of the best small science museums in Texas — hands-on for ages 3 and up. Frisco Commons Park has a great playground, a splash pad in summer, and the Frisco Heritage Museum next door.
Bonus Day Trip: Crayola Experience at Stonebriar
If you have an extra half-day, the Crayola Experience inside Stonebriar Centre is a hit with kids ages 3-10.
How Purple Heart Limo Helps Family Trips
Bringing kids to a theme park weekend is logistics-intensive. Strollers, car seats, snacks, multiple bags, and the absolute worst-case scenario of a 3-year-old falling asleep in a hot rental car parking lot. Purple Heart Limo solves the ground-transport piece:
Airport to Resort
We pick you up at DFW or Love Field with the car seats already installed (mention it when you book — no charge). One stop at baggage claim, into the vehicle, and we drive directly to your hotel. No rental car counter, no airport shuttle, no figuring out which carseat fits the rental.
Around Frisco
If you'd rather not deal with a rental at all, we can run you between the resort, restaurants, and other Frisco attractions on demand. Many families find this cheaper than a multi-day rental once you add up parking and toll fees.
Group/Multi-Family Trips
Our Mercedes Sprinter holds 14 passengers with luggage and is the ideal vehicle for extended-family or multi-family trips to the resort. Birthday parties, grandparents-and-grandkids weekends, all of it.
The Discount
Mention Universal Kids Resort when you book and we'll take up to $25 off your first ride. Car seats and booster seats included free with notice.
Pro tip: Universal will likely sell timed-entry tickets that book up fast. Lock your dates first, lock your hotel second, lock your ground transport third. We can hold ride times up to 6 months out.
Save Up to $25 on Your First Ride
Pair your trip with Purple Heart Limo's flat-rate, no-surge luxury chauffeur service. Mention this guide when you book and we'll take up to $25 off your first ride.
Book Your Ride →Frequently Asked Questions
When does Universal Kids Resort in Frisco open?
Universal has not announced a firm public opening date as of May 2026. Construction is ongoing on the 97-acre site in Frisco. The most reliable source for current timing is universalkidsresort.com or Universal Destinations' official press announcements — check close to your planned trip dates.
What age range is Universal Kids Resort designed for?
The park is purpose-built for families with children ages 3 to 9. Unlike Universal Orlando or Disney World — where huge sections of the parks have height minimums or thrill levels inappropriate for young kids — every attraction at Universal Kids Resort is designed to be enjoyable for the youngest target guests.
How big is Universal Kids Resort compared to Universal Orlando?
The Frisco site is 97 acres — much smaller than Universal Orlando's 1,000+ acres or Universal Studios Hollywood's 400+ acres. The smaller footprint is intentional: it's a one-park resort rather than a multi-park destination, and families can realistically see everything in 2 days without rushing.
Where should we stay when visiting Universal Kids Resort?
An on-site themed hotel (~300 rooms) is being built as part of the resort and will be the most convenient option once open. Off-site, top Frisco family hotels include Omni Frisco at The Star (Cowboys-themed), Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa (full resort with kids' pools), and Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco (two-room suites).
How far is Universal Kids Resort from DFW Airport?
Universal Kids Resort in Frisco is approximately 25-30 minutes from DFW International Airport, depending on traffic. From Dallas Love Field it's 30-40 minutes. Purple Heart Limo runs flat-rate transfers between either airport and any Frisco hotel.
What other family attractions are near Universal Kids Resort?
Frisco has a deep bench of family attractions: The Star (Dallas Cowboys HQ tours), Sci-Tec Discovery Center, Frisco Commons splash pad, Crayola Experience at Stonebriar Centre, and Omni PGA Frisco's family pool complex. The whole metro adds Six Flags Over Texas, the Dallas Zoo, the Perot Museum, and Kalahari Round Rock (2 hours south).
Will Universal Kids Resort be open year-round?
Yes — Universal has indicated the park will operate year-round, similar to their other US properties. North Texas weather supports a long outdoor season (March-November is generally pleasant), and indoor and shaded experiences are being designed for peak summer.
Can Purple Heart Limo provide car seats for the trip?
Yes — we provide infant car seats, convertible car seats, and booster seats at no extra charge when you mention it at booking. Many families travel without their own car seats since we have them ready. Mention Universal Kids Resort when you book to save up to $25 on your first ride.
About Purple Heart Limo
Purple Heart Limo is a Texan-owned, veteran-led luxury chauffeur service serving Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and points in between. Our fleet — Cadillac CT5, Mercedes S-Class, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, and Mercedes Sprinter — runs on flat hourly and point-to-point rates with no surge pricing, ever. Available 24/7 at (833) 740-0700.