SATURDAY SIX: Looking at the UNIVERSAL KIDS RESORT (Spongebob, Shrek, Minions and MORE!)

One thing that kept many of us theme park fans sane during the years after the COVID-19 shutdown of Disney and Universal was the amazing work by blogger-in-the-sky @bioreconstruct and the Permit Princess Alicia Stella giving us seemingly daily updates on the construction of Universal’s Epic Universe. Now we are in 2026 – and if you’re like me – you’re missing that rush of excitement and mystery seeing a brand new theme park come together.

Well I got some good news, because we have another Dynamic Duo in the theme park community – Diservations and Aahs n Oohs – who have been delivering unbelievable updates on the upcoming Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas. If you are out of the loop, Universal Kids Resort is a boutique theme park that is scheduled to open later this year featuring several of Universal’s most kid-friendly properties.

Let’s check out some of the things we will be seeing at Universal Kids Resort, starting with…

# 6 – Spongebob’s Bikini Bottom

It is almost impossible to believe that despite over 25 years of popularity in the public eye, the only representation of Spongebob Squarepants for rides is found at the Mall of America in MN, the American Dream Mall in NJ, and at Circus Circus in Vegas. In Orlando, theme park capital of the world, all we have is the Spongebob Storepants gift shop in Universal Studios Florida. Granted, that *is* an elite gift shop filled with hilarious details, but the Spongebob fandom deserves more than that. Universal Kids Resort is going to deliver more Spongebob in a big way, by having Bikini Bottom as an entire land in the park.

Here we have a closer look at Bikini Bottom.

One thing that you’ll get by following Diservations and Aahs n Oohs on social media is a look at all the work they put in giving you a full picture of what’s coming to the park.

Alright, now let’s take a look at some official concept art Universal has released for what’s coming to Bikini Bottom…

…and we can see those very same items from the concept art showing up at the park.

Jellyfish Fields Jamboree will be a ride very similar to fans of Dumbo at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘N’ Hurl at Universal Studios Florida.

This part of the concept art shows the Bobbing Barrels spinner ride.

The Bobbing Barrels themselves look very good.

Below we see that Spongebob’s friends Patrick Star and Sandy Squirrel will be the centerpieces of the Bobbing Barrels attraction. Their barrels will be the hubs of the two spinners.

Another attraction in the land is Mrs. Puff’s Boating School, and here we have Mrs. Puff herself.

In the concept art we can see another attraction coming to Bikini Bottom that is called the Barnacle Bus.

Here is what the Barnacle Bus looks like as seen in the Spongebob Squarepants cartoon.

While here we have the Barnacle Bus on site ready to be assembled.

The description of the Barnacle Bus attraction on Universal Kid Resort‘s website says, “Surf a wave of fun as you bring it around town aboard the real-life Barnacle Bus! Look out your window and see how many Bikini Bottom sights and residents you can spot—from Goofy Goober’s to Glovey Glove and SpongeBob’s loyal pet, Gary the Snail.”

Barg’N-Mart is a popular store that is seen in many episodes of Spongebob…

…and will soon be seen inside Universal Kids Resort as well.

As a longtime fan of Spongebob myself, I can’t wait to step into Bikini Bottom!

# 5 – Jurassic World Adventure Camp

Regular readers of this fine blog series have seen my constant shock that Walt Disney World removed its only dinosaur themed area to make way for attractions based on Encanto and Indiana Jones. As good as both of those films are, I’ve always been under the belief there are two things that NEVER go out of style with kids: dragons and dinosaurs. That’s why I’m pretty thrilled that Universal Kids Resort is opening with an entire land themed to Jurassic World.

One of the attractions in the land will be Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin.

The video below shows the actual testing of the ride…

Coasters like the TrollerCoaster at Universal Studios Florida or Flight of the Hippogriff in Islands of Adventure are often the first step in theme park kiddos becoming thrill junkies. Jurassic World Adventure Camp is going to have its own family friendly coaster with the Cretaceous Coaster.

Like the VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure, once Universal Kids Resort opens, the Cretaceous Coaster is going to give photographers plenty of opportunities to get some great shots with the gorgeous Texas skies.

Here we have a video of Cretaceous Coaster testing…

One of the most underrated attractions in all of Florida is Camp Jurassic at Islands of Adventure. While many would dismiss it as “just a play area,” Universal went way above and beyond creating a unique environment that appeals to guests of all ages. The actual “Adventure Camp” inside the Jurassic World Adventure Camp land also promises a lot of fun for the kiddos in your family.

Other themed elements in the play area remind me of the great quality Universal delivered in the Viking Training Camp in Epic Universe.

I would have lost my mind if they had a Stegosaurus gimmick like this when I was growing up. Always my favorite type of dinosaur.

# 4 – TrollsFest

Disney gets the lion’s share of attention in pretty much every form of media coverage, from theme parks to Hollywood. Deservedly so, as they are the proverbial 800 pound gorilla in the room. However because of that, many theme park guests don’t understand just how many ultra popular kid-friendly franchises that Universal has been creating over the last two decades, including: Sing, Secret Life of Pets, and The Bad Guys. When the original Trolls came out in 2016 I was as skeptical as the next person, but a funny thing happened when I watched it…the movie was actually good.

Trolls went on to have multiple sequels along with a gigantic merchandise line. The Trolls characters themselves are as kid friendly as you can get: small (like Minions), ultra colorful, and funny. We got a small taste of Trolls as part of Dreamworks Land at Universal Studios Florida,  and I’m glad to see they will be getting even more representation at Universal Kids Resort.

One attraction in TrollsFest is the Hair in the Clouds. Universal describes this ride as “Sheila B has rounded up a colorful fleet of flower-faced balloons just for TrollsFest. Pick your favorite and climb aboard for high-flying fun and awesome views of the festival grounds. See how many cute critters you and your child can spot from your balloon!” For those who haven’t seen the Trolls movies, Sheila B is a sentient hot air balloon. That’s right, these movies are WILD.

Here is a video of Hair in the Clouds ride testing…

Elsewhere on property we can see the attraction signage ready to be unpackaged.

In the center of the concept art below you’ll see something called the Caterbus.

The Caterbus was first seen in a Trolls holiday special and is as next level bonkers as you think a “caterpillar used as public transportation” would be.

Kiddos will be able to walk into the Caterbus later this year.

How adorable are those little feet?!!!

# 3 – Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club

One of the biggest draws of Universal Kid Resort is surely going to be a land dedicated to the Minions. Unlike both the Minion areas at Universal’s other American parks, this area will have “good” Minions facing off against the “evil” Minions who have been exposed to the PX-41 serum (as seen in Despicable Me 2.) One of the attractions in this area will be an Alien Swirling Saucers-style attraction called Bello Bay Golf Cart Derby, and it can be seen in the background of the concept art below.

Here we have one of the Minion themed “golf carts.”

You’ve seen the “backside of water” and here’s a backside of a golf cart.

Another attraction is the Bellow Bay Cruise, where “Yellow and Purple Minions are facing off, creating water soaked chaos.”

Here we have a look at both the Yellow and Purple Minion themed cruise “boats.”

Here’s another example of the great tag team work that Aahs n Oohs and Diservations provide. Aahs n Oohs will find all the relevant permits that apply to the park…

…which then explains what Diservations is capturing in his photos!

# 2 – Shrek’s Swamp

For me personally, the area of Universal Kids Resort I’m most looking forward to is Shrek’s Swamp. You may remember that I wrote a touching tribute to the unfairly maligned Shrek 4D when it left Universal Studios Florida. I don’t think the green ogre hasn’t ever gotten the credit he deserves for being the first “shot across the bow” at Disney animation showing that other companies can do just as good a job making an animated film as The Mouse. The original Shrek was like the best of Disney and Pixar in terms of making a movie that can be appreciated by both kids and adults on multiple levels.

It has been confirmed by Universal that Shrek’s Swamp will indeed have the legendary Shrekzel that made it’s debut with DreamWorks Land in Universal Studios Florida. However they will also have something we don’t have in Florida, a Shrek RIDE with Shrek & Fiona’s Happily Ogre After. 

We’ll see how it looks in person, but I’m a fan of the artistic 2D themed elements that looks to be used in the retelling of Shrek and Fiona’s love story.

We have caught glimpses of the ride vehicles themselves.

Have to love the nod to the Onion Carriage that looks to be used as a hood ornament on these ride vehicles. Shrek and Finona went on their honeymoon in the Onion Carriage to end the first Shrek film (which then went directly into Shrek 4D at Universal where the Onion Carriage was a key factor in the movie.)

This particular vehicle has a “license plate” featuring one of Shrek’s three kids. Some of the vehicles feature one of the kids, while others have all three of the triplets.

In Florida we have Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres while Universal Kids Resort will feature Shrek’s Swamp Splash & Smash.

Looking good so far.

Both Diservations and Aahs n Oohs have been using multiple resources in putting everything together for what we’ll be getting at the theme park. One resource they use is an animated preview of the resort that was released by Universal. In this preview video, you can see elements of each land that hasn’t been seen in any official concept art so far, like this area from Shrek’s Swamp.

These videos then give context to elements that are photographed. Below we can see the top of a castle turret with flag, just like in the screenshot above.

Directly next to Shrek’s Swamp will be an area dedicated to everyone’s favorite feline, Puss in Boots. Hate to sound like a broken record, but while it doesn’t get the attention or publicity of the bigger Disney films, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) just might be the best animated film I’ve seen this decade.

One attraction in this land is the Swings Over Del Mar, as seen in this piece of concept art.

Love that the attraction (and entire land) is going to involve a lot of cats in the overall design.

# 1 – The Hotel

We recently wrote about how Universal was finally Fair To Florida by building a hotel that has a dedicated entrance straight into a theme park (and you can read our review of Helios Grand Hotel by CLICKING HERE.) Turns out they are keeping that awesomeness going by building the Universal Kids Resort Hotel that will have guests entering right into the new park!

I don’t care how old you are, seeing big machinery do stuff like this is always cool.

I look at construction photos like this with the same awe most people have seeing Universal’s roller coasters come together.

As you can see the overall theme of the hotel is COLOR, and it even features a mural with two of our favorite Trolls: Branch and Poppy.

Another mural features characters from Gabby’s Dollhouse.

We also have murals for Spongebob Squarepants…

…and Shrek!

Make sure if you book a room at the hotel you get a room on the side facing the park. You and your kids are worth it.

Don’t get cheap on me Dodgson, that was Hammond’s mistake.” – Dennis Nedry, Jurassic Park

So there you have it: The SAT SIX Checks in on UNIVERSAL KIDS RESORT! See you next weekend for the latest installment of the SATURDAY SIX, where we’ll look at something fun from the world of Disney and Universal. If you enjoyed yourself, be sure to check out the THEME PARK ENJOYMENT INDEX, giving a monthly recap of all the theme park news you need to know (and a lot more you don’t need to know, but we’re gonna tell you anyway). You can also follow Your Humble Author on BlueSky (@derekburgan).

If you enjoyed this article, you will surely like the following: 

Theme Park Turkeys of the Year Archives

The SATURDAY SIX Celebrates 10 Years of @bioreconstruct

SATURDAY SIX Tribute to Josh easyWDW

SATURDAY SIX Tribute to Ian Barritt

TPEI Tribute to Bret Taggart (AKA @Schmoofy)

Special Thanks to The Elite Brandon Glover, Digital Maestro Scott Walker, the bio-est of all reconstructs @bioreconstruct, Captain Cruiseline Scott Sanders of the world famous Disney Cruise Line Blog, my personal protege Hunter “Elvey” Underwood, artist @SonderQuest, the mighty maven of merchandise Hedgehog’s Corner, the SAT SIX Fun Squad of Parkscope Joe and “the Dadalorian” Nick, hot shot Michael Carelli, charter member of the Universal Four @Nitro230, the permit princess Alicia Stella, master cartographer Tommy Hawkins, and Hermione Granger’s tutor Megan Thickey for their invaluable assistance with this article. Absolutely no help was added by SeaWorld Influencer @SuperWeenieHtJr. The SAT SIX is inspired each week by goofballs Aengus Mackenzie and LitemAndHide and you Potterheads will enjoy Meg’s other blog work over at the Central Florida Slug Club.