"Charm of a Prison Camp." Fans Aren't Holding Back on Universal's Newest Theme Park

A brand-new Universal theme park is opening in Fisco, Texas, on July 1st, but thanks to early previews, we got a great look at what’s to come.

Universal Kids Resort

Universal Kids Resort has seven lands, all themed to fun characters and movies, with everything being geared towards kids. There’s also a 300-room hotel attached, equally as themed. Now that pictures and videos are out for the theme park, fans are starting to share their opinions, and let’s just say…we’re not quite sure what to say!

When we went to our social media to see what people were saying, y’all didn’t hold back. One commenter said, “We think they were forced to open by a certain date, so they rushed and skimped on everything possible to make the deadline…maybe that means they’ll improve/add to it as time goes on?”

Some of the views

Someone else said, “Very disappointing from Universal.” It’s hard not to compare this newest Universal park to Epic Universe, Universal’s other most recent park, which opened in 2025. It is a fully immersive theme park with some pretty cool rides, but some are not feeling the same love for Universal Kids Resort.

Trolls Critter Crawl

There were quite a few comments about the whole feeling and look of the park. One said, “This looks like a parking lot.” Another said, “This resort looks so unshaded, I love Universal, but this does not look like something I would take my kids to because it’s just pure pavement and sun.” Another said, “It’s giving…a carnival.”

Del Mar

Others pointed out problems with specific rides. One person said, “The Barnacle Bus looks like a ride at a shopping mall.”

Barnacle Bus

With a whole SpongeBob land, there were a lot of comments comparing it to SpongeBob episodes. “This looks like the playground Mr. Krabs made to draw families into the Krusty Krap for the summer,” said one commenter.

Mrs. Puff’s Boating School

Another commenter said, “Wow, this place has the charm of a prison camp.”

Bello Bay

Some people were saying that it’s really meant to be a local theme park and not one to travel to, but the lack of shade is concerning in the Texas heat. There were also a lot of concerns about how almost every ride is a spinning ride.

Hair in the Clouds

When anything Universal or Disney is announced and welcomed to the world, there’s going to be a mix of comments. Many commenters seemed excited when the park was announced and concept art was shared, but once pictures and videos began being shared on social media, it seemed a lot of the hype had gone down.

Minions Splash Pad

The resort will open on July 1st, and we’ll just have to see how it’s received once more families get a chance to check it out. Will Universal make changes? Are kids going to love it? Are there bigger plans in the future? Only time will tell, but we’ll be here every step of the way.

Swings Over del Mar

In the comments, you tell us: what do you thinka bout the Universal Kids Resort? Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more Universal and theme park content.

CHECK OUT OUR EXPERIENCE AT UNIVERSAL KIDS RESORT HERE!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!