Universal Breaking Ground Outside of Orlando—Here’s What To Know
It’s Going To Open Sooner Than You Think
As towering renderings of a bright, cartoon-covered hotel lit up the Frisco City Council chamber this week, the message was clear: Universal is going all in on kid-friendly wonder. But behind the playful facade of smiling Minions and glittery Trolls, tensions in the community remain far from resolved.
Could a few murals really soften the ongoing debate over traffic, neighborhood disruption, and the arrival of a theme park at Frisco’s doorstep?
Universal Kids Resort: A Closer Look at What’s Coming to Texas
Universal has received approval to move forward with fresh artwork across its resort hotel at the upcoming Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas. The newly unveiled murals, revealed via public documents and city forms, will stretch across multiple sides of the building’s exterior.
One side will spotlight characters from the Shrek and Minions franchises, while another—facing the interior park—will feature SpongeBob SquarePants and Trolls. From Shrek and Donkey to Poppy and Patrick Star, the hotel’s facade promises to bring animation to life in larger-than-life form.
Even the hotel design plays into this playful tone. Updated concept art shows a structure segmented into vibrant color blocks—orange, green, purple, and blue—with windows of varying shapes and sizes, resembling a child’s toy more than a luxury resort.
But despite the whimsical design, the hotel’s location still raises eyebrows.
Neighborhood Clashes Cast a Shadow
The hotel’s main entrance will face Cobb Hill, a residential community that has consistently raised concerns about the theme park’s placement. Noise, traffic congestion, and concerns over declining quality of life have led to months of discussions and project revisions.
Frisco requires any structure taller than 50 feet outside the park’s boundaries to pass through strict planning review, including all hotels and parking structures. While the council ultimately gave this mural update the green light, it’s clear that Universal is navigating a delicate balance between community trust and creative expansion.
Some residents argue the hotel’s flashiness feels invasive. Others worry that the bold visuals may further clash with the neighborhood’s quieter aesthetic.
Why the Murals Matter in the Bigger Picture
Beyond their artistic appeal, these murals act as indicators of what guests can expect from the park’s six immersive lands. Each character featured ties into a themed area being built for the 2026 grand opening window.
The Barg’N-Mart is taking shape in Universal Kids Resort’s SpongeBob land. (Arrow at the right side of the building. in In the background, the Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coasters supports can be seen rising above the rooflines.) – @Aahs_n_Oohs on X
The Barg’N-Mart is taking shape in Universal Kids Resort’s SpongeBob land.
(Arrow at the right side of the building. in In the background, the Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coasters supports can be seen rising above the rooflines.)
📷 @diservations https://t.co/YZz2bF9Oy8 pic.twitter.com/4xynItowFF— Aahs n Oohs (@Aahs_n_Oohs) June 19, 2025
Here’s how the hotel murals line up with the resort’s larger plans:
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Shrek’s Swamp: Shrek, Donkey, and Puss in Boots invite guests into a fairy tale playground.
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Minions vs. Minions: Yellow Minions try to wrangle their chaotic purple counterparts.
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Bikini Bottom: SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy bring undersea antics to life.
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TrollsFest: Poppy and Branch deliver a glitter-filled musical celebration.
Additional themed lands include Jurassic World, Puss in Boots’ Del Mar, and a Gabby’s Dollhouse hub area for interactive play.
Universal has emphasized that the Frisco location is a “smaller-scale park” meant specifically for younger families. But as murals go up and buildings rise, the scale—both visual and societal—is beginning to feel a lot larger to local residents.
What’s Next for Universal Kids Resort?
According to city officials, the resort is on pace to open between April and June 2026. That gives Universal less than a year to finish construction, fine-tune its family-focused experiences, and continue community engagement efforts.
Whether the colorful murals become a source of joy or friction will depend largely on what happens next—and whether Universal can balance its magical vision with the reality of its surroundings.
