Universal Kids Resort - Frisco, Texas

[pumpkinbot343]

I will, never, understand why the company made this park. I don’t see how it’s ever profitable or a draw, at all. I hate to keep dunking on this place but I just, I don’t…. get this.


Genuinely why not make this space in Orlando, a proven market? With connection to other resorts?

Also why is this company insistent on no shade at new parks?

I’m truly just baffled by this company post Epic opening.

Well putting it in Orlando would be kinda redundant because of it. Their stated goal for the Texas park I think was to “prepare” the younger crowd to get in to the “grown up parks” of Orlando and Hollywood.

 

[Andysol]

I will, never, understand why the company made this park. I don’t see how it’s ever profitable or a draw, at all. I hate to keep dunking on this place but I just, I don’t…. get this.

They wanted to target a demographic they don’t currently target in their Orlando parks for cheap while not siphoning off their most profitable guests (out of state/on site).

Genuinely why not make this space in Orlando, a proven market? With connection to other resorts?

They don’t want to directly compete with that market against Disney in Orlando. Which, let’s be honest, they wouldn’t stand a chance at simply based on IP alone.

Also why is this company insistent on no shade at new parks?

Would love to know. Disney is the same. So obviously they don’t care and it doesn’t impact their business enough to care.

 

[sonoma15]

I will, never, understand why the company made this park. I don’t see how it’s ever profitable or a draw, at all. I hate to keep dunking on this place but I just, I don’t…. get this.

I don't know how you cant see that its a profitable concept. There are other kids focused parks (Peppa Pig, Adventure City, Sesame Place, Dutch Wonderland) that have been doing well for years. The IPs alone will get parents and kids to come thru the gate. Universal just wants to get into that market.

 

[Diservations]

Well, the changes are already happening....

Universal Kids Resort is making some significant updates to its operating hours, with Friday closing times in September and October moving from 5 PM to 7 PM.

The park will stay open until 8 PM most days during Thanksgiving week, with its first 9 PM closings scheduled for the Friday and Saturday after the holiday.

Noon openings start in November and December, but they come with later nights. Once schools are out for winter break, the park will offer 10- and 11-hour days and remain open until 9 PM after Christmas.

 

[MAC]

Well, the changes are already happening....

Universal Kids Resort is making some significant updates to its operating hours, with Friday closing times in September and October moving from 5 PM to 7 PM.

The park will stay open until 8 PM most days during Thanksgiving week, with its first 9 PM closings scheduled for the Friday and Saturday after the holiday.

Noon openings start in November and December, but they come with later nights. Once schools are out for winter break, the park will offer 10- and 11-hour days and remain open until 9 PM after Christmas.

Those are some quick changes and makes a ton more sense.

I wonder if we can get them to treat Epic Universe the same way...

 

[Diservations]

Those are some quick changes and makes a ton more sense.

I wonder if we can get them to treat Epic Universe the same way...

Working APs are gonna love this. I will too. Need some nighttime shots.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I will, never, understand why the company made this park. I don’t see how it’s ever profitable or a draw, at all. I hate to keep dunking on this place but I just, I don’t…. get this.


Genuinely why not make this space in Orlando, a proven market? With connection to other resorts?

Also why is this company insistent on no shade at new parks?

I’m truly just baffled by this company post Epic opening.

They wanted to expand their market. There will be lessons to learn.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

They wanted to expand their market. There will be lessons to learn.

I’m not sure they had a brand to expand a market for, is my larger point. Yes Orlando’s growth has been stellar but, be careful.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I’m not sure they had a brand to expand a market for, is my larger point. Yes Orlando’s growth has been stellar but, be careful.

Orlando has three large parks already. Plenty has been said why a dedicated kids park wouldn't make sense.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Orlando has three large parks already. Plenty has been said why a dedicated kids park wouldn't make sense.

It may not make sense in Orlando, that I do get.

Was anyone in general craving a Universal only kids resort, when their whole demo is towards late pre teens/teens and families?

If Disney put up a local park here dedicated to older crowds, I’d be curious the response, both in reception to the idea and park itself. It’s just maybe something they don’t need to be focusing on.

 

[pumpkinbot343]

Was anyone in general craving a Universal only kids resort, when their whole demo is towards late pre teens/teens and families?

If Disney put up a local park here dedicated to older crowds, I’d be curious the response, both in reception to the idea and park itself. It’s just maybe something they don’t need to be focusing on.

Why should Disney or Universal need to limit themselves?

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Why should Disney or Universal need to limit themselves?

It’s not limiting to realize you can’t do everything

 

[MAC]

It’s not limiting to realize you can’t do everything

I'd rather they try than not. Same with Universal UK. While some might think those dollars could be going to UOR, there's also diminishing returns. $1 spent in Orlando may only result in $1.40 return. And that's not saying it's a bad thing, but after those dollars spent, the next $1 spent might only bring in $1.20. At some point, you're capped by space.

If you can go and get $1 to stretch to $1.60 in a new market/vertical, that's worth it. You want Universal to diversify, to have multiple revenue streams, because it can make it easier to fund expansions in the future and it allows them to protect themselves during economic downturns (for example, international travelers potentially not wanting to travel abroad due to any number of reasons).

These dollars also may not have gone to UOR under any situation. I'd rather the dollars to go to something Universal-related than not at all (and if UOR is off the table).

 

[Andysol]

Well, the changes are already happening....

Universal Kids Resort is making some significant updates to its operating hours, with Friday closing times in September and October moving from 5 PM to 7 PM.

The park will stay open until 8 PM most days during Thanksgiving week, with its first 9 PM closings scheduled for the Friday and Saturday after the holiday.

Noon openings start in November and December, but they come with later nights. Once schools are out for winter break, the park will offer 10- and 11-hour days and remain open until 9 PM after Christmas.

Longer hours I was not expecting. Best case- they’re seeing stronger demand at the hotel and presales. Worst case- they’re trying something new.

I’m not sure they had a brand to expand a market for, is my larger point. Yes Orlando’s growth has been stellar but, be careful.

The worst thing that could happen is it goes belly up in a year or two. They lose a few hundred million and everyone forgets about it or treats it like pleasure pier. It affects nothing. It’s a bust E ticket.

Best case it becomes a new income stream for them and they expand the idea to other markets.

It’s worth the gamble.

I could also see a world where it becomes a word of mouth marketing boost for Orlando also. Even with the subpar theming.
“My family loved the kids park”
“Oh? You thought that was fun? Just wait until you go to the Orlando park. It’s so much better it’ll make your head spin!”

If Disney put up a local park here dedicated to older crowds, I’d be curious the response, both in reception to the idea and park itself. It’s just maybe something they don’t need to be focusing on.

Disney already appeals to the older crowd. Not just adults. But grandparents as well.

As for teens- you think teenage girls aren’t itching for that Mickey ear shot in front of the castle?

Any park disney built would cannibalize its Orlando market.

Disney simply doesn’t have a demographic limiter. Universal does (for the most part).

 

[OLSinFLA]

It may not make sense in Orlando, that I do get.

Was anyone in general craving a Universal only kids resort, when their whole demo is towards late pre teens/teens and families?

If Disney put up a local park here dedicated to older crowds, I’d be curious the response, both in reception to the idea and park itself. It’s just maybe something they don’t need to be focusing on.

EPCOT Center was exactly that when it was built

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Was anyone in general craving a Universal only kids resort, when their whole demo is towards late pre teens/teens and families?

There's a sizeable stable of Universal properties on Netflix popular with kids. A good way to compete in a new market would be not to be where someone (Disney) has cornered the market. I can agree maybe Frisco was the wrong location, I don't think it's a bad thing to try out. I think the quick turn around on hours shows they're adjusting and learning, if they keep at it I could see this becoming a small chain like LegoLand or Peppa Pig.

 

[Diservations]

Bello Bay Cruise received a LOT of vinyl theming since last Thursday. The walls that border Bikini Bottom and Jurassic World are now covered in Minions.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

To be clear I don’t want this to fail obviously. I love Universal’s ambition in general with new lands, parks, tech, and evolving the resort that looks like an entirely different place than where I went in 2008. In a good way.

Maybe ultimately I feel the location was wrong, and a market like San Diego maybe would’ve been better, but if we complain about the lack of new attractions at USH and USF, I feel this is a clear project to place that frustration on. I know big money like this isn’t that simplified, but wouldn’t we all have wanted some of these flats and simpler rides in an expanded Dreamworks Land at the resort? Having the Kids Resort in Orlando as well I don’t think would be trying to compete with Disney really at all. The hotel in Frisco seems perfectly nice, add a lot of the character interactions into the hotel experience itself and maybe draw some crowds that way, I see that being popular with local families too whose kids have not 1 ride to do in say, Islands of Adventure.

I think there were just better methods to introduce this crowd while also not really changing what UOR is trying to be.

 

[Columbo]

They really should put something in that giant empty area on the ride. Looking at the concept art I guess it wasn't even supposed to have a structure ever, but seeing photos of it, it has the energy of having a small furniture in a large room. Very sad looking

The decals are nice though!

 

[Stonecoldfreak1]

The Universal Kids Resort parking lot today at 1pm. Granted, this doesn't count resort guests, but It's safe to say they change the schedule next year.

View attachment 30721

Was in the area and was going to swing by for a hour yesterday. Would have been interesting to see what the crowd inside looked like.