Universal Kids Resort - Frisco, Texas

[OrlandoGuy]

Looks more like a Six Flags or a hometown theme park. Embarrassing.

Funny enough, the two nearest Six Flags parks are a lot nicer than this. Just compare the raft rides at Over Texas and Fiesta Texas to the Minions one at UKP.

 

[Allison]

I think a majority of the complains would be remediated if it looked like the concept art.

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Yep, seeing all of the complaints this ride specifically sticks out the most cause the way it is presented currently, even if I had kids, I’d be asking myself am I supposed to *want* to put them in a raft ride that looks like it goes under a highway overpass??

Luckily these are issues that can easily be fixed quickly (there was one section of the ride I saw that was painted and the difference was apparent immediately) and with Universal sticking their name/money on this property I have faith that they will be.

All that said I also understand my opinion on this is meaningless as I don’t have kids/won’t be going, I just hope that the families with kids that are planning to go end up having a great time and I’d include theming (detailed to EU levels? no. painting/landscaping at least? yes.) in that too.

 

[rabbitsmoon]

Oh absolutely - obviously the vegetation will come eventually. But it all just looks so.. gray

I think this is true to a degree, BUT-- not everywhere. At some point in the process they shifted from the lush vibe of the concept art to a zeroscape approach. The succulents in the foreground will grow (and shoot up colorful flowers in the winter), but that planter will never look anything close to the art. Unless they dig this all up and start again, it's going to stay sparse.

 

[Jake S]

And those trees are freshly planted. It is going to take a long time for them to grow in a way that meaningful improves how the park looks and feels. I hope they are able and willing to go back in and heavily invest in the vegetation and decoration / theming, but I'm not convinced that will happen.

The Minions raft ride could fairly easily be brought up to snuff (it helps that the ride is very fun — easily the best in the park IMO) but whether or not Universal is willing or able to spend the money to do that, who knows.

 

[OrlandoGuy]

I think this is true to a degree, BUT-- not everywhere. At some point in the process they shifted from the lush vibe of the concept art to a zeroscape approach. The succulents in the foreground will grow (and shoot up colorful flowers in the winter), but that planter will never look anything close to the art. Unless they dig this all up and start again, it's going to stay sparse.
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This picture really is kind of hilarious.

“Trust us, everyone, the vegetation will grow!”

Meanwhile, the vegetation: six small bushes

(I know, I know, the rest of the park has more)

 

[rabbitsmoon]

And those trees are freshly planted. It is going to take a long time for them to grow in a way that meaningful improves how the park looks and feels. I hope they are able and willing to go back in and heavily invest in the vegetation and decoration / theming, but I'm not convinced that will happen.

The Minions raft ride could fairly easily be brought up to snuff (it helps that the ride is very fun — easily the best in the park IMO) but whether or not Universal is willing or able to spend the money to do that, who knows.

As someone who's been on it, can you tell me if I'm right that the trough walls on the ride are weirdly tall? POVs make it seem like a kid would barely be able to see the minions over them, but maybe that's just video.

 

[Legacy]

Then maybe don't build a site-specific hotel and host influencers from across the country (but mostly Orlando)?


I think branding is the key here. I grew up on small, kid-friendly parks with flat rides and plywood cutout theming. I loved them, there's a place for them. But don't call this a "Universal park." Invent a new brand. Don't beg people to compare it to your other parks.

It’s the Universal Kids brand.

It’s not “Universal Studios Kids.” It’s just “Universal Kids.”

 

[Jake S]

As someone who's been on it, can you tell me if I'm right that the trough walls on the ride are weirdly tall? POVs make it seem like a kid would barely be able to see the minions over them, but maybe that's just video.

It depends. Some of the walls are very tall and you won't see the decorations up there (I think those are more for the benefit of non-riders, though). But I think in some ways it helps to have decorations above you because of the high seatbacks on a rapids ride. Easier for a kid to look up and see the decorations (or, more likely, someone soaking you with a water gun) rather than try to look over the raft.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

It’s the Universal Kids brand.

It’s not “Universal Studios Kids.” It’s just “Universal Kids.”

+ they also avoided adding the Universal globe out front to avoid the idea of this being a traditional Universal park.

 

[SeventyOne]

It’s the Universal Kids brand.

It’s not “Universal Studios Kids.” It’s just “Universal Kids.”

Personally I'd have gone much different -- "Carnival" v. "Princess" different, e.g.

+ they also avoided adding the Universal globe out front to avoid the idea of this being a traditional Universal park.

But then you invite Disney Food Blog and expect their clientele to pick up on the subtle differentiation?

 

[Brian G.]

Personally I'd have gone much different -- "Carnival" v. "Princess" different, e.g.

The amount of folks who still don’t realize they’re the same company.

 

[AustinT]

Yep, seeing all of the complaints this ride specifically sticks out the most cause the way it is presented currently, even if I had kids, I’d be asking myself am I supposed to *want* to put them in a raft ride that looks like it goes under a highway overpass??

You see highway overpass, I keep seeing wastewater treatment plant, especially with the large rounded sections of concrete. You can't tell me this doesn't look like one

 

[Myah1220]

It’s the Universal Kids brand.

It’s not “Universal Studios Kids.” It’s just “Universal Kids.”

That may very well be true but the average person is still going to hear the name Universal and immediately think of the past portfolio of what Universal has provided and imagine: quality theming, creativity, effort, a step above the rest. They aren't going to see "Studios" swapped with "Kids" in the title and suddenly reframe their expectations to think that now that it has Kids in the title that this means it's going to be a massive downgrade in quality. It makes zero sense. I also, respectfully, do not understand this take that just because it's "For kids" that it means it's okay that it's somehow acceptable to not make a larger effort in theming. I think it should be totally feasible for a company as large and successful as Universal is to be able to take a smaller scale, lower budget park and still make a more concerted effort to make the thing not look like barely a cut above a state fair.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

 

[Legacy]

That may very well be true but the average person is still going to hear the name Universal and immediately think of the past portfolio of what Universal has provided and imagine: quality theming, creativity, effort, a step above the rest. They aren't going to see "Studios" swapped with "Kids" in the title and suddenly reframe their expectations to think that now that it has Kids in the title that this means it's going to be a massive downgrade in quality. It makes zero sense. I also, respectfully, do not understand this take that just because it's "For kids" that it means it's okay that it's somehow acceptable to not make a larger effort in theming. I think it should be totally feasible for a company as large and successful as Universal is to be able to take a smaller scale, lower budget park and still make a more concerted effort to make the thing not look like barely a cut above a state fair.

I mean, I really have no dog in the fight. I have no kids or connections to any kids. I was just pointing out that they DID create a new brand. Based on the little I’ve seen (again, I largely don’t care) that delineation could potentially be more clear, but the specific brand exists.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

I do have to wonder at this point if there is some generational difference between younger generations and older generations with regards to the sun. I would almost never want to bake in the sun for more than a few minutes without some form of skin protection, but perhaps that's the raison e'tre for going to these parks for some people. Otherwise, how do you design a park this way?

 

[Evan]

I think a majority of the complains would be remediated if it looked like the concept art.

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I saw someone call it “Minion Sewer Adventure”

 

[ReelJustice]

You see highway overpass, I keep seeing wastewater treatment plant, especially with the large rounded sections of concrete. You can't tell me this doesn't look like one

I’ve seen wastewater plants and drainage canals with higher quality concrete finishing.

 

[rabbitsmoon]

I do have to wonder at this point if there is some generational difference between younger generations and older generations with regards to the sun. I would almost never want to bake in the sun for more than a few minutes without some form of skin protection, but perhaps that's the raison e'tre for going to these parks for some people. Otherwise, how do you design a park this way?

I think this is true to a degree (boomers especially have a hard time putting down the tanning oil). Every time I go to Vegas I'm shocked at how many people will bake poolside in the sun, whereas I'm desperately repositioning my umbrella all day to make sure I have shade. That kind of behavior happens in Orlando too, but I think the phenomenon is more common with guests visiting from cold climates.

I don't know any Texas families that would intentionally seek out this much sun. The kids might not care, but (I say this with love) they're maniacs with no sense of self preservation.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I do have to wonder at this point if there is some generational difference between younger generations and older generations with regards to the sun. I would almost never want to bake in the sun for more than a few minutes without some form of skin protection, but perhaps that's the raison e'tre for going to these parks for some people. Otherwise, how do you design a park this way?

It is crazy, but kids really do not seem to be dissuaded by extreme heat.

We took our son to Orlando for the first time last month, and we tried everything possible to keep him safe from the sun. Hats, sunscreen, stroller cover, etc.

He refused to keep the stroller cover while we were in the direct sunlight. But he wanted the cover up when we were indoors. Go figure lol