If you are booking a child younger than two years of age and prefer to have the child sit on your lap during the flight, include the child in the number of children and select “< 1†from the Child Ages dropdown.
If you are booking a child younger than two years of age and prefer to have the child sit on your lap during the flight, include the child in the number of children and select “< 1†from the Child Ages dropdown.
Planning a trip to Universal Kids Resort Frisco, TX with toddlers? This honest, mom-approved review shares everything you need to know—from rides and sensory-friendly spaces to money-saving tips, food options, and what’s actually worth it.
Planning a trip to Universal Kids Resort Frisco, TX with toddlers? Here’s exactly what to expect; plus the honest tips no one tells you.
My little family of four; my husband and our 25-month-old boy/girl twins; took a Friday off and made the 3-hour drive to check out the brand new Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
And just to keep it real: I’m a travel agent, but I paid full price for this trip. No perks, no discounts, just a real family experience like yours would be.
This was our first amusement park experience with toddlers; and our first real family vacation with them at this age.
We were told we could enter the park at 2 PM with our 1.5-day hotel passes and to check in with the hotel for our room status; but to our surprise, our room was already ready. Being able to change the kids into swim gear in our actual room instead of a public restroom? Immediate win.
Baby Dinosaur Meet & Greet - JURASSIC WORLD ADVENTURE CAMP
Day 1: Splash Pads + Exploring
We kept things simple and focused on splash pads and exploring. In about 2.5 hours, we:
Got a full lay of land walking the outer loop of the park
Played in Spongebob splash zones (you WILL get soaked)
Met a baby velociraptor, even got to pet her (heart emoji)
Was serenaded by Mama Luna’s Adopt a Kitty
Ended at Shrek & Fiona’s splash area
Pro tip: Shrek’s splash pad was way more relaxed and toddler-friendly than Spongebob and had better seating for parents.
Also… when I say soaked, I mean full shower level under the pineapple in Spongebob. Yes, there’s a paid dryer; but honestly save your money. Texas heat had us dry in about 10 minutes.
Puss in Boots Theater featuring “Mama Luna’s Adopt a Kitty Day!” - DREAMWORKS’ PUSS IN BOOTS DEL MAR
Shade, Cooling & Comfort
Despite what I’d read before going, we felt like there was:
Staying on-site gave us early entry at 9 AM (vs. 10 AM general admission), but only in select areas.
For us, that included:
ILLUMINATION’S MINIONS VS MINIONS: BELLO BAY CLUB
NICKELODEON’S SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS BIKINI BOTTOM
This helped us knock out rides early with minimal wait; huge win with toddlers.
Rides for Toddlers (Under 36”)
There are 4 rides for kids under 36”:
Jellyfish Fields Jamboree – favorite! Smooth and you control the height
Shrek & Fiona’s Happily Ogre After – driving = BIG toddler win
Barnacle Bus – a bit too jerky for our son; but thrilling for our daughter
Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Ride – down most of our visit
Barnacle Bus - NICKELODEON’S SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS BIKINI BOTTOM
Safety & Security
This stood out in the best way:
Security + metal detectors every entry
Tickets scanned in/out (screenshot yours!)
Guest photos taken for safety
Also: completely smoke-free; even vapes.
Weather Reality
Texas heat is no joke; and it will impact your day.
We missed the Trolls show due to heat index cancellations, but still got photos with Poppy and Branch; which our kids loved. This was the only thing we truly felt bummed about during our trip.
Snack Bar Menu - NICKELODEON’S SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS BIKINI BOTTOM
Food & Dining
Typical park food with some fun unique options.
Bello Bay Mac & Cheese Cone
SpongeBob's Cheesy Press Grilled Cheese
Triple Gooberberry Sunrise
Shrekzel
We only tried one place for dinner Comidas y Leche located in Puss In Boots Del Mar. It was decent and didn’t break the bank for 2 meals and a dessert. We had a Big Jack Horner's Wrap (crunch wrap) with tots, Humpty Dumpty's Chicken Quesadilla plate with rice & beans and of course Churritos and Chocolate. There was nothing left on any of our plates.
Being the foodies we are, we had already picked out a Texas BBQ place we wanted to try prior to our trip and I can honestly say it didn’t disappoint. Hutchins BBQ is only about 10 minutes away and 100% worth it.
Hotel dinner:
Kids: cheese pizza
Us: fettuccine carbonara + short ribs with polenta
There’s also:
Alcohol stands throughout the park
Starbucks coffee (but limited; no flavors, mostly cold drinks)
Breakfast was actually great and the non-breakable tableware was a major parent win.
Short Ribs, polenta & green beans - Curiosity Cafe inside Resort Hotel
REAL TIPS You Need to Know Before You Go
💧 Water & Drinks They offer a refillable water bottle for $20+… but it’s only valid for that day. Refills cost $13 the next day with free refills after.
Our take? Bring your own cups. Water stations are available everywhere, and in the Texas heat hydration is KEY. We brought our own; and even walked in with a Dr Pepper in a cup with zero issues.
🍿 Snacks They didn’t have any issue with us bringing snacks for our kids, which made life so much easier for a mother of two toddlers.
🚗 Parking Parking is NOT included with your hotel stay. It’s $20 per night and added to your bill.
⏱️ How Long Should You Stay? Can you do it in one day? Yes. Should you? Probably not.
We did 1.5 days and it felt perfect. Next time, we’ll absolutely do 2 nights + 1.5 park days again to avoid burnout.
🏊 Hotel Pool Note The pool is 4 ft and designed for kids, but keep in mind:
Only approved life vests are allowed
The available sizes were 30 lbs+ (which didn’t work for our kiddos yet) but we made the most of them.
One thing I don’t see talked about enough in other reviews is the sensory gardens; and they’re in every land. Each themed area has its own sensory-friendly space where kids can slow down, explore, and reset in a calmer environment. For toddlers, this was huge. It gave them a break from the noise and stimulation without leaving the park entirely. Honestly, this is where you really see how kid-focused this park is.
Bello Bay Golf Cart Derby - ILLUMINATION’S MINIONS VS MINIONS: BELLO BAY CLUB
Final Thoughts
Did our kids make core memories? 100%. Did we avoid meltdowns? ALSO YES 🙌
Is Universal Kids Resort Frisco Worth It With Toddlers?
Yes with the right expectations.
Best for ages: toddlers to age 10
Not ideal if: you're expecting thrill rides or adult-focused entertainment
Worth it if: you want a low-stress, kid-first experience
We’ll definitely be back: probably next spring when they’re taller and it’s not 100° 😅(Although my husband did say it was still better than mowing the lawn in 98°… so there’s that.)
Is it worth the drive? Most definitely a great long weekend trip. Just be sure to pack the things to keep the toddlers busy in the car LOL
Thinking about making the drive? Here’s how far Frisco is from major cities within a few hours:
📍 Dallas, TX — 30 miles (~30 minutes)
📍 Denton, TX — 25 miles (~30 minutes)
📍 Fort Worth, TX — 50 miles (~1 hour)
📍 Waco, TX — 115 miles (~2 hours)
📍 Tyler, TX — 110 miles (~2 hours)
📍 Shreveport, LA — 190 miles (~3 hours)
📍 Abilene, TX — 180 miles (~3 hours)
📍 Oklahoma City, OK — 210 miles (~3 hours)
📍 Austin, TX — 215 miles (~3.5 hours)
📍 Tulsa, OK — 270 miles (~4 hours)
👉 This makes it an easy weekend trip from most of Texas + southern Oklahoma.
My name is Amanda Phillips and I’m an Oklahoma based Travel Agent with Vincent Vacations. If you’re thinking about planning a trip here (or any family vacation with littles), this is exactly what I help families do. Plan trips like this without the stress, guesswork, or overwhelm. Life is what you create, so let’s create something dynamic together!
Planning a vacation with young kids shouldn’t feel overwhelming and it definitely shouldn’t feel like a full-time job.
I’m an independent travel advisor, a mom of 2-year-old twins (Tanner + Taylor…aka double the fun and double the chaos), and for the past 20+ years, I’ve been the go-to for planning unforgettable family vacations. But becoming a mom completely changed how I approach travel because traveling with kids is a whole different experience.
Nap schedules, stroller logistics, kid-friendly dining, choosing resorts that are actually designed for families; not just labeled that way I get it, because I live it.
That’s why I specialize in helping busy families plan stress-free, memory-filled vacations in every stage of life. From traveling with toddlers and young kids to graduation trips, multigenerational vacations, and those long-overdue “just us” getaways when it’s finally back to you and your ride-or-die.
My specialty is simple: I take the guesswork out of travel.
Whether you’re wondering: • What’s the best vacation for families with toddlers? • Are cruises a good option for young kids? • Which all-inclusive resorts are actually kid-friendly?
I guide you every step of the way with personalized recommendations based on real experience, not just online reviews.
I plan customized vacations to destinations like Mexico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Alaska, Vancouver, and Bermuda, along with Disney, Universal, and family-friendly cruises that truly work for families.
What I Specialize In: • Family travel with toddlers and young children • First-time cruise planning (Caribbean & Alaska cruises) • Disney World and Universal vacations with kids • All-inclusive family resorts in Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica • Alaska cruises and Vancouver departures for families • Graduation trips and milestone family vacations • Couples getaways to reconnect when the kids are grown or when you finally have someone willing to watch the chaos for a week
What It’s Like to Work With Me: I handle every detail: destination matching, resort selection, booking, dining reservations, excursions, and ongoing support before and during your trip. I also help you avoid the common stress points of traveling with kids or planning your first cruise.
My clients don’t come to me for just a trip; they come for peace of mind.
Because at the end of the day, these aren’t just vacations… they’re core memories.
And one day, when the kids are off creating lives of their own, it’s still you and your ride or die so those trips matter too.
Life is what you create, so let’s create something dynamic together!
Planning a vacation with young kids shouldn’t feel overwhelming and it definitely shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. I’m an independent travel advisor, a mom of 2-year-old twins (Tanner + Taylor…aka double the fun and double the chaos), and for the past 20+ years, I’ve been the go-to for planning unforgettable family vacations. But becoming a mom completely changed how I approach travel because traveling with kids is a whole different experience. Nap schedules, stroller logistics, kid-friendly dining, choosing resorts that are actually designed for families; not just labeled that way I... Read More >>>
An expert destination wedding travel agent near me with five star luxury travel packages with a luxury travel company, Vincent Vacations.
Want the latest travel news, deals and more? Sign-up for my newsletter!
Please enter a valid email address in the "Enter Email" field.
Want to stay in the loop? Follow Amanda Phillips on all the socials!
Facebook Group
Join my group on Facebook! See latest deals and travel adventures. Join me as I travel around the world! I share great tips and tricks, videos to show my travels and to information about what it's like to be a travel agent with Vincent Vacations! Come check me out!
TikTok
Follow me on TikTok! Watch and share my videos on my personalized travel feed just for your vacation needs! See my latest videos highlighting deals and travel adventures. Join me as I travel around the world! I share new videos to show my travels and to information about what it's like to be a travel agent with Vincent Vacations!
Instagram
Follow me on IG! Visual content to connect my travel experiences to you! Join me as I travel around the world! I share new pictures and videos to show my travels and to information about what it's like to be a travel agent with Vincent Vacations! Come check me out on IG!
Vancouver Specialist Training, for all things Vancouver, BC. Personally toured Rocky Mountaineer, and experienced day of travel with Destination Vancouver Host through Stanley Park Totems, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Granville Island, and Flyover Canada at Canada Place.
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort Training
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood Training
Sandals Beaches Elite
Completed Elite Advisor Training
Royal Caribbean
Completed Master Level
My Certificate - Disney
Trained in all things Disney: Walt Disney World® Resort, Disneyland® Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Explore Adventures by Disney®, National Geographic by Disney® and AULANI Resort & Spa.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Diamond Level Graduate
3 Reviews & Success stories
Multigenerational Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen
Our multigenerational family trip to Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen was absolutely amazing from start to finish!
The resort itself is beautiful, and the staff truly made the experience unforgettable. Everyone was so kind and welcoming; our young adults even made friends with the event staff, which made the trip extra special for all of us. It felt like we were more than just guests.
We upgraded to the Preferred Club, and it was 100% worth it. The added amenities and service really elevated our stay. The food was incredible; honestly a 10/10! I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much guacamole in my life… I had it at nearly every meal, even breakfast!
While the drinks weren’t our favorite, everything else far exceeded our expectations. Overall, it was an incredible experience, and we made memories we’ll never forget.
Thank you for helping us plan such a special trip for our family; we couldn’t have asked for a better vacation! -Brittani M
Solo Cabin 7 day Caribbean round-trip Miami
Amanda did an exceptional job helping me plan my first solo cruise. All the details from the air travel, pre hotel and letting me know of special promotions that Norwegian Cruise Line offered. The solo cabin was sufficient while small and the food was tasty every sitting. Looking forward to her helping me plan a solo trip to Japan next fall. -Caleb B
Hard Rock Punta Cana
Everything went smoothly. We had an excellent time. Thanks for making the booking process easy for us! We'll be looking for help booking Costa Rica next fall break. -Josh A
Planning a trip to Universal Kids Resort Frisco, TX with toddlers? This honest, mom-approved review shares everything you need to know—from rides and sensory-friendly spaces to money-saving tips, food options, and what’s actually worth it.
