With just weeks to go before opening day, Universal Kids Resort has unveiled its first look at the merchandise collections and themed retail locations guests will find when the new park opens on July 1, 2026.
And if these previews are any indication, Universal is treating the shopping experience as an extension of the storytelling rather than simply a place to buy souvenirs.
Across all seven themed lands, families will find stores designed around the characters and worlds they are visiting, complete with exclusive merchandise, interactive experiences, and plenty of opportunities for kids to fully immerse themselves in their favorite franchises.
More Than Just Gift Shops
One thing that immediately stands out is how intentionally these retail locations appear to be designed for younger guests.
According to Universal, everything from the displays to the store layouts has been built with children in mind. That may sound like a small detail, but it reinforces what makes Universal Kids Resort different from a traditional theme park.
The goal isn’t simply scaling down existing Universal experiences. It’s creating an environment specifically built for young families.
Jurassic World Gets Kid-Sized Adventures
At Jurassic World Outfitters, aspiring dinosaur experts can find everything from dinosaur masks and action figures to hatching eggs and LEGO sets.
One of the more interesting items revealed is a glowing dinosaur egg keychain that opens to reveal a tiny plush dinosaur. There will also be oversized sleeping dinosaur plushes that honestly look like they could become one of the sleeper hits of the park.
The entire collection feels focused on encouraging imaginative play long after families leave the resort.
SpongeBob’s Bikini Bottom Comes to Life
Fans of SpongeBob SquarePants will find plenty of nautical nonsense inside Barg’N-Mart.
Highlights include Glove World-themed plush hats, SpongeBob and Plankton shoulder pals, character plush, bucket hats, and beach-ready accessories.
If Universal’s parks have taught us anything, it’s that shoulder pals tend to become incredibly popular, and SpongeBob wandering around on guests’ shoulders feels like a safe bet to be a fan favorite.
Shrek’s Swamp Looks Like Pure Fun
One of the standout collections comes from Triplets Treasures in DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp.
Families will be able to purchase matching ogre hoodies, ogre ears, bucket hats, and Shrek-themed accessories designed to transform entire families into swamp dwellers.
Honestly, seeing parents fully commit to matching Shrek gear with their kids feels exactly like the kind of memory Universal Kids Resort is trying to create.
Trolls, Minions, and Puss in Boots Join the Fun
Other themed lands continue the immersive approach:
- Bello Bay Boutique offers Team Yellow and Team Purple Minion gear
- Sparkle Shine Glitter Glow features the Troll-ify Me makeover experience
- Mercado de Perrito brings cosplay-inspired Puss in Boots merchandise
- Tienda de Dulces offers themed treats and sweets from Del Mar
The Troll-ify Me experience is particularly interesting because it feels closer to a full transformation experience than traditional merchandise. Kids can choose character-inspired looks featuring wigs, headwear, makeup, and accessories based on characters like Poppy, Branch, and Guy Diamond.
Gabby’s Dollhouse Anchors the Resort
The resort’s flagship store will sit inside the Isle of Curiosity, featuring merchandise from all seven lands alongside an expanded collection inspired by Gabby’s Dollhouse.
Given the popularity of Gabby’s Dollhouse among younger audiences, it makes sense that Universal is positioning it as one of the central retail experiences within the park.
Merchandise previews don’t always generate the same excitement as attraction announcements, but in this case, they reveal something important about Universal Kids Resort’s philosophy.
Rather than treating shopping as an afterthought, Universal appears to be using retail as another layer of storytelling.
Kids aren’t simply buying a hat or plush. They’re becoming dinosaur explorers, joining Bikini Bottom adventures, turning into Trolls, or embracing their inner ogre.
For a park built specifically around younger guests, that approach makes a lot of sense.
And as opening day gets closer, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Universal Kids Resort isn’t just building smaller rides for smaller guests. It’s creating an entire destination designed around how young children play, imagine, and interact with the worlds they love.
Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she’s been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she’s not at a theme park, she’s probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.