Parents are already arguing online about the Universal Kids Resort in Frisco
The Universal Kids Resort in Frisco isn’t open to the public until July 1, but it’s already causing quite the stir online — even from folks who haven’t been to the theme park yet.
The theme park, which features rides and experiences tied to “Shrek,” “Trolls,” “Minions,” “Jurassic World” and “SpongeBob SquarePants,” opened for media preview days last week, where influencers and local media members could tour the park. One influencer’s post about the park drew the ire of Sean Giggy, a journalist at the Star-Telegram’s news partner WFAA.
The post in question was a Facebook post from marketing professional and influencer Jared Guynes, who took issue with all the favorable influencer reviews of the park and said he had some “problems” that he “wanted to address.”
In the post, Guynes complained about the cost of regular tickets, the express lane and lack of landscaping at Universal Kids Resort. He called the theme park “drab,” “gray” and “mediocre and lackluster” before ending his post by saying he has not been to the theme park yet.
“If you want to go and check it out, by all means do it! I will likely go myself with the kids to see it in person,” he wrote.
WFAA’s Sean Giggy, who has been to the park, chastised Guynes in a quoted Facebook post June 24, saying Guynes was “dishonest and disrespectful” and suggested the original post was “farming for engagement.”
“The bulk of it is spent trashing the park, but please pay careful attention to the end,” Giggy wrote. “The poster says they’ll likely go myself to ‘see it in person.’ Wait. What?!?! You explained to everyone why the park sucks, and you haven’t even been there?!?!”
Giggy said that he and his family went to the park and his family enjoyed the experience.
“I’m not being paid, bribed or encouraged by anyone,” Giggy said. “I simply saw the face of my child, the intended demographic, and his euphoria offers an honest review. “We spent the entire day inside the park and still didn’t get to experience everything. It was themed well and there was fun around nearly every turn.”
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“It’s so disingenuous and disrespectful to the many Frisco residents who are pouring their hearts into this place every day to make it a wonderful experience for kids. Kids,” Giggy said. “The people it’s intended for, not 40-year-old men like myself or this poster.”
Universal Kids Resort has drawn mixed reviews ahead of its opening, with many influencers giving the theme park great reviews on social media. But comments on those posts — mostly from people who have not been to the park yet— are negative.
North Texans will get to decide for themselves when the park opens July 1.