Universal Kids Resort begins hiring performers, thousands of jobs ahead

Universal Kids Resort is moving from construction site to employer in Frisco, with auditions set for April 17 for dancers, actors and storytellers as the project shifts toward staffing ahead of its 2026 opening. Selected candidates will be called back for in-person auditions, a sign that the park is already building the performance workforce that will animate its themed lands.

That hiring push reaches far beyond the stage. Universal is also recruiting for park operations, technical services, food and beverage, ride operations and support roles, part of a larger labor demand around a destination that is expected to bring thousands of permanent jobs once it opens. Frisco city materials have said the project will create thousands of jobs, including more than 2,500 construction jobs during development, making it one of the biggest private economic stories in North Texas right now.

The resort is designed as Universal’s first theme park built specifically for families with young children, and the company has said it will open in 2026 in Frisco, Texas. Universal has outlined seven themed lands for the property, including Shrek’s Swamp, Puss in Boots Del Mar, Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club, Jurassic World Adventure Camp, SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom, TrollsFest and the Isle of Curiosity. Universal’s hiring materials also say the resort will include an on-site 300-room hotel and that eligible team members can receive health and financial benefits, tuition reimbursement, park access and other perks.

For Frisco and the broader Collin County labor market, that matters well beyond theme park fans. A resort of this size can pull in teens looking for first jobs, service workers seeking steadier schedules, and performers who can build careers around character work, dance and improv. It also tends to spill into nearby restaurants, retail stores and hotels as visitors and employees fill the area around the project.

The city has been planning for the pressure. Frisco documents show a final traffic impact analysis has been completed for the proposed park, and the city says it is investing more than $201 million in northern corridor roadway projects. With Universal now publicly lining up performers and other staff, the resort is no longer just a future attraction on the edge of town. It is becoming a real employer, with a hiring pipeline that points straight at opening day.