family attractions

Frisco, Texas, Thursday, 16 October 2025.
Yesterday Universal disclosed seven themed lands for Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, a deliberate pivot toward a scaled, kid-centric resort model that prioritizes high-throughput interactive play, low-thrill attractions and parental convenience. For retail and F&B teams this matters: the project centers capacity-managed experiences, a 300-room hotel entrance strategy and integrated merchandising tailored to preschool and elementary demographics, signaling predictable repeat visitation and shorter-stay family patterns. Anticipate shifts in licensing mix, SKU sizing, price points, and impulse versus souvenir segmentation; merchandising will need to serve caregivers’ convenience mindset while maximizing throughput at play-led retail nodes. Operationally, expect new staffing profiles (child-focused engagement roles), safety and accessibility standards, and queuing/layout solutions for mixed-age groups that directly affect retail placement and F&B flow. Regionally, the resort aims to capture Dallas–Fort Worth staycations and compete with local family operators, creating localized promotional and partnership opportunities for retailers who move quickly to align assortments and guest journey touchpoints.

Dallas‑Fort Worth, Monday, 13 October 2025.
Merlin Entertainments will open a second U.S. Peppa Pig theme park in the Dallas–Fort Worth market in 2025, signalling a deliberate shift to branded, kid‑centric destinations that drive repeat family visitation. For retail professionals this translates into steadier, family‑timed footfall, clearer seasonal peaks and higher lifetime value per household—ideal conditions for curated merchandise assortments, tiered pricing and pass‑linked retail offers. Operationally expect tight integration of themed rides with retail and F&B, standardized licensing playbooks, and cross‑property promotions that lift per‑capita spend. Regional market development will target both local discretionary budgets and short‑break tourists, increasing competitive pressure on independent family entertainment operators. The most intriguing fact: Merlin is treating single‑IP parks as scalable, commercially predictable assets in major U.S. metros rather than experimental venues—giving retail partners a longer planning horizon for sourcing, inventory cadence and loyalty activations tailored to young families.

London, Tuesday, 30 September 2025.
Paramount is accelerating its family-park licensing strategy in 2025 by striking partnerships with Merlin Entertainments and Parques Reunidos to deploy compact, IP-led family lands across Europe. The most immediate outcome: the UK’s first dedicated PAW Patrol land at Chessington, opening in 2026, while Parques Reunidos will roll Paramount-branded experiences across its park network beginning this year. For operators, these deals offer faster differentiation, new character-driven retail and F&B revenue, and seasonal programming to drive repeat visits. Operationally expect condensed design and installation timelines, higher throughput planning for preschool attractions, and stricter brand technical standards plus accessibility and sustainability requirements. Financial models favour lower upfront studio costs offset by royalties and marketing co-investment, creating scalable on-site revenue for partners. For retail leaders, the shift signals growing demand for tightly themed, IP-curated merchandise assortments, coordinated seasonal activations, and hotel/secondary-market tie-ins — all opportunities to lift per-capita spend and secure loyal family audiences.