{"id":78685,"date":"2026-11-12T13:13:09","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T18:13:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?p=78685"},"modified":"2026-11-12T13:13:10","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T18:13:10","slug":"cuffe-universal-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/cuffe-universal-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Long a Theme Park Fan, Hotelie Leads New Universal Kids Resort"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The Texas park is the latest chapter in a career that has taken Daniel Cuffe \u201992 to Orlando, Singapore, Beijing, and beyond<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By <strong>Beth Saulnier<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap wp-block-paragraph\">Back in 1999, a 27-year-old Daniel Cuffe \u201992 had a perfectly good job as the general manager of hotels in the Midwest and elsewhere, a post he\u2019d earned after years of marathon workweeks. But he chucked it all for the chance to break into an industry he loved: theme parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cuffe had become a huge fan of the entertainment destinations, having overcome childhood terrors of roller coasters and haunted houses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"754\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/a006_dsc_9920_062326_r1-A-1024x754.jpg\" alt=\"A SpongeBob themed ride at Universal Kids Resort\" class=\"wp-image-77100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/a006_dsc_9920_062326_r1-A-1024x754.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/a006_dsc_9920_062326_r1-A-300x221.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/a006_dsc_9920_062326_r1-A-768x565.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/a006_dsc_9920_062326_r1-A-1536x1131.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/a006_dsc_9920_062326_r1-A-1264x931.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/a006_dsc_9920_062326_r1-A-632x465.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/a006_dsc_9920_062326_r1-A-316x233.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/a006_dsc_9920_062326_r1-A-400x295.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/a006_dsc_9920_062326_r1-A-200x147.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/a006_dsc_9920_062326_r1-A-100x74.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/a006_dsc_9920_062326_r1-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Universal Kids features the SpongeBob &#8220;Bobbing Barrels&#8221; boat ride, complete with water cannons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After umpteen fruitless applications to Walt Disney World, Universal, and Sea World\u2014all in Orlando, FL, the theme park capital of the world\u2014he realized he\u2019d never get his foot in the door unless he went all in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI said, \u2018If I\u2019m ever going to do this, I have to do it now\u2014otherwise, I\u2019ll regret it for the rest of my life,\u2019\u201d Cuffe recalls. \u201cSo I sold my house, turned in my notice, packed up my stuff in a U-Haul, and drove to Orlando, with no job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I sold my house, turned in my notice, packed up my stuff in a U-Haul, and drove to Orlando, with no job.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That leap of faith has paid off. Today, after a decades-long career with Universal, the Hotelie is the vice president and general manager of <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universalkidsresort.com\/en\/us\">Universal Kids Resort<\/a>, a new theme park and 300-room hotel in Frisco, TX.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Universal Kids is a new concept for the entertainment giant: its first-ever regional theme park designed specifically for families with young children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/trollsfest-3-A-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A child dressed as a Troll meets a Troll character\" class=\"wp-image-77107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/trollsfest-3-A-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/trollsfest-3-A-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/trollsfest-3-A-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/trollsfest-3-A-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/trollsfest-3-A-1264x843.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/trollsfest-3-A-632x421.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/trollsfest-3-A-316x211.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/trollsfest-3-A-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/trollsfest-3-A-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/trollsfest-3-A-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/trollsfest-3-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Poppy lookalike meets her Trolls twin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Opened in July 2026, it\u2019s smaller than a typical park and eschews pulse-pounding coasters in favor of child-friendly fare themed to characters like Shrek, Minions, Trolls, and SpongeBob SquarePants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are gentle rides (by boat, car, train, and swing), along with shows, splash pads, interactive play areas, character meet-and-greets, and more\u2014including eateries and myriad spots for families to relax, including calming sensory gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/universal-kids-resort-hotel-2-A-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"The colorful lobby of the hotel at Universal Kids Resort\" class=\"wp-image-77108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/universal-kids-resort-hotel-2-A-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/universal-kids-resort-hotel-2-A-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/universal-kids-resort-hotel-2-A-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/universal-kids-resort-hotel-2-A-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/universal-kids-resort-hotel-2-A-1264x843.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/universal-kids-resort-hotel-2-A-632x421.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/universal-kids-resort-hotel-2-A-316x211.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/universal-kids-resort-hotel-2-A-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/universal-kids-resort-hotel-2-A-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/universal-kids-resort-hotel-2-A-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/universal-kids-resort-hotel-2-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The kid-friendly hotel lobby.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Says Cuffe: &#8220;Everything here has been designed through a child\u2019s eyes.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like a roller coaster track, Cuffe\u2019s path to a theme park career was serpentine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everything here has been designed through a child\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While he enjoyed working in hospitality jobs as a teen, his high grades in math and science prompted his high school teachers to guide him toward a career in engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But when he started studying the subject on the Hill, he found that he, well\u2014hated it. Luckily, though, he noticed that there was a world-class hospitality school right across the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After transferring to what\u2019s now the Nolan School, Cuffe thrived, seeing a major hike in his GPA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He worked in multiple roles at the Statler\u2014experience that helped him get hired by the hotel firm he\u2019d later depart to pursue his Orlando dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Dean-David-Dittman-1992_square-A-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Daniel Cuffe at Commencement with two faculty members\" class=\"wp-image-77102 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Dean-David-Dittman-1992_square-A-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Dean-David-Dittman-1992_square-A-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Dean-David-Dittman-1992_square-A-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Dean-David-Dittman-1992_square-A-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Dean-David-Dittman-1992_square-A-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Dean-David-Dittman-1992_square-A-1264x1264.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Dean-David-Dittman-1992_square-A-632x632.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Dean-David-Dittman-1992_square-A-316x316.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Dean-David-Dittman-1992_square-A-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Dean-David-Dittman-1992_square-A-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Dean-David-Dittman-1992_square-A-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Dean-David-Dittman-1992_square-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>With Hotel faculty at Commencement.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His first Florida job offer came from Disney: he could wear a suit, sit in a cubicle, and answer phones at its cruise line call center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He turned it down in favor of a guest services gig at Universal\u2019s then-new Islands of Adventure theme park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote alignwide is-style-solid-color\"><blockquote><p>Like a roller coaster track, Cuffe\u2019s path to a theme park career was serpentine.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cuffe advanced rapidly at Universal, segueing through numerous positions including supervising the Jurassic Park River Adventure\u2014a dino-themed boat ride with an 85-foot drop\u2014and managing parking and transportation for the entire resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Universal-Beijing-is-almost-ready-to-open-A-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Daniel Cuffe in front of the sign for Universal Beijing Resort\" class=\"wp-image-77103\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Universal-Beijing-is-almost-ready-to-open-A-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Universal-Beijing-is-almost-ready-to-open-A-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Universal-Beijing-is-almost-ready-to-open-A-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Universal-Beijing-is-almost-ready-to-open-A-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Universal-Beijing-is-almost-ready-to-open-A-1264x948.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Universal-Beijing-is-almost-ready-to-open-A-632x474.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Universal-Beijing-is-almost-ready-to-open-A-316x237.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Universal-Beijing-is-almost-ready-to-open-A-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Universal-Beijing-is-almost-ready-to-open-A-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Universal-Beijing-is-almost-ready-to-open-A-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/Daniel-Cuffe-Universal-Beijing-is-almost-ready-to-open-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cuffe spent more than five years at Universal&#8217;s property in China.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He\u2019d go on to leadership roles at Universal theme parks in Singapore and Beijing (as well as at a DreamWorks-affiliated park in Dubai) before being tapped to lead the launch of the Texas resort in spring 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe wonderful thing about theme parks is you can leave the real world behind,\u201d Cuffe observes. \u201cIt truly is an escape from reality\u2014a way to relax, have a great time, forget about everything you\u2019ve got going on, and just have fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(All images provided.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Published November 12, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Texas park is the latest chapter in a career that has taken Daniel Cuffe \u201992 to Orlando, Singapore, Beijing, and beyond<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":77104,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"alumni_hub_syml_posts":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[229],"tags":[],"cornell_year_post":[],"class_list":["post-78685","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Long a Theme Park Fan, Hotelie Leads New Universal Kids Resort - Cornellians | Cornell University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Texas park is the latest chapter in a career that has taken Daniel Cuffe \u201992 to Orlando, Singapore, Beijing, and beyond\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/cuffe-universal-kids\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Long a Theme Park Fan, Hotelie Leads New Universal Kids Resort - Cornellians | Cornell University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Texas park is the latest chapter in a career that has taken Daniel Cuffe \u201992 to Orlando, Singapore, Beijing, and beyond\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" 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