If you’re into rollercoasters and have been considering going to Universal Studios with Little Ones, then keep reading. I’m hoping that I will convince you to go and have an outstanding time!
So, we fianllyyyyy got Universal annual passes this year. I’ve been pregnant almost every year for the past 4 years so we didn’t want to get it and then I wouldn’t be able to go on the rides. Also, Covid happened, so there’s that… BUT We had been talking about it for a while and we finally did it.
I love Universal just as much as I love Disney only because of the rides. Way more rollercoasters at Universal than there are at Disney. It’s the adult’s playground!
The down side to Universal is that when it comes to little ones, especially if they’re under 36” (Josh is 2.5 and is now 36”), there’s less for them to do. Disney is obviously way more kid friendly.
I have an almost 4 year old who is now 38″. And like I said before, my 2.5 year old is about 36″. At this age and size there is so much you can still do with them. Especially if your little one is 40″!
I’ll go over each park separately, and then give you important information, including height limitations.
I have not been to Volcano Bay, so I won’t talk about that park.
Universal Studios
Rides
As soon as you enter the park, make a right and you’re gonna walk for a little bit. To your right again, by the E.T. ride you will find all the exciting things little ones can do. I’ll start with E.T. and work my way into the back.
E.T. Adventure
E.T. allows guests 34” and up to ride. It’s a cute ride themed just like the movie. You feel like you’re thrown into the end of the movie where Eliot and E.T. are riding the bike and flying. At the end they add a little something different (I don’t want to spoil it). It’s a smooth and fun ride for the little ones to enjoy. Grown ups too!
Trip Tip: On hot days, this is a good line to get into. The line and ride is all indoors.
Fievel’s Playland
Fievel’s Playland is right behind E.T. and it’s pretty much a huge playground for kids. There’s a water slide. It’s a place for parents to sit down for a little and let the kids explore.
no height restrictions
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster
Behind the play area is the first rollercoaster ever built at Universal Studios! Woody Woodpecker’s Coaster is a fun ride for anyone 36” and up. This was Zaya’s first rollercoaster and I think she rode it 4 or 5 times back to back! She loved it.
Curious George Goes to Town
Last but not least, behind Woody’s Coaster we have Curious George. Another big play area for kids with a Splash Pad!! Pack extra clothes, swimwear, and a towel and let your kid go crazy.
no height restrictions
Trip Tip: April to October are your best months for the really warm weather here in Florida. June-September are our HOTTEST months. Pack lots of sunscreen!
Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
Moving away from the kid’s play area. If you head right, heading towards Krusty Land, you’ll find some more kid friendly fun! Starting with Kang & Kodo’s Twirl ‘n’ Hurl.
It’s just like it’s name. It’s one of the rides that goes in a circle and moves up and down. Making you want to hurl. Yeah, one of those. The kids love it.
No height restrictions for this ride.
Carnaval Games
There are also Carnaval Games at Krusty Land. Games that parents can play or little ones. My kids enjoyed it and took home prizes.
Arcade
Over by The Mummy Ride there’s an arcade. Just like at an arcade close to your home, you can fill a card with tokens and play.
Hogwarts Express – King’s Cross Station
If you have an annual pass or a Park to Park ticket, you can ride the Hogwarts Express. Without the park to park access you cannot ride the train for you need to present your ticket to get on.
This train will take you from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventures, and vice versa. Usually lines can be as short as 10-15 minutes. Depending on the time of day, I’ve seen it get as high as 90 minutes. That’s usually after lunch because people are switching parks.
You do not need to ride the train to get from one park to the other. You can walk over as well. If you’re a Harry Potter fanatic you HAVE to ride at least once I would say. If you don’t care or never watched the movies then don’t sweat riding it. It’s pretty much just a straight slow ride in a train.
Although there’s nothing super fancy about it (if you’re not a Harry Potter fan), it’s something else the kids can ride. If you are a fan, then you’ll be sooooo excited when you get on!!
no height restrictions
Trip Tip: There is something happening on the train as you ride. It’s different depending if you go from Universal to Islands or Islands to Universal.
40” Rides
All of the rides above are for little ones 36” and below. Here are your rides for 40” riders.
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
- The Simpson Ride
- Fast & Furious – Supercharged
- Transformers: The Ride-3D
These rides are all 3D or 4D. These are not all of the rides in this park. There are some more that I did not mention since they’re above 40”. Mainly rollercoasters.
Shows
There are some performances throughout the park you can enjoy as well. Some are indoor with seats, and others have you standing outside. Either way, they’re all fun and you should see them all!
Shows, parades, and character meets are for all sizes and ages. Many opportunities for the kids to enjoy the little things throughout the park.
You can find out what shows you can see and what times they’re showing by getting a map at the park or downloading their app! I highly recommend the app.
Trip Tip: My favorite show is The Bourne Stuntacular. It’s a stunt show, it’s thrilling, and so well put together! Most importantly, it’s all indoor with seats. Great to catch a breath or get away from the heat!
Islands of Adventure
Entering Islands and keeping to your right you’ll walk straight into Seuss Landing. Very colorful and LOTS of fun! Even for the adults.
The Cat in The Hat
The Cat in The Hat are for little ones 36” and up. It’s a car that sits 3 in the front and 3 in the back row. A fun ride through the whole book. Lots of twirls!
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
This ride has no height restrictions although I’m pretty sure you can’t get on with a baby! You’re probably thinking no duh, but my husband would be someone who would ask if they can get on, so I just felt I should throw that out there… They probably check to see if the child can at least walk. Anyway, it goes up and down and around and around. Watch out for water!
Caro-Seuss-el
Caro-Seuss-el is their fancy word for the Carousel as you’ve probably figured out. It’s been under construction for the past year I believe. They haven’t released a date on its reopening yet.
Either way, it’s a fun merry-go-round themed Seuss Characters. No height restrictions.
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
As the name suggests, high above the walkways of Seuss Landing you have a trolly going by overhead. A really fun ride with a different vantage point of the park.
Aside from the rides, there are some character meet and greet at Seuss Landing as well. You can meet Sam from Green Eggs and Ham, The Grinch, The Lorax, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and some other Suess Characters. There’s a fun show called “Oh! The Stories You’ll Hear!” A crew member reads a story with Thing 1 and Thing 2 then dances to some songs.
Suess Landing is cute and enjoyable for the whole family.
Hogwarts Express – Hogsmeade Station
Again, we have the train. This is the Hogsmeade Station. Like I said before, going from Islands to Universal the train shows something entirely different. If you’re a Harry Potter fan it’s worth riding both ways.
Flight of the Hippogriff
Flight of the Hippogriff is a ride for guests 36″ and up. Its a mini rollercoaster that is actually a lot of fun. It’s as fun for mom and dad as it is for the kiddos.
Camp Jurassic / Pteranodon Flyers
This ride is so fun but actually pretty scary especially if you’re afraid of heights like me! I just kept imagining I was going to fall off at any moment… Honestly I was panicking more than my 3 year old.
This ride is for the little ones 36″ and up. Little one sits on the front seat with a seat belt and lap bar, adult sits behind them on a separate seat with a lap bar. Your feet are dangling below you. The track is above you. You slowly start to move forward, there’s a little bit of an assension and then it moves quiet quickly. Feels like you’re flying. Almost like a Pterodactyl is holding onto your shoulders and flying you around.
Once you get past the speed of it, it’s actually a lot of fun. Zaya loved this ride! Haven’t been able to go with Josh yet. This ride is one of the rides that usually has a long wait time, so we end up skipping it because there’s just so much to do!
Jurassic Park Discovery Center
Now we’re getting into some really fun territory, especially if your kids are Dinosaur fans like mine are! The Discovery Center is an interactive activity center. Has some fun and educational things for you to see, all involving Dinos of course!
No height restrictions
Travel Tip: This is an air-conditioned building. Has some areas where you can sit and rest. Also a good breastfeeding area.
Velociraptor Encounter
Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Disclaimer: This line is dark and scary. There’s dead bodies on spikes and skeletons throughout the line. If you have a little one who is easily afraid, don’t get in this line with them.
Aside from this line being totally creepy (my kids have gotten used to it), it’s actually a very entertaining and fun ride. Very well designed and put together. Every time I ride it I always think the same thing: “I wish this ride was a little longer!” It’s a 4D ride. For guests 36″ and up.
Storm Force Accelatron
This ride is so fast! Like Disney’s Tea Cup ride, it goes around and around in circles. You can also spin the big wheel in the middle to make your seat spin along with the rest of all the other spinning. There’s lots of spinning as you can tell.
40″ Rider’s:
The only ride for 40” guests is The Amazing Adventure of Spider-Man. All other rides are rollercoasters or water rides! Most of which need to be 42” and up.
Bonus Tips
Now that you know which rides your little ones can go on, here are a few tips on what will make the rest of the park enjoyable for them even though they can’t ride the big kid rides.
Tip #1: Use Child Swap
The best part about Universal Studios is that there is the CHILD SWAP. You want to get in line for a ride your child cannot ride? Know what you can do? Just get in line with your child(red)!
When you get to the part of the line where they ask how many people are in your party, they will send you to a family room. In this family room, one (or more) person hangs out with the kid(s). Most of these family rooms have a tv playing a movie or show pertaining to the ride. Now you wait for your party to go on the ride, and then they can switch with you.
You don’t have to wait in line again. They have whoever didn’t ride the first time follow a crew member to the ride, you ride it, and then you meet up with your family again and leave. Easy peasy. This is my favorite thing about the park because then no one has to wait outside or skip the ride completely because someone has to babysit.
This is true for every. single. ride! Since the lines are also so interactive and full of details your child can enjoy those things as well by just being in line with you.
Tip #2: Log onto the Universal Wifi
We had the kids in line with us for a ride that broke down. The line was a 75 minute wait but then turned to 90 minutes. It’s either get out of the line or wait it out. When you’re not moving, kids start to get antsy. I didn’t have any internet service in the line… And then my sister told me the park had wifi!!!!! Now they can play a game or watch a video until the line gets moving again.
Tip #3: Potty Breaks
If you’re little one is being potty trained, don’t forget to go to the potty before getting in lines. ESPECIALLY if it’s going to be a long line. I have waited over 2 hrs in line for Hagrid’s ride. It’s the line that’s usually longest because the ride is just that good. Trust me when I say, everyone should go on a potty break before getting in line.
Tip #4: Things I make sure I take with me Every Trip!
- Snacks
- Portable Charger
- Extra Clothes
- Sandals or extra Shoes
- Stroller with tons of space
- Fan
- Insulated bottle (for yourself and kids!)
Tip #5: WATER IS FREE
I always take my Yeti with me to the park. They don’t care if you take it. The last time I was there I walked up to a Free-style drink dispenser and filled it with ice and water and a lady saw and said “You don’t have to buy a cup to get water?” And I said “No! Water is free!”
They have the Free-style drink dispensers all throughout the park. If you want soda, you have to buy a cup and once scanned (there’s a chip underneath) and filled, you can’t use it again.
You also have the option of buying a souvenir cup for $16.99. You can refill for free all day pretty much as much as you want (just not in 10 minutes of the last time you filed it). This is only for 1 day. Once the day is done, you need to pay, I believe it was $9, to use the cup again the following day (or whatever day you go back).
If you drink a lot of soda, this will pay off. If not, take that insulated cup (or whatever bottle you use for drinking water) to the park with you. No one will stop you. Go up to the free-style dispensers and get some ice and water and you’re good to go! Especially on hot days, this will come in handy!
Tip #6: Avoid Eating Around Noon-1:30p
This is probably the busiest time at any restaurant! Want to avoid getting stuck in long lines and looking for an empty table for you and your family? Try eating around 11a or hold off until 2p when it’s dying down. Trust me! It’s worth it to not eat at 12p – 1p.
Tip #7: Download the Universal Resort App
Make sure you didn’t download the one from Hollywood, CA. I did that once and I was so confused!
With the app, you can access the park map, wait times to rides, show times, character meet locations and times, restaurants, menus, mobile order for some restaurants, bathroom locations, credit card (kind of like Apple Pay), your park ticket or annual pass, and SO MUCH MORE! Their app was very well designed, easy to use, and so handy when you’re at the park. I am on it all day. It is worth downloading.
Tip #8: Book your stay with Universal Resorts
Staying on themed park properties are never cheap. I will say though that Universal has some good deals on some of their hotels. They’ve just opened 2 new hotels that are decently priced! Fits up to 6 in a room.
So if you can, stay with them. Your benefits with staying with them is that everyone in the room can have early park access, and the free shuttle to the park. No worries about paying for parking.
If you stay at one of their top 3 hotels: Hard Rock Hotel, Lowes Portofino, or. Everyone in the room gets Express Passes per night you stay with them. Universal has 2 express passes. One pass ($80) can be used per ride once. The second one ($110) is unlimited! The hotel provides the first one. Depending how many people are with you, it will be worth staying at their higher priced hotels.
Tip #9: Check out Discover Universal Blog
Universal just released a blog where they have all sorts of information pertaining to all of their parks (including Volcano Bay). Head to their website for more park info to help you plan your trip. Click here —> Discover Universal Blog
Tio #10: Ponchos during Summer Visits
It rains a lot here in Florida! Especially in the summer months! With that being said, it is worth buying ponchos outside of the park! You are going to pay way too much if you get them inside. And if you don’t end up using it, you can always return it.
If you’ve made it this far, Thank you! And if with all that information I’ve convinced you that it’s worth going to the parks with little ones, then I am So Thrilled!!! My hope is that your whole family will have a blast and enjoy every inch of the park as much as we do!
