Ranking the Best Universal Orlando Rides for Kids

Ranking the Best Universal Orlando Rides for Kids

Ranking the Best Universal Orlando Rides for Kids

This article is the guide to the best Universal Orlando rides for kids! As a general rule of thumb, we find that fourteen rides are suitable for children below 40 inches tall at this point in time, with six of these rides not having height requirements at all. This also does not include any new Universal Orlando rides, which will open with the brand-new Dreamworks land in Universal Studios Florida in 2024.

We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando, be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals, which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you need help picking the best time to visit Universal Orlando for your next vacation, be sure to check out our Universal Crowd calendar!

 Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

What Are The Universal Orlando Rides For Kids?

Families visiting Universal Orlando resort will be delighted to know that there are fourteen different Universal Orlando rides for kids below 40 inches or less, with six of those rides not requiring height requirements at all. On the flip side, we will say that guests typically need a Universal Orlando park-to-park ticket as these fourteen rides are split between the two main theme parks of Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. This is different from visiting Disney World, where the Magic Kingdom park has over twenty-five rides for families visiting with young children in that one theme park alone. However, you will see that by understanding which theme park each Universal Orlando ride is located in and knowing the height requirements; you can still help your kids get on many rides while visiting Universal.

Universal Orlando kid-friendly rides without height requirements:

• Hogwarts Express – King’s Cross Station
• Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
• Caro-Seuss-El
• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
• Storm Force Accelatron
• Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast

Universal Orlando kid-friendly rides with height requirements:

• E.T Adventure – must be at least 34 inches tall
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem – must be at least 40 inches tall
• The Simpsons Ride – must be at least 40 inches tall
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3-D – must be at least 40 inches tall
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon – must be at least 40 inches tall
• The Amazing Adventure of Spider-Man – must be at least 40 inches tall
• Cat in the Hat – Must be at least 36 inches tall
• Flight of the Hippogriff – Must be at least 36 inches tall

Related Page: Visiting Universal Orlando with Kids

Ranking the Best Universal Orlando Rides for Kids

1. Hogwarts Express – King’s Cross Station
2. The Amazing Adventure of Spider-Man
3. Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast
4. The Simpsons Ride
5. E.T Adventure
6. Flight of the Hippogriff
7. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
8. TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3-D
9. Cat in the Hat
10. Race Through New York, Starring Jimmy Fallon
11. Storm Force Accelatron
12. Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
13. Caro-Seuss-El
14. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Related Page: Universal Orlando Character Experiences 

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish -#14 

Location: Islands of Adventure

Height requirement: No minimum height requirement

Thrill rating: 1.5/10

Another Seuss Landing Ride has made the list, and that is because of how kid-friendly the land is! Being a ride requiring no height, this Universal ride is good for little ones! In this ride, you are a flying fish that gently glides up and around fun flowing fountains.

Caro-Seuss-El – #13

Location: Islands of Adventure

Height requirement: No minimum height requirement

Thrill rating: 1.0/10

Unlike a traditional carousel, this ride features a variety of whimsical creatures and characters from the world of Dr. Seuss, offering a unique twist on a classic amusement park attraction. It’s perfect for younger children, with its gentle motion and colorful designs, allowing them to pick their favorite Seuss character to ride. The ride combines the charm of a carousel with the playful and creative spirit of Dr. Seuss, making it a delightful experience for families.

Kang & Kodo’s Twirl ‘n’ Hurl #12

Location: Universal Studios Florida

Height requirement: No minimum height requirement

Thrill rating: 2.0/10

One of the other kid-friendly rides at Universal Studios Orlando is also located in Springfield: Home of the Simpsons. Spin in flying saucers and soar above the crowds on this fun ride with no height requirement. Each flying saucer can fit an average adult with one or two kids, making this one of the fun Universal Studios rides for little ones.

Storm Force Accelatron #11

Location: Islands of Adventure

Height requirement: No minimum height requirement

Thrill rating: 2.0/10

“Storm Force Accelatron” is an exciting attraction located on the Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. This ride invites guests to join forces with X-Men’s Storm in her epic battle against the villain Magneto. Riders spin around in teacup-style vehicles, simulating Storm’s power to control the weather. It’s a high-energy, spinning ride that’s great for kids who love superheroes and enjoy mild, whirlwind-like attractions. While it’s thrilling, the ride is also manageable for younger guests, making it a fun choice for families with children who are fans of the X-Men series.

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon #10

Location: Universal Studios Florida

Height requirement: Minimum height is 40”

Thrill rating: 3.5/10

This is one of the newest Universal Orlando rides, and as long as you’re in New York, you might as well stop by and watch the Jimmy Fallon show with Hashtag the Panda and the Ragtime Gals. But once you sit, be prepared to race through, below, and above New York with Jimmy Fallon on a motion-simulator ride.

The Cat in the Hat #9

Location: Islands of Adventure

Height requirement: Minimum height is 36”

Thrill rating: 2.0/10

The Cat in the Hat is a trendy ride that typically has a low wait time, which is great if you’re looking for the best Universal rides for kids. This ride is located in Seuss Landing, a themed land that is geared for the younger travelers in your party. With the familiar story of the zany Cat in the Hat, this ride is nostalgic, goofy, and fun. With quick spins, life-sized animatronics, and low wait times, it is a no-brainer-brainer that The Cat in the Hat ride is one of the best Universal rides for kids.

Transformers: The Ride #8

Location: Universal Studios Florida

Height requirement: Minimum height is 40”

Thrill rating: 4.0/10

In this motion-simulation ride, you’ll be riding with classic transformers like Bumblebee and Optimus Prime (on the big screen in 3D) to save the planet from Megatron and his goons. Be prepared to be immersed in another world where the lines between fantasy and reality get blurry!

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem #7

Location: Universal Studios Florida

Height requirement: Minimum height is 40”

Thrill rating: 3.5/10

On this motion-simulated ride, you are invited to join Gru, his daughters, and the minions on a wild ride through Gru’s house and laboratory. This ride starts with a fun pre-show guaranteed to keep all your family members entertained while you wait to hop aboard the actual ride. This is a wonderful Universal Studios Orlando ride for kids!

The Flight of the Hippogriff #6

Location: Islands of Adventure

Height requirement: Minimum height is 36”

Thrill rating: 4.0/10

This is a great beginner’s roller coaster for kids at least 36 inches tall (if you’re looking to get them into thrilling rides early). With incredible views of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle, any Potter fan would agree that the Flight of the Hippogriff is a wonderful Universal ride for kids.

E.T Adventure #5

Location: Universal Studios Florida

Height requirement: Minimum height is 34”

Thrill rating: 2.5/10

As the only original Universal ride left, this is one of the best Universal rides for kids. Guests of all ages join E.T. on a journey from Earth to the friendly alien’s home planet. While adults feel the nostalgia from the 1982 movie, the little ones will be in awe over their journey. This wholesome adventure makes for one of the best family rides at Universal Studios Orlando.

The Simpsons Ride #4

Location: Universal Studios Florida

Height requirement: Minimum height is 34”

Thrill rating: 4.0/10

This virtual reality roller coaster will take riders to Krustyland with the Simpson clan for a nice, fun day at the park. But it’s the Simpsons, so you know that something will go wrong, and Sideshow Bob is sure to see to that! Ride projections are displayed on a huge 80-foot dome to make sure you are surrounded by all of the action.

Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast #3

Location: Universal Studios Florida

Height requirement: No minimum height requirement

Thrill rating: 2.5/10

Join Illumination’s Minions, Belle Bottom, Jean Clawed, and the rest of the Vicious Six at Villain-Con as you aim for supervillain stardom. This fully interactive gaming experience is a new addition to the Universal Studios Orlando rides list. Use your E-Liminator X blaster to test your skills in a fun, interactive setting. This Universal Orlando ride is located in Illumination’s Minion Land at Universal Studios Florida and offers an enhanced gameplay experience through the Universal Orlando Resort app.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man #2

Location: Islands of Adventure

Height requirement: Minimum height is 40”

Thrill rating: 4.5/10

Another kid-friendly ride at Universal is located on Marvel Super Hero Island. If you have a little superhero in your family, they will love this ride. As an honorary guest of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, you travel through the streets of NYC and fight off our favorite villains. This ride is 4D and a ton of fun, making it a great kid-friendly Universal Orlando ride.

Hogwarts Express #1

Location: Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure (park-to-park ticket required)

Height requirement: No minimum height requirement

Thrill rating: 2.0/10

The Hogwarts Express at Universal Orlando Resort offers a unique and magical journey between the two parks – Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. This immersive train ride recreates the iconic journey to and from Hogwarts, as seen in the Harry Potter films. Guests board at either King’s Cross Station (Universal Studios) or Hogsmeade Station (Islands of Adventure), enjoying scenic views and magical surprises. It’s not just a transportation method but a fully-fledged attraction that captivates Harry Potter fans of all ages with its attention to detail and enchanting storytelling.

Related Page: What is the Best Time to Visit Universal Orlando 

Universal Orlando Rides for Kids FAQ

Does Universal Orlando have kid-friendly rides?

As discussed, Universal Orlando currently has six kid-friendly rides that do not require a minimum height requirement and eight other rides that are suitable for families traveling with young children who are at least 40 inches tall. This doesn’t include some of the very popular Universal Orlando shows, which families can also take advantage of, as well as exploring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Which Universal Orlando park is more kid-friendly?

In our opinion, Universal Studios Florida has the more family-friendly rides, with eight of the fourteen on our list being located in this park, including the new Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast, and we also have the Dreamworks land opening in 2024. This park also has three additional shows that families visiting with young children can use.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you’re ready to plan your trip to Universal Studios, be sure to check out Universal Orlando Tickets! Not only will you save money vs. buying directly, but all of our Universal Orlando tickets come with some amazing benefits that can help save you up to three hours in the parks!

And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks, be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!