Visiting Universal Orlando with Toddlers

Visiting Universal Orlando with Toddlers

Visiting Universal Orlando with Toddlers

This article is your complete guide to visiting Universal Orlando with toddlers!

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 the latest deals on Universal Orlando vacation packages and our discounted Universal Orlando tickets which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Universal Orlando be sure to check out our Universal Crowd Calendar!

Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

Things to Do with a Toddler at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando offers amazing experiences for guests of every age, including toddlers! From our experience, parents will want to be sure to visit the brand-new Dreamworks Land, Minions Land, and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida. As well as visiting Camp Jurassic, Seuss Landing, and Hogsmeade Village in Islands of Adventure Park. As you can see, the tricky part with all of this is making sure that you have a park-to-park ticket if you’re trying to visit both parks within the same day or be sure to give yourself two days to see and do it all. Another one of the important things to keep in mind if you plan to visit Camp Jurassic or the new Dreamworks Land is there are several splash pads, so you might want to bring a change of clothes for your kids to be sure that you enjoy the day.

Best rides for toddlers at Islands of Adventure:

  • The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! – Minimum height requirement 36″
  • Cat in the Hat – Minimum height requirement 36″
  • Pteranodon Flyers – Minimum height requirement 36″
  • Flight of the Hippogriff – Minimum height requirement 36″
  • One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish – Supervision for anyone under 48″
  • Caro-Suess-el – Supervision for anyone under 48″
  • Storm Force Acceleration – Supervision for anyone under 48″
  • Hogwarts Express (Park-to-Park Ticket Required) – Supervision for anyone under 48″

Best rides for toddlers at Universal Studios Florida:

  • Trolls Trollercoaster – Minimum height requirement 36″
  • E.T. Adventure – Minimum height requirement 34″
  • Kang & Kudos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl – Supervision for anyone under 48″
  • Hogwarts Express (Park-to-Park Ticket Required) – Supervision for anyone under 48″

Best areas for families visiting Universal Orlando with toddlers:

  • Dreamworks Land – Universal Studios Florida
  • Minions Land – Universal Studios Florida
  • Diagon Alley – Universal Studios Florida
  • Camp Jurassic – Islands of Adventure
  • Seuss Landing – Islands of Adventure
  • Hogsmeade – Islands of Adventure

Related Post: Discount Universal Orlando Tickets

Character Meet and Greets for Toddlers at Universal Orlando

Another great way to ensure your kids have an amazing time at Universal Orlando is to take advantage of the different character meet and greets they have throughout the park. From the beloved figures of Dr. Seuss in Islands of Adventure to favorites like SpongeBob SquarePants at Universal Studios Florida, these meet and greets can create unforgettable moments for the entire family.

Islands of Adventure

  • Marvel Super Heroes: Spider-Man, Captain America, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, and Rogue in Marvel Super Hero Island
  • Jurassic Park Raptors in Jurassic Park
  • Po from Kung Fu Panda at Port of Entry
  • Puss in Boots at Port of Entry
  • Alex the Lion at Port of Entry
  • Popeye and Olive Oyl at Toon Lagoon
  • Dr. Seuss Characters: The Grinch, Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, Sam I Am, and The Lorax in Suess Landing
  • She-Ra near Mythos Restaurant

Universal Studios Florida

  • Minions inside the Super Silly Stuff store
  • Gru, Margo, Edith, and Agnes in the Superstar Parade
  • Vector – Minion Villain in the Superstar Parade
  • Knight Bus Conductor by the Knight Bus
  • Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Megatron outside of the Transformers 3D ride
  • SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, and Squidward Tentacles inside SpongeBob StorePants and in the Superstar Parade
  • Shaggy, Scooby-Doo, and the Gang by the Brown Derby Hat Shop
  • Hello Kitty on Hollywood Blvd. by the Sanrio Store
  • Penguins of Madagascar on Hollywood Blvd. near Garden of Allah
  • Dora, Diego, Boots, and Baby Jaguar in the Superstar Parade
  • Barney and Friends in Woody Woodpecker’s Kid Zone near A Day in the Park with Barney
  • Poppy, Guy Diamond, and Branch outside of the E.T. Ride

Related Post: Complete Guide to Universal Orlando Characters

Tips & Tricks for Going to Universal with Toddlers

dreamworks-land

Navigating Universal with toddlers can be a breeze with the right tips & tricks. Bringing your own stroller is essential, as well as bringing diapers, formulas or anything else that you might need while in the theme parks. Packing the right stuff for your Universal Orlando trip will not only save you time but also a ton of money while in the parks. We also recommend using utilizing Universal Orlando’s Child Swap program. This program allows parents to enjoy rides while one parent waits with the toddler and the other parent rides with the older kids. Also, don’t forget to take advantage of the various play areas at Universal Orlando for toddlers that we mentioned above! These simple yet effective strategies will help make your Universal Studios Orlando Vacation for you and your toddlers one to remember!

Bring a Stroller

Bringing a stroller makes navigating Universal Orlando with toddlers hassle-free. The park’s accommodating policy welcomes all stroller sizes, including larger stroller wagons. While you can rent plastic strollers at Universal, bringing your own is recommended. There are also convenient stroller parking areas available near ride entrances. Remember, strollers aren’t permitted in ride queues or show theaters, so having a baby carrier can be handy for carrying sleepy kids! Also, don’t forget a rain cover for those unpredictable Florida showers.

Participate in Universal Orlando Child Swap

Universal Orlando’s Child Swap is an amazing solution for rides that aren’t suitable for smaller guests. This service allows your entire group, including babies or toddlers, to queue for the ride together. Once you reach the front to get on the ride, one adult will stay behind with the child in a comfortable waiting area. Typically these waiting areas are equipped with seating, changing tables, and TVs for entertainment! After the rest of your party enjoys the ride, you can ‘swap’ so another adult can experience the attraction, bypassing the queue. We recommend bringing a diaper bag with snacks, books, or toys into the queue to keep your toddler engaged during the swap!

Use the Play Areas at Universal Orlando for Toddlers

Take advantage of the designated play areas that we mentioned above for toddlers to relax and play, providing a break from the excitement of the park. The one thing that we also would say regarding the play areas is that many of them do have splash pads so we would always be sure to bring an extra pair of cloths for your kids to change after.

Related Post: Complete Guide to Universal Orlando Roller Coasters

Universal for Toddlers FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I bring my own stroller to Universal Orlando?

A: Yes, you can bring your own stroller to Universal Orlando. The park accommodates strollers of all sizes, including wagons. This is recommended for added comfort, especially for toddlers and young children.

Q: Are there quiet areas for toddlers to relax at Universal Orlando?

A: There are no designated quiet areas in the Universal Parks. However, Universal Orlando’s Child Swap areas are quiet and equipped with seating and changing tables. These are ideal for taking a break with your toddler during a busy park day.

Q: What should I bring to keep my toddler entertained while waiting in line?

A: Bringing a diaper bag with snacks, books, or toys is advisable to keep your toddler entertained while waiting, especially during the Child Swap process. This can make waiting times more manageable and enjoyable for both you and your child.

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 direct, 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!

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Kurt Gillman

Kurt is a former Disneyland Cast Member and seasoned explorer and is your trusted guide to the world of theme park travel. With countless visits to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Universal Hollywood, Tokyo Disneyland, and even aboard the Disney Cruise Line, Kurt's expertise and passion make him the perfect companion for your enchanting adventures. As the Multi-Media Manager, Content Creator and Writer for The Park Prodigy, Kurt hopes his experience and knowledge of the theme park industry can not only save people money, but give them the stress free vacation of their dreams. If he isn’t found trying the newest treats in Disneyland, Kurt enjoys relaxing at home with his dog Sam and playing video games with friends in his free time.