What to Do With Kids in Universal Orlando Resort

Posted byKelly CraigPosted inUniversal StudiosTags:, , , , ,

Universal Orlando Resort isn’t just for thrill-seekers, it’s packed with experiences that kids of all ages will love! From imaginative play areas and family-friendly rides in Universal Studios Florida to colorful lands designed just for little ones in Universal’s Islands of Adventure and attractions with minimal height requirements in Universal Epic Universe, there’s plenty to keep young visitors entertained. Families can meet beloved characters like Minions and Toothless from “How to Train Your Dragon”, soar through whimsical adventures in Seuss Landing, and even immerse yourself in the magic of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. In this guide, we’ll explore the top attractions, shows, dining, and tips for making the most of your Universal Orlando trip with kids.

Best Attractions for Kids at Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Attractions for Kids

Universal is often thought of as a “big kids” park because of the thrilling rollercoasters and attractions, but there are actually a lot or attractions for kids to do. Like at any theme park, there are minimum height requirements on select attractions for safety purposes. However, the height requirements for most Universal attractions are not too high and there are a number of attractions that have no height requirements.

Download a Guide to Height Requirements at Universal Orlando Resort

Attractions with NO Height Requirements

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA

  • Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
  • Illuminations Villain-Con Minion Blast
  • Hogwarts Express (Park-to-Park ticket required)
  • Animal Actors on Location
  • The Bourne Stuntacular
  • DreamWorks Imagination Celebration
  • Po Live!
  • Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show

UNIVERSAL ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

  • Caro-Seuss-el
  • One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
  • Storm Force Accelatron
  • Hogwarts Express (Park-to-Park ticket required)
  • Oh! The Stories You’ll Hear

UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE

  • Fyre Drill
  • Constellation Carousel
  • Untrainable Dragon
  • Le Cirque Arcanus

PRO TIP: Be sure you know your child’s height when you start planning. If there is a must do attraction and they’re not tall enough to experience it, consider waiting to plan until they can or discussing this with them before you visit to manage expectations.

Attractions with No Height Requirement at Universal Orlando Resort

Attractions with Height Requirements

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA

  • Despicable Me Minion Mayhem – 40″
  • E.T. Adventure – 34″
  • Fast & Furious – Supercharged – 40″
  • Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – 42″
  • MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack – 42″
  • Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon – 40″
  • Revenge of the Mummy – 40″
  • The Simpsons Ride – 40″
  • TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D – 40″
  • Trolls Trollercoaster – 36″
What to do with kids at Universal Orlando Resort

UNIVERSAL ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

  • The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – 40″
  • Cat in the Hat – 36″
  • Doctor Doom’s Fearfall – 52″
  • Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls – 44″
  • Flight of the Hippogriff – 36″
  • Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – 48”
  • Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – 48″
  • Jurassic Park River Adventure – 42″ Jurassic World
  • VelociCoaster – 51”
  • The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! – 36″
  • The Incredible Hulk Coaster – 54″
  • Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges – 42″
  • Pteranodon Flyers – 36″–56″
  • Skull Island: Reign of Kong – 36″

UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE

  • Curse of the Werewolf – 40”
  • Dragon Racer’s Rally – 48″
  • Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry – 40”
  • Hiccup’s Wing Gliders – 40”
  • Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge – 40”
  • Mine-Cart Madness – 40″
  • Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – 48”
  • Stardust Racers – 48″
  • Yoshi’s Adventure – 34”

Attractions to Avoid with Kids

When it comes to any theme park, lots of times it will come down to a child’s thrill level rather than their height. Universal has a small number of rides that require riders to be over 3 1/3 feet, but not all children will be ready for the thrill factor even if they’re tall enough to ride.

Download a Guide to Height Requirements at Universal Orlando Resort

Below is a list of attractions we recommend you preview before you visit Universal Orlando Resort to ensure they won’t upset your child.

Kids Friendly Rides at Universal Orlando Resort

Child Swap

One of the most useful services for families visiting Universal Orlando Resort with young children is Child Swap (sometimes called Rider Swap). This program allows parents to take turns experiencing rides that may not be suitable for little ones without having to wait in line twice.

How it Works

At participating attractions, let a Universal Team Member know that you would like to take advantage of Child Swap. They will direct those not riding to a designated waiting room. Once the first rider returns, the adults switch places so the other can enjoy the attraction without waiting in line again.

Child Swap at Universal Orlando Resort

Child Swap is available at many of Universal’s most popular attractions, including Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and The Incredible Hulk Coaster. Each attraction has its own designated Child Swap area, and team members will guide you through the process. This system is a huge time-saver for families and ensures that no one has to miss out on the big rides just because the littlest adventurers aren’t tall enough yet.

Shows to Experience at Universal

No matter what your age, the shows at Universal Orlando Resort are must sees! Not only are they something the whole family can enjoy together, but they’re exciting, immersive, and a great spot to cool down during the hotter months! Learn more about the shows below:

  • Oh! The Stories You’ll Hear!: Musical tellings of Dr. Seuss’ classic stories in Seuss Landing in Universal Islands of Adventure.
  • CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular: Nighttime water, projection, and drone show performed on select nights in Universal Studios to some of the most iconic movie soundtracks.
  • Po Live!: An interactive show with Po from “Kung-Fu Panda” in DreamWorks Land.
  • DreamWorks Imagination Celebration: Spark your imagination with a live show featuring favorite DreamWorks characters from Shrek, Trolls, Kung-Fu Panda, and more.
  • Hogwarts Always: A nighttime projection and fireworks show performed on Hogwarts Castle on select nights in Universal Islands of Adventure.
  • Ollivanders Wand Shop: Experience the “wand choosing the wizard” in this immersive experience in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.
  • Frog Choir: Hear the vocal stylings of the Hogwarts Frog Choir at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade.
  • Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees: See the wizarding world sensation Celestina Warbeck sing some favorite tunes in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.
  • Universal Mega Movie Parade: A daytime parade that brings new and classic Universal movies to life.
  • The Untrainable Dragon: Help Hiccup, Toothless, and Astrid solve the mystery of a new dragon who arrives in Berk.
  • Le Cirque Arcanus: Be dazzled with a spectacular mix of live performers, puppetry, and special effects as circus employee Gwendolyn rescues the creatures ringmaster Skender stole from Newt Scamander.

Character Meet & Greets in Universal

Throughout all three of the parks there are lots of opportunities to meet favorite characters from favorite Universal movies. Below is a list of the current characters and locations where you can meet them.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

UNIVERSAL ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE

Play Areas for Kids at Universal

Universal Orlando Resort features several themed play areas that give kids the chance to burn off energy and enjoy some unstructured fun. In Universal Studios Florida, little ones can splash and climb at Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp, which brings the animated world to life. At Islands of Adventure, Camp Jurassic offers caves, rope bridges, and a prehistoric dig site perfect for young explorers, while If I Ran the Zoo in Seuss Landing lets children discover quirky creatures in a whimsical, hands-on environment. These spaces are a great way to take a break from rides while still keeping the fun going. View all of the play areas below.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

UNIVERSAL ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE

Dining with Kids at Universal

Finding meals that please the whole family is easy at Universal Orlando Resort, thanks to a wide variety of restaurants designed with kids in mind. In Universal Studios Florida, little ones will love Illumination’s Minion Cafe, where playful décor and themed dishes inspired by the “Despicable Me” movies make mealtime feel like an attraction of its own. For families who want classic favorites, Mel’s Drive-In serves burgers, fries, and milkshakes in a fun 1950s diner setting.

Over at Islands of Adventure, kids can enjoy whimsical meals in Seuss Landing at Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous, a colorful, quick-service spot featuring kid-approved options like pizza, chicken tenders, and pasta. For a themed dining experience that appeals to slightly older kids and parents alike, Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade serves hearty British-inspired fare in an immersive Harry Potter setting. If you have Marvel fans, you’ll want to grab a reservation at the Marvel Character Dinner where you’ll dine in Cafe 4 and get to meet some of your favorite superheroes.

Universal Epic Universe has several options that are great for kids, including Mead Hall in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk where you’ll get to eat like a Viking! Another option with lots of kid-friendly options will take you over to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD to Toadstool Cafe where you can watch Chef Toad cook some delicious recipes.

What to do with kids at Universal Orlando Resort

Tips for Visiting Universal Orlando Resort with Kids

  • Measure Heights Ahead of Time – Check ride height requirements before your trip so you know which attractions your kids can enjoy (and avoid disappointment at the entrance).
  • Use Child Swap – Take advantage of Universal’s Child Swap program so adults don’t miss out on the bigger rides while one stays with younger children.
  • Start Early – Arrive before park opening (if you have Early Park Entry) to enjoy shorter lines and cooler temperatures, especially with little ones.
  • Plan Breaks – Build downtime into your day with indoor shows, play areas, or a return to your hotel for swimming and rest.
  • Stay Hydrated – Bring refillable water bottles; free cups of ice water are available at most quick-service restaurants.
  • Pack Snacks – While Universal has plenty of food options, having snacks on hand can help keep kids happy between meals.
  • Explore Play Areas – Don’t skip kid-friendly zones like Camp Jurassic or If I Ran the Zoo for much-needed free play time.
  • Bring a Stroller – Even older kids may need one with all the walking; stroller rentals are available in the parks.
  • Dress for Water Rides – Islands of Adventure has several attractions where kids can get soaked; pack a change of clothes or ponchos.
  • Catch a Show – Break up the rides with entertainment like Animal Actors on Location! or the Bourne Stuntacular, which are fun for kids and adults.
  • Stay On-Site – Universal’s hotels offer early park admission, easy transportation, and family-friendly amenities that make visiting with kids much smoother.

Book Your Universal Vacation

Take the stress out of planning your Universal Orlando Resort visit with the assistance of a KMV Travel Advisor! Our help is complimentary for more vacations and includes booking of accommodations, tickets, enhancements, and support with all aspects of your trip. Book your trip today!

Book a Universal Vacation

Leave a Reply

Discover more from KMV Travel

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading