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When you think of Universal Studios, you probably think of big rollercoasters designed with adults and teenagers in mind, and for the most part, this is true. Still, there are rides and sections of the park suited to the little ones of the family who will be sure to have a great family day out in Orlando, regardless. 

If you’re trying to decide if Universal Studios is worth visiting with your little ones, keep on reading to find out the Universal Studio rides for toddlers and some tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way. The rides below include rides for younger toddlers below 40″ and those who just make the 40″ cut.

What is Universal Studios? 

Before we begin, it’s useful to understand the different sections of Universal Studios, as it can get confusing. 

The main theme park splits into two sections, Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and if you purchase a park-to-park ticket, you can switch between the two parks that are a few hundred meters apart and also connected by the Hogwarts Express. (It’s a different experience each way and you must have a park to park ticket to go on this ride.)

The Universal Franchise also has a themed water park called Volcano Bay, about a mile away from the regular theme parks and is included in the three park explorer ticket.

Toddler Tips for Universal Studios

Before we get into the toddler-friendly rides at Universal Studios, I’d like to share some tips and tricks when visiting the parks. 

When to Visit Universal Studios

Like most places, the summer months see a massive increase of visitors to Universal Studios, so if you can try to avoid these months and visit during the off-peak season (October – February). 

The off-peak season is the best time to visit Universal Studios because not only will the waiting times be a lot shorter, but you also won’t be dealing with the blistering Florida sun.

Schedule in Naps

The Universal parks are huge and although they can be done in a day, dragging your children around in the heat from morning to evening is sure to end in tears.

I’ve found heading back to the hotel and scheduling a nap during the hottest part of the day, and returning to the park in the late afternoon results in happier children, happier parents, and a reduced amount of breakdowns. 

SPF Top Ups

This one may seem obvious, but it is easy to forget after the initial application to top up your entire family’s SPF throughout the day. Aim to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, especially around lunchtime when the sun is at its hottest. 

Purchase a Sunglass Strap

A tremendous amount of sunglasses get lost at theme parks each and every year, so if you or anyone in your family is wearing any to the park, think about purchasing a strap to prevent them from falling off during a ride. 

Rent a Stroller

Renting a stroller can drastically change the outcome of your day, and Universal has both single and double strollers for rent at the entrance of their parks. If you park hop via Hogwarts Train, you” be given a ticket when you drop your stroller off at the station and can pick up a new stroller at either Hogsmeade or Kings Cross Station. 

Take Advantage of the Rides “Child Swap”

Universal Studios Child Swap feature allows your entire family to enter the ride’s queue, and once at the front, section off into riding and non-riding groups. 

One parent can ride the ride while the other waits with the small child in a waiting room. Once the ride is complete, the adults’ swap places and parent two can ride without waiting in the queue again. This feature is even better if you have an older child riding as well, as they will get to ride back to back with both parents. 

Use the Baby Care Centres

The baby care centre in Universal Studios is near the lockers at Lost and Found and First Aid center 

The centres have changing tables, nursing rooms, rocking chairs and microwaves so you can quietly take care of your child away from the hustle and bustle of the park. 

Hire a Locker

Especially if you have little ones, hiring a locker frees up your hands and means you aren’t carrying an extra bag of heavy items around the parks with you. 

Rides for Toddlers in Universal Studios

Universal Studios splits into eight sections, only one of which (World Expo) doesn’t have a ride or show suitable for young children. 

World Expo is home to Men in Black “Alien Attack”, but it is only suitable for children with a minimum height of 42 inches. 

The remaining kid-friendly rides on this list are suitable for young children, with some rides requiring a minimum height of 40 inches, which I will note.

So, if you’re wondering what are the best rides at Universal Orlando for toddlers, let’s get into it!

Production Central

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem 

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is like the old Shrek 4D, where you’ll be sitting in a moving theatre, following along with a story of the distinctive yellow minions. 

Minion Mayhem is an extremely popular ride at Universal, so it’s a good idea to get there as early as possible to avoid long queues.

As with all motion simulators at Universal Studios, if your child prefers a non-moving seat, they are at the front of the theatre. Unfortunately, children under 40 inches aren’t allowed to enter the ride. 

Transformers: The Ride – 3D

The third and final ride suitable for young children in Production Central is the Transformers 3D ride. 

Children 40 inches or over can ride the Transformers ride, but it is important to note that there are intense moments along with fighting scenes that may not be suitable for all children. 

If your child is a thrill-seeking daredevil, they’ll love throwing on their 3D classes and joining Optimus Prime and Bumblebee fight to keep the AllSpark out of Megatron’s hands.

New York

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, is another motion stimulator requiring a minimum height of 40 inches. 

Join Jimmy Fallon as you race through New York City with all your favourite characters from the Tonight Show. 

San Francisco

Fast and Furious: Supercharged 

Kids love cars, and the Fast and Furious: Supercharged ride not only allows you to race through the streets in a motion simulator street chase, but you’ll also experience a massive selection of tricked-out vehicles in the garage queue while you wait. One thing to be wary of is, is language. As you sit in your ‘party bus’ one of the characters uses the word ‘p’ word once. Otherwise you are then in a huge 3D car chase!

The Fast and Furious: Supercharged ride requires children to be over 40 inches. 

Hollywood

The Horror Make-Up Show – no height requirement but not really suitable for young kids

Although the Horror Make-Up Show has no minimum height requirement, it involves fake blood, monsters, and gory scenes, which may not suit your little ones. I thought I would mention this in case the no height restriction confuses.

London and Diagon Alley

Hogwarts Express

Calling all Harry Potter fans to the Hogwarts Express at King’s Cross Station. 

The Hogwarts Express runs between the two parks, and with a park-to-park ticket, you can save yourself the walk to Universal’s Islands of Adventure and hop on the train in Universal Studios and end up in Hogsmeade at IOA. Enjoy all the secrets and tips of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter here.

Tales of Beedle the Bard and Celestina Warbeck Shows

As you gather around the stage, you’ll witness a trunk show with props and puppetry as performers retell the famous tales of Beedle the Bard. 

Springfield

Kang & Kodos’s Twirl ‘n’ Hurl

The iconic Simpson’s drooling alien twirls you around in a spinner ride that also moves up and down by controls in each saucer. 

Kang & Kodo’s Twirl ‘n’ Hurl has no minimum height requirement, so the little ones, even if they aren’t familiar with the Simpsons, will love swooping around in their flying saucer. 

The Simpson’s Ride

Another ride for the slightly taller kids of 40 inches or above is the Simpsons Ride which puts you in a motion-simulator vehicle that crashes through Krustyland with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. 

The ride lasts for 8 minutes, and if you, or anyone in your family, are prone to motion sickness, it’s probably best to leave this one out. 

Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone

Fievels Playland

Fievels Playland is an extensive themed playground where your children will be experiencing things from a mouse’s perspective. Be prepared to spend some time here! Kids love it!

The park has oversized spider webs, a pretend animal bone skeleton slide, giant rope bridges, giant tin cans, cowboy boots, and splash pads for your little ones to explore before they take on a 200-foot water slide or raft slide with mum or dad accompanying them. Warning: Parents – you will get wet at the back!

Curious George Goes to Town

Curious George Goes to Town is another immersive playground with water features to help your little ones cool down and blow off some steam. 

The park’s second section is a Ball Factory where your children can suck up balls with machines and shoot them out at their siblings or friends nearby. 

The third section is for the smallest family members with a small play structure and slides that the little ones can play on out of the direct sun. 

Woody Woodpecker Rollercoaster

A great starter coaster is the Woody Woodpecker Rollercoaster that requires children to be 36 inches to ride. Join Woody on a gentle coaster that swoops and turns through Woody’s personal nut factory. 

An adult and small child can comfortably fit on the ride together while enjoying the silly puns and jokes Woody tells throughout the ride. 

Animal Actors on Location Show

Head into the Animal Actors on Location set to witness some ingenious animals perform tricks and stunts directly in front of you. 

Birds, cats, puppies, and other animals interact with the audience and provide a calm and enjoyable show that will captivate the babies and little ones of the family.  It’s all shaded so a great respite from the heat too!

If you stick around after the show, you may even get a photo opportunity with the fluffy cast members. 

E.T Adventure

E.T Adventure is based on the well-known Steven Spielberg film from 1982. You begin the indoor ride by watching a short movie about E.T with Steven Spielberg explaining that you need to help E.T get home and save his friends. The queue winds through a dimly lit night-time forest which may seem a little daunting for some younger children at first. Then the dark ride begins on a bike motion simulator and riding through the sky, looking over rooftops as you help E.T!

E.T Adventure requires children to be over 34 inches to ride, and alternative seating is available should you need it. 

Character Meet-Ups

You can find characters all over Universal Studios, and the times they make an appearance vary. However, here are the usual meeting points where you can say hello to your favourite characters and snap a photo or two. 

• Marilyn Monroe – New York near Macy’s
• Doc from Back to the Future, near the Back to the Future car
• The Men in Black – World Expo outside of the Men in Black Alien Attack
• Knight Bus Conductor – London Waterfront outside Diagon Alley
• Minions – Exit of Minion Mayhem
• Dora the Explorer and Diego – Hollywood
• Gry, Agnes, Edith, Margo and Vector – Hollywood
• Hello Kitty – Hollywood
• Madagascar Penguins – Hollywood
• Betty Boop – Hollywood
• Homer, Marge, Bart and Lisa – Springfield outside of the Kwik-E-Mart
• Optimus Prime, Bumblebeebee and Megatron – Eight Avenue in Production Central
• Poppy, Branch and Guy Diamond from Trolls – Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone – Dreamworks Destination Disco
• Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, and the Mystery Van – Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone
• SpongeBob SquarePants, Squidward, and Patrick – Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone

FAQs

Are There Water Rides at Universal Studios?

There is a water ride at Fievels Playland in Universal Studios for little ones, but there are bigger water rides at Volcano Bay and Universal Studio’s Islands of Adventure.

Is Universal Studios Kid Friendly? 

It may not seem like it with those imposing rollercoasters, but there are many kids rides at Universal Studios, as well as shows, splash pads and play parks that your little ones will love, so yes Universal is definitely fun for little ones too!

What Is the Minimum Height for Rides at Universal Studios?

Most rides for toddlers at Universal Studios require the child to be 34 inches or above. Before heading to the park, it’s a good idea to measure your child, so you know which rides they can or can’t go on. 

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— Update: 10-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Best Universal Orlando Resort Park for Toddlers from the website mouseearmemories.com for the keyword things for toddlers to do at universal studios.

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Planning a theme park vacation with a toddler involves an extra layer of planning. After all, if you are having the time of your life, and your toddler is having a fit… well I guess you aren’t having the time of your life then! 

Case in point, you need your toddler to be entertained, and you want to enjoy the sites and sounds with them! 

So when you are headed to Orlando to enjoy the theme parks there’s one big question. When it comes to Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure for toddlers; which is best?

Which is better for toddlers Universal or Islands of Adventure?

The best park for toddlers is Universal Orlando in 2022. There’s lots of play areas, character meets and a few rides. Plus my kids love the parades featuring Dora, Secret Life of Pets, Despicable Me etc. If you are going just for rides, then the best park is Islands of Adventure as they have Suess Land with lots of rides.

BUT

The Best Park at Universal Orlando Resort for Toddlers in 2023 is Islands of Adventure. Universal Studios Orlando has removed their entire kids area in January of 2023, and the best thing for toddlers now is Islands of Adventure.

technically, no matter which park you take your toddler to, they will enjoy *something* about the park. So if you are going to both parks, don’t sweat it! (or if you’re heading to Disney World, learn about the best parks for toddlers over there!)

But seriously, If you are going for rides, head over to Island of Adventure. This will be the best way to spend the day if you only have a one day, one park ticket. If you plan to ride the Hogwarts express, you’ll need the two park tickets, so this is a moot point. 

The best Universal park for entertaining toddlers so you don’t lose your marbles, head over to Universal Studios Orlando. It’s fun to enjoy the play areas, walk around, take in Diagon alley and just have fun at the park. 

⭐ The Best Universal Park for Toddler Friendly Rides

⭐ Best Park for Entertainment so Adult’s can do long lines while toddlers play 

⭐Best Wizarding World of Harry Potter Area for Toddlers

⭐ The Best Universal Orlando Park for Toddler Friendly Rides

We’ve been to Universal a number of times, but this was our first time heading back with a bunch of babies in tow!

Yes, I thought that this would be more like Disney, but turns out, each of the Universal Parks has some pros and cons with how they manage the youngest guests.

If we are talking about just a straight number of rides at the parks, Islands of Adventure has the most options for rides for toddlers! While Universal Studios has some rides for that height range, Islands of Adventure has at least 6 options you can choose from to take your toddler on. 

In my experience, toddlers really do love to copy adults, and will be quite excited to enjoy rides if you enjoy rides! So if you only had one day, you’ll find that Island’s of Adventure does it the best when it comes to rides for the two and three-year-olds. 

When we want to enjoy the rides (or really, keep them busy with rides!) we head over to Island’s of Adventure- especially the Suess Area.

Word of warning though, rides mean lines and lines and toddlers are a hard mix!

We’ve found Island’s of Adventure to be most enjoyable with our toddler in the early mornings and the evenings (especially after an early 4 pm dinner!)

⭐ Best Toddler Park for Entertainment so Adult’s can do long lines while toddlers play 

Some of the best parts about heading to a theme park are the food, the fun theming and the rides! But when you’ve got a two or three year old in tow, you’ve got three options when it comes to rides. 

As you can see by the image below, Universal Orlando doesn’t have the best ride options, so that’s why we default to the play areas and shows here!

1-Use rider switch. It’s possible, but also boring for your three year old to sit in a room with the other caregiver (or outside with no A/C, while you wait 60 minutes for a ride) 

2-Bring grandparents with you so they can hang out with the kids. Hubs and I are a generation of ‘parentless parents’ and I know many of you aren’t or can’t bring grandparents with you, which leads us to hiring a Theme Park Nanny or heading to number 3. 

3- Find ways to keep the toddler entertained while one parent does their chosen ride, then switch off for the other parent to do their ride. It’s like rider switch, except there’s a bathroom nearby and the kids are entertained without you pulling your hair out! 

In this case, I’d recommend Universal Studios park as it has two really awesome play areas that are close to each other.

These play areas are also far away from most traffic AND they are tucked into a corner so it’s VERY easy to catch a runaway kid. Islands of Adventure does have two fun play spaces too, but they aren’t as strategically located and the Popeye one gives me anxiety with all the water close by! 

Our toddlers can play in these play areas for HOURS.

Word of warning, these play areas can get pretty hot in the afternoon sun. I’m not sure it would burn a preschooler or toddler- but it could given the right temps with no cloud cover!

Universal Studios Orlando for 2 year old is still a lot of fun  

Truly though, you can take your toddler to both parks and they will really enjoy their time there.

Mostly, they’ll enjoy getting to stay overnight somewhere, and they’ll really enjoy your company!

Take some time to meet the characters, explore the silly things in the shops, and ride the Hogwarts express 100 times! 

BUT, if this is a vacation where you want your toddler truly entertained, you’d need to hop over to the Orlando theme parks with toddler design in mind. This would be Disney World (specifically Epcot and Magic Kingdom!) and Legoland.

Is Volcano Bay a toddler friendly park?

Since technically, Universal Orlando has three gates, I couldn’t just leave out Volcano Bay!

Volcano Bay is very toddler and baby friendly as they have their own water splash area. We have enjoyed this twice, but we like the Disney Water Parks for the overall theming. 

So if you are headed to Universal and have a second day, you could always make it a Volcano Bay day! One of the caregivers can hang out in the kiddie section with the two and three year olds, and the other one can go hang ten on some super creative water rides! 

Best Wizarding World of Harry Potter Area for Toddlers

There are TWO harry potter areas, and they are connected by the Hogwarts Express as they are in two different areas.

Both of these areas have fun things to see and do- even if Toddlers don’t have much in the way of rides.

If you have a park to park ticket, you can enjoy the Hogwarts express, which my toddlers love! There’s no need to fold up the stroller, and it has A/C.

As far as the area, both of them have live entertainment, an eatery and shops.

Diagon Alley in Universal Orlando has a Fire Breathing Dragon, which can be alittle scary. And it also has Knockturn Alley, again, it scared our 3 year old.

So Hogsmeade is the winner for us when it comes to visiting the Harry Potter Area, as it’s all fun and smiles and no frowns.

Considering Disney World…

Headed to Disney World with the kids in tow? Check out our helpful planning posts by age! Disney World for two year olds, Disney World for three year olds, Disney World for four year olds, and Disney World for 5 year olds. (After that, they don’t need as much planning so they all get lumped under kid planning!)

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— Update: 16-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Toddler Rides at Universal Studios Orlando – Which are the Best? from the website www.everythingmouse.com for the keyword things for toddlers to do at universal studios.

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Are there really any great toddler rides at Universal Studios Orlando?

Is there enough to keep a toddler entertained in Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure?

Universal Orlando Resort is known as one of the more thrilling theme park destinations in central Florida. They pride themselves on thrills and immersion, which is why their current slogan is “Let yourself
Woah!”

If it’s inversions, g-forces, and jump-scares you’re after, Universal Orlando is the resort for you.

But what if you’re bringing toddlers along for the ride. Does Universal Still have you covered?

How does the resort compare to other family-oriented theme parks in the Orlando area?

While Universal Studios for toddlers is not necessarily restricted to the rides, there are some Universal attractions that toddlers can indeed experience and enjoy.

Besides the toddler rides at Universal Orlando, there are dining experiences, shops, and other areas of the parks made just for them.

Toddlers will love going to Universal Orlando even though the experience for toddlers is much different than the Universal teens and adults experience.

With a little planning, it is very easy to have a balanced vacation that makes everybody happy.

Universal Orlando has expanded in recent years and now includes two theme parks and one water park.

The original Universal Studios park opened in 1990, followed by Universal Islands of Adventure in 1999.

Volcano Bay water park completed the current expansion in 2017.

Universal’s fourth park, Epic Universe is anticipated to open in 2025.

To start with, let’s look specifically at the toddler-friendly rides at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Universal for Toddlers at Islands of Adventure

There are limited attractions for toddlers to enjoy in Islands of Adventure. The reason for this is that many of the attractions have height requirements that your toddler simply isn’t going to meet.

Here are all the Universal Islands of Adventure Height Requirements

• The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman 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 Adventureagrid’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 This is designed for children 36″–56″ (92cm-143cm) tall. A child meeting this requirement must accompany guests over 56″ (143cm) tall. Children between 36″–48″ (92cm-122cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong 36″

However, there are still some experiences that toddlers will enjoy in Universal Islands of Adventure.

Suess Landing for Toddlers

Turn right when you enter the park and you will soon be in a land custom made for toddlers and young children – Suess Landing.

There are a number of attractions and themed play areas where you can spend many happy hours with your toddler.

Caro-Seuss-el at Suess Landing

You really can’t beat a good old-fashioned carousel ride. No matter how technologically advanced other rides get, a carousel is always going to be a popular attraction.

The very brightly colored kid-friendly Caro-Seuss-el has no minimum height requirement. Another great aspect is that there are rarely any lines for this attraction.

It’s the perfect level of thrill for a toddler.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

While older kids love how the Wizarding World of Harry Potter springs to life from pages in a
book to an immersive theme park stage, toddlers get the same thrill of watching and riding their
favorite Dr. Seuss books.

The ride is very much like Dumbo, but with a twist. You may very well get wet.

If your children don’t listen to which way to control their fish, they’ll get squirted by a nearby
fountain.

If I know anything about toddlers following directions, you might want to bring a spare
set of clothes.

The Cat in the Hat

This is a ride that your toddler is probably going to ask to do again and again.

It is based upon the Cat in the Hat book and takes you on a sometimes whimsical, sometimes slightly bizarre journey.

Guests board a 4-person ride vehicle which has 2 rows in the shape of a couch. When the park first opened this ride was rather more intense and spun around a lot. After complaints from guests, it was toned down in 2014.

The Cat in the Hat rarely has much of a line and is a great ride for all ages. There is a 36-inch height requirement so check that before you promise your toddler that they can ride!

Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride

There is another ride that young kids will enjoy at Universal Islands of Adventure. However, it has a
minimum height of 36″.

Make sure that you and your child are fine with heights. It is an elevated train ride with a track high above Seuss Landing. It gives you a great view of the park.

If you are visiting Islands of Adventure with toddlers you will want to spend some time in the If I Ran The Zoo playground area.

This brightly colored play area will keep toddlers entertained for hours. Make sure you bring a hat and sunscreen for everyone as there really isn’t much shade and you could be spending a lot of time here!

Marvel Superhero Island

Next to Seuss Landing on the neighboring Marvel Superhero Island you will not only find a
campy homage to comics as they were before the age of the MCU

Most of the attractions here have height requirements that many toddlers and young children aren’t going to meet.

However, there is one ride that the little ones will enjoy.

Storm Force Accelatron

The easiest way to describe Storm Force Accelatron is that it is like the teacups in Magic Kingdom but with Marvel-theming!

This ride puts you in the comic book story in a fun way, making you an accomplice in helping Storm generate enough electricity to blast Magneto and foil his evil plans.

This means you control how fast you spin, but with toddlers on board, it’s super okay to take it easy. Don’t worry – Storm will still beat the bad guy.

This ride is a lot of fun for all ages and usually doesn’t have too much of a line, partly because it is tucked in a corner at the side of The Hulk.

Flight of the Hippogriff

This does have a height requirement of 36″ but if your toddler is tall enough this can be a great introduction to roller coaster rides for them.

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Located in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter the Flight of the Hippogriff is a ride that younger children will enjoy.

The only downside is that there is often quite a long line as the ride is popular and very slow to load.

Pteranodon Flyers

This is an interesting one. Only one of my three children ever enjoyed this as the others found it really scary. They are now all grown up and happy to ride Jurassic World VelociCoaster over and over again, but when they were young the height and feel of this ride just didn’t make them feel secure!

Pteranodon Flyers are located in Jurassic Park and take riders on an elevated gondola-type ride above the park.

It is designed for children 36″ and 56″ tall. A child meeting this requirement must accompany guests over 56″ (143cm) tall. Children between 36″ and 48″ must be accompanied by a supervising companion.

Unfortunately, lines build up very quickly and remain throughout the day. The best time to ride is definitely early in the morning, but this means walking around to Jurassic Park as soon as you arrive unless you want to be in a long line.

The rides are not the only things that toddlers will enjoy at Islands of Adventure. There are also some shows that may capture their attention.

At Islands of Adventure, you’ll find a variety of performances at Hogsmeade. These include the
Triwizard Spirit Rally, and the Frog Choir.

“Oh, The Stories You’ll Hear” a musical performance by Dr. Seuss characters illustrates once again how great Seuss Landing is for toddlers.

The show features The Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two, The Grinch, Sam (aka Sam I Am), and the Lorax.

Universal Studios for Toddlers

Moving on now to Universal Studios park. Here is a list of the height requirements for Universal Studios Orlando:

• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem 40″
• E.T. Adventure 34″
• Fast & Furious – Supercharged 42″
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit 51″
• MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack 42″
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon 40″
• Revenge of the Mummy 48″
• The Simpsons Ride 40″
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D 40″
• Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster 36″

As you can see, most of the height requirements here are going to mean that your toddler can’t ride. However, there are still things to do and attractions to enjoy with toddlers at Universal Studios at Orlando.

E.T. Adventure Ride

Your child may or may not be able to experience this ride with a 34″ requirement for entry, but it is a
fun-for-everyone family-friendly attraction. This has always been a favorite with my family.

This dark ride differs from many others that are based on movies because it has an original storyline.

You board a flying bike and travel to E.T.s dying home planet in order to help him save it.

In a first-of-its-kind interactive feature, E.T. thanks you personally at the end of the ride. Well, it does when the technology actually works!

A fun fact is that the soundtrack by John Williams is also the first original score written for a ride.

Kang and Kodos Twirl and Hurl

Soar ten feet into the air on a flying saucer that’s 1/51,595,995 the speed of light (13 mph).

This
exciting spinner from the star-filled cosmos above Springfield USA features the beloved Alien
pair from the Fox series, The Simpsons.

This is also an interactive kid-friendly ride that lets participants “zap” citizens of Springfield as they swoop by.

Hogwarts Express

You can board the Hogwarts Express from Diagon Alley, or from Hogsmeade. There is no
height requirement, only a Park 2 Park pass is required.

The Hogwarts Express is a wizardly way to pass from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure and vice versa. It also conveniently connects the two wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter together for seamless continuity.

Which Harry Potter Park is Best?

The experience is different depending upon which way you are traveling. The journey from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure has a better experience. If you can only do one direction I suggest that you choose this one.

Your toddler will probably just love the experience of riding on a train rather than particularly enjoying the “show” but hey, whatever works!

Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster

If your toddler is 36″ then they will most likely enjoy this fun roller coaster. Located close to the ET ride, the lines tend to be short at this attraction.

At just 44 seconds long, this experience is pretty short! Your child may want to ride this over and over again.

There may not be many rides that your toddler can experience, but there are still things they can do.
Much of the fun for small children is in the entertainment at the parks.

Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone is now Dreamworks Destination, a cutting-edge interactive character experience that features Puss In Boots, Kung Fu Panda, Trolls, and more!

Fievels Playland is another place that your toddler is going to enjoy. Located next to the ET ride this is designed so that we see the world from a mouse’s perspective.

This is a really great playground, particularly as it has a padded floor! You will probably be spending a long time here watching your young child having a lot of fun.

They’ll also love the Animal Actors on Location show.

Child Swap at Universal Studios Orlando

If your child is not tall enough or old enough to experience a ride that doesn’t mean that you have to miss out. All of the rides at Universal Orlando Resort have a child swap facility.

What this means is that you can stand in line once with other members of your party and whilst others experience the ride the other looks after the child, usually in a designated waiting space.

Then when the first party has experienced the ride, you swap over and the person who stayed behind then goes to experience the ride whilst the other one looks after the child.

This is a great way to save time in line and make sure that everyone who wants to can experience the ride.

Strollers at Universal Studios Orlando

Even if your child doesn’t usually use a stroller anymore, it is a great idea to bring one to Universal Orlando Resort.

There is a lot of walking involved and you are all going to be a lot happier if you do not have a tired toddler who simply can’t walk another step!

You can rent a stroller at Universal Orlando. However, right now the only option is to rent a double stroller and these cost $35 a day.

Obviously, if you have your own, and particularly if you are visiting for more than a day, it is advisable to bring your own to the park.

Characters at Universal Studios Orlando Resort

Your toddler will most likely love seeing the characters, particularly in the Universal Orlando park as those characters are more geared to the younger set.

Some characters that you may see in Universal Orlando are

• Barney and pals
• Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey
• SpongeBob SquarePants and friends
• Hello Kitty

In Islands of Adventure you may see:

• Spider-Man, Captain America, Wolverine, Storm, Green Goblin, Dr. Doom
• Thing 1 and Thing 2, Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, the Lorax.
• Blue the Velociraptor

Just look on the park schedule to see when and where you can find these characters. Universal Orlando also has the Superstar Parade where you can see characters such as  Gru, Agnes, Margo, Edith, and the Minions from Despicable Me.

Whilst there may not be too many rides for toddlers at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure you can certainly all have a great time there. Just make plans to space out the toddler-appropriate rides and utilize child swap as often as you can. Universal Orlando really is a great experience for all ages.

More About Universal Orlando

Here are some more guides to Universal Orlando Resort to help you plan:

Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort Review

Can You Bring Food To Universal Studios Orlando Resort?

Guide to Islands of Adventure Water Rides

— Update: 19-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Advice and tips for making the most of your holiday to Florida! from the website www.floridatix.com for the keyword things for toddlers to do at universal studios.

Let’s face it, taking a toddler to Universal Orlando Resort can be daunting. With so many rides, attractions and experiences on offer, knowing what to see and do, and how best to spend your time can be tricky as a parent. There’s also knowing what to pack or the best place to stay, though it might be that you’re unsure of what’s on offer at all three Universal parks.

To help you, we’ve created this guide.

Along with highlighting the best attractions and play areas, we share our top tips to having fun, staying safe and making sure you have the best experience possible. Let’s kick-off with the fun things to do for toddlers.

Play Areas for Toddlers at Universal Orlando

There are six play areas designed specifically for toddlers at Universal Orlando Resort – three in Universal Studios and three in Islands of Adventure. Each park has a good mix of play areas, combining indoor, outdoor and water-based play.

Woody Woodpecker KidZone is where you’ll find all the fun things for toddlers, and it’s epic! There’s Fievals Playland, Curious George a Day at the Park, and Barney’s Backyard Playground. Unlike Universal Studios, the play areas at Islands of Adventure are more spread out, so your stroller will come in handy.

Once there, your kids have an abundance of choice, there’s Dr Seuss’ If I Ran a Zoo, Discovery Dino Center, and Camp Jurassic for them to enjoy. One other thing, all indoor plays are air-conditioned and provide a nice break from the Florida heat.

Let’s have a closer look at the play areas created for toddlers…

Fievels Playland

Fievels Playland is a weird and wonderful playground packed with oversized props from the films An American Tail and Fieval Goes West. Seeing the world through a mouse’s eye, toddlers can scurry their way through giant tin cans and enormous cowboy boots, climb a 30-foot spider web, and take on a 200-foot water slide splashing in a cowboy hat water pool. With a padded floor and access for adults, it’s a great place to let your little one roam free with complete peace of mind that they won’t get hurt.

Curious George Goes to Town

The Curious George Goes to Town is an interactive water-based playground based on stories from the animated series. You’ll enter a world with tons of activities and fun for all ages. Grab a hose, pump or lever and have fun with water, or head to the Yellow Hat’s Ball Factory to launch thousands of soft foam balls, or why not check out the Animal Show tent. There is also a dry area, but predominantly this playground is wet so make sure you take a change of clothes or a bathing suit.

Barney’s Backyard Playground

If you want to escape the heat at Universal Studios, Barney’s Backyard play area with air-conditioning is the place to go. Besides it being cool, it’s full of water and sand-based fun to keep your little one occupied for hours, and better still, there are benches for adults to cool off while their kids play.

BJ’s Express train is a big feature, but there’s also a tree house climbing frame, playsets for toddlers and interactive steps that light up and play sounds. Be aware that the restrooms near Barney’s Backyard Playground are designed for kids, with shorter toilets and sinks. Adults keep this in mind if you’re tall.

Dr Seuss’ If I Ran a Zoo

If your little one loves outlandish play areas filled with colour and bizarre creatures, Dr Seuss’ If I Ran a Zoo will leave them open-mouthed and jumping for joy as soon as they step inside. This fanciful play area, or should we say, ‘extraordinary zoo’, is home to animals from the farthest reaches and tons of fun things for toddlers to enjoy.

Whether it’s a ride on a curious cow, a game on the belly of Tic Tac Joe, or whizzing down the tunnels in Zomba-ma-tant – kids will love the freedom and variety of things to do in Dr Seuss’ If I Ran a Zoo. Like Barney’s, there are plenty of areas for adults to sit while their children explore.

Rides for Toddlers at Universal Orlando

Split between Islands of Adventure and Marvel Island, there are a handful of rides suitable for toddlers. All the following rides require your child to have good head and body control and be able to sit up on their own.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish is a popular flying ride equipped with easy-to-use controls that lets you manoeuvre up and down as you gently glide around an array of fountains. There’s also Caro-Seuss-el, which is the merry-go-round from The Mind of Dr. Seuss. Besides climbing aboard and sitting on the creative cast of characters, you can make their eyes blink, ears wiggle and heads turn.

Storm Force Accelatron in Marvel Island is spin on the classic eggbeater carnival ride. It’s not the most dazzling attraction, but it’s the only ride in Islands of Adventure without a height restriction. (Children under 48 inches must ride with an adult.)

It’s more fast-paced than the other two and won’t be to everyone’s liking, but if you want to introduce your child to the joys of a fast-ish ride, it’s a breeze to get on and a lot of fun.

Besides the rides that have no minimum height requirement, there are a ton that are suitable for 3-year olds or children 36 inches tall.

Rides with a low minimum height requirement

Among others, the wonderful thing about growing up is that you can ride faster, scarier and more immersive rides at theme parks. In all three Universal parks, 34” looks to be the minimum height requirement to ride on your own. To give your little one something to look forward to, and you as a parent to plan for, the following rides are the next step up for a toddler, with a minimum height requirement of 34 or 36 inches:

• Skull Island: Reign of Kong 36” (Island of Adventure)
• Flight of the Hippogriff 36” (Island of Adventure)
• T. Adventure 34” (Universal Studios)
• Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl 34” (Universal Studios)
• Cat in the Hat (Island of Adventure)
• Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster (Universal Studios)
• The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! (Island of Adventure)

Book a meet-up with your favourite character well ahead

Let’s face it, everyone wants to meet their favourite superhero. Doing it as a toddler is literally what dreams are made of, but for everyone else, it’s a tick off the bucket list and a great memory to look back on if you capture it on camera.

Scheduled character meet and greets

The first group of meetable characters – those with a schedule – make appearances at set times and locations throughout the two parks. Universal makes it easy for guests to know when and where they appear by printing a schedule. However, the schedule is subject to change, so double-check before planning your adventure.

Scheduled character meet and greets are:

Universal Studios Florida

• Barney and friends
• Shrek, Fiona and Donkey
• Simpsons
• SpongeBob SquarePants
• Hello Kitty
• Trolls (from the DreamWorks franchise of films and TV Shows)

Islands of Adventure

• Spider-Man, Captain America, Wolverine, Storm, Green Goblin, Dr. Doom
• Seuss Characters
• Blue the Velociraptor (Jurassic Park)
• She-Ra (Netflix)

Read more  Toddler Rides at Universal Studios Orlando – Which are the Best?

Periodic character meet and greets make up the second group. These appear randomly during the day but are not on the park map. The characters you can see are:

Universal Studios

• Dora and Diego
• Shaggy and Scooby-Doo
• Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat
• The Minions
• Lucy Ball and Marilyn Monroe

Islands of Adventure

• Woody the Woodpecker
• Popeye and Olive

While these characters are known to roam from land to land, they typically make appearances in their respective parks’ character zones. You can find these near Universal Studio’s turnstiles and Islands of Adventure’s Toon Lagoon.

How long will you have to wait for characters?

Unlike at Walt Disney World or Disneyland Paris where you can expect to wait 30-60 minutes to meet characters, the wait times at Universal are significantly shorter– roughly 10-15 minutes. During busy periods, you may have to wait an extra 10 minutes, but it will rarely be any longer than this.

What About Character Dining?

What better way to surprise your little one than with a fun-packed meal alongside their favourite superhero or animated icon? Whether it’s a Minion, The Grinch, or a Marvel superhero, one of the best ways for children to meet their heroes is at character breakfasts or lunches.

It helps to have some idea what character you want to dine with beforehand, as they each have different schedules. For example, the Despicable Me character breakfast happens every Saturday at Royal Pacific Resort’s Tahitian Room, whereas the Marvel dining is on select nights at Café 4 in Islands of Adventure.

They will also make appearances on select nights at Universal’s premier hotels, including Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel and Portofino Bay. However, their schedules change so we recommend contacting the hotel first.

Bear in mind that character experiences sell out very quickly, so try to book in advance to avoid being disappointed on the day.

And now, how to make your experience extra special

That concludes our top tips to having fun with your little one while you are there, but there’s a lot more that Universal has to offer that makes it a great theme park for families with toddlers.

Useful Tips for Universal Orlando Resort

You’ve probably got a lot of unanswered questions regarding the baby facilities at Universal Orlando, and that’s understandable too, as you’ll need somewhere to feed, change and potentially get your little one off to sleep. We hope you won’t need them, but in the event of an emergency, you’ll also want to know where the nearest first aiders are.

This next half of our blog posts covers all the practicalities that will come in handy and make your day(s) at Universal Orlando run smoothly.

First up…

Take a Stroller

Universal Orlando is huge. Even if you’re staying on-site, there’s still some commuting involved to get to the parks. Taking a stroller to Universal Orlando will make it easier to move from one attraction to another. It also gives your little one time to rest on longer walks like when you’re switching between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Stroller parking areas appear throughout both parks and are ideally situated at the entrance to each ride. (You can’t take a stroller into any queue or show.) Universal does a fine job in making sure these areas are well-staffed, so you don’t have to worry about strangers going through your belongings.

There is a stroller policy in place, though it doesn’t limit the size. Single and double strollers are available to rent at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, so don’t worry if you haven’t got your own. However, due to them being hard plastic strollers, they are typically suitable for older kids or independent walkers.

Top tips:

• Take a baby carrier in case you need to carry your child
• Stay dry with a rain-proof stroller cover
• Take your own stroller if you have one

Use Child Swap

Don’t panic, we’re not suggesting you swap children with a stranger for the day. Universal’s Child Swap is a unique service that makes riding certain coasters hassle-free for families. It means children can skip a ride for whatever reason, giving the rest of the family the opportunity to ride without having to join the back of the queue. It’s effectively a waiting area with a one-in-one-out rule – only less strict.

If you want to use Child Swap, inform the attendant at the ride’s entrance before you enter the queue. Some rides, including Fast & Furious: Supercharged, have toys and games for children to keep them occupied. Not all attractions do this, so we do recommend taking a book, a snack, or your child’s favourite toy to help pass the time.

Locate the Baby Care Centres

Baby centres appear at all three parks next to the health care centre or first aid centre, depending on which park you are in. Each centre comes equipped with a changing table, a nursing room, bottle warmer, rocking chair and a microwave. Besides excellent facilities, first aiders are on hand to give you peace of mind if your little one is feeling ill.

Tip: if you’re having trouble finding your nearest centre, look for the first aid icon on your map.

Stay in an On-site Hotel

Staying on-site will make it easier to nip back to your hotel if you’ve forgotten something or need to unwind. Besides, the last thing you want if you’ve forgotten a bottle or your little one needs a nap is an hour-long journey back to an offsite hotel. Added to that, most on-site hotels are themed around popular kids’ movies and TV shows, which makes it more exciting to stay there.

There are eight on-site hotels in total, ranging from the premier Portofino Bay Hotel to value-priced Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Every Universal hotel offers something different for children of all ages and it’s possible to arrange character experiences at each one. If you’re looking out for the hotel with the most charming rooms for children, Portofino Bay Hotel and Cabana Bay Beach Resort are the ones to look out for.

Staying on-site also gets you a free Universal Express Unlimited Pass that gives you priority boarding at most rides and attractions – so it’s definitely worth it.

Make Use of The Daily Rental Lockers

As simple as they are, you’ll go home talking about how useful the lockers are at Universal Orlando. They are available to rent in all three parks and are ideal for stowing heavy or bulky items that you don’t want to carry around all day but that you’ll need at some point. They range in price from $8 to $12 per day and you can pay for them using cash or card.

Pack These Essential Items

Knowing what to pack is tricky, but it’s half the battle. While you want to travel light, you want to pack essential items that will come in handy and make your day comfortable in the park, and not things that will sit in your bag and add unnecessary weight.

The first thing you want to pack is a backpack. It’s not entirely ideal and you’ll have to find somewhere to stow it on certain rides, but a backpack will make it easy to carry all the essential items that won’t fit in your pockets, like water bottles, snacks, nappies or a portable charger. Other absolute musts, especially during summer, are sun cream and hats for everyone.

Another essential item that you want on your feet rather than in your backpack is a pair of comfortable shoes. Chances are you’ll be doing a lot of walking, between 10-15 miles per day on average, so pack your most comfortable pair of shoes or trainers.

Don’t rush to fill your backpack with everything in sight, there are certain items that Universal don’t allow in the parks. To save any embarrassment at the security checkpoints, here are all the items you can not take inside any of the Universal parks:

• Alcoholic drinks
• Picnic lunches
• Food that requires refrigeration
• Glass containers
• Folding chairs
• Hard-sided coolers
• Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
• Suitcases or bags with wheels
• Clothing with offensive language or content
• Clothing that represents emergency personnel

Happy Holiday Planning!

That concludes our toddlers guide to Universal Orlando Resort. We hope you have everything you need to successfully prepare for your next trip, and to ensure that your time in the parks is as fun and enjoyable as possible. Looking for more top tips? Join our Destination Florida Facebook group and be part of the discussion.

— Update: 26-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article 10 Attractions at Universal Studios for Toddlers + Kids from the website www.desumama.com for the keyword things for toddlers to do at universal studios.

There was a time when I wondered, “is Universal Studios for toddlers”? Are the parks were worth visiting for younger kids? Family travel comes at a price and parents want to know which Orlando attractions for toddlers will be their best investment in family memories. Well, after 3 days of nonstop fun at Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure, I can say YES! When planning things to with toddlers in Orlando, you can’t go wrong with these 2 theme parks in Orlando for toddlers and these 10 easy rides.

Universal Studios for Toddlers

It’s true, I wondered is Universal Studios kid-friendly for our youngest kiddos. Would there be enough kid rides at Universal Studios to justify the visit? Which rides at Islands of Adventures for kids would my family love most? Especially with the more obvious Orlando toddler activities that include the big Mouse right next door, the rides at Universal Orlando offered every family member plenty of fun!

At the time of our vacation to Orlando, our kids were young. My daughter was 4 years old and my son was 2 years old. They are both tall for their age, but all the attractions at Universal listed below are things that my toddler could do. Each of the featured rides at Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventures meets the 36-inch height restriction but does not include any rides with a 40-inch height restriction.

Things to do with Toddlers in Orlando

Rides at Universal Studios Orlando

Universal for kids is much easier than you’d expect! The rides at Universal Studios Orlando are not as spread out as other parks, making walk distances shorter. The first 4 attractions are easy rides in Universal Orlando located in the Kid Zone. Your toddler will love these Universal studios rides for kids!

1. Curious George Water Park Area (Universal Orlando): Easily the best waterpark in Orlando for toddlers! There are many interactive features of this park, areas to get drenched or just sprinkled, all your senses were on overdrive here. If you’re chasing a toddler around, come prepared with dry clothes for yourself as well!

Not to be missed right next to the Kid Zone is an arena of balls that is out of this world… using vacuums and suctions, balls are flying from every direction. My kids were in HEAVEN and really did learn a lot about gravity and airflow, etc. We easily spent 3 hours here the first day and returned to the Kid Zone area of Universal Orlando each day thereafter. It’s a safe and great adventure for toddlers!

2. Woody Woodpecker Roller Coaster (Universal Orlando): My toddler barely made the height restriction of 35 inches. If you have a timid child, it maybe best to sit this one out. However, our kids loved this pint-sized roller coaster and we rode it at least 20 times during our stay.

Universal Studios Rides for Kids

Universal Studios for Kids

3. Pet Actors Show: For our animal lovers, this Universal Studios attraction is great. We scheduled our day around the show times and really enjoyed the Pet Actors Show. It’s funny and fast-paced – perfect for little one’s attention spans. Also, after the show, we were able to chat with the animal trainers and learn how to work with animals. Total score!

Related: Christmas at Universal Studios + Harry Potter World 

4. Fival’s Playgroud: A little less hectic than Curious George area, Fival’s Playground gives a baby-sized experience of water play. For smaller toddlers or parents looking for less water and more play, this is a good bet. Located near the bigger rides at Orlando Universal Studios, this spot was perfect to hang out while our group enjoyed them.

Island of Adventures Rides

5. Character Meet and Greet (both parks): The Spiderman Meet-and-Greet experience is near the ride, in a building attached to the themed shop, so we had to introduce our boy to him! You can’t see Spiderman from the street, so our son was in awe when he finally saw his favorite superhero in person! Way too small for the ride, this attraction was a great way to enjoy the magic of imagination with our kids. Dora and friends, Simpsons and so many other character sightings can be met in both parks.

6. Jurassic Park area (Island of Adventure): Of the Island of Adventures attractions for kids, Jurassic Park is a gold mine for toddlers and preschoolers! We met this young dinosaur as we were walking around and the kids thought it was so cool. Years later, the kids STILL talk about this moment of magic! Don’t forget to visit the Dinosaur Discovery Center to cool off, check out life-size dinosaurs and catch a dinosaur being hatched if you’re lucky (happens every 15 minutes).

7. Flying Adventure ride (Island of Adventure): This was in Jurassic Park and was our favorite of the Island of Adventures rides for the little ones. It’s actually restricted FOR kids and their parents, which made it one the best rides at Universal Studios for our young family.

Island of Adventures AttractionsBest Rides in Universal Studios Orlando

8. Dr. Seuss Landing (Island of Adventure): Oh, the places you’ll go in Dr. Seuss Landing! This is a couple Universal Islands of Adventure rides that are great for kids here. The flying One Fish, Two Fish ride, Cat in the Hat ride and the classic carousel were all favorites. You won’t be bored strolling through this area either.

9. Minions ride (Universal Orlando): This was awesome! The kids laughed nonstop! My toddler was able to ride at 36 inches, but only in the stationary seats. This line gets fairly long, so we were happy to have our Express passes, making it easy for us to ride it multiple times. The stationary seats made the ride seem like a 3d movie and the kids loved it. Right across the way, both kids were able to ride the Shrek ride without a problem too.

10. Harry Potter attractions (both parks): My little kids know very little about the Harry Potter books or movies but for those of us who have read the books this area is mandatory! Both Harry Potter lands in each parks are striking in their beauty and truly take you into the lives of Hogwarts.

Related: Harry Potter Party Pt 1 and Pt 2

Bonus 11. Men in Black (Universal Orlando): Not suitable for toddler, my oldest kid LOVED this ride! It’s interactive and engaging. Make sure to take advantage of Universal’s child swap rooms and you’ll big kid will be able to ride the ride twice in a row!

We had a blast at Universal Orlando – even with a toddler and preschooler in tow!