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Universal Orlando Resort is packed with thrills — from the high-speed VelociCoaster to Revenge of the Mummy and Skull Island: Reign of Kong. And as of May 22, 2025, things are even more epic with Universal's newest theme park, Epic Universe. While many attractions cater to older thrill-seekers, there's still plenty of fun for younger tadpoles. Little ones can step into the colorful world of DreamWorks Land, cast spells in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or fly with dragons in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. The magic is real, no matter your age. Universal Orlando is home to eleven ribbeting hotels, three thrilling theme parks, one wild water park and one electric entertainment district. There's fun to be had everywhere you turn. While hitting your long list of must-dos may seem like a daunting task, here are the things you definitely shouldn't miss out on during your vacation. In this post, we’re diving into everything you need to know about visiting Universal Orlando Resort with kids — let's jump in!
Universal Orlando Resort with Kids — Where to Stay
The Universal Signature Collection hotels have some of the best accommodations on property. Your tadpoles are sure to leap with joy when they open the door to their own personal bedroom and find a Jurassic jungle, a mob of minions or adorable dragons awaiting them. The Jurassic World Kids' Suites at Loews Royal Pacific Resort have beds modeled after the fictional park's gyrospheres and the Despicable Me Kids' Suites at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel have custom-designed missile beds just like Margo, Edith and Agnes do in the movie.
Kick It in a Kids' Suite
And the How to Train Your Dragon suites will feel like you're sleeping in a dragon's den with graphics of Toothless and Light Fury decorating the space. Even if your tadpoles normally like staying up late, these rooms are going to make them actually want to go to sleep, which is a good thing because you've got a busy day ahead of you!
Select Signature Collection resorts (Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay and Royal Pacific) also offer hotel guests free Universal Express Unlimited ride access, which allows you to skip the regular lines. If you're not staying at a hotel that offers this benefit, I'd still recommend purchasing them for your whole squad anyway (or at the very least, regular Universal Express Passes, which allow one-time access per ride). There's nothing my tadpoles hate more than waiting in long lines, especially in the Florida heat. The Express Pass never fails to cut down a ride's wait and free up the amount of time in your day.
Additionally, every on-property resort offers hotel guests Early Park Admission, which will give you one hour early access to either Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure or Epic Universe and half an hour (sometimes an hour during busy times) early access to Universal Volcano Bay. Both of these benefits are invaluable features that significantly help to decrease your stress level and maximize your froggy fun!
Dining at Universal Orlando Resort With Kids
Fuel is the equivalent of caffeine, in my personal opinion. The good news? Every Universal Orlando Resort hotel has a Starbucks in the lobby. Furthermore, there is a Starbucks in Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, as well as TWO in Epic Universe. Our family enjoys getting a quick start to the morning while visiting the parks, so the convenience of having a place to grab some coffee and breakfast sandwiches and get out the door is a game-changer.
For those looking for a slower start to the morning, I recommend either the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley in Universal Studios, Three Broomsticks in Islands of Adventure or The Oak & Star Tavern in Epic Universe. All of these restaurants offer more sustenance at a slower pace. Our tadpoles love starting their day with some sausage and eggs.
For lunch and dinner, these are our go-to dining locations at each Universal Orlando park when we travel with Tad and Lily:
- Universal Studios Florida - Illumination's Minion Cafe
- Islands of Adventure - Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous
- Islands of Adventure - Three Broomsticks
- Epic Universe - Mead Hall
- Epic Universe - The Oak & Star Tavern
Keep Your Tadpoles Entertained at Mealtime
While it may be tempting to fill up on Butterbeer ice cream at Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour or the Big Pink doughnut at Lard Lad Donuts, sitting down for meals is helpful when it comes to making it through the day.
Luckily, CityWalk has a variety of restaurants — some even with delightful table-side entertainment! Meet Professor Doctor Penelope Tibeaux-Tinker Toothsome and her trusty robot companion, Jacques, while you're dining on decadent chocolate dishes at the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. Party with stilt walkers and balloon artists at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville as you sing along to the tunes of the tropics and count down to the eruption of a margarita volcano. Challenge your tadpoles to a fun game of foosball or just enjoy any big game (playing on nearly 100 HD screens) at NBC Sports Grill & Brew.
Other items at CityWalk restaurants that the tadpoles love ordering are the Tableside S'mores at Bigfire and the uniquely flavorful fusion at the Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Burgushi. If your tadpole isn't too eager to walk out of the gates, it's always a great idea to let them know the fun isn't stopping just because you've left the park.
Plan Out Your Day
The most difficult thing to do at any theme park is navigating wait times and deciding what to do when, especially when you have tadpoles who get hot and tired easily! My number one tip is to decide which thrill ride (if any) you want to hop on first.
Make a Game Plan
Get to the gate at opening and head straight for it — lines fill up quickly. The two longest waits right now in the theme parks tend to be the two newest coasters: Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Jurassic World VelociCoaster (both at Islands of Adventure). Both have Single Rider lines which open periodically throughout the day, so if you feel your tadpoles are old enough and they are indeed open, definitely go that route for a significantly shorter wait time! You'll wait in line as a group, but be split up on the actual ride itself.
We'll keep you posted on where to head first at Epic Universe. We're busy testing it all! We'll be sure to hop back here with those details very soon.
@undercovertourist Child swap at Universal Orlando! If you have children and are planning on visiting Universal in 2023- then this is for you! Universal has the entire family wait in line one time- then the party splits while one adult (with other eligible riders) rides and the other adult stays wirh the children in the child swap room. When the original riders get off, they will switch places with the adult in the child swap room and they will not have to wait! Click the link in bio for my information! #universalstudios #universalorlando @misswizardingworld ♬ original sound - Undercover Tourist
If your tadpoles don't quite measure up yet (or just aren't ready for them), both of these rides (and many more) offer Child Swap so adults can ride without needing to wait in line a second time. And speaking of ride-readiness, it's always a good idea to check on height requirements ahead of time to avoid disappointment on the big day. We're also big proponents of watching ride videos ahead of time on YouTube to minimize any potential surprises. Both of these steps can play a big part in creating your game plan for the day.
At Volcano Bay, Krakatau Aqua Coaster tends to see the longest wait times. After grabbing those lounge chairs in that prime spot on Waturi Beach, you definitely want to hop there first and, if needed, use your TapuTapu device to tap into the virtual line. (Heads up! Beginning Oct. 1, 2025, the TapuTapu wearable and virtual line will no longer be available. Guests will be able to access the attraction queues at their leisure.)
Map Out the Tadpole-Friendly Attractions
If there's one thing I know, it's that no two tadpoles are alike. Lily likes completely different attractions from what Tad enjoyed when he was her age. One thing you can't go wrong with is knowing which rides shouldn't scare them one bit, regardless of how big a thrill-seeker they are. Like I mentioned earlier, Lily loves the bright colors and whimsical characters found in Seuss Landing. Caro-Seuss-El, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! are all very easy-going. The Cat in the Hat is also a froggy favorite!
If you're not dealing with a fear of heights, hop to Jurassic Park where your tadpoles can soar gently through the air on Pteranodon Flyers. (Parents, you actually can't ride this without a tadpole accompanying you, so take advantage while you still can!) Islands of Adventure is also home to Flight of the Hippogriff, a tadpole-friendly coaster that offers amazing views of Hogwarts Castle.
Marvel Super Hero Island has some big thrills in the Incredible Hulk Coaster and Doctor Doom's Fearfall, but a slightly less intense option in that area is the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. The only drop is a simulated one but it does feature loud noises, darkness and a fire effect, so proceed with caution. The same warnings go for Transformers over in Universal Studios. Universal Studios is actually home to quite a few simulators! Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon and the Simpsons Ride are all must-dos. Also in Springfield, you'll love Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl, which is very similar to One Fish, Two Fish.
The last two attractions you don't want to skip out on at Universal Studios are MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack and E.T. Adventure. MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack spins a lot but is a great interactive shooting ride for some friendly family competition. On E.T. Adventure, travel to the Green Planet on a slow-moving (flying!) bicycle to help the beloved extra-terrestrial save his home planet.
Epic Universe has plenty of great attractions for kids of all ages. In the Isle of Berk, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is a fun coaster with a 40-inch height requirement, and Fyre Drill is an interactive boat ride (prepare to get wet!) with no height minimum (children must be able to sit and stand independently). In Super Nintendo World, Yoshi’s Adventure is a gentle ride through the Mushroom Kingdom that younger kids will love. Curse of the Werewolf in Dark Universe is a spinning coaster that’s just thrilling enough for braver kids. And in Celestial Park, the Constellation Carousel is perfect for all ages and has no height requirement.
Catch Up with Your Favorite Characters
There's no shortage of character sightings in the parks. They often make for some of the most memorable moments of any vacation! However, there are several specific encounters this fam makes sure not to miss out on. Once you've finished racing with the raptor pack on VelociCoaster, meet them in person at Jurassic Park's Raptor Encounter. At any given visit, you'll be able to get face time with Blue herself or the newest addition, Bravo, and either of the two baby raptors, Sierra and Tango. Learn how these ferocious creatures are trained and, if you're brave enough, slowly approach them to snap a quick photo.
Are you, or your children, a big fan of the Marvel Superheroes? If so, you will want to spend some time at Marvel Super Hero Island for a chance to interact with characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, the Green Goblin and others.
Over at Universal Studios is one of Universal's best meet-and-greets, where you can snap a pic with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee or the fearsome Megatron. We really enjoy hanging out with BumbleBee, who plays some rockin' tunes, but we also love it when Megatron makes an appearance. (Don't worry! His bark is worse than his bite.)
DreamWorks Land in Universal Studios brings a land of imagination with characters from some of our children's favorite films. Hop on over to Shrek's Swamp Meet where you can interact with Shrek, Princess Fiona and the hilarious Donkey just outside of Shrek's iconic cottage. While visiting the swamp, spend some time exploring the fun playground where your kiddo can venture down the infamous "fart slide." Hang out with the Dragon Warrior himself at Po Live!, a digital, interactive experience where Po will attempt to teach you some cool Kung Fu moves. Chill out at DreamWorks Character Zone, where you can meet and interact with characters such as Gabby from "Gabby's Dollhouse" and more.
Just a hop away from the bots in Hollywood is SpongeBob StorePants, where you can partake in nautical nonsense with SpongeBob, Patrick and Squidward. Be sure to grab a photo with America's favorite family and other residents of Springfield, U.S.A. in The Simpsons Character Zone! You can usually find them hanging out next to KWIK-E-MART from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Epic Universe is a dream come true for tadpoles eager to meet their favorite characters! In Super Nintendo World, little gamers can snap photos with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad and Donkey Kong. Over in Isle of Berk, young dragon trainers can meet Hiccup and Toothless, and might even spot Astrid with Stormfly nearby. While exploring Place Cachée, you’ll meet characters from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, such as Beauxbatons Academy of Magic students, Hogwarts and Ilvermorny exchange students (carrying The Monster Book of Monsters you can peek inside for the first time!), Cosme the Parisian wandmaker and an Auror from the French Ministry of Magic who's on the lookout for anything suspicious. And if your tadpoles aren't afraid of monsters, in Dark Universe, Frankenstein's Monster and his Bride have an official meet-and-greet. Additionally, Ygor, The Invisible Man and a roaming violinist wander through the village.
Build Breaks into Your Day
If you're planning on spending one full day at each park (which I highly recommend to see and do everything), it's important to take things slow. The pressure to get on every ride can be intense, but there's no way your tadpoles are going to make it through the day if you don't take a few moments to sit down and relax. If you're just looking to sit for a bit, Universal Studios has several shows that you shouldn't miss out on. Get to know some famous furry friends at Animal Actors On Location (a tadpole fave), experience the epic stagecraft of the Bourne Stuntacular or learn the tricks behind Hollywood's most horrific effects at Universal's Horror Make-Up Show (which can be a little intense for the younger crowd with fake blood, but leans more funny than frightening and is a good pick for tweens and teens).
If you'd rather rest outside of an attraction, there are some really nice spaces to check out at each theme park. At Universal Studios, you're going to want to head to Battery Park for benches and a fun soundtrack courtesy of TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D. Also, if it's not too scary for your tadpoles, Knockturn Alley in Diagon Alley has some of the best air conditioning in the parks. Another great place for rest is in DreamWorks Land, where you can "find your happy place" at Poppy's Playground. This is a shaded play area nestled under a giant, 20-foot mushroom featuring colorful flowers and bugs with fun bouncing and climbing structures.
When it's time for a break at Epic Universe, there are plenty of kid-friendly spots to relax and recharge. Catch "The Untrainable Dragon" in the Isle of Berk — a live show filled with music, vikings and soaring dragons. For a magical escape, head to "Le Cirque Arcanus" in the Wizarding World’s Ministry of Magic, where spellbinding illusions and whimsical creatures await. And if you’re in Celestial Park, tadpoles can cool off at the Astronomica splash pad while you enjoy a moment of rest nearby.
At Islands of Adventure, hop to the backside of Mythos for a serene sanctuary that you'll most likely have all to yourself (plus an incredible view of the rest of the park across the lagoon)! For more quiet hidden gems, take a look at our recommendations for where to take sensory breaks at Universal Orlando.
While it's entirely possible to get a good break in at the parks, don't be afraid to hop on back to your hotel in the middle of the day if nap time seems to be in order, especially if you're staying on property. Transportation to and from the parks is incredibly convenient and you'll be back inside the gates and on another ride before you even know it. Nothing truly beats a good power nap (that goes for parents, too!).
Each of Universal Orlando’s theme parks, including Epic Universe, has a Family Care Center. These centers are quiet, air-conditioned and make a convenient place where families can take a break, feed or nurse little ones, warm bottles or change diapers. At Epic Universe, the Family Care Center is located near The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, close to the Universal Helios Grand Hotel.
Join in on the Festivities
Universal Orlando is known for some epic events. While these times tend to be a bit more crowded, it's worth it for all the additional fun, food, decorations, parades and shows that come to the parks. During select days in spring, Universal Studios is home to Florida's Biggest Party, Mardi Gras! Here you'll find outrageous street performers, live music, mouthwatering food and spectacular floats. Our bead collection at home is bordering on the extreme but the tadpoles love catching them as they fly through the air!
Summer is sizzling at Universal Orlando, and we're not just talking about the weather. What we're really referring to is the exciting hoppenings going on this summer:
Get ready for the Universal Mega Movie Parade! This is Universal's grandest daytime parade, featuring 13 floats, nearly 100 performers and jaw-dropping special effects. As the parade marches by you'll witness a towering 16-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man leading the "Ghostbusters" float, the adorable Caterbus and gigantic rainbows on the "Trolls" float, a live drum line marching beside the "Jaws" float and a dino-sized finale with a Gyrosphere, Raptors and a massive Tyrannosaurus Rex on the "Jurassic World" float! The parade is running now through Nov. 13, 2025.
Next is Hogwarts Always, a project show that displays across the magnificent Hogwarts Castle at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade. The show highlights a school year in review at Hogwarts, has four separate endings celebrating each Hogwarts house and end with dazzling pyrotechnics! Hogwarts Always runs on select nights through Aug. 24, 2025.
Parent frogs, this one isn't just for the tadpoles — the next-level CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular lagoon show will also cap off your day at Universal Studios Florida on select nights until Aug. 24, 2025. Your kiddos won't believe their eyes as the lagoon comes to life with 288 fountains shooting up 131 feet complete with 4K projections and ... 600 drones hovering above to create an unfrogettable cinematic display! The musical score includes nostalgic tracks from the beloved films, "Jaws," "Ghostbusters," "Back to the Future," "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" and "King Kong," just to name a few.
The most wonderful time of the year is even more wonderful at Universal Orlando as the holidays are celebrated at both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and even the hotels (we can't wait to see what the holidays will look like at Epic Universe this year)! During Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley (and London) get beautifully decorated in garlands and lights and the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees perform special shows for the holiday season.
It's also the prime time for sipping on some delicious Hot Butterbeer (although now, you can get it year-round and even at CityWalk). Over in Seuss Landing, the Grinch and those holiday-loving Whos take over during Grinchmas at Universal Islands of Adventure. The big green guy comes out for a who-larious photo opportunity and takes the stage throughout the day in the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, a live retelling of the classic tale with music by Mannheim Steamroller.
Frogtastic Tips for Traveling with Tadpoles
Here are our top tips for traveling with the kiddos to Universal Orlando Resort:
- Hoppy news! Tadpoles under the age of 3 get in for free! While they may not be able to get on the majority of rides, there are still plenty of places you can have fun with your littlest froggy. Help them unleash their inner explorer at Camp Jurassic, a multi-level prehistoric playground in Islands of Adventure. Enter the strangest zoo around and encounter unusual creatures at If I Ran the Zoo, a fanciful play area also in Islands of Adventure. Teach them the ways of the Waturi at Tot Tiki or Runamukka Reef, perfectly-sized play structures in Volcano Bay.
- There are tons of fun ways to burn off a sugar rush at DreamWorks Land in Universal Studios! Climb, bounce and splash around at Shrek's Swamp for Little Ogres, an ogre-sized play area featuring four fun slides, wet play areas, a playground and even Shrek's outhouse.
- Bring a change of clothes! Whether it's at a play area, on a flume ride or just because of the rainy Florida skies, you and your tadpole are bound to get wet at some point in the day. If your tadpole tends to be fussy about being wet (like Lily gets), it doesn't hurt to have those dry clothes on standby. Lockers are available to rent throughout the parks so you don't even need to carry them around all day!
- In addition to clothes, don't froget to bring any medicine you or your tadpole might need, baby food/baby formula if necessary, reusable water bottles so you can fill up at any water fountain around the parks and small snacks such as fruit, raisins, crackers or dry cereal. Rations really come in handy when your tadpole gets hungry while you're waiting in a long line!
- Those webbed feet can get tired pretty easily walking around these big parks! Luckily, there are double strollers available to rent at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe. You can even bring your own from home if you find it more convenient!
- It's easy to become separated. Make sure your tadpole has your contact information on them in case they get lost. Additionally, upon walking through the gates, establish an easy-to-find meeting place, such as Guest Services at the front of each park. At each park, there is a First-Aid location — each features a nursing station so you can feed your littlest tadpole in comfort and privacy if need be.
- Most importantly, remember that this is a vacation for the entire family! Everyone should get the chance to have fun. If your tadpole is too small for a ride or simply opting out of it, take advantage of the "child swap" program, where one member of your party can wait with your tadpole while the rest of your party rides. You can then switch places with that person so every frog can enjoy the ride!
Tadpoles are very unpredictable creatures, but coming to the parks as prepared as possible is the best thing you can do. Do you have any tips for visiting Universal Orlando Resort with smaller frogs? Share them in the comments below and don't froget to save some green by purchasing your park tickets through Undercover Tourist.
Related: Our Top Tips for Going to Universal Orlando with Teens and Tweens
Related: The Irresistible Food and Drinks of Epic Universe
Hoppy planning!
