For a stress-free Disney or Universal Studios vacation, let the FREE expert planners at Royal Carriage Vacations take care of every detail including dining reservations, applying discounts, and onboard cruise credit.
Have you decided to pass on going to Universal because you have small children or people who don’t like extreme rides? I’m here to tell you that you can enjoy Universal Orlando even without all the big thrills.
Universal Orlando
Universal Studios Orlando is known for their amazing thrill rides, consisting of roller coaster and motion simulators. Here you can discover rides, attractions and a whole lot more that makes this the best park for people looking for BIG thrills.
Universal boasts that they aren’t about make believe. They bring some of our favorite movies to life – including Minions and Harry Potter.
Looking to only do one park day and can’t decide which one to visit? Read HERE to help you decide which is better.
Traveling With a Baby or Little Kids
It can be intimidating to travel with a baby or small children especially when you are going somewhere that you are unsure if they can even participate.
Even though Universal brags about their big thrills, there is still plenty for you and your child to enjoy. Be sure to read HERE to get my tips on helpful items to pack when traveling with small children.
It can be intimidating to travel with small children, but being prepared and having a plan can help!
There are some important details that you will want to remember when traveling with a little one. At Universal you can bring in your own food and drink. Bring plenty of snacks that you know your child will enjoy. Lines can get long, and even a small snack can make things better until meal time.
There are also nursing facilities available. You will find these located at:
- First Aid Stations at Family Services
- First Aid Station at Universal Volcano bay
- Located on Canal Street in the New York area
- First Aid Station at Universal Islands of Adventure
- Lost and Found in Universal Studios Florida
- Health Services main station
Also, having a plan that includes your travel party’s must do’s can help your trip feel fun and successful while also balancing downtime for the little one.
Rides
When you think of a theme park, the first thing you probably think of is rides. What rides can baby do? Baby can ride anything that doesn’t have a height requirement!
At first glance you might think that’s not many rides. Yes, you are right, but it’s all in what you make it. I’m also going to show you all the things you can do besides rides!
The rides that I would first go to are Caro-Seuss-el and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. If you have a toddler and they can stand on their own then Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast might be a great option. This attraction does not allow hand-held infants.
Hogwarts Express is another great option for little ones, and where my kids would gladly spend the entire day.
Shows
Did you know that Universal has many shows that you can enjoy as well? There are many shows throughout the day that all can enjoy.
Shows include The Blues Brothers, Drive in and Dance, Animal Actors on Location, Oh! the Stories You’ll Here!, The Bourne Stuntacular, the Frog Choir, and so many more!
You are sure to find plenty to do AND see throughout your day with all the shows that Universal offers.
Character Meets
Universal has TONS of characters for you to meet! You can meet characters like:
- Penguins from Madagascar
- King Julian
- Kung Fu Panda
- Puss in Boots
- Minions
- Gru
- Dora, Boots, and Diego
- The Simpsons
- Transformers
- Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona
- SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Squidward
- Blue from Jurassic World (maybe not the best choice for baby)
- and many more!
Did you know that there were that many characters to meet? You can even do a character meal with Marvel characters…sign me up!
Photo Opportunities
This might be my favorite part. When it comes to photos you can really get creative and make those memories. Universal has some pretty iconic photo spots, too.
Make sure to grab pictures at the Universal Globe, Hogwarts castle, the entrance to Jurassic Park, catching a wave at the Quiet Flight surfboard (this is a must do for my family), and so many more! The opportunities are endless.
I like to really have fun here. There are just so many opportunities. At some rides there are seats for Guests to try to see how they fit on them. You can take a QUICK photo here for something fun. Don’t spend too long here as these seats are to make sure Guests who want to ride can safely do so. This can certainly make for a fun photo opportunity though.
Pool Time
Sometimes, vacationers forget to spend time at the pool when everyone is trying to get in all the time at the parks. The pool has so much to offer EVERYONE in the travel party. Little ones can splash around and burn some energy while the others rest their tired feet.
Making sure you plan time to at the pool is vital! Even a park enthusiast can have a great time relaxing at the pool.
Think your party wants more than the hotel pool? You can even venture to Volcano Bay, Universal’s water park, for even more fun. This water park has all the thrills, but also has kid play areas. Kids can play at Tot Tiki Reef and Runamukka Reef.
Child Swap
Universal also offers child swap! If you want to ride a particular ride and your child is too small or not wanting to ride, you can use the “child swap” program. These rides offer a family room. In this room, one family member waits with the child while the rest of the party rides.
When the first party has finished, they switch places so the adult who sat out can now ride. This allows adults to still enjoy those big thrill rides that Universal has to offer.
Final Thoughts
The biggest thing to remember is that the trip can still be a lot of fun with a toddler or baby in tow. It just may look different than other trips you have taken or envisioned. Take the trip day by day, so that everyone is having a good time. Try not to do too much in one day.
Planning downtime at the hotel can make for smoother days if the baby won’t sleep in the stroller. On those hot days a nap can be great for everyone. I always love a mid-day break.
Savor the memories and take them all in. The touring strategy may be slower, but prioritizing your must do’s will help for a successful and fun trip!
Have you ever taken your baby to Universal? Would you ever take your baby to Universal? Do you think there is enough for your baby to do there? Do you find any of these ideas helpful for your next Universal trip with your baby? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to share this post with a friend.
Share the love!
