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Universal Studios has several locations worldwide, including California, Japan, and Florida theme parks. The first park to open was Universal Studios Hollywood in 1964. Although it is the original Universal Park, it is not the largest. Universal Orlando Resort is the largest park and includes Islands of Adventure, a themed area with even more rides and attractions based on movies and TV shows. This makes Universal Studios an ideal day trip for small children because, like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios brings their favorite characters to life!
Below we will provide a brief guide about visiting Universal Studios with small children, whether it is the Orlando, Florida, location or the Universal City, California, location.
Planning Your Universal Studios Adventure
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To avoid large crowds, the best time to visit Universal Studios is during off-peak seasons on a weekday. Attempt to arrive either early in the morning or later in the evening. At times, specific events are happening at Universal, so it’s best to keep an eye on the event calendar if you want to avoid crowds. If you’re up to it, visit Universal Studio with small children when the weather is dreary—there are always fewer people during these times!
Top Kid-Friendly Attractions at Universal Studios
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Enjoy a variety of child-friendly attractions at both Universal Studios Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood. Here are a few attractions and rides we recommend checking out when visiting Universal Studios with small children.
Universal Studios Orlando:
- Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Is your family into Harry Potter? If so, this themed area is certainly worth the visit. There’s fun for all ages here!
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. Enjoy a 3D motion simulator ride for adults and kids with no minimum height requirement.
- Fievel’s Playland. Let your little ones crawl around on this playground that features a water slide and more.
- Curious George Goes to Town. This is also a play area for kids to enjoy water features, a ball play area, and more.
Universal Studios Hollywood:
- Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This themed area is also at Universal Hollywood and slightly different from the Orlando attraction, yet just as fun!
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. Yes, you can also catch this fun minion ride in Hollywood!
- Super Silly Fun Land. For even more Despicable Me fun, check out this space where children can enjoy rides, a water play area, and more.
- Universal’s Animal Actors. Children of all ages will love watching various animals perform tricks right in front of their eyes.
Related:
- Best Theme Parks for Toddlers
- Visiting Orlando: Orlando Travel Guide For Families
- Food Allergies and Disney: How To Prepare For Your Trip
Essential Packing List for Universal Studios
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When you visit Universal Studios with small children, bringing the necessities to help your day run smoothly is essential! Here are some of our recommendations:
- Comfortable clothes and shoes. This one might seem obvious, but we want to remind you that comfortable clothing and shoes are necessary! Even if your child is riding in a stroller, you want to dress them comfortably because chances are you will be at the theme park for quite a while.
- Sun protection. Grab a high SPF sunscreen, hat, and/or sun canopy for the stroller.
- Snacks. Having snacks on hand (that won’t melt) is ideal when visiting Universal Studios with small children. You want to avoid the ‘hangries.’
- Refillable water bottle. Staying hydrated is quite important! Bringing a refillable water bottle will help.
- Rain gear. Questionable weather? Bring a rain jacket, poncho, or stroller cover, just in case.
- Hand sanitizer. You and your kiddos will be touching everything, so bringing your hand sanitizer along is a good idea.
- Wipes. Wipes are also handy for cleaning sticky messes after eating or drinking yummy treats.
- Small toys or books. Want to keep your little one occupied while you wait in line? A small toy or book is worth bringing along!
Stroller Rental at Universal Studios
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If you’d rather rent a stroller at Universal Studios Florida or Universal Studios Hollywood, both parks have plenty to rent near the park entrance. Families can choose from a single stroller or a double stroller but keep in mind that strollers are first-come first serve, so you may want to get there early if you have a stroller preference. Thankfully, all Universal Studios strollers have a storage compartment and a shade canopy.
Universal Studios’ Child Care Services
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Thankfully, Universal Studios offers nursing facilities or rooms for nursing mothers. You can expect to see comfortable seating, a sink, and sometimes a microwave. There may also be toys or a small play area for accompanying siblings. Nursing rooms are a great way to nurse your baby inside an air-conditioned, controlled room away from the outside heat. Refer to the specific park’s map to locate where the nursing rooms are located.
Souvenir Shopping: Best Picks for Kids
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Who doesn’t love picking out and taking home a few souvenirs? When visiting Universal Studios with small children, avoiding souvenir shopping before the day ends is nearly impossible. So, here are a few souvenir shops we recommend that are perfect for kiddos.
Universal Studios Orlando:
- The Film Vault. This is where you can find souvenirs related to your favorite movies!
- Spongebob StorePants. For all the fans of Spongebob Squarepants!
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Shops. Various wizarding world shops have seriously fun souvenirs like wands, candy, and more.
- Super Silly Stuff. This souvenir shop is inside Super Silly Fun Land and includes a ton of Minion-themed goodies to take home.
Universal Studios Hollywood:
- The Film Vault and Super Silly Stuff. Both of these souvenir shops are also located in Universal Hollywood.
- Animation Studio Store. Kiddos will love this souvenir shop as it holds collectibles from the best-animated movies like The Secret Life of Pets, Sing, and more.
- Jurassic Outfitters. Love Jurassic Park? You’ll find toys, apparel, and more dinosaur-themed souvenirs here.
Universal Studios Hotels: Family-Friendly Options
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The fun doesn’t stop when it’s time to return to the hotel! Universal Studios Orlando has amazing themed hotel rooms that children will be thrilled to sleep in. Universal Studios Hollywood doesn’t offer themed rooms like its Orlando partner, yet there are kid-friendly hotels with enjoyable amenities. Here are our hotel recommendations when visiting Universal Studios with small children.
Universal Studios Orlando:
- Cabana Bay Beach Resort. This resort includes a bowling alley, waterslides, and a lazy river. Expect retro-themed hotel rooms! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-themed hotel rooms can be found here.
- Aventura Hotel. A virtual reality game room sits inside this hotel. There’s also a Kids’ Camp that children ages 4-14 can attend.
- Lowes Portofino Bay Hotel. This is where you can stay in a Jurassic World suite or a Despicable Me suite. Worth it!
Universal Studios Hollywood:
- Hilton Los Angeles. Expect a heated outdoor pool and ease of access to Universal Studios. Restaurants are also on-site.
- The Garland. The pool area in this family-friendly hotel is worth a visit, and the rooms are retro-inspired.
- Magic Castle Hotel. Want a unique hotel experience? The Magic Castle Hotel features magic shows, poolside movie nights, and a complimentary ice cream bar!
Summary
We hope this brief guide has given you a better idea of what it looks like to visit Universal Studios with small children, whether you’re visiting the Orlando or Hollywood locations. With a little preparation ahead of time, you can enjoy a relaxing yet exciting day visiting Universal Studios with your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the must-see attractions for small children at Universal Studios?
Universal Studios has the best Despicle Me-themed attractions for small children, so it’s obvious that families should stop by the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride and Super Silly Fun Land. Seuss Landing in Orlando is also a hit, not to mention The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Can I rent a stroller at Universal Studios?
Universal Studios offers single-stroller and double-stroller rentals on a first-come, first-serve basis.
What should I pack for my visit to Universal Studios with small children?
When visiting Universal Studios with small children, families should pack a reusable water bottle, snacks, sun protection, rain gear, and a change of clothes if they’re expecting to enjoy a water activity.
Where can I find childcare services at Universal Studios?
Childcare service locations may vary within each Universal Studios park. We recommend checking your specific park’s map or asking a Universal Studios employee upon arrival.
What are some kid-friendly dining options at Universal Studios?
Universal Studios Orlando includes kid-friendly dining stops such as Mel’s Drive-In, Richter’s Burger Co., Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous, and Three Broomsticks. Universal Studios Hollywood includes kid-friendly dining areas like Studio Scoop, Mel’s Diner, Gru’s Lab Cafe, and KidZone Pizza Company.
Morgan French
Morgan French is a wife, mom of two, writer & editor. After traveling for 3 years with her family, she now lives back in her hometown of Dayton, OH. She makes frequent stops for coffee, enjoys the outdoors, and loves board games.
