Is Universal Orlando Worth It With Young Kids? An Honest Parent's Review

After four years, more than fifteen trips, and over fifty days exploring Universal Orlando with our two children, we've learned firsthand what makes this resort so special for little adventurers. From unforgettable character interactions to kid-friendly rides and incredible onsite hotels, here's why our family keeps coming back.

Gabby from Gabby's Dollhouse had just finished an impromptu dance party in the street and moved over to her post-dance meet-and-greet area.

We literally had to pick the kiddos up to bring them over because their tiny dancing shoes were still stuck firmly in the "ON" position.

Understandable.

With the short line ahead of us gone, Selene and Gryffin embraced one of their favorite DreamWorks characters with enormous hugs and enjoyed an extended interaction with her.

As we were saying our goodbyes, Gryffin decided the interaction wasn't quite finished.

He gently grabbed Gabby's hand and tried to walk away with her.

Apparently, she was coming home with us.

We would have completely understood if the team member portraying Gabby had simply patted his hand or gently shaken her head. You can't exactly take your favorite characters home with you.

But instead, without missing a beat, she stood up, squeezed his little hand, and played along.

She waved to everyone around them as the two walked a few steps away together in absolute childhood bliss.

Everyone, including the team members and Gabby's backup dancers, got a well-deserved laugh out of the moment.

And Mom and Dad?

We got another memory we'll be talking about for years.

Why Universal Orlando Keeps Winning Our Family Over

It's moments like that one that make Universal Orlando worth every penny we've spent bringing our children there.

There's an ever-growing list of reasons why Universal will forever be our family's go-to place to invest our hard-earned travel money.

But what separates it from every other park we've visited comes down to one thing:

How the team members treat our children.

Before having kids, Mom and Dad visited another major Orlando theme park. While we enjoyed parts of that experience, we also witnessed character interactions and enormous ride waits that left us wondering how enjoyable the day really was for some of the youngest visitors.

We've never forgotten watching disappointed children being consoled after missing an opportunity to meet a character.

Now, every park has its difficult days, and we certainly aren't suggesting every interaction at Universal is perfect.

But across our own visits, Universal's team members have consistently gone out of their way to make our kids feel seen, welcomed, and important.

And that has made an enormous difference.

So, is Universal Orlando worth it with young kids?

After four years, more than fifteen trips, and well over fifty days exploring the parks with two children who started this journey at ages one and three, we have one very clear answer:

Absolutely yes. And for our family, it's not even close.

Here's why.

Universal Orlando With Toddlers: What Parents Should Know

The character interactions are only a small slice of the Butterbeer-flavored pie.

The entire Universal Orlando resort experience offers opportunities for little kids to have an incredible time while giving parents some much-appreciated help along the way.

That doesn't mean there aren't challenges.

There absolutely are.

Height Requirements and Different Ages

When Gryffin was smaller, ride height requirements meant we had to get creative.

Sometimes Mom would take Selene on a ride while Dad entertained Gryffin in one of the nearby play areas.

Other times, we'd switch.

It wasn't always convenient, but it worked.

Then, somewhere between ages two and three, Gryffin started meeting the height requirements for more attractions.

Suddenly, a whole new world of fun opened up.

And as both kids grew, we found that around age four was a particularly exciting turning point for our family.

That's when their confidence, curiosity, and ability to enjoy more attractions really started coming together.

Of course, children develop differently, and ride eligibility depends on each attraction's individual height and safety requirements.

The Nap-Time Equation

Then there's the nap situation.

Anyone who's traveled with a toddler knows that a perfectly planned day can come to a spectacular halt when someone decides they've had enough.

We've learned to embrace splitting park days into two parts.

Morning in the parks.

Afternoon rest at the hotel.

Evening back in the parks.

And this is one of the areas where staying onsite at Universal really shines.

Depending on the hotel and park, a convenient walking path or complimentary water taxi can get you back to your room without a complicated transportation ordeal.

Trust us on this:

The evening hours at Universal with young kids hit differently.

The Florida heat starts backing off, crowds can become more manageable, and the parks take on an entirely different atmosphere.

It's the kind of experience that makes you consider staying out just a little past bedtime.

Our Favorite Universal Orlando Rides for Young Kids

Once you're inside the parks, the attractions are where Universal has given us some of our biggest surprises.

And while Universal has a reputation for big roller coasters and thrill rides, there's a tremendous amount for younger children to enjoy.

Two attractions sit right at the top of our family's list:

Flight of the Hippogriff and the Trolls Trollercoaster.

Flight of the Hippogriff: Our Family's Second Home Within Our Second Home

Flight of the Hippogriff in Hogsmeade is practically a family tradition.

During Early Park Admission, while everyone and their neighbor is sprint-walking toward Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, we're usually heading in the opposite direction.

Our destination?

Hippogriff.

Again.

And again.

And again.

We've ridden it seven times in a row on some mornings, with other visits stretching even further.

Then, once we've sufficiently tested how many consecutive flights a family can handle, we head over to the Three Broomsticks for a nice, quiet breakfast.

Quiet atmosphere, that is.

Not necessarily quiet children.

Over time, our children have developed what they consider a bit of celebrity status on this ride.

And honestly?

They've earned it.

Even though we travel from Michigan every couple of months rather than visiting the parks every day, several of the regular team members still recognize Selene's unmistakable red hair and Gryffin's determination to ride as many times as possible.

Two team members even went so far as to purchase stuffed Hippogriffs for our kids because of how much they love the attraction.

Think about that for a moment.

These team members didn't have to do anything beyond their jobs.

But they chose to create something special for two little visitors from Michigan.

Once again, the team members became the shining stars of our family's experience.

💡 THE S&G FAMILY TIP: Early Park Admission doesn't have to mean racing toward the attraction with the longest wait. Sometimes our best mornings come from enjoying the smaller rides repeatedly while everyone else is chasing the headliners.

The Trolls Trollercoaster: Better Known as the Catterbug

Then there's DreamWorks Land.

And the Trollercoaster.

Or, as our family knows it:

The Catterbug.

More on that magnificent name shortly.

This family-friendly coaster has become one of the most anticipated attractions of every visit.

It's exciting enough to make the kids feel like they're conquering something enormous while still being approachable for younger riders who meet the requirements.

And the surrounding DreamWorks Land area offers even more opportunities for little ones to play, explore, and interact with familiar characters.

Seuss Landing: Universal's Most Underrated Land for Little Kids

If you're traveling with children under four, please don't overlook Seuss Landing.

We genuinely believe it's one of the most underrated areas in the entire resort.

The Caro-Seuss-el.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.

The Cat in the Hat.

These attractions bring Dr. Seuss's wonderfully ridiculous world to life.

And for young children, the silliness is part of the magic.

Selene and Gryffin have collectively ridden One Fish, Two Fish more times than we can count.

It never gets old for them.

The colors, music, characters, and playful atmosphere make Seuss Landing a place where little kids can feel like the entire world was built specifically for them.

If you have a child under four, plan to spend a good chunk of your time here.

It might be the land they talk about most on the flight home.

And with Epic Universe opening in 2025, Universal has added an entirely new chapter of family-friendly experiences.

From Isle of Berk to Super Nintendo World, there's now even more for younger visitors to discover.

We've dedicated a separate article to our family's experiences at Epic Universe because that park deserves a full conversation of its own.

Why Staying at a Universal Orlando Hotel Is Worth Considering

The parks get all the attention.

But for our family, the onsite hotels are where some of our favorite memories have happened.

After spending the morning exploring attractions, meeting characters, and walking more steps than we care to count, the fun doesn't have to end.

Sometimes it simply changes locations.

Our favorite example is Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

We board the complimentary water taxi and enjoy a gentle ride through the resort waterways.

Then we walk into the hotel, take in whatever seasonal decorations or theming Universal has created, and decide what comes next.

A treat?

A little rest?

Or another forty-seven trips down the pool waterslide?

Gryffin and Selene usually have strong opinions on that last option.

There's also the splash pad, which provides another place for the kids to burn off energy while Mom and Dad enjoy a slightly slower pace.

We've said it since our very first Universal trip with Selene:

The hotel and pool alone could almost justify the plane ride.

And that's something we encourage families to consider when planning their trips.

You're not simply booking somewhere to sleep.

You're choosing another part of the adventure.

Five Things We've Learned About Visiting Universal With Young Kids

After all these trips, we've developed a handful of habits that make a meaningful difference.

1. Arrive Early

We try to be at the parks for opening whenever possible.

Those first couple of hours can be incredibly productive before the crowds build.

2. Use Early Park Admission Strategically

If your hotel or admission qualifies for Early Park Admission, take advantage of it.

But don't assume you have to follow the crowd toward the biggest attraction.

Our Hippogriff mornings are proof that a different strategy can be just as rewarding.

3. Download the Universal Orlando App

We use the official app to monitor attraction wait times and make adjustments throughout the day.

Sometimes a quick change in direction saves a considerable amount of waiting.

4. Build in a Pool Afternoon

Never underestimate what a few hours at the resort pool can do for a tired toddler.

Or a tired parent, for that matter.

5. Let Your Kids Set the Pace

This might be the most important one.

We can arrive with a beautifully constructed plan.

But if the kids are having the time of their lives doing something we hadn't anticipated, we've learned that sometimes the best decision is to stay right where we are.

A successful park day doesn't have to mean riding the most attractions.

It means everyone had a great day together.

The Small Feet Perspective: The Catterbug Chant

The best proof we can offer that Universal works for young kids isn't a ride ranking or a pros-and-cons list.

It's the Catterbug chant.

That's what Selene and Gryffin call the Trolls Trollercoaster.

Apparently, the coaster looks like a combination of a caterpillar and some other mysterious bug.

And they have committed to that name completely.

The synchronized chant starts the moment our bags hit the floor upon arrival.

"CATTERBUG! CATTERBUG! CATTERBUG!"

It doesn't stop until they're actually loaded into the ride vehicles and climbing the first hill.

We've tried letting the chant run its natural course.

It cannot run its natural course.

Almost every attraction they love has developed its own family chant at this point.

And that's the thing about Universal with young kids that no review can fully capture.

It doesn't just give them a good day.

It gives them something to carry home.

Little traditions.

Favorite characters.

Inside jokes.

Stories that get retold at dinner.

And apparently an entire collection of chants that have become the soundtrack to our family's vacations.

So, Is Universal Orlando Worth It With Young Kids?

Our advice before you book is simple:

Go in with expectations that match your children's ages, and let them help set the pace once you're there.

A family with a newborn and a family with a fearless four-year-old are going to have completely different days at Universal Orlando.

And both can have wonderful experiences for entirely different reasons.

We've watched our children grow up inside these parks.

From Gryffin trying to walk off with Gabby to both kids earning their own version of celebrity status on Flight of the Hippogriff, every stage has offered something special.

The attractions change as they grow.

Their interests change.

Their confidence grows.

And the adventures grow right alongside them.

But the one thing that hasn't changed is how much joy we get from experiencing it all together.

That's why Universal Orlando remains our family's second home.

And that's what makes it worth it.

Small Feet. Big Adventures.