Universal Studios Orlando

toddler at universal studios

If you have older kids, or just adults, the VIP pass is totally worth it! You go right to the front of the line for any ride. (only once per ride, though)
If you end up getting tickets at the gate, you can still get a deal if you use your MasterCard. By using your MC when buying the 2-Park/2-Day Pass, you get a 3rd day free! Of course, specials change, so call ahead to be sure. To reach Guest Services, call: (407) 224-4233.  Or, you can buy discounted tickets right here.
A nice feature is the Child Swap program. This allows one member of a party to watch over the child while the rest of the party waits, rides, then swaps places so they may enjoy the ride as well. They won’t have to wait in the long line. See the ride attendant for more details.
No need to worry about the Florida heat here, misting fans are everywhere!
Budget note: After having bought our multi-day admission passes, all we needed to pay each day was parking. Even though the signs say no coolers or outside food, if you have small children the website recommends that you bring your own snacks and food. We kept it to an insulated lunch-bag filled with a couple of sandwiches, snacks and frozen juice boxes and had no issues. I didn’t see anyone with a stroller have their cooler turned away.

Universal Studios:
There are things for the little ones all over this park… VERY kid-friendly.
Parking is extremely organized. If you get there around 10am, you shouldn’t need to spring for preferred parking. There are elevators in the parking ramp if you have a stroller or wheelchair, otherwise escalators get you to the proper level. I highly recommend bringing your own or renting a stroller. My little one thought driving the stroller over the cobblestone streets of “New York” was a ‘ride’. So easy to please aren’t they?

As you walk in, you can easily meet favorite characters: (Check the maps as these locations could change.)
SpongeBob SquarePants (inside the NICKSTUFF store, in the back),
Dora the Explorer and Jimmy Neutron (outside the NICKSTUFF store),
Shrek and Donkey (the side street just past the Shrek 4-D attraction at Shrek’s Ye Olde Souvenir Shoppe)
Curious George, Scooby-Doo & Shaggy, Woody and Winnie Woodpecker are all in the KidZone. As are characters from Madagascar (across from the Animal Actors on Location)
Crew members are happy to help you get in the picture at no charge.

Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone is AWESOME for little ones!!! Bring a swimsuit, or wear clothes that dry easily. We easily made a day of just this area.
Curious George Goes To Town is a splashing, squirting, downpour of fun! Wander through the ‘town’ and buckets could rain down on you from above. A gentleman admitted how close he came to dumping a huge bucket of water on my head. Lucky for me, he saw my camera. Next visit, I put the camera in a zip-top bag before entering the Zone.
Fievel’s Playland gives kids a “mouse-eye-view” of the world. Of course, my little fish stood under the teacup pouring water. There are tunnels to walk through, things to climb on, and of course, slides. Big slides, little slides, and wet slides, too.
Animal Actors on Location! is a live show with live animals. A few exotic animals make a cameo appearance, but most of the show is dogs, monkeys and birds. My toddler was THRILLED when the birds swooped over the audience. He turned around and shouted at the hole they flew into, “Can you do that again?!”

We’ll be back!

Buy discounted tickets to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure here.

Stay on site for greater discounts and park perks like earlier admission to beat the lines.  Hotel guests enjoy spacious guest rooms and exceptional dining, along with an exclusive package of special theme park benefits including FREE UNIVERSAL EXPRESS(SM) ride access, which lets you bypass the regular lines at most rides and attractions. You’ll spend less time waiting in lines and more time on the rides.

Universals Hard Rock Hotel

Live like a rock ‘n’ roll superstar at the exciting Hard Rock Hotel® at Universal Orlando® Resort in Orlando, FL.  This hotel provides an ideal location within easy walking distance of both Universal Orlando theme parks and the Universal CityWalk® entertainment complex.