Updated: Dec 25, 2020

Do your kids love the movies? Do you think Universal Studios is just for older kids? If so, you are wrong. This park is perfect for ages 5 and up. Just check your kids measurements and if they are 42 inches and above, then this park is ready to be explored. This Universal Studios Orlando Guide with kids will help prepare you for a wizardly good time. Now pick up your wand and say “Accio”!

COVID-19 Warning: There is currently a citywide order in Orange County that individuals must wear a mask or other face covering at inside and outside public spaces. Children 2 and younger are exempt from this order.

Universal COVID-19 Warning: You are required to wear a mask while at the park. You are only permitted to lower your mask while eating and drinking in designated areas. (Translation: You must be sitting off to the side, away from the public.) Employees walk around the park, with signs, making sure your face is covered, including your nose. If you plan to sip on a beer while walking around the park, I suggest you think again. You will be busted and could even be kicked out of the park. They are very serious about these rules!

Make sure to bring plenty of masks for the kids. Personally, I like to give my kids a fresh, clean mask everyday.

About Universal Studios Orlando

Their resort had three parks: Universal Studios, Island of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. This blog post is for the Universal Studios park where you will find all your favorite movies and tv shows such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Simpsons and New York Jimmy Fallon.

6000 Universal Boulevard

Orlando, Florida

Universal’s Volcano Bay (waterpark) is closed for the season and will reopen on or before March 1, 2021.

Airport

Orlando International Airport

Orlando, Florida

Transportation:

I suggest staying at Universal Studios hotel because the prices start at $79.00 a night. It includes a free shuttle service to the park and early access to the park. Also, Hard Rock, Loews Portofino Bay & Royal Hotel even offer free “skip the line access”. The best part is that there is no need to worry about check-in times because you can leave your bags with the concierge. You can show up right after your flight and head straight to the park like we did.

Below are your hotel choices:

Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn, Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn, Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal Aventura Hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

We stayed at the new, beautiful and affordable, Universal Endless Summer Resort. Here is peek of our room…

Insider Tip: The pool is not heated at Universal Endless Summer. There is no coffee maker in the room. Bring your own instant coffee.

Hotel COVID-19 Warning: Your temperature will be taken every morning at the hotel and you will be given a different color band each day. This ensures that every hotel guest is getting daily temperature checks.

Park Tickets

Due to COVID-19, space is limited, so make sure to buy your tickets in advance. We scored a “buy two days, get two days free” online at Visit Orlando. You can buy your tickets at the park, online or with a travel agent. If you love to park hop, Universal offers park-to-park tickets. The Hogwarts Express will take you from park to park. This is the only way you can ride the train is with park hopping tickets.

How many days should I spend at this park?

I suggest one day at Universal Studios and two days at Island Adventures. The park has so much to see and do.

Best time to avoid lines:

Early mornings and evenings have the shortest lines. Mondays through Thursdays are the best days to visit.

Express Pass

Universal’s Express Pass allows you to skip the lines on most of the rides. I was wondering if the Express Pass was worth it during COVID-19, due to the smaller crowds. Yes it is! The lines can range from 60 to 180 minutes.

Universal App:

Download the App before your trip. It will help you get on select rides, look at wait times, showtimes and so much more…

Bring snacks and water for the kids.

Glass containers are not allowed.

Areas to explore and my must do list for kids.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

I will start with the most important park, Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If your kids are Harry Potter fans or if they simply enjoyed the movie, they will love this park.

#1 Wear your house gear.

If you child is a fan, I suggest you buy a robe in advance or you can purchase one at the park. The robes at the park are on the expensive side, but the quality is better than anything I could find online. Your child will love all the compliments and bonus…other house members will high five them as they pass by. Usually young teenagers, adore seeing the young house members entering.

Insider Tip: Your Harry Potter fan should know their house before entering the park. My daughter belongs to the Helga Hufflepuff. Hufflepuff values hard work, patience, justice and loyalty. She knew without taking a quiz. I took a Harry Potter quiz and I’m a Slytherin. House values ambition, leadership, self-preservation, cunning and resourcefulness. AKA the bad guys. Oh geez!

Click here to take a house quiz.

#2 Get an interactive wand

They are around $50 at the park, but 100% worth it. You can use this want to cast spells at both parks.

Your kids will have blast running around casting spells. It took a couple of tries, but she was able to make it rain.

Insider Tip: If your kid scratches the bottom of the wand, it will not work. Do not worry, you can take it to the local wizard shop at the park, which will repair it for free.

#3 Try a Butterbeer

If your kids want to drink like a wizard, they must have a Butterbeer. It’s delicious! The lines are long, but it is totally worth it.

Insider Tip: If you are allergic to dairy, you may want to stay away from this drink.

#4 Enjoy the queues while waiting in line for a ride.

The queues for most of the rides, are half of the experience. Pay attention to all the details. It’s breathtaking!

I personally love the movie, Men in Black. I felt like I just stepped into the movie.

Insider Tip: Stay away from 3D rides if you are prone to motion sickness. It is not a fun feeling.

Springfield – Home of the Simpsons

This area has you feeling like you just stepped into the best cartoon series ever created. This area is a re-creation of the famous city of Springfield.

#5 Have a beer

While at Springfield, make sure the boys have a beer at Moe’s.

They have non-alcoholic beer, with dry ice, that is a treat and experience for underage drinkers!

#6 Eat a Massive Donut

This is your kid’s chance to eat a donut bigger than their head. The only thing my husband has in common with Homer Simpson, is his love for beer and donuts. Doh!

Insider Tip: If your family loves tacos like we do, then you can find a taco truck in this area of the park.

#7 Dance with the Transformers

If your kids love the Transformers, here is their chance to hang out with one.

#8 Enjoy the rides

If your kids are 42 inches or taller, there are over seventeen rides that they can enjoy. If they are 48 inches or taller, then they can ride almost everything, but the three extreme rides such as, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall and The Incredible Hulk Coaster.

#9 Watch the pop up shows

While walking around, we came across so many adorable shows, that the kids loved. This gives us parents, a much needed break during the day.

#9 Use child swap

The “child swap” allows families traveling with little ones to wait in the queue together once, while allowing both adults a turn to ride. Each parent is allowed to ride with their child, without having to stand in line again.

Check out these blog posts that go hand and hand with Guide to Universal Studios Orlando with Kids:

Universal’s Islands of Adventure with Kids – Click here.

Eat at CityWalk Orlando – Click here

Keep in Touch with Glam Journey and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram! click here.