Is Universal Orlando Resort kids Friendly? Part 1

I hear people talk all the time about Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure not being smaller children friendly... I think that this is just people not understanding everything that is available. There are lots of amazing children areas and even rides that are just for little ones. 

I will be writing a 2 park  series on what all there really is to do for children at not only the parks but at City Walk!

Today I am going to start at Islands of Adventure.


Many people believe that this park is just roller coasters and there are a few but did you know that there are 2 kids areas here too, super hero's and maybe some of your favorite childhood characters.

Located here is Super Hero Island, Comic Book Island, Discovery Island (Jurassic Park), Seuss Landing and more!

Seuss landing is my absolute favorite area. There are some great areas here including If I Ran A Zoo an interactive play area with fun interactive experiences and water features too. Little ones can run and have fun with parents not having to worry as there is only one way in and one way out!  But don't spend to much time playing here as there are lots more to explore including the Caro-Seuss-el, where instead of normal horses, you side on fun Seuss themes animals,  Cat in the Hat ride, where you ride through the pages of a childhood favorite, Red Fish, Blue Fish, One Fish, Two Fish, where you board a fish for a fun adventure, and of course the High in the Sky Trolley, where you board a train and ride around the park while listening a Dr. Seuss classic! BUT my favorite party of this area is getting to meet characters such as The Cat in the Hat, Lorax, Sam I Am, and Thing I and Thing 2! They normally come out for photos about 30 minuets before Oh the Stories You'll Hear.


 

The next island is Super Hero Island, where you are able to not only meet you favorite super hero's such as Captain America, Spiderman, Wolverine, and Storm but you can also take on villains such as the Joker and Dr. Doom! There are few rides here but the biggest one is The Amazing Adventure of Spiderman where little ones 40 inches or taller can help Spiderman fight villains and save the day!
  

Right next to Super Hero Island is Comic Book Island with all your favorite older cartoon characters such as Heath Cliff, Kathy, Betty Boop, The favorite thing to do in this area is taking photos with the little cartoon bubbles and the little interactive areas. Also there is the Me Ship, the Olive , a fun play area with lots of water features!








This next area is one of my favorites, Discovery Island , Jurassic Park! There are 2 different kids area here including a kids only ride! The first area is Camp Jurassic. This is a large play area with lots of places to climb with slides, caves to discover and even a kids only ride with the Pterandon Flyers , I ride that allows your kids a birds eye view of the park! Once the kids done with the fun there, time to move on to Jurassic Park Discovery Center where you will be able to watch baby dinos being born and learn about dino DNA and more. 

Right across the bridge from Jurassic Park is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade! This is area is fun for all ages but for little ones they might be over whelmed as it is a very small and confined space. There are also 2 major rides here that you need to be over 48 inches for one and 54 inches for the other to ride. But that is ok cause I have a few secrets to making sure that your little one still has a great time. First, this is where the flight of the Hippogriff ,  is located, a kids coaster that will take your little one on an adventure. Many kids might want to go in the big castle, AKA Hogwarts and even if they are to small to ride the main ride, they can still do the castle tour. This tour will take you through the main que area and the pre show but it is much faster. At the end of the tour you can go to the kids swap area and wait for those in your party that might be riding the attraction.


Height Requirements:
There are some rides that are still going to have height requirements to keep everyone safe. Most rides are between 36 and 56 inches. The ones listed are just the ones for smaller children

Cat in the Hat - 36 inches
High in the Sky Trolley Train - 40 inches
Amazing Adventures of Spiderman - 40 inches
Pteranodon Flyers- 36 inches min to 56 inches max
Flight of the Hippogriff - 36 inches

The Caro-Suess-el is for anyone as long as they are big enough for the seat belt
Red Fish Blue Fish, One Fish, Two Fish also does not have a height requirement but anyone under 48 inches but have an adult ride with them.


Child Swap:
As with everything, there will be attractions that everyone can not ride. In this case there is kids swap!  Most of these areas are at the exit of the ride of attraction and is not only air conditioned but also have TV's playing cartoons or parts of movies based of the themed attraction. Everyone in the party goes through the Que line together, then everyone who is able to ride except for one to watch the little one can then get on the ride while the little one and an adult goes to the kids swap room. Once the others are done with the ride, the person that stayed with the little one and up to 2 others are able to go to the exit and get on the ride. This also works if you have an adult that doesn't want to ride as well