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

I live where and can do what?

I grew up in Pleasant Hope, Missouri, a little town with around 500 people just 15 miles north of Springfield. To put that into retrospect, Springfield is the third largest city in the state with a little over 150,000 people.  Growing up your options were mostly to go to Branson, St. Louis or Kansas City if you wanted to do anything more then just going to our small zoo or window shopping at the mall, or so I thought.

After moving around most of my 20's, I ended up back in Springfield with my parents. After living in places like Orlando, where I could go to Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World in the same day if I wanted, to Winston Salem and Asheville, NC, where I could go to historical Old Salem or hiking in the mountains, there wasn't much in Springfield. Everything seemed dull until I really started looking.

I started going to the Nature Center to walk and realized that there was over 5 miles of trails. There wasn't a single visit that I didn't see deer or other wild life and when I got my new camera, everything opened up even more. It became one of my favorite places to walk and just enjoy a beautiful day. But Springfield was dull remember. Boy was I wrong. After I started experiencing the Nature Center I looked into other attractions.. Here is my journey in exploring my "home town"


Missouri Conservation Nature Center

Located, off of James River Express Way and Glenstone, The nature center offers  79 acres of forest, glade, woodland, prairie plantings, creeks, and frontage on Lake Springfield, and experience the visitor center's multi-sensory, self-guided exhibit area. The hiking here is year round. Admission is free.

 Wilson's Creek Battlefield - The site of the second major battle of the Civil War and  first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and the site of the death of Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focused national attention on the war in Missouri.  Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield commemorates and interprets the battle within the context of the war in the Trans-Mississippi West.  This self guided tour is wonderful. You can stop at different places around the battlefield including the house where Nathaniel Lyon passed in, Bloody Hill and more. There is an admission of $7.00 per adult to a maximum of $15.00 per vehicle or a year pass for $30.00 that covers anyone in your vehicle.

Bass Pro Shops - This is the original store and a must for anyone visiting or just a nice place to stop in and look around especially in the winter. There are a number of aquariums and even live alligators.  Sometime this summer they are suppose to be opening a beautiful new museum.  Because of where I work, I have gotten a sneak peek of the museum and even though it isn't 100% finished, it was amazing and I can't wait to go to visit again once it is open!

 Dikerson Park Zoo - Growing up, this was where my grandma would take us  a couple times a year. I thought it was the world's best zoo until I was able to experience more.  This isn't a bad zoo. I really enjoy feeding the giraffes and just walking around looking at the animals but it has gone downhill since the last time I had been ( In 2010 or so) . I will go again when I need a zoo fix but at $12.00 per adult I won't be going every month.

 Fantastic Cavers - Growing up this was a major field trip stop for our school. I remember this cave with fond memories and was excited to visit again. Located just north of Springfield on Highway 13 ( AKA Kansas Expressway), it is an easy drive from town to this little treasure. At 24.00 per adult and  16.00 per child 6 to 12, it can get a little expensive but for $5.00 more then your admission, you can get a season pass to enjoy this cave whenever you would like. A must for locals or those that travel to Springfield multiple times a year!

 Nathanial Greene Park - I can honestly say I don't remember this park and was pleasantly surprised by this beautiful park. My first visit was in April when the flowers where starting to bloom. There is no admission fee for this part of the park but there is for another area we will discuses in a moment.  I have to say beside my exploration of the Nature Center, this was my 2nd favorite place to explore and learn about in Springfield. There are so many trails, a beautiful pond and even a historical area with an original home, grave sites and school. But my favorite thing about the park is that there are different gardens that bloom at different times of the year so there is always something beautiful to take in while you are here!

 Springfield Japanese Gardens - Located at the Nathanial Greene Park, there is an additional fee for this garden, but it is worth every penny. I was able to explore a quiet Sunday morning in the fall. It was amazing. I think I might have been the only person there and if not, I never noticed anyone. I was able to sit and relax. Really take in the beauty of the gardens. Also one of my favorite Springfield events happen here every fall, The Japanese Festival. Please check the park website for more information on 2016 dates.

I know that there is more to explore but I hope that you too will explore your city and learn that even when you  grow up your entire life somewhere, there is always something to learn and explore!