Universal Florida is a great amusement park for the whole family, but are there enough children rides? The big kids have tons of awesome thrill rides to keep them busy while the youngins have kid-friendly rides to experience and characters to meet!
In this post, I’ll be sharing 15 attractions you and your favorite little ones will LOVE. At the end of this post, I will share 11 tips for improving your Universal Studios Orlando Rides experience.
15 Great Universal Rides for Children
Find joy in the smiles that these rides will bring to your child’s face.
15.
Play Areas
Universal features several play areas that will keep your children occupied for hours. Young dinosaur lovers should explore Camp Jurassic, a multi-level prehistoric playground full of mammoth-sized fun. The Jurassic Park Discovery Center is right next door if you have any interest in the specifics of our planet’s prehistoric past. The Curious George goes to Town playground has a ball room, splash pad, and tons of toddler activities for inquisitive little ones. I suggest saving this for the end of your day because your kids won’t want to leave!
14.
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
Kid Friendly
Minimum Height 36″
Wind your way, high in the sky, through the imaginative buildings of Seuss Landing. Two different tracks mean two different Seuss stories; one continues the story of the Sneetches, while the other takes you through the ABCs of your other favorite Seuss stories. Enjoy this unique view of the park, as you travel through Seuss Landing, enjoying many of your favorite Seuss creatures while listening to your favorite stories.
13.
Shrek 4D
Kid Friendly
Shrek 4-D is a mini-movie between Shrek and Shrek 2. See, hear and feel the story unfold from your seat with your OgreVision glasses! Experience a funny, multisensory adventure for the whole family. Be prepared to SHAKE on this ride if you sit in the interactive seating.
12.
Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
Kid Friendly
Under 48″: Supervising Companion Required
Although many small children won’t know the aliens from The Simpsons, they’re still aliens and what kid isn’t fascinated by extraterrestrials!? Pilot your very own flying saucer and fry Springfield citizens with lasers as you circle one of the animated alien fiends. The jokes will have you laughing alongside your children in the Simpson world of Springfield.
11.
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster
Photo Credit: Theme Park Insider
Kid Friendly
Minimum Height 36″
Under 48″: Supervising Companion Required
Ease first-timers into the world of roller coasters with the wacky woody the woodpecker. This kid-friendly coaster spins through a nut factory filled with silly puns and corny jokes to break the ice! No daredevil drops here, just tons of fun and smiles for everyone.
10.
Pteranodon Flyers
Kid Friendly
Minimum Height 36″
Under 48″: Supervising Companion Required
Take flight with your little ones beneath the 10-foot wings of a Pteranodon, on this high-flying gliding coaster. The seat swings gently from side to side and there are no sudden or scary movements, making it perfect for guests who aren’t quite ready for big kid thrills. You will be soaring above the tretops with your legs danlging though, so if you fear heights – be prepared.
9.
One Fish Two Fish
Kid Friendly
Under 48″: Supervising Companion Required
I’m a huge fan of Dr. Suess and love Seuss Landing in general, but this ride is extra fun. The fish hold 1-3 riders each and you control whether the fish flies up or down. Fountains squirt water in time to a musical rhyme. Listen carefully to the song. If you want to stay dry while riding, follow the song precisely; halfway through they instruct you to do the opposite of what they say. My brother and I had fun fighting for the joystick throughout our rides because I was adamant about staying dry and he thought it would be hysterical to soak us. I won!
8.
Storm Force Acceleration
Kid Friendly
Under 48″: Supervising Companion Required
Professor Xavier and Storm have a plan that just might save the X-men and they need your help. Help Storm harness enough thunder and lightning by spinning the wheel as fast as you can so she can blast Magneto into oblivion. Spin and laugh until you puke on this hyped-up version of the teacups. This is another great opportunity to escape the Florida sun by riding a ride that puts a temporary roof over your head.
7.
Caro-Seuss-el
Kid Friendly
Under 48″: Supervising Companion Required
Climb aboard this creative cast of Seuss creations! You and your kiddos will love being able to animate your character as well – pull on the reigns to make their ears wiggle or their eyes blink. Ride on the back of a fun character, or on the bench seating that is also available. This Seuss twist on a classic amusement park ride is an absolute blast and a must-ride while you’re exploring Universal Studios Florida.
6.
Race Through New York Featuring Jimmy Fallon
Motion Simulation
Minimum Height 40″
Although the little ones might not get the Saturday Night live references and humor, they’ll definitely love this race through NYC! The waiting area is incredibly kid-friendly, featuring numerous games and Hashtag the Panda. You will collect your tickets as you enter – when the waiting room turns your color, that means its time to ride! Once you hop into your seat, you’ll zoom through, below, and above New York City in a fun-filled race against Jimmy Fallon.
5.
Hogwarts Express
Thrill
Under 48″: Supervising Companion Required
Part-to-Park Admission Ticket Required
Climb aboard the Hogwarts Express, from Kings Station or Hogsmeade, and travel between parks. Experience the thrill of walking through Platform 9 ¾ before you watch the British countryside pass by your window; the trip is different in both directions, so make sure you travel to and from each location! Although labeled as a thrill ride, there is nothing frightening about the trip. IT is THRILLING to experience the Hogwarts Express just as Harry, Ron, and Hermoine did as they traveled to and from Hogwarts!
4.
The Cat in the Hat
Kid Friendly
Minimum Height 36″
Under 48″: Supervising Companion Required
Ride through the pages of a beloved Dr. Seuss classic, The Cat in the Hat, on your couch car. Spin and twirl through the house as Thing one and Thing two make quite a mess. Race to clean up as the cautious Mr. Krinklebein reminds you that at any minute, Mother will be home! This kid-friendly motion simulator will be a family hit.
3.
E.T. Adventure
Kid Friendly, Motion Simulator
Minimum Height 34″
Under 48″: Supervising Companion Required
I hope this classic never goes away. It’s such a fun ride that the whole family can enjoy. On this dark ride, you’ll board your flying bicycle with E.T. in tow. This thrilling, albeit gentle, ride sends you soaring above the city to save E.T.’s home planet. This magical planet full of wondrous otherworldly creatures will leave everyone talking about this original 1990 attraction. Be sure to listen for E.T.’s personal thanks at the end of your flight! It made my brother’s day to be thanked by E.T. himself. Make sure you sit in the same order you hand over your ‘passports’ in.
2.
Men in Black Alien Attack
Motion Simulation
Minimum Height 42″
Under 48″: Supervising Companion Required
Save New York from an Alien epidemic! This is a family favorite for so many reasons. As an agent trainee, you’ll learn to have a steady hand on your laser gun to zap 120 different species of aliens to earn points. The more points you get, the closer you’ll be to becoming a full-fledged Men in Black. Make it a family competition to see who can score the most points. Naturally, my dad, the retired police officer, came in first.
1.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
Motion Simulation
Minimum Height 40″
I just absolutely LOVE this ride. It’s listed under my 13 best rides at Universal Florida as well under more of the ‘thrill ride’ category, although it is definitely appropriate for riders of all ages. It’s a 3D motion simulator (with a stationary seat option) that takes you on a heartfelt adventure through Gru’s lab. It’s able to make it into both categories because of its design and its storyline; it’s that good. Enjoy the minions and the girls on this spectacular ride!
Best Universal Rides For Children
These rides are bound to get the whole family smiling while serving the needs of your younger riders! Here are 11 ways to make the most of your Universal Orlando experience. Stay on-site to earn early entry into the parks, and utilize the resort WiFi and Universal App to see wait times and use the virtual line program. Go see the entire list of tips for improving your Universal Florida stay.
