Universal with toddlers and preschoolers?

[thor369]

We are contemplating if we should make a trip to Universal Orlando last week or April or even first week or May etc. We will have to fly so taking that into consideration as well. This board helped last time we planned for Disney 2 years ago. So I am hoping I can learn more about Universal Orlando to plan our trip.

1. Are the parks entry being capped and is operating unreduced capacity?
2. On site or offsite?
3. if onsite which hotel? in terms of proximity, amenities and generally regarded a good value without it being obscenely expensive
4. 4 days enough for 3 parks?
5. Besides seeing characters, are there enough rides for the kids this age?
6. water park kids friendly?
7. Buy hotel/ticket deals? or separate from undercover tourist?
8. can we order uber eats to get food delivered to the hotel?
9. Uber from airport to resort?
10. is it as big as Disney from park to park?

I am sure I will have more questions, is there is big difference between Universal Orlando and Studios?

 

[Minnie1222]

I can only answer some of your questions:

Yes, there is a big difference between Island of Adventures and Universal Studios.
It takes about 2 minutes to stroll from one park entrance to the other.
Stay on site at one of the 3 premier hotels to get free Express Passes. Hard Rock and Royal Pacific are closer to the parks (5-10 min walk).
No, there are not enough rides for toddlers and preschoolers. But with the Express Pass, you can repeat the same ride multiple times (we went on Trolley in the Sky....16 times one morning).

 

[cfoxga]

1. Yes, it is at reduced capacity still
2. I would only do onsite, but everyone has there own preferences
3. Any of the deluxe hotels: RPR, HRH, PBH. If you factor in the value of the EPs (need depends on crowd levels), then they can be a great value with APH rates
4. I usually recommend 3 days for US/IOA, but have never been to VB. I've heard a day is enough, so 4 days total sounds good.

7. I always book hotel (direct) and tickets separately.
10. Not sure about how the park sizes compare to MK/Epcot/etc, but they are pretty big. Having Hogwarts Express connecting the parks together makes it feel like 1 giant park.

 

[bchbetha]

We are contemplating if we should make a trip to Universal Orlando last week or April or even first week or May etc. We will have to fly so taking that into consideration as well. This board helped last time we planned for Disney 2 years ago. So I am hoping I can learn more about Universal Orlando to plan our trip.

1. Are the parks entry being capped and is operating unreduced capacity?
2. On site or offsite?
3. if onsite which hotel? in terms of proximity, amenities and generally regarded a good value without it being obscenely expensive
4. 4 days enough for 3 parks?
5. Besides seeing characters, are there enough rides for the kids this age?
6. water park kids friendly?
7. Buy hotel/ticket deals? or separate from ******************?
8. can we order uber eats to get food delivered to the hotel?
9. Uber from airport to resort?
10. is it as big as Disney from park to park?

I am sure I will have more questions, is there is big difference between Universal Orlando and Studios?

1. yes
2. onsite. All are good but I would slip over Endless Summer due to it's location. Being able to walk to the parks is too nice of a perk to pass up and all the other hotels are walkable (20 minutes to Cabana Bay so a bit far, mind you). They all have really good transportation- nothing like Disney. If you stay at a hotel with buses, one fills and the next one pulls up to load ASAP.
3. Royal Pacific gets my vote.
4. yes
5. depends on if they open up the play areas. But, between the parks and the close, great resorts you can pull together some very fun days.
7. separate. Exception is if you are a costco member. Separate purchases though give you more flexibility if you need to modify anything.
8. yep
9. yep.
10. If you have ever been to Disneyland and CA it's like that in terms of size and convenience of hopping (though better because you can walk between or take the train).

Handy summaries:
US with kids https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/studios-florida-kids/
IOA with kids https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/islands-adventure-kids/
VB with kids https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/volcano-bay-kids/

You might consider Seaworld one of your days.