US/IoA for toddlers? and tips in general

[DoraBA]

Hi all,

We are planning a 2020 visit to Orlando for our two oldest boys, Bar Mitzvah Boy (thats 13y/o for the non Jews ) and Decade Kid (10). Since Orlando is a long way from Israel, and we are thinking of approx 10-14 days overall, we will probably have to schlep the House Elf, who will then be 2.5. I dont think I have the heart to leave him for so long.

Now, there will be some Disney time for him, but the boys are all about HP and the rest. We'll probably have at least 4 days in both parks...

So here's my question:

Are there rides and areas suitable for the House Elf, and how do I go about finding them? Rider swap options a la Disney?

I tried the official site but got lost...

Other toddler tips will be greatly appreciated as well -- WDW I half-know, USO not so much...

Thank you very very much

 

[schumigirl]

Welcome to the Universal boards.........

The website is a little awkward to navigate........but, here are a couple of links that may be useful to you......there are plenty of things and areas for little ones to do........yes, they do have a very good ride swap system.

Familiarise yourself with the park maps and when you go and if you are staying onsite it will make a difference to your trip......

I assume you know a one night onsite stay at one of the hotels that offer EP means you have two full days of EP in the parks.......all onsite hotels offer one hour entry before offsite guests. The EP offered with the hotel stay is valid from the minute you check in till park close of your checkout day.

Height guide for all rides.

https://www.universalorlando.com/webdata/k2/en/us/files/Documents/universal-orlando-riders-guide.pdf


Park maps

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/plan-your-visit/resort-maps/index.html

Any other questions just ask.........

If you plan to stay onsite for your Universal portion of the trip, there are stickies for all the hotels and what perks you get with each......Unlimited EP is worth it’s weight in gold.

 

[gotomu212]

Universal has some fun really immersive playground areas that are great options for toddlers that want space to run around. They aren’t like park playgrounds but themed spaces. Barney’s Playhouse, Seuss’s If I Ran the Zoo, and Jurassic Oark are some of our favorites (the ball pit in Fievels/Curious George area is also a fun time suck for toddlers).

The rides that toddlers can ride are really limited compared to Disney, but they do have ride swap and unlike Disney everyone waits in line together and then right before ride load you split off, and after the first adult rides the other goes straight to the ride load. Pluses are that you’re only waiting in line once and can stay together, downside is that the little one has to wait in line a lot which can be boring for them.

We take our tiny one and think it’s worth it.

 

[damo]

There are rides for the House Elf. It depends on his height. We had our 1.5 year old grandchild there in the fall and she rode Kang and Kodos at Universal Studios and at Islands of Adventure she rode One Fish Two Fish, the Caro-Suess-El and Storm Force Acceletron. She played a lot at the playgrounds.

Since your child will be a year taller than she was, there will probably be a few others that he can ride.

Ride swap works extremely well. You all go through the queue together and the non-riders wait in the swap room (which is conveniently located at the load/unload area). When the riders get off, the second parent can ride with the kiddos again. It is fast and nobody has to wait in the line twice.

 

[DoraBA]

Thank you so much, everyone, for your kind replies. I guess I need to make a decision soon enough... honestly, I am torn. I cant stand the thought of leaving him for two weeks, and I really, really want the best possible vacation with the older kids (i.e.no house elf, 100% mom and dad time).

 

[damo]

Our granddaughter loved it at both Universal and Disney. I wouldn't leave him home because you think there might not be enough for him to do. We found plenty for her to do at 1.5 years old. In fact, using rider swap actually gives the other kids a chance to ride the rides twice.

 

[DoraBA]

Our granddaughter loved it at both Universal and Disney. I wouldn't leave him home because you think there might not be enough for him to do. We found plenty for her to do at 1.5 years old. In fact, using rider swap actually gives the other kids a chance to ride the rides twice.

Im thinking of leaving him home because bringing him means a different kind of vacation, and I feel the older boys deserve some adult-er time. A week ago I was leaning towards bringing him and wanted to make sure there was enough for him to do... but now, after a week of Passover break, Im kinda leaning the other way. It was really, really difficult balancing both scheduels. It was fun but... for once, the older boys should be able to not compromise.

Oh well... still thinking about it.