"Why are you taking your 5-year-old to Universal?"
That was the question I received from a friend when I mentioned we were taking a family trip to Universal Orlando Resort in Florida. My friend had never been there herself, but was under the impression that it was geared towards adults and older children.
Well, after spending an extended weekend exploring everything Universal Orlando Resort has to offer, I can officially say: It's simply not true! Universal Orlando Resort is actually a fantastic destination for children of all ages. The resort is comprised of three parks, five on-site hotels and countless rides, attractions, shows and dining options.
Here are 5 reasons to put it on your family vacation to-do list:
1. Volcano Bay. After visiting the brand new Volcano Bay, my kids declared it "the best waterpark ever!" and I couldn't agree more. The centerpiece of this Polynesian-themed park is the Krakatau Volcano, a giant, 200-foot tall fire and water volcano. The park is divided into four immersive areas: Wave Village, for sunbathing and relaxation, River Village, catering to the little ones and their families, Rainforest Village, offering thrill slides, and Krakatua, which includes the Volcano. In all, Volcano Bay encompasses 53 acres and features more than enough rides and attractions to fill an entire day.
At barely 42" tall, I wasn't sure if my 5-year-old would be allowed to join all of the fun. But much to our surprise and delight, he was able to join us on 7 incredible family-style water slides, float down the lazy river, play in the wave pool and, of course, conquer the expansive children's play area, Runamukka Reef. I was beyond impressed, and he was absolutely delighted to be a "big kid" for the day.
2. Attractions just for kids. Universal Orlando Resort takes the term "theme park" to an entirely new level. Every single ride or attraction at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure immerses you into a story -- and many of those stories are geared towards young kids!
The kids will love to run, jump, climb and bounce through Fievel's Playland, a whimsical playground. Geared towards small children, the 200-foot water slide was one of the favorite attractions for my two boys, who rode it no less than 5 times. Parents don't need to ride (although they certainly can) and can instead wait at the bottom in the shade, watching for their child's turn on the monitor mounted above the exit.
Two Jurassic Park themed areas, Camp Jurassic and Jurassic Discovery Center, will educate and entertain your kiddos. They can explore dark caves, climb dinosaur capture nets and even watch a baby Velociraptor hatch from its shell! One child who attends each "hatching" will get chosen to name the baby dinosaur. My oldest son was lucky enough to be selected and is now the proud godfather of T.T. the Velociraptor. It was a fantastic experience that he's still talking about!
Other areas your youngest kids might love? Check out Curious George playland, complete with cartoonish buildings that house a water play area, an interactive Animal Show and the Man with the Yellow Hat's Ball Factory with literally thousands of soft foam balls. Me Ship, The Olive is an interactive play area inside a ship, and a Popeye lover's dream. (Even the grown ups will have fun shooting water cannons at the riders below!) And of course, we can't forget Barney's Backyard, where they'll want to spend all day exploring a woodsy indoor play area themed after the big purple dinosaur.
But if you want my pick for the best children's area, it's without a doubt Seuss Landing, an entire area of Islands of Adventure that will have you feeling like you landed in the pages of one of Dr. Seuss's famous books. It's a fantasy land that is home to rides such as Caro-Seuss-el, The Cat in the Hat, The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride and my new all-time favorite family ride, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, where your kids will control the flying fish and try and steer you directly into sprays of water. There are also no right-angles in Seuss Landing and all of the ride operators speak in rhymes. Seriously! It's an incredible space that's worth the trip.
3. Child Swap. So let's be honest, if you took a trip to Universal Orlando Resort and only got to check out the kid areas, you'd likely be disappointed. And yet you're little ones probably aren't ready for the excitement (or the fear!) of Revenge of the Mummy and some of the other thrill rides.
Not to worry, because Universal Orlando Resort offers Child Swap at each ride. This program allows one member of your party to wait with the children while the rest of your group rides. After they have finished, the adults can switch places so everyone gets a turn.
4. Cabana Bay. We spent three nights at Cabana Bay, a retro-themed resort inspired by the beachfront properties of the 1950s and 1960s and one of 5 on-site hotels at Universal Orlando Resort. Perfect for families, Cabana Bay offers plenty of fun, including two massive pools, a water slide and even a lazy river ride. There's also a bowling alley, fire pits for toasting marshmallows, sand games and a variety of dining options.
Cabana Bay offers complimentary shuttles to CityWalk, which is the hub of the Universal Orlando Resort and the entrance to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures. Volcano Bay is just a short walk from the hotel, and your key card will allow early entrance to give you a head start on your day.
5. They Cater to Families. There are so many reasons why Universal Orlando Resort is a family vacation must, but mostly because, at the core of their values, they cater to families. It's the little things, like allowing us to bring our own drinks and snacks into the parks, and happily giving my child a second ice cream cone after his first one splattered on the ground. And it's the big things, like offering childcare for parents who want to sneak out for a few hours on their own and providing free admission at all their parks for children under 3.
So next time a friend asks why I'm taking a young child to Universal, I'll tell her the truth. When it comes to family-friendly vacations for kids of all ages, Universal Orlando Resort is the perfect destination.
Disclosure: I received complimentary park tickets for myself and my family to facilitate this review. No additional compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
