Epic Universe
Epic Universe is the perfect option for families at Universal. The lands are incredibly immersive, plunging you into a different story every time you enter a new portal. There are five lands which include Celestial Park, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World – Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, and Super Nintendo World. There is something for everyone at Epic Universe and it’s a great place for the whole family to explore – even your toddlers.
When you take kids to Universal you’ll want to be aware of height requirements ahead of time. Universal has a really great rider swap program, but maybe your whole family doesn’t want to wait for a ride or you want to split up because someone gets motion sickness. For whatever reason it’s always a good idea to have a back up plan and this post is going to break down the rides and give you easy backup plans for the major thrill rides.
If you want these in a quick to digest version + the backup plans for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure click the link below to download the full guide for FREE.
Why Backup Plans Matter at Universal
Epic Universe is high on thrill rides and to be honest there are a lot of height restrictions even on rides like Yoshi’s Adventure.. If you’re not prepared you could have some disappointed kids so make sure to give them a heads up on what they’ll be able to ride and not ride and have some good alternate plans in order.
In addition, lines can get long and downtime does happen. Sometimes the best laid plans do fall apart so it’s always a good idea to have something to fall back on that doesn’t rely on the most popular attractions in each park.
I make sure to help all of my clients have a flexible plan for theme park days because that is the key to success when taking younger kids to theme parks.
Epic Universe Breakdown + Backup Plan Options (Ride by Ride)
A. Celestial Park
Stardust Racers (48″)
- Take a ride on Constellation Carousel which has no height requirement
- Head over to Astronomica, a splash pad area near the carousel
- Grab some ice cream from Frosty Moon and watch the fountain shows throughout the day
B. Super Nintendo World
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (40″), Mine-Cart Madness (40″), Yoshi’s Adventure (34″)
- Purchase a Power Up Band and explore the land playing games & collecting coins
- Meet some characters – Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Donkey Kong (check with a team member for times)
- Grab an ice cream float at DK’s Snack Shop
C. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry (40″)
- Purchase an interactive wand and spend time doing spells all throughout Ministry of Magic — tons of hidden magic.
- Go watch the show – Le Cirque Arcanus- a stage show inspired by the Fantastic Beasts franchise
- Grab a Butterbeer and chat with the Wizarding students or Auror’s roaming the land
D. How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders (40″), Dragon Racer’s Rally (48″)
- Meet Toothless or any of the roaming characters in the land such as Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Gobber, and Astrid
- Grab a Mac & Cheese cone and enjoy the scenery & music
- Head to Viking Training Camp with little ones – take a break while they explore, play, and burn off energy
E. Dark Universe
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment (48″), Curse of the Werewolf (40″)
- Meet characters like Frankenstein, Ygor, and the Invisible Man (they’re surprisingly great with kids if your kids are brave enough to talk to them)
- Grab a snack at the Burning Blade Tavern and hang around to watch it catch fire
Child Swap Tips for Epic Universe
Universal’s Child Swap program is actually really great and an awesome way to keep your family together during vacation. While the above options may be great for when rides are down or waits are long, my family always goes through the lines together and uses the family room at the loading area of each ride for rides our two year old is not tall enough for yet. The rider swap happens very quickly with these family rooms being close to the loading area and doesn’t require waiting in line a second time like the rider switch at Disney World.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Stress-Plan This Alone
At the end of the day, someone not hitting a height requirement—or a ride going down—doesn’t have to derail your trip. With a flexible plan and a few solid backup options, you can keep your day running smoothly and avoid those “now what?” moments that lead to frustration.
This is exactly what I help my clients do. I take the guesswork out of planning, build flexible strategies into every park day, and make sure you feel confident walking into Universal—even with little ones in tow. You don’t have to figure this out on your own or spend hours trying to memorize every height restriction. I’ve done the work for you.If you want all of these backup plans in one place plus the breakdowns for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, grab the FREE Universal Ride Heights + Backup Plans Guide below. It’ll give you everything you need to prepare, stay flexible, and enjoy your vacation without the stress.
Nicki M Travel 