I’m a travel agent that specializes in Universal Orlando family vacations, but it’s not the best fit for every family.
So when do I actually tell you not to plan a Universal Orlando trip?
Universal is known for its thrill rides and while I’m a huge proponent of there being plenty to do for the whole family (including your toddlers) it’s not the best fit for families who have kids that are all under the age of 4.
Most kids aged 4 and under are not going to be tall enough for the majority of the rides at Universal, so unless the parents are Harry Potter superfans I’m not going to recommend a vacation where most of the family can’t ride the rides.
If you have at least one child that is 5 and older — or tall enough to ride most of the rides (40″ or taller) — and is interested in the characters at Universal, then it can still be a fun trip even with toddlers.
One more reason I would suggest skipping Universal is if your family simply isn’t interested in the characters at these theme parks. We’re talking Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Minions, Shrek, Trolls, Mario, and How to Train Your Dragon (plus so much more). But maybe your family is mostly into Disney characters or something completely different — and that’s totally ok! There are options for you.
What I recommend instead
When people ask me why use a travel agent for something like this, this is exactly the kind of thing I mean — knowing when to steer you somewhere else entirely.
If your kids are 4 and under, I’m recommending a Disney vacation. As much as I love Universal, they don’t build rides that are great for the entire family (babies included). Disney has so many rides with no height requirement, making it easy for babies to tag along.
Disney also has tons of super popular characters for little ones. Boys love Toy Story and Cars, girls love princesses, and adults are familiar with franchises like Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Avenger movies.
So if you’re a family with young kids, toddlers, or babies — I’m always recommending Disney first. It’s a great entry point into the theme park world, and we can always move up to Universal in the coming years as kids get older, taller, and ready for more thrills.
So when should your family go to Universal Orlando?
I’m so glad you asked. Universal is a great destination for the whole family, especially with the addition of Epic Universe in Orlando and Universal Kids Resort opening in Texas on July 1, 2026.
If you have at least one kid that is tall enough for most of the rides (40″ or taller) and loves some of the characters — Minions, Mario, and How to Train Your Dragon tend to be the biggest hits — then working with a travel advisor to plan a Universal trip is absolutely worth it.
It may also be a great excuse to get your kids into some of your interests, like Harry Potter and Jurassic Park.
Even if you have one little one tagging along, Universal has great options: themed playgrounds, child swap with family rooms that make taking turns on rides super easy, and super interactive lands like the Wizarding World (where you can do magic) and Super Nintendo World (with mini games throughout).
All of these things make Universal a great fit for families who have kids that are getting a little older and ready for some more thrills. And honestly? Knowing how travel agents work — being able to match the right destination to the right family at the right time — is exactly what makes the planning process so much smoother.
Not sure which park is right for your family?
That’s what I’m here for. Click the link below for a free quote request and consultation — I’d love to help figure out the best fit for your family’s next vacation!