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When families start planning a Florida holiday, Walt Disney World is usually top of the list. And for good reason. But Universal Orlando often gets overlooked, especially by families with younger children, because it has a reputation for being all about big thrill rides.

Fast coasters. Huge drops. Upside down loops. It’s easy to assume Universal just isn’t for you.

But here’s the thing. While Universal does have some incredible thrill rides, it also offers plenty of calmer attractions, fantastic shows, and brilliant character experiences. And now that Epic Universe is officially open, Universal Orlando has become even more appealing for families.

So before you automatically cross it off your list, here’s why Universal Orlando might be worth adding a day or two to your Florida holiday.

Universal Is Not Just For Thrill Seekers

One of the biggest misconceptions about Universal is that you’ll be forced onto intense rides to enjoy the parks. In reality, it’s very easy to plan a Universal visit that avoids big drops, loops and fast spinning rides altogether.

Calmer rides and attractions families love

At Universal Studios Florida, you’ll find:

• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem: A hugely popular attraction with younger children. It is a motion simulator, but it’s more silly than scary and packed with Minion chaos.
• E.T. Adventure: A classic dark ride and one of the best options for little ones. Slow moving, gentle and full of nostalgia.
• Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl: A gentle spinner that’s ideal for younger riders.
• The Bourne Stuntacular: A seated stunt show that is genuinely impressive and gives everyone a break from rides.
• Animal Actors on Location: A fun live show that’s perfect for animal loving children.

Over at Islands of Adventure, there are even more great options for younger guests:

• Seuss Landing – This entire area is perfect for little ones, with gentle rides, bright colours and a fun, storybook feel. Most attractions here are ideal for younger children and a lovely slower paced part of the park. Two of these rides are
  • The Cat in the Hat – A colourful dark ride based on the Dr Seuss story.
  • One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish – Very similar to Dumbo and a favourite with younger guests.
• Flight of the Hippogriff – A small, child friendly roller coaster that’s often a first coaster for many children.
• Pteranodon Flyers – Gentle and fun, though there are height restrictions.

And it’s not just rides…

• Camp Jurassic – A brilliant interactive play area where kids can climb, explore and burn off some energy.
• Me Ship, The Olive – An imaginative Popeye themed play area that’s perfect for a bit of downtime and free play.

These spaces are ideal when little ones need a break from queues or just want to run around for a while.

Yes, Universal has thrill rides. But they’re not unavoidable, and many families are surprised by how much there is to do without stepping foot on anything extreme.

But What About Very Young Children?

It’s fair to say that Universal doesn’t have the same volume of attractions for toddlers as Walt Disney World. If you’re travelling with very young children, Disney will naturally take up most of your holiday.

That said, Universal can still work beautifully as:

• A half day or one day visit
• A slower paced break from the Disney parks
• An experience focused more on shows, characters and gentle rides

The parks are also more compact than Disney, which can make them feel less overwhelming for little legs.

Characters Your Children Will Recognise

This is where Universal really shines for many families.

With DreamWorks Land now open at Universal Studios Florida, character meets have become a huge draw, especially for younger children.

Depending on what your child loves, they could meet:

• Minions
• Shrek
• Trolls characters
• Kung Fu Panda
• Madagascar characters
• Scooby Doo
• Transformers
• Jurassic Park dinosaurs

If your child is more excited by movies than princesses, or if Minions beat Mickey in your house, Universal could easily become a highlight of your trip.

Epic Universe Has Changed Everything

The opening of Epic Universe has been a game changer for Universal Orlando.

As a brand new theme park, Epic Universe brings:

• More immersive lands
• More family friendly attractions
• A wider mix of ride styles
• Even more storytelling and theming

It’s no longer just about thrill rides or older teens. Epic Universe has been designed to appeal to a much broader audience, making Universal Orlando a destination that families can genuinely build part of their holiday around, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

How Universal Fits Into a Disney Holiday

The good news is you don’t have to choose between Disney or Universal.

For many families, the sweet spot is:

• Disney as the main focus of the holiday
• One or two days at Universal Orlando
• A mix of rides, shows and character experiences

Universal works particularly well for:

• Families with a mix of ages
• Children who love films and characters
• Those wanting something a little different from Disney

With the right planning, Universal complements a Disney holiday perfectly, without overwhelming younger children or thrill ride avoiders.

The Bottom Line

Universal Orlando isn’t just for thrill seekers. It offers gentle rides, brilliant shows, familiar characters and now, with Epic Universe open, even more family friendly experiences.

Depending on your child’s interests, skipping Universal could mean missing out on something they’d absolutely love.

And if you’re unsure whether Universal is right for your family, that’s exactly the sort of thing I help with when planning Florida holidays. Every family is different, and your holiday should be too.