I received media tickets from Universal Studios for my family’s visit to the park. All opinions are my own.
I always enjoy visiting Universal Studios and have been many times, but this time I was taking my kids with me. I knew it was going to be a different experience.
My husband, myself, my son (age 7) and my daughter (age 2) had a fantastic time at Universal Studios Hollywood a few weeks ago. There is a lot of fun to be had there. But since our 2 year old isn’t able to ride most of the rides I highly recommend doing it like we did. I want to share with you how we made it a great day for the whole family (even our 2 year old).
Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood with a Toddler:
- Front of the Line Passes– These passes will get you front of the line access 1 time for all attractions. Because we had these we were never waiting in line more than 5 minutes. 2 of us would ride then we would switch and let the other person who was waiting with our daughter ride. Because it was a quick process my daughter didn’t get frustrated waiting for long periods of time. I can’t even imagine how much harder the day would have been on her without these passes. I recommend buying your Front of the Line passes online ahead of time since they limit the amount they sell each day and they do sell out at the gate. If you purchase them online you can use them any day.
- Bring another adult- If you have a toddler and want to ride the rides with height requirements (almost all have this), make sure you bring another adult with you who can wait with your little one as you ride. Then switch.
- Switch Pass– If you don’t have Front of the Line Passes, you can ask for a rider switch pass at the entrance of a ride. Then you will wait in the line, enjoy the ride. Once you are off the person waiting with your child will be able to ride without waiting in the long line. They can even take someone with them. This allows your older child to ride again without waiting.
- In between rides see shows– Universal Studios Hollywood offers a lot of fun shows that your little ones can watch and enjoy. Shrek 3D, Water World, Universal Animal Actors, and Special Effects Stage. This way your younger child who isn’t able to ride rides has a chance to get some fun in between the rides you go on. Less waiting around bored for them.
- Bring a Stroller– Since my daughter was waiting for us as we rode, it was a must for her to have a stroller to sit in. Not only did she always have a place to sit as we waited, it also kept her out of the sun when there wasn’t any shade.
- Grab a Snack- While we were waiting for daddy and my son to ride having a snack for my daughter helped. They have popcorn, churros, cotton candy, and more available in the park. Cotton candy was the perfect distraction for her. We were all able to ride a few rides while she sat in her stroller enjoying the cotton candy.
- Meeting Characters- This was probably my daughters favorite part of the day, meeting the characters. So if you have a little one and see a character jump in line. The lines move quickly and it made her day getting to meet these fun characters. This way your little one feels more involved in the fun of the day. We were able to catch a little show the characters did in the park and after it ended my daughter got to meet and get pictures with them all. If you are able to catch that I highly recommend it.
- Super Silly Fun Land– This is a fun little land themed around Despicable Me. It is very cute. There is a little kid ride here called Silly Swirly Fun Ride that is perfect for toddlers to enjoy. Unfortunately, you cannot use your front of the line passes for this one so plan on waiting in line. When were were there it was about a 25 minute wait, which still wasn’t too bad. On the plus side there is a play ground right next to the line so if your child can’t wait I’m sure it would be fine for one adult to step out and play with your toddler while the other waits in line. My daughter played on the play ground for a good 20 minutes and loved it. There is also a big water play area with over 80 different water play features. Be sure to bring a backpack with your kids swim suits, swim diapers, and towels if you don’t want them getting wet in their clothes. That way they can enjoy the water and have dry clothes to change back into afterwards.
- Studio Tour- This is something your little one can enjoy with you. My daughter loved the studio tour especially the King Kong 3D. It is about 40 minutes long so she loved being able to have a “ride” type experience that was long. I recommend doing this in the middle of the day so that if your little one is getting frustrated with waiting as you ride, they will feel like they get something fun to do. It is a classic ride and A MUST in my opinion.
My daughter had a really great time on our visit. Don’t let having a toddler make you think your family can’t enjoying Universal Studios Hollywood. You definitely can!
Wondering what rides your child can ride? You can see a list of all attractions and height requirements here.
Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood with an Older Child:
When your child is older and can ride all the rides there is so much fun for them at Universal Studios Hollywood! My 7 year old son had a blast and was able to ride everything.
- There are lots of fun rides to enjoy! The new Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Transformers the Ride 3D, Jurrasic Park the Ride, Revenge of the Mummy the Ride, & The Simpsons Ride. My son loved each and every ride and so did my husband and I!
- Get a Front of the Line Pass for your toddler- Even though your toddler (under age 3) doesn’t need a Front of the Line Pass, we had one for our daughter and it worked out great. For the attractions she wasn’t able to ride my son was able to go on them twice. Once using his pass, then again using his sister’s pass. It was great because he got to ride everything in the park twice without waiting more than 5 minutes at each.
- Don’t miss the shows– Your older children will enjoy the shows just as much as your little ones. They really make them fun for the whole family.
- Fast and the Furious is coming! Opening this summer (June 25th) Fast & Furious-Supercharged will end the Studio Tour.
Get a first look in this video…
We all had a really great day at Universal Studios Hollywood. No matter what ages you have in your family, everyone can have a great time visiting Universal Studios Hollywood!
For more information and to purchase your tickets visit universalstudioshollywood.com.
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Kristine J. says
Hi there!
I know your post is old in relation to how things change now, but I just wanted to let you know that because of this posting it sealed the deal for my family to go to Universal next month. I was on the fence since the price is so hefty and was googling to see if it was worth it for our kiddos (hubby and I really want to go) and you made me very excited to take my kids!
Thank you greatly!
Jimmy E. says
I am curious to know what rides allowed your daughter to ride. I would love for my son to experience the 3D rides, but he is only 32″ tall. Most of the 3D rides have a height requirement of 40″. Were these strictly enforced?
Heidi says
Yes the height requirements are strictly enforced so she wasn’t able to ride many of the rides. But since we had the front of the line passes she didn’t have to wait long and we kept her busy during the waiting with characters, cotton candy, etc… they also have a playground and splash area near the despicable me ride and she loved that. She was also able to go on the studio tour and the shrek 4D show and loved them as well.
Erin says
What is the front of line pass? I can’t find any other information about it.
Heidi says
The front of the line pass allows you to skip the line once at all of rides and attractions. Making your wait time only a few minutes (versus the regular line that can have long wait times). It made our experience so much better, especially having little kids who can’t stand waiting in line. It does cost more than a regular admission ticket, but in my experience it is worth it. You can find ticket prices and info here: https://store.universalstudioshollywood.com/PurchaseTickets.aspx
Betty says
Hi what other cool things are there to do around universal ? Is it near the Hollywood stars walk or a wax museum?
Heidi says
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is about 10 minutes away from Universal Studios. Also in the same area as the walk of fame is the wax museum as well as Ripley’s believe it or not which I thought was very interesting and fun.
Nancy says
I have twin toddlers, both 32 inches tall, and I plan to take our Britax B-Ready double stroller (not the side-by-side kind). My husband insists we take our two (super basic/no shade) umbrella strollers instead, ‘coz he said the other one might not fit in the tram during the tour. I prefer to take the double one ‘coz it has a shade and a basket on the bottom, but I’m afraid what he said might be true. In your opinion, which stroller would be the better one to take?
Ruba says
Does anyone know if they are strict about age when it comes to admission? My daughter is 3 and 1 month and I am wondering if they will still let her in for free. I heard that works for Disney Land if you have the child go in a stroller.. Any input would really help we are planning a trip next month and $100 per day is a lot of money.
Thanks
Heidi says
The policy is anyone under 3 needs to have a ticket. So you would have to pay for your child. Best of luck!
Gwen says
Do you have to buy a general admission ticket and the front of the line pass or does the front of the line pass also include general admission? I haven’t been able to find this on their website or in FAQs. Thanks in advance!!
Heidi says
The front of the line pass includes general admission, so you only have to buy the front of the line pass.
Brenda says
Thanks for the great information. I am looking at taking a 2 yo next february. Do you know if the splash play area will be open this time of year and will it be too cold to play in the water. TIA
Heidi says
I am actually unsure, it was open when we went in the beginning of March last year (2015). Your best bet is to contact Universal Studios directly and ask them: http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/contact-us
It will probably a little chilly so make sure you bring a swimsuit to change into and out of as well as a towel, maybe even a small blanket to wrap your toddler in once they are in warm clothes again? Have fun!
mike says
if I get there early … do the main rides … then leave park and come back around 4-5pm … does it make sense to buy FOL?
Heidi says
I haven’t ever done that so I couldn’t say. I just know that the FOL passes are so awesome for skipping lines and made our day so much better, especially with little kids.
Tiffany says
Will my two year old need a fast pass as well for the ride switching? Looks like your daughter has one. And if not, can all four of us still skip to front lines on the tour and shows?
Heidi says
Since your daughter is 2 she does not require a front of the line pass, she is also free to get into the park. But Ages 3 and up will need their own front of the line pass. Yes, she will be able to go to the front of the line with you on attractions she is tall enough for. Technically my daughter didn’t need one since she was 2 at the time, but they gave us 4 so that is why she had one.
Marie says
Hi there,
We plan to go this weekend as a family but i was wondering if my 1 year old will be able to ride in the tour train or is there a height limit to that too?
aloha says
Hello, i am not sure if i understood right from the posts, but did you have to pay a front of line pass for your 2 yo daughter? I know kids under 3 enter for free, but was your daughter able to do the front of line as well without having a pass? or did you buy one for her.
i’m looking for information on that, as i am going with my 2 yo son, and wanted to know whether or not he would be able to do some attractions with us (where the height would be okay) with the front of line, or if he would have to own his front of line pass.
thanks for your time
Heidi says
There is no height requirement for the studio tour ride, so you will be able to take your 1 year old.
Heidi says
Since your 2 year old is free to get in the park, he won’t need a front of the line pass as long as everyone else has one (or whoever will be taking the child on the ride).