Universal Orlando with a toddler: which park, which lands, how to nap

Which park first

Start with Universal Studios Florida. DreamWorks Land was designed for young kids, with Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Trolls characters, a splash area, play spaces and the Trolls Trollercoaster, a small family coaster. E.T. Adventure is a gentle classic, and there are shows and character meets around the park.

Islands of Adventure comes next for Seuss Landing. Epic Universe is the newest park, and its kid-friendly areas are good fun, but more of its rides have height minimums. Plan it last, or skip it if your child is under 2 and you have only a few days.

Universal Studios Florida: DreamWorks Land

• Shrek's Swamp is a splash and play area. Bring a swim diaper and a change of clothes.
• Trolls Trollercoaster is a small coaster with a height minimum. Check the requirement before you queue.
• Play structures themed to the films give toddlers room to climb and run.
• Live character shows and meet-and-greets run through the day. Check the app for times.
• E.T. Adventure, outside DreamWorks Land, is a gentle family ride most toddlers enjoy when it is open.

Islands of Adventure: Seuss Landing and Camp Jurassic

Seuss Landing is the best toddler area at Islands of Adventure. The Caro-Seuss-el, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, The Cat in the Hat and the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride are all built for small riders, and If I Ran the Zoo is a play area with water features.

Camp Jurassic is a large playground with nets, caves and bridges, good for older toddlers who need to climb. Many other rides in this park have height minimums, so plan the day around these two areas.

Epic Universe with a toddler

At Epic Universe, Celestial Park, the central hub, has open space, fountains and a carousel. In Super Nintendo World, Yoshi's Adventure is a slow family ride, and the interactive play around the land works for older toddlers. How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk has a Viking play area, a dragon show and a boat ride.

Some of the kid rides in Super Nintendo World and Isle of Berk have height minimums, so check height requirements in the app before promising a ride. Crowds are heavy, so arrive early.

Child Swap and other help

Child Swap lets the whole family wait in line together. Near the ride, one adult stays with your toddler in a waiting area while the other rides, then they swap without lining up again. Ask a Team Member at the ride entrance.

Each park has family restrooms and a first aid area. Stroller rentals are available in each park, and stroller parking is near most rides.

Where to stay so naps work

The on-site hotels near CityWalk make midday naps easy. Portofino Bay, the Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific and Sapphire Falls have water taxis to CityWalk, and the walk from several hotels is short. Cabana Bay and the Endless Summer resorts rely more on shuttle buses, though Cabana Bay has a walking path.

For Epic Universe, Stella Nova has a walking path to the park. Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure share an entrance plaza at CityWalk, so a hotel close to CityWalk covers both.