Chelsea Gentry Our family vacation in 2021 was to Universal Studios in Orlando Florida. We had been before without a baby, but it’s a completely different ball game with a little one in tow. Before I begin, let me clarify that our baby girl was about to turn one when we went to Universal. These 8 Expert Tips for Universal Studios with a Baby are geared toward her approximate age.
1. Bring an Umbrella Stroller… and a carrier.
I don’t know how we lived without our umbrella stroller. We bought it for the trip and it was extremely helpful. The stroller was easy to navigate and perfect for storing items we didn’t want to carry. However, I would recommend bringing a carrier with you as well. Our daughter loves to be held. All the time. So the carrier came in handy.
2. Schedule Breaks in the Afternoon
Breaks are so important. Not only for you, but for your baby. Universal is loud and stimulating. There’s always something to look at or do or eat. It’s a lot for a little body. The best thing you can do when visiting Universal Studios with a baby is to take breaks. I know you want to get everything done in a day, but it’s more important to tend to your little one.
3. Try to Stick to Your Nap Schedule
To the best of your ability, try and keep your child on a consistent nap schedule during your days in the park. That might mean going back to the hotel mid-day, starting your day a little late, or simply finding a quiet spot to sneak away and soothe your baby. Some children were able to nap in the stroller while they walked around, but our girl prefers a peaceful space, so I often tucked away with her in a random corner of the park.
4. Bring Plenty of Snacks
You can never have enough snacks and water with you at the park. Not only because food can be a little pricy, but because you will be doing a lot of walking at Universal Studios. Lots of walking means burned calories, and it’s never good when someone is hangry. (Especially your baby, am I right?)
5. Make Time for Characters
We didn’t make enough time for Ronia to see characters. She met Alex the Lion from Madagascar, the penguins, some Christmas doll characters and a Transformer, but there were so many more. Ronia called Alex a “big baby,” and it was adorable. She held hands with Bumblebee the Transformer, too. She just loved meeting any of them and would have enjoying seeing many more.
6. Go on the Off-Season
The smaller the crowd the better. Research the best off-days or seasons to go to Universal and choose that time. Not only is this safer germ-wise, but it will be easier to navigate your stroller and get the most out of your park experience.
7. Locate the Mother’s Room
One thing I did not do was locate the “mother’s room.” Seriously, I never found it. Nursing Ronia with a cover wasn’t the worst thing, but it would have been nice to escape to a special room for nursing mothers. If you are going to Universal with a baby, I recommend taking the time to locate the mother’s room early. It might come in handy.
8. Watch Your Baby’s Face
There’s nothing like seeing pure joy in the eyes of a child. The excitement and curiosity and wonder… it’s a beautiful thing to witness. Don’t get too caught up in everything you want to do and forget to enjoy those little moments. Watch your baby see the parade. Watch them light up when they meet Alex the Lion or a Transformer. See them stare in awe at the sheer size of the park and the number of people. It’s worth it to see everything through their eyes.
I hope you have enjoyed these 8 Expert Tips for Universal Studios with a Baby. For more travel tips, be sure to read the additional content below:
The Best Foods at Universal Studios Orlando
How to Entertain a Toddler at Universal Studios Orlando
What You Need in Your Universal Park Bag (Toddler Edition)
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Safe Travels,
