When I was invited to preview Epic Universe ahead of its official opening, I knew I’d be evaluating everything through the lens of a dad. I wasn’t just there to check out the rides. I wanted to figure out how this brand-new park stacks up for families, especially those with younger kids.
Universal’s parks haven’t always been known as the most kid-friendly (thrill attractions make that difficult), and I went in wondering if Epic Universe would really offer enough for families who aren’t chasing thrill rides.
After spending two full days exploring every land, riding everything I could, and paying attention to the small details that matter when you’re traveling with little ones, here’s what I found:
There’s a lot that works, and a few things you’ll want to avoid.
In this guide, I’ll break down what families with young kids can expect at Epic Universe, including the most kid-friendly lands, the rides that are worth your time (and the ones that aren’t), food options that actually work for families, and what surprised me most during my visit. If you’re planning a trip with a toddler or grade-schooler, this is what you need to know.
What Makes Epic Universe Appealing for Young Families
Let’s start with the good news—there is a lot here for families with younger kids to enjoy. And some of it honestly surprised me.
One of the biggest wins right out of the gate? Stroller wagons are allowed. If you’ve been to Walt Disney World recently, you know stroller wagons are banned there. But at Epic Universe, I saw families using them without issue. That’s a big deal—especially if you’re traveling with multiple little ones or just need more storage and shade during the day. And you’re going to need shade, because…
There isn’t much of it. One thing that caught me off guard was how little natural shade or covered seating there is throughout the park. The trees are still young, and many areas—especially between lands—are fully exposed to the sun. If you’re bringing younger kids, pack umbrellas, portable fans, and cooling towels. You’ll need them.
But beyond logistics, there are some real highlights when it comes to the overall kid-friendliness of the park. Each land is immersive in a way that instantly draws younger guests in, even if they’re not tall enough to ride everything. Super Nintendo World and Isle of Berk, in particular, are visually engaging and full of movement, music, and interactive elements that keep kids entertained without needing to be on a ride.
You could also describe them as overstimulating.
Epic Universe also does something I think more parks should adopt: self-service Freestyle Coke machines. These were located in multiple lands and made it easy to grab a cold drink or refill a bottle without standing in line or tracking down a team member. That might sound like a small thing, but when you’re navigating a theme park with young kids, small things matter.
And while this park has fewer classic “kiddie rides,” what it does offer is a lot of interactive energy. From character encounters to physical games built into the lands, there’s plenty to keep younger kids busy in between the marquee attractions.
👉 Want more practical advice to make your day smoother? Don’t miss my 9 tips for families with little kids headed to Epic Universe
Lands Ranked for Young Kids
Not every land in Epic Universe is created equal when it comes to younger guests. Some were instant hits with kids, while others clearly weren’t designed with families in mind. Here’s how I’d rank each land after spending two full days exploring every corner of the park.
1. Isle of Berk (How to Train Your Dragon) – Best for Kids
This was hands-down the most kid-friendly land in the entire park. Isle of Berk captures the energy of the How to Train Your Dragon films in a way that feels alive—there’s music in the air, dragons everywhere, and Vikings interacting with guests like they’re part of the story.
The star here is Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a coaster that felt very much like Universal’s answer to Slinky Dog Dash. It’s not too fast, not too scary—just the right balance of excitement for younger thrill-seekers.
Beyond the ride, there’s a fantastic show called the Untrainable Dragon that was one of the highlights of the entire park for families. And the theming inside the Mead Hall restaurant makes even sitting down for lunch feel like part of the adventure. This land had characters, music, play zones, and a real sense of place. If you’re bringing younger kids, start here.
2. Super Nintendo World – Bright, Busy, and Mostly Engaging
This land is visually electric—music, lights, color, motion—it’s everything you’d expect from a Nintendo world, and it’s packed with character interactions and interactive elements. Kids can punch coin blocks with a Power-Up Band, meet Mario and Toad (and more), and explore different corners of the land even if they can’t ride every attraction.
Donkey Kong’s Mine-Cart Madness and Mario Kart are both rides that will be hits with most kids (and even nostalgic adults).
The land itself is full of fun touches that make it easy to spend time here, even if you’re just watching and playing.
3. Celestial Park – Great Space to Breathe
Celestial Park is the hub of Epic Universe, and while it doesn’t have a ton of attractions specifically aimed at kids, it offers something many families will appreciate: space. It’s open, beautiful, and features water shows, music, and the Celestial Carousel, which younger kids will absolutely love.
There’s also Pizza Moon—a favorite and one of the more approachable food options for picky eaters. If you need a place to decompress or get out of the high-energy lands, Celestial Park is your best bet.
4. Ministry of Magic (Wizarding World) – Better for Older Kids and Adults
The Ministry of Magic is impressive—there’s no denying the craftsmanship here. But it’s not designed for younger kids. The theming is based on 1920s Paris from Fantastic Beasts, and if your kids don’t recognize the characters or setting, the connection just isn’t there.
The main attraction—Battle at the Ministry—was incredible, and the queue was probably the best I’ve ever seen. The ride connects Potter fans to the original books through the Trial of Dolores Umbridge and transportation to the British Ministry of Magic.
The land as a whole, however, will be hard for most young kids to connect to the Potter universe.
5. Dark Universe – Skip with Small Kids
This one’s easy. Unless your child is into horror movies (and if they are, we need to talk), Dark Universe is a skip for families with young kids. The theming is spooky from the minute you enter. Characters like Frankenstein and the Invisible Man roam the area, and even the less intense coaster, Curse of the Werewolf, comes with a heavy dose of creepy atmosphere.
The main attraction, Monster’s Unchained, is dark, intense and not well-suited for kids.
That said, I loved the character interactions here—and older kids or teens might find it to be one of the most memorable parts of the park. But for younger families? You’re better off spending that time in Berk or Celestial Park.
Food & Snack Highlights for Kids
Epic Universe really surprised me especially when it comes to kid-friendly options. Over my two-day preview, I sampled meals in multiple lands, and while not everything was a hit, a few spots really stood out for younger guests.
✅ Pizza Moon (Celestial Park)
If you’ve been to Via Napoli at Epcot, this is a similar vibe. Big, bold flavors and a crowd-pleaser for picky eaters. The pizza was legitimately good and not just “theme park edible.” This is an easy win for lunch or dinner, especially if your kids are starting to crash and need a familiar favorite.
✅ Mead Hall (Isle of Berk)
This is a fully themed Viking feast hall, and while the food leans heartier—think Polish sausage, baked potatoes, carrots—it also offers more balanced meals than most theme park quick service spots. It’s not greasy or fried, which is great for younger kids with sensitive stomachs or anyone needing a break from burgers and fries.
⚠️ Mac & Cheese Bread Cone (Isle of Berk Snack Cart)
This is one of those items that looks great on Instagram but doesn’t hold up in real life. Long lines, no shade, and no easy way to eat it while walking. The cone itself gets soggy quickly, and the mac and cheese on a hot day wasn’t a hit for me. If it’s a cool day and there’s no line, maybe. Otherwise? Skip it.
✅ Freestyle Coke Machines (All Lands)
One of the smartest things Epic Universe did was install self-service Freestyle Coke machines all over the park. You can pay once and refill throughout the day—perfect if you’ve got kids who are constantly asking for drinks. Even better, they offer more than just soda: flavored water, Powerade, and non-caffeinated options were all easy to access.
Overall, if you’re traveling with younger kids, Epic Universe absolutely can be worth it—as long as you plan your day intentionally. You’re not going to ride everything, and there are entire lands (like Dark Universe) you’ll likely skip altogether. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to love.
Between Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World, the Celestial Carousel, and standout shows like Le Cirque Arcanus and Untrainable Dragon, there’s more than enough here to fill a full, memorable day with younger kids. In fact, some of the biggest hits weren’t even rides—they were moments: meeting Toothless, sharing a surprisingly great baguette, and interacting with the different lands.
If you go in knowing what’s worth your time (and what isn’t), this park has the potential to deliver a genuinely magical experience for families. Epic Universe isn’t a thrill park. It’s a place where immersion, play, and creativity take center stage. And when you lean into that, it works.
Plan Your Day with Confidence
Need help figuring out where to start, what to skip, and how to build a day around your family’s needs? I’d love to help you put together a custom Epic Universe itinerary.
✅ Request a free planning quote
🎧 And don’t forget to listen to the full podcast episode for more tips from my preview experience!
