Orlando with kids

• Under 3: no park ticket needed at Disney (Disney's terms require a ticket for guests age 3 or older). They also ride free on the Mears Connect airport shuttle and the I-Ride Trolley.
• Ages 3 to 9: child prices at both resorts. At Universal the gap was $5 on 1-day tickets ($134.99 against $139.99 for Epic Universe) and $2 to $3.33 a day on multi-day tickets on September 22, 2026. Mears Connect charges $13 instead of $16; the trolley charges $1 instead of $2.
• Ages 10 and up: adult prices everywhere. A 10-year-old costs the same as a parent.

Disney's ticket terms also say that anyone under 14 must be accompanied by someone 14 or older in its theme and water parks. Full prices are on Disney tickets and Universal tickets.

The pattern: Disney opens up at 38 to 40 inches, and only TRON and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster need 48. Disney's Lightning Lane list now names it Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets; the 48-inch figure comes from guides written under its old theme, so check the sign. Universal's headline rides mostly need 48 inches, which is why Universal suits older children better. Some Universal rides have a lower height to ride with a companion than to ride alone, so read the sign at each entrance.

• Under 38 inches (typically toddlers and preschoolers): Magic Kingdom first, with its many rides that have no minimum, then Animal Kingdom for the animals. Skip Universal as a priority, and consider LEGOLAND Florida in Winter Haven, which is aimed at younger children.
• 38 to 47 inches: all four Disney parks work well. At Universal, Epic Universe has several 40-inch rides and Islands has Flight of the Hippogriff at 36, but many headliners stay out of reach.
• 48 inches and up: everything at Disney and nearly everything at Universal, where VelociCoaster (51) and the Hulk coaster (54) are the last hurdles. This is the age for a mixed Disney and Universal trip.
• Teens: Universal and Epic Universe first, plus SeaWorld's coasters.

Disney's Rider Switch is available at most attractions. With the whole group at the entrance, tell a Cast Member you want Rider Switch. Your group splits: Party A queues and rides, Party B waits outside with the child who cannot or will not ride. The Cast Member scans Party B's tickets and tells you where to return. When Party A is done, up to two people from Party B go through the return entrance without standing in the standby line.

It also covers a guest who does not plan to ride but cannot wait alone, and a guest with a service animal that cannot board. Universal has its own child swap arrangements at many rides; ask the attendant at the entrance.

NOAA's normals for Orlando International Airport show average highs of 90.8F in June, 92.0F in July and 91.6F in August, and 7.46 to 8.05 inches of rain in each of those months, much of it in afternoon storms. Even October averages 84.7F.

• Arrive at opening and do the big rides in the first two hours.
• Go back to the hotel at 1 or 2 p.m. for a nap and the pool, and return in the evening. This works best if you stay close: see where to stay.
• Carry refillable water bottles, sunscreen and a cheap poncho.
• Pick cooler months if you can. November and January average highs are 78.3F and 71.8F; see the best time to visit.

If you leave midday and come back, Disney's one parking fee covers the day, but Disney warns a space is not guaranteed on return; a Disney Resort hotel with free transport avoids the problem.

LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park Admission Tickets

Parking and food not included. No transport; Winter Haven is a drive from Orlando. Combo tickets are valid one day only.

1 day

4.1★★★★★★★★★★(1,515 reviews)

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