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Universal Studios Hollywood with a toddler: my Do's and Don'ts:

We have season passes and just went on Thanksgiving.   I thought I would post my ninja mom hacks-  we have a 6 year old and a 2 year old.


1) Pack snacks (if on a budget, pack food- they didn't seem to check or mind all that much).

2) The only 2 places you will want to hang out w/the toddler are: Super Silly Fun Land & Dino Play Area (lower Lot)

Super Silly Fun Land
This is minion-land... and it's amazing.    Across from the store is a play structure with staff!  That is right, park like play structure with slides & full time staff to monitor it (not that you can leave the toddler, but it's nice to have extra eyes).  Across is the store and photo op w/all the minions!  The music is amazing and you will feel like you are in the movie.   (Remember the part where the girls make Gru take them to the carnival place?  Well, this is it!)

Summer time?  Bring swimsuits/towels + you MUST have water shoes.  There is a very cool water feature.   A small water park inside MinionLand...  talk about sucking up 2 hours of time with your toddler and tiring him out he will nap while you drink a beer at Mulligans (see below).

Minion Land also has the ONLY ride your toddler can go on-  The bugs that go round & round, up & down... WITH YOU!    Yup, that is right-  think Dumbo Ride at Disneyland-  same exact thing- but bugs.    It's a vomit inducing good time!      Prepare yourself...

Park the stroller, hang out here for 2 hours while the older kids run amuck.    Then go for a walk, find lunch (Mels Diner burger is pretty good).   Find Mulligans & have a beer.    Go walk Harry Potter Land (phenomenal) and then head to the Lower Lot.


Dino Play Area (lower lot)

So I totally figured a dino fossil in sand-  where kids can dig and get sand in their shorts.  Boy was I wrong!  It's a full on play structure-  nets, climbing, slides, jumping AWESOMENESS.   My jaw dropped when I walked in--- it's WAY too cool for words.  

Park the stroller and let the older kids run around the Lower Lot... get soaked on Jurassic ride, etc.

Panda Express & Starbucks are next door :)

3) Beer/Wine time? --   It's a 30 second walk from MinionLand!   Go towards the Minion Ride, then right across you will see Mulligans Irish Pub... yup- Guinness on tap.   Restrooms are right next to that.  $12 for a beer- prepare yourself.  TV's w/sports playing ;)

4) Best restroom-  Harry Potter World-  because of Moaning Myrtle (need I say more?)

5) Shrek 4D-  my 2 year old loved it (ok, he tolerated it...some parts scared him, but he sucked it up and was glued to the screen the whole time).    He sat on my lap.   Be sure to be one of the LAST inside, so you can get a back/side seat---in case your toddler flips out.


Hope this helps!  I plan to keep adding to this as we keep going back this year.    Our passes are up next October ;)   If you have tidbits for me... please post them!

-Ninja Mom Auggie






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