Universal’s Epic Universe might just be the most stunning theme park ever built—but if you’re bringing a toddler, you might want to watch this TikTok first.
Theme park content creator @MagicallyMadisen posted a now-viral video recapping her visit to Epic Universe with her young daughter. While she praised the theming and visuals, there was one issue she couldn’t ignore: her toddler couldn’t ride a lot of the attractions. The video immediately struck a chord with fellow parents, many of whom flooded the comments to say they had the exact same experience.
@magicallymadisen would you bring your toddler to Epic Universe? 🍄⭐️🐉 #epicuniverse #universalorlando #travel #toddlersoftiktok #orlandothemeparks #toddlermom #fyp #themeparkmom #thingstodoinorlando #viral #fypシ #orlando #momlife ♬ Mario like action game 2 – Jun Takahashi
Let’s talk about that for a second. The park is brand-new. It’s got gorgeous lands themed to dragons, Nintendo, wizards, and monsters. You walk in and feel like you’re in another world. And visually? It’s a kid’s paradise. But the moment you start looking at ride accessibility, you realize there’s a bit of a mismatch. A lot of what looks like it should be toddler-friendly… just isn’t.
Yoshi’s Adventure is a perfect example. It’s a slow-moving ride that gives you a bird’s eye view of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. It’s colorful, tame, and looks like it was made for the whole family. But when Madisen tried to ride it with her daughter, they were turned away. Other families in the TikTok comments mentioned similar frustrations. From a parent’s perspective, it felt like a missed opportunity to create an inclusive experience for everyone.
This isn’t just about one ride, either. Across the board, Epic Universe’s attractions tend to lean toward older kids and adults. Even when a ride seems mild or low-thrill, design features like lap bars or vehicle layout can restrict younger guests from boarding. And since most toddlers aren’t coming to the park to do meet-and-greets or sit through long shows, that really cuts into their ability to enjoy the visit.
To Universal’s credit, there are a few bright spots. The How to Train Your Dragon land features a show that’s definitely more appropriate for younger kids. It’s vibrant, action-packed, and not too scary, so it’s something that little ones can sit through and enjoy. The lands themselves are also incredibly detailed, which gives toddlers a lot to look at and react to, even if they’re not on the rides.
Still, for parents expecting a day of riding and experiencing attractions as a family, the reality doesn’t quite line up. Madisen’s TikTok pointed this out clearly: she loved the park—but she’d think twice before bringing her toddler again anytime soon.
And that seems to be the shared takeaway from a lot of parents. Families are realizing that while Epic Universe is visually spectacular, it’s not necessarily toddler-accessible. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go—it just means you should plan accordingly. If your toddler is content to walk around and take in the sights, you’ll be fine. But if they’re looking forward to riding something beyond a show or stroller ride, they may be disappointed.
This isn’t a knock on the park itself. For older kids and adults, it might be one of the best theme park experiences in the world. But in terms of family-friendliness for all ages? There’s room to grow.
With the park still in its preview phase, it’s possible that Universal will take this feedback and evolve. Maybe future updates will bring more accessible rides or family experiences that don’t cut out the youngest guests. But for now, if you’re planning a trip with your toddler, Madisen’s TikTok is definitely worth watching before you go.
