Universal’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, is jaw-dropping from the moment you walk in. Themed lands that look like they were pulled straight from your childhood dreams—SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon, the Ministry of Magic—it’s all there. But when you take a closer look, especially through the eyes of a parent, a few things start to stand out… and not in a good way.
A recent TikTok from theme park mom and creator @MagicallyMadisen is blowing up because it captures something a lot of parents are now realizing: Epic Universe might not actually be built for toddlers. In the video, she shares her experience bringing her daughter to the park, and while the atmosphere was a hit, the ride access wasn’t. Her little one was shut out of more than a few attractions, especially ones that seemed like they should’ve been toddler-friendly at first glance.
@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
Take Yoshi’s Adventure. This ride in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is colorful, calm, and has zero thrill factor. It seems like it would be the perfect family ride for all ages. But Madisen wasn’t able to ride it with her daughter because of a restriction in place that just didn’t make sense for how tame the attraction looked. The TikTok comments were filled with agreement. One parent said they were shocked that the ride wasn’t all-ages. Another said it reminded them of something like Winnie the Pooh or The PeopleMover—only, you know, not accessible to toddlers.
And that’s kind of the running theme here. At Epic Universe, the worlds are immersive, and the design is next-level, but younger guests are left with very few attractions they can actually participate in. Parents are seeing the same pattern across the park: most rides either lean thrill-heavy or have design elements that block the littlest parkgoers from riding.
To be fair, there are still some toddler wins. The How to Train Your Dragon show is a standout, especially compared to the darker tone of the Harry Potter land. It’s vibrant and a bit more playful, making it easier for younger kids to follow and enjoy. There are also interactive elements around each land and lots of fun, visual stimulation. And in her TikTok, Madisen emphasized that her daughter still had a great time being there. She loved looking around, exploring, and soaking in the vibes. It just wasn’t a ride-heavy day for her.
Parents in the comments echoed similar experiences. One even said they probably wouldn’t bring their toddler back for a few years—not because the park isn’t beautiful, but because there just isn’t enough for younger children to do. The experience ended up being more about walking around and taking it all in than actually participating.
That has some people wondering why Universal didn’t build in more family-style rides. Epic Universe is a brand-new park. Universal had a blank slate and a prime opportunity to create attractions that were both innovative and inclusive. And yet, something as simple as a calm, visually appealing ride like Yoshi’s Adventure isn’t accessible for toddlers? That’s what has fans scratching their heads.
This is where Disney still wins. Magic Kingdom, for example, is packed with attractions that the entire family can ride together. At Disney, most of the slow-moving, storybook-style rides don’t have height limits, and they’ve been designed specifically to include everyone. Even if you’re pushing a stroller through Fantasyland, you’re almost guaranteed to find something your toddler can ride.
By contrast, Epic Universe currently feels like a park built for older kids and adults. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—especially for millennials who grew up playing Mario Kart and dreaming of riding a dragon—but it’s a different experience if you’re visiting with a toddler.
There’s no doubt that the park will be a huge hit. The theming is phenomenal, the energy is high, and for fans of Universal properties, it’s like stepping into a dream. But for now, if you’ve got a little one under the age of four or five, you might want to manage expectations. You’ll have an amazing time—but your toddler might not get to do much more than look around and point.
