Travel

/

Home & Leisure

Taking the Kids: Visiting Orlando in fall with young kids

Eileen Ogintz, Tribune Content Agency on

If you think Orlando with toddlers and preschoolers is a nonstarter, think again. “The Magic outweighs the temper tantrums,” said Melanie Reynolds, here with her 20-month-old from Wisconsin. “There are so many moments when I’ve had tears in my eyes, like when he was dancing with my mom. When you come when they are this little, the magic is for you.”

For grandparents too. “It’s nice to see it through the grandkids’ eyes and see their faces,” said Cindy Dunn here from North Carolina with her daughters and four grandchildren (2 through 9).

And there’s probably no better time with young children than fall when it is cooler, less crowded, and there are plenty of hotel deals, some under $100 a night.

Visit Orlando's Magical Dining runs from August 26 through Oct 2, with every meal supporting The Able Trust, which works to expand employment for those with disabilities. Three-course meals for $40 at more than 100 restaurants in Orlando, with restaurants’ regular kids’ menus offered. There are special hotel deals with Visit Orlando’s Magical Nights, including resorts with participating restaurants.

There are growing numbers of attractions aimed at young families in and out of the theme parks. They include the world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park at LEGOLAND Florida Resort with themed playscapes, a water play area, live shows and more. The park is also a Certified Autism Center. LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park boasts a DUPLO Tot Spot, designed specifically for children under the age of two, and Ford Driving Jr. School, a driving course for ages 3+, among the attractions (kids two and under are free).

Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld Orlando, also a certified Autism Center, is the place to dance along with favorite characters at the Sesame Street Party Parade. SeaWorld’s Dolphin Nursery enables even the littlest visitors to peer through portholes at the baby dolphins.

 

Certainly Universal Orlando, with two parks, is known for its thrill rides and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. But there’s plenty for the preschool set.

Seuss Landing at Universal’s Islands of Adventure includes One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish aerial carousel ride, The Cat in the Hat indoor ride and Caro-Seuss-el, a classic carousel with a Seuss twist and a green eggs and ham dish.

At Universal Studios you could spend hours at Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone with E.T. Adventure, Animal Actors on Location, Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster and the DreamWorks Destination with the chance to meet favorite characters from Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and more.

All of the Disney parks now have plenty for young park goers, starting with classic Disney attractions, including Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Peter Pan’s Flight in the Magic Kingdom. Young families gravitate to Toy Story Land, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the new Kite’s show and Boneyard outdoor play area themed to a dinosaur dig in Animal Kingdom. There has been a concentrated effort to offer more for young families at Epcot, including Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and the Advanced Training Lab, a high-tech play area with space-themed games in Epcot among them.

...continued

swipe to next page

(c) 2022 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

 

 

Comics

1 and Done Free Range Cathy Chris Britt Lisa Benson Caption It