From Chemo to Coasters: Why Universal Orlando Became Our Safe Place

I didn’t start this journey as a travel expert. I started as a mom with a child on chemo, a backpack full of meds, and a heart full of hope. We went to Universal Orlando Resort at the tail end of COVID, when everything felt uncertain and I had no idea how to make it work.

Planning was hard. Organizing was harder. I searched for help and came up empty. No guides for families like mine. No one to say, “Here’s how to do this safely.” So I figured it out the hard way - through trial, error, and a whole lot of love. Universal became our spot...the place we go to be free, happy, and seen. (We go back at least once a year now.)

That’s why I became a travel agent specializing in accessible and sensory-friendly travel. Because no family should have to choose between joy and safety. I’ve lived it. I get it. And now, I help others the way I wish someone had helped me.

🎢 Why Universal Orlando Was the Best Fit for Us

We’ve done Disney. We’ve done cruises. But Universal Orlando? Hands down, the best theme park for our needs.

- The Attractions Assistance Pass (AAP) is easy to use and respectful. It’s based on documentation from your doctor or specialist, which removes the guesswork and judgment.

- The team members are kind, informed, and proactive. They never made us feel like a burden. They encourage my kids to use their accomadations. They see my kids.

- The park layout is manageable, with plenty of quiet spaces to regroup.

- We’ve visited in winter, summer, Halloween Horror Nights, and even in Florida storms. Every time, Universal delivered. The only thing we haven’t done yet is Christmas and that’s next on our list.

🎬 Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida is a movie-lover’s playground where the worlds of film, TV, and animation unfold across immersive streets and soundstages. From thrilling rides like Revenge of the Mummy and Transformers to playful adventures in DreamWorks and Minion Land, the park offers accessible fun, sensory-friendly areas, and plenty of shaded paths, making it a welcoming experience for families of all kinds.

👶 Kids (Approx. 0–5)

Best Attractions

• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem — Silly fun with mild motion, perfect for first-timers

• Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster — A gentle starter coaster with kid-friendly thrills

• Animal Actors on Location! — Live show with real animals and giggles galore

• Character Meet & Greets — Interactive hugs and high-fives with Minions, SpongeBob & more

🧒 Children (Approx. 6–9)

Best Attractions

• E.T. Adventure — Classic dark ride with a calming pace and magical theme

• Transformers: The Ride 3D — Action-packed but manageable for kids who love adventure

• Race Through New York with Jimmy Fallon — Laughs, movement, and plenty of seat options

• Men in Black Alien Attack — Interactive shooter that's fun without being intense

• DreamWorks Land — Splash zones, singalongs, and meet & greets with Po and Poppy

👦 Tweens (Approx. 10–12)

Best Attractions

• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit — Thrill coaster with personalized music picks

• Revenge of the Mummy — Indoor coaster that's fast but not overwhelming

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts — Immersive storytelling with mild thrills

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Teens & Adults

Best Attractions

• The Bourne Stuntacular — Live-action tech show that’s sharp, smart, and seated

• Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show — Funny, behind-the-scenes look at effects

• Diagon Alley — Richly themed with shops, wand magic, and immersive surprises

• Escape from Gringotts — A favorite for all ages with sensory intrigue and story depth

♿ Accessibility Tips

• IBCCES Accessibility Card — Apply in advance online to streamline your visit

• Wheelchair & ECV Rentals — Available near entrance for comfort and mobility

• Ride Transfer Info — Check signage or ask for help, most queues are navigable

• Service Animal Relief Zones — Clearly marked and easy to find throughout the park

🤫 Quiet Areas

• Quiet Room near Health Services — Cool, calm, and welcoming with sensory tools

• Central Park — Shady, peaceful spot to decompress with a view of the lagoon

• Knockturn Alley — Dark and delightfully tucked away, sensory-friendly escape

• Behind Richter’s Burger Co. — Lagoon-side seating with a breeze and low traffic

🍽️ Dining Options

• Minion Café — Bright, cheerful meals with a themed twist

• Louie’s Italian Restaurant — Pizza, pasta, and shaded patio dining

• Fast Food Boulevard — Simpsons-style fun with varied choices

• Finnegan’s Bar & Grill — Sit-down Irish-American eats and live music

• Lombard’s Seafood Grille — Waterfront dining with peaceful vibe

• Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour — Whimsical flavors and cozy indoor seating

• Lard Lad Donuts — Oversized treats that make everyone smile

 

🏝️ Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure is Universal Orlando’s action-packed park where fantasy meets thrill across immersive lands like Seuss Landing, Jurassic Park, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. With wide walkways, accessible rides, and hidden spots to take a break, it’s a place where families (regardless of sensory or mobility needs) can dive into epic adventures and discover their own kind of magic.

👶 Kids (Approx. 0–5)

🎢 Best Attractions

• Caro-Seuss-el — Whimsical carousel with Seuss characters and interactive features

• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish — Gentle spinner with a splashy twist

• The Cat in the Hat — Indoor story ride with colorful scenes and mild spinning

• The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! — Elevated train with views and narration

• If I Ran the Zoo — Interactive play area with water features and Seuss-style creatures

• Me Ship, The Olive — Multi-level play ship with slides, water cannons, and climbing zones

♿ Accessibility Tips

• Most Seuss Landing rides allow wheelchair transfer or remain-in-chair options

• Bring a stroller or mobility device, even little legs get tired fast

• Use noise-canceling headphones for shows and parades

• Pack a sensory kit with fidgets, snacks, cooling towels, and comfort items

🤫 Quiet Areas

• Zax Bypass Path — Shaded walkway near Seuss Landing with lagoon views

• Behind Me Ship, The Olive — Peaceful seating with water views and breeze

• Lost Continent Mystic Fountain Courtyard — Shady and tucked away, with playful charm

🍽️ Dining Options

• Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous — Indoor seating, kid-friendly meals, and whimsical décor

• Green Eggs and Ham Café — Tater tot creations and fun theming (open seasonally)

• Hop on Pop Ice Cream Shop — Sundaes, cones, and frozen treats

🧒 Children (Approx. 6–9)

🎢 Best Attractions

• Flight of the Hippogriff — Gentle coaster with magical views

• Skull Island: Reign of Kong — Dark ride with 3D effects and animatronics

• Pteranodon Flyers — Suspended ride with scenic views (must ride with child under 56")

• Jurassic Park River Adventure — Boat ride with a splashy finale

• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man — 3D motion ride with superhero action

♿ Accessibility Tips

• Use the Attractions Assistance Pass (AAP) if eligible

• Check height requirements in advance to avoid disappointment

• Bring extra clothes for water rides like Ripsaw Falls and Bilge-Rat Barges

• Use child swap for thrill rides if only one adult can ride at a time

🤫 Quiet Areas

• Camp Jurassic Amber Mines — Foggy tunnels and shaded paths for sensory breaks

• Jurassic Park Discovery Center — Indoor exhibits and seating with AC

• Toon Lagoon Waterfront — Benches and breeze with fewer crowds

🍽️ Dining Options

• Thunder Falls Terrace — Rotisserie chicken, ribs, and shaded seating

• Burger Digs — Burgers, salads, and indoor seating near Discovery Center

• Pizza Predattoria — Quick pizza stop with outdoor tables

• Doc Sugrue’s Desert Kebab House — Mediterranean bowls and kebabs

👦 Tweens & Teens

🎢 Best Attractions

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey — Motion ride through Hogwarts

• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure — Story coaster with surprises

• Jurassic World VelociCoaster — High-speed thrills and inversions

• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls — Log flume with big drops

• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges — Raft ride with guaranteed soaking

• Doctor Doom’s Fearfall — Launch tower with scenic views

• The Incredible Hulk Coaster — Intense coaster with loops and speed

♿ Accessibility Tips

• Use AAP for longer queues and sensory support

• Bring extra socks and shoes for water rides

• Use lockers for loose items—some rides require them

• Plan rest breaks between thrill rides to avoid overstimulation

🤫 Quiet Areas

• Lost Continent Waterfront — Hidden path behind Mythos with lagoon views

• Toon Lagoon Trail — Behind Me Ship, The Olive with shaded benches

• Hogwarts Express Station — Calm queue and seated ride between parks

🍽️ Dining Options

• Three Broomsticks — British fare with indoor and outdoor seating

• Mythos Restaurant — Award-winning sit-down dining with Mediterranean flair

• Fire Eater’s Grill — Gyros, wraps, and shaded seating

• Comic Strip Café — Global menu with indoor seating

🧑 Adults

🎢 Best Attractions

• VelociCoaster — Smooth, intense, and beautifully themed

• Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure — Story-driven thrills with immersive detail

• Spider-Man — Classic 3D ride with nostalgia and action

• Forbidden Journey — Dark ride with rich theming and motion effects

♿ Accessibility Tips

• Use Virtual Line and mobile ordering to reduce stress

• Bring cooling gear, UV umbrellas, and water shoes

• Take advantage of family restrooms, nursing stations, and quiet zones

🤫 Quiet Areas

• Port of Entry Waterfront — Peaceful views and benches near entrance

•  Jurassic Park Lagoon Path — Shaded and scenic with low foot traffic

• Mythos Patio — Quiet dining with views of the lake

🍽️ Dining Options

•  Mythos Restaurant — Full-service with wine, cocktails, and gourmet dishes

•  Confisco Grille — Global flavors and hidden bar

•  Backwater Bar — Casual drinks and small plates

•  Thunder Falls Terrace — Hearty meals with indoor and outdoor seating

🌌 Epic Universe Overview

Epic Universe is Universal Orlando’s newest theme park, designed like a cosmic hub with five immersive lands branching out from Celestial Park. Each land is accessed through a themed portal, making transitions feel magical and intentional. The park is stroller-friendly, ADA-accessible, and full of thoughtful touches for families with sensory or mobility needs.

🧒 Kids (Approx. 0–9)

🎢 Best Attractions

• Yoshi’s Adventure (Super Nintendo World) — Gentle ride with colorful scenes and a slow pace

• Constellation Carousel (Celestial Park) — Unique gliding carousel with mythical creatures

• Fyre Drill (Isle of Berk) — Interactive water ride with Viking ships and splash zones

• Toothless Meet & Greet (Isle of Berk) — Calm character interaction with puppetry magic. (MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE)

• Astronomica Splash Pad (Celestial Park) — Interactive fountains and open space to cool off

♿ Accessibility Tips

• Stroller wagons are allowed (a big win for families!)

• Use the IBCCES Accessibility Card to apply for the Attractions Assistance Pass

• Most queues are wheelchair accessible, and elevators are available in multi-level lands

• Bring noise-canceling headphones, cooling towels, and comfort items for sensory support

🤫 Quiet Areas

• Celestial Park Gardens — Peaceful landscaping and benches away from crowds

• Family Care Center — Includes a sensory room, nursing space, and air-conditioned seating

• Isle of Berk Play Area — Open space with gentle music and shaded seating

• Behind Mead Hall — Quiet corner with Viking theming and low foot traffic

🍽️ Dining Options

• Toadstool Café — Whimsical Mario-themed meals with kid-friendly portions

• Mead Hall — Viking-style dining with balanced kids’ meals served in themed trays

• Pizza Moon — Classic pizza with fun toppings and easy seating

• Frosty Moon — Soft-serve ice cream with customizable toppings

👦 Tweens & Teens

🎢 Best Attractions

• Mine-Cart Madness (Donkey Kong Country) — Family coaster with fun jumps and twists

• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge — Augmented reality racing with interactive gameplay

• Hiccup’s Wing Gliders (Isle of Berk) — Smooth coaster with dragon flight theming

• Curse of the Werewolf (Dark Universe) — Spinning coaster with spooky vibes

• Battle at the Ministry of Magic — Immersive dark ride with magical effects

♿ Accessibility Tips

• Use Attractions Assistance Pass for sensory or cognitive needs

• Elevators available in Super Nintendo World and Dark Universe queues

• Single rider lines can reduce wait times for teens who want independence

• Interactive elements like Power-Up Bands and wand stations keep engagement high

🤫 Quiet Areas

• Knockturn Alley (Ministry of Magic) — Dark, cool, and tucked away

• Jurassic Park Discovery Center (near Berk) — Indoor exhibits and seating

• Celestial Park Lagoon Path — Scenic and shaded with low traffic

• Darkmoor Courtyard — Quiet corner near monster meet-and-greets

🍽️ Dining Options

• Das Stakehaus — Gothic tavern with hearty meals and moody atmosphere

• Meteor Astropub — Burgers, wings, and themed drinks

• Oak & Star Tavern — BBQ platters and shaded patio seating

• CelesTiki — Tropical mocktails and frozen drinks

🧑 Adults

🎢 Best Attractions

• Stardust Racers — Dual-launch coaster with speed and scenic views

• Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment — Dark ride with intense theming

• Dragon Racer’s Rally — Spinning ride with rider-controlled flips

• Celestial Park Fountain Show — Nighttime water and light show with music

♿ Accessibility Tips

• Use Virtual Line and mobile ordering to reduce stress

• Bring UV umbrellas, water shoes, and cooling gear for comfort

• Take advantage of family restrooms, nursing stations, and quiet zones

🤫 Quiet Areas

• Celestial Park Waterfront — Benches and breeze with nighttime ambiance

• Mythos Patio (Isle of Berk) — Quiet dining with lake views

• Bar Zenith Lounge — Cosmic cocktails in a relaxed setting

• Family Care Center — Air-conditioned space with seating and sensory support

🍽️ Dining Options

• Atlantic Restaurant — Fine dining with seafood and aquarium views

• The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant — Ramen, potstickers, and bold flavors

• Bar Magique — Wizarding cocktails and cozy ambiance

• Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets — Gourmet treats and take-home goodies

🌋 Volcano Bay

The park is thoughtfully laid out in three villages (Wave, Rainforest, and River) making navigation intuitive for families with kids and mobility devices. With stroller-friendly paths, ADA-accessible rides and pools, and a wide array of sensory-friendly spaces, Volcano Bay blends excitement with calm in a setting that feels like a true island escape.

From thrilling slides and lazy rivers to shaded cabanas and interactive splash zones, it’s a haven where every traveler, no matter their needs, can splash, rest, and play their way to a perfect day.

👶 Kids (Approx. 0–9)

🎢 Best Attractions

• Tot Tiki Reef — Splash pad with squirting whales and mini slides, perfect for toddlers

• Runamukka Reef — Multi-level play zone with geysers, water guns, and dump buckets

• Kopiko Wai Winding River — Gentle lazy river with caves and waterfalls

• Waturi Beach — Soft sand and shallow wave pool (life vests available)

• Puka Uli Lagoon — Calm pool with interactive fountains and shaded seating

♿ Accessibility Tips

• Complimentary life vests available in multiple sizes

• Swim diapers required for diaper-age children

• Stroller-friendly paths throughout the park

• Family restrooms and nursing stations near First Aid and Rainforest Village

• TapuTapu wristbands help avoid long waits and activate interactive features

🤫 Quiet Areas

• Tot Tiki Reef shaded seating — Calm and close to splash zones

• Behind Runamukka Reef — Low foot traffic and shaded benches

• The Reef Pool — Peaceful views of Krakatau slides and waterfall

• Cabana rentals — Private, shaded, and ideal for sensory breaks

🍽️ Dining Options

• Whakawaiwai Eats — Pizza, hot dogs, and tropical mac & cheese

• Kohola Reef Restaurant — Pulled pork sandwiches, coconut chicken, and kids’ meals

• Hop on Pop Ice Cream Shop — Frozen treats and sundaes

• Waturi Fusion Ice Cream — Rainbow swirl soft serve that’s Insta-famous

👦 Tweens & Teens

🎢 Best Attractions

• Krakatau Aqua Coaster — Water coaster through the volcano with uphill launches

• Punga Racers — Mat slides with friendly competition

• Taniwha Tubes — Four twisty slides with splashy surprises

• Honu ika Moana — Multi-passenger raft rides with big curves and splashes

• TeAwa The Fearless River — Fast-moving river with wave effects (life vests required)

♿ Accessibility Tips

• Use the Attractions Assistance Pass via the IBCCES Accessibility Card

• Life jackets required for Fearless River and younger guests on slides

• Ride signage clearly marks transfer requirements and height limits

• Interactive TapuTapu features keep teens engaged between rides

🤫 Quiet Areas

• Central Park-style seating near Waturi Beach — Breezy and shaded

• Behind Dancing Dragons Boat Bar — Lagoon views and low noise

• Rainforest Village shaded paths — Great for regrouping

• Family Care Center — Includes sensory room and AC

🍽️ Dining Options

• The Feasting Frog — Tacos, poke bowls, and plantain chips

• Bambu — Burgers, fish sandwiches, and salads

• Pizza Moon — Flatbreads and tropical toppings

• Dancing Dragons Boat Bar — Frozen drinks and mocktails

🧑 Adults

🎢 Best Attractions

• Ko’okiri Body Plunge — 70-degree drop through the volcano (for thrill seekers!)

• Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Slides — Twin trap-door slides with intertwining tubes

• Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides — Twisty slides with dramatic splash landings

• Stargazer’s Cavern — Hidden cave in the lazy river with glowing effects

♿ Accessibility Tips

• Wheelchair-accessible paths and pool lifts available

• Premium seating and cabana rentals offer shaded, private rest

• Mobile ordering and TapuTapu payments reduce stress

• Service animal relief zones and accessible restrooms throughout the park

🤫 Quiet Areas

• The Reef Pool — Tranquil with waterfall views and shaded seating

• Puka Uli Lagoon — Peaceful and scenic with interactive fountains

• Cabana rentals — Private space with concierge service and snacks

• Celestial Park-style gardens — Open space near entrance with low stimulation

  
  

🍽️ Dining Options

• Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club — Mango BBQ pork, coconut chicken, and quinoa burgers

• Kunuku Boat Bar — Signature cocktails and shaded seating

• Volcano Blossom Beer — Park-exclusive tropical pilsner

• Chocolate Lava Cake — Decadent dessert with molten center

💫 Final Thoughts

Universal Orlando gave us more than a vacation, it gave us a sense of normalcy. It gave my child a chance to laugh, explore, and feel included. And now, I help other families find that same magic.

If you’re planning a trip and wondering if it’s possible, I’m here to say: Yes, it is. And I’d be honored to help you make it practically perfect.

Sheila Smith

Believe You Can Travel

Autism Travel Professional

Accessible Needs Advocate

Fairy Wish Coordinator