Kid Tested, Mom Almost Approved: Experiencing Epic Universe with Toddlers at the Helios Grand Hotel Kids Suite

Nicole Mangum
Jul 21
10 min read

When you think of an Orlando theme park trip with toddlers, Walt Disney World probably comes to mind first. Universal Orlando? Not so much—thanks to its thrill-heavy reputation. But with grandma in tow, we took two toddlers to Universal’s brand-new Epic Universe and stayed in the Helios Grand Hotel’s How to Train Your Dragon Kids Suite, a magical space designed to keep little ones entertained and comfortable. This suite isn’t just a hotel room—it’s a kid-friendly retreat that makes navigating the park (and bedtime!) much easier for all of us. Here’s what it was really like, from the perspective of two tiny testers, grandma’s helping hands, and one honest mom.

The Kids Suite: Where Fantasy Meets Functionality

Inside How to Train your Dragon Kids Suite

Walking into the room, your eyes are immediately drawn to the Viking-style wooden door leading to the kids' suite. With its metal knocker and rustic design, it feels like the entrance to a hut straight out of Berk. Step inside, and the room truly comes to life—Toothless and Lightfury soar across the walls, little dragons flit alongside them, and the bedposts mimic the cozy huts that Hiccup, Astrid, and the rest of the gang call home.

Pro tip: if your little ones are familiar with How to Train Your Dragon, the moment that door opens becomes pure magic—for them and for you watching their faces light up.

The suite layout worked surprisingly well for our multigenerational crew. Both the kids' room and the adults’ bedroom open off a shared living space, which made it easy for the boys to head to bed while the grownups stayed up for some wind-down time. The doors did a great job of muffling sound—my kids slept through our late-night chatter, and grandma didn’t hear a thing from our side.

The kids' room has no windows, which turned out to be a blessing and a curse. Once the lights and TV were off, it was pitch black—perfect for uninterrupted toddler sleep. Unless they are not used to the pitch dark due to a hatch, which led to my oldest getting up and needing mommy because he couldn’t see. Something I should know as a mom of two, pack at least one source of light to allow for light in a room or sound to help with those tough toddler nights. The adult bedroom had a large window with both sheer and blackout curtains, which kept the room nice and dark even in the early morning.

As for furniture, everything was toddler-height—awesome for independence, slightly chaotic for parents of tiny climbers. My 1-year-old and 2.5-year-old could easily climb onto the chairs and couch. The beds were a bit taller, but that didn’t slow them down. In true toddler fashion, my youngest used a chair to climb onto the bed… which led to a quick couch-to-side-table-to-iPad adventure. (Yes, we moved it. Yes, we regretted where we put it next. Yes, there’s more to that story later!)

We were able to request a Pack ‘n Play for my youngest, who isn’t quite ready for a big-kid bed. It was delivered quickly, and the hotel staff kindly helped set it up exactly where we wanted it. Bonus: it was the type of Pack ‘n Play you don’t have to wrestle with—easy to use and easy to move if needed. It came with a clean sheet and a sweet little Hello Bello gift bag (complete with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and baby wipes) courtesy of Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. This thoughtful touch ended up being super handy—especially at the end of our stay when we were running low on essentials.

Noise-wise, the suite really impressed us. I stayed in the kids’ room, and it was completely silent—except for the usual toddler rustling, of course. Grandma, who had the main bedroom to herself, didn’t hear a thing. Each room has its own temperature control, which was a big win. We kept the boys’ room cool and cozy for sleep, while grandma enjoyed her preferred warmer setting.

The bathroom setup in the suite is thoughtfully designed—with one little hiccup (okay, maybe two). It features a split configuration, with the sink and vanity area located outside of the toilet and shower space. This layout is great for families trying to stagger bath time, bedtime routines, or early morning hustle. Someone can be brushing teeth while someone else is in the shower—without everyone crowding into one small space.

For older kids or a group of adults, this is a solid setup. But for those of us traveling with toddlers, there were a couple of things worth noting. First, the door to the shower/toilet area doesn’t have a lock, while the one to the sink does. And when you're in the middle of the “Where’s Mommy? What are you doing? Can I flush it?” phase, that’s not ideal. Privacy is basically optional when your little ones can stroll in at any moment. Second, the vanity features drawers on each side—great for storing toiletries, but not so great for curious toddler fingers. In a kids suite, we hoped to see some more toddler-aware design choices. While it didn’t cause any injuries during our stay, it definitely had us moving quickly to redirect wandering hands before curiosity turned into a pinched finger moment. On the plus side, the tub/shower combo is a win. Many theme park hotels only offer showers, so having a tub made bathtime way easier for two little ones who are still not fans of quick rinses.

The iPad: Magical Control Center… and Toddler Trap

Let’s talk about the iPad. This thing controlled everything. Lights, temperature, room service, hotel info, park details—and yes, even the TV. At first, we spent way too much time clicking through channels, wondering why there wasn’t a guide, only to finally realize the iPad was the guide. Each network was clearly listed—just tap and go. You could also stream Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, YouTube, or mirror content straight from your phone. Super convenient... once we figured it out.

Now, as any parent of toddlers knows, screens within reach can mean chaos. So, of course, we quickly hid the iPads. And, honestly? We regretted it. When we finally figured out how essential they were—especially for mid-day wind-down screen time—we wished we had just removed the one from the kids’ room and left the others accessible. Lesson learned.

If you’re traveling with older kids or teens, this could still be a bit of a challenge. The iPads were positioned low enough that my 2.5-year-old could easily reach them. And while the novelty of "magic lights" and curtain buttons might sound cute, having your toddler turn all the lights on and off (or opening the sheers mid-nap) over and over again gets old fast. One touch could brighten every light in the suite—or open all the curtains.

Even more concerning: kids could change the room temp, mess with the lights, or—yep—order room service, all from that same iPad. Another reason I definitely recommend removing it from the kids’ space.

One more tip: while the room overall felt clean and well-organized, we did notice quite a few exposed cords behind the furniture, especially around the entertainment area. Of course, my boys found them almost immediately. We ended up using the stroller to block off that section, which helped a lot in keeping little hands (and mouths) away from temptation.

Overall, the kids suite offered a fun, immersive space that truly captured the magic of traveling with littles—especially if they’re fans of How to Train Your Dragon. While there were definitely a few “toddler parent” hurdles to navigate (looking at you, iPad and finger-pinching drawers), the layout, thoughtful touches, and helpful staff made it a comfortable and memorable stay for our entire multigenerational crew.

With the room settled, bags (somewhat) unpacked, and toddlers fully entertained by dragons and climbing furniture, it was time to rest up and get ready for the real adventure: tackling the parks with two under three. Spoiler alert: it was a mix of magic, meltdowns, and moments we’ll never forget—and we’ve got tips to help you make the most of it, too. Let’s head to the park!

EPIC Universe with littles: What Worked, What Didn't

Let me start by saying—this park is absolutely beautiful. It’s vibrant and immersive, but not in an overwhelming way. The layout flows naturally with a calming mix of water features, greenery, attractions, and themed areas. As you enter through Celestial Park, you don’t immediately see the lands ahead, which creates a fun sense of discovery as you explore. Both of my toddlers were instantly drawn to the water elements scattered throughout—fountains, ponds, and streams—there’s visual stimulation everywhere, without it feeling chaotic.

The lands my kids connected with most were Isle of Berk (no surprise there!) and Super Nintendo World. While Ministry of Magic and Dark Universe weren’t big hits for them, they still enjoyed the visual elements, character performers, and—of course—plenty of snacks.

Toddler-Approved Highlights

Celestial Park Splash Pad – This splash pad behind the carousel would have been a big hit… had we remembered both pairs of shoes. (More on that in a second!) It’s a perfect place to cool down and let littles energy burn off.
Isle of Berk Playground – Total win. My boys ran, climbed, and released all the pent-up stroller energy here. It’s fenced in and themed well enough to keep them entertained while adults take a breather.
Constellation Carousel – One of the few attractions both of my kids could enjoy. A gentle ride, great theming, and no scary moments—just simple family fun.
Power-Up Bands in Super Nintendo World – HUGE hit with my oldest. He loved being able to run around, scan the band, collect coins, and play interactive mini-games. It gave him a sense of adventure and freedom that balanced out the more stationary moments of the day.
Character Interactions – Toothless was the MVP of the trip. The animatronic is adorable, and the experience felt really special. We also got to meet Astrid and Starlight. These moments were big highlights, even for the younger toddler who didn’t fully understand who the characters were.

Let’s Talk Food

There is no shortage of food in Epic Universe—and not just your standard park fare (though there’s plenty of that, too). Each land offers a variety of dining options that range from fun snacks to unexpectedly creative bites you wouldn’t expect to find in a theme park.

Mac & Cheese in Isle of Berk – This was the biggest hit of the day for all of us. Creamy, cheesy, and topped with crushed Goldfish crackers for that perfect little crunch in every bite. The buttery garlic bread on the side? Absolute perfection. A full meal win.
Butterbeer Crepe in Ministry of Magic – Another crowd favorite. The boys devoured this. Sweet, warm, and filled with that familiar butterscotch flavor, it was everything we didn’t know we needed. We wished we had ordered more strawberries to go with it!
Drinks for Grown-Ups – Each land also features a variety of themed alcoholic beverages for those who want them, along with traditional drink options. We tried the Giggly Water in Ministry of Magic and were pleasantly surprised—the subtle hint of lavender made it feel elevated and refreshing. Definitely a favorite of the day.
Snacks from Home – As any toddler parent knows, snacks are non-negotiable. We packed a small snack pouch and stashed it under the stroller. It came in handy more than once and was super easy to access when hunger hit between meals.

What Didn’t Work So Well

Shoes, or Lack Thereof – Rookie move we packed two shoes… for the same child. We figured no big deal, we’d grab a pair in the park. Turns out? Not so simple. Shoe options inside the park are very limited, and the smallest sizes we saw were around a kids' 11. If you’ve ever traveled with toddlers, you know shoes get kicked off, tossed, or left behind constantly. Pro tip: always pack an extra pair—even if you think you won’t need them.
Ride Limitations – Because of their heights, my boys were only eligible for two rides: the Carousel and (for my oldest) Yoshi’s Adventure. Unfortunately, Yoshi went down for weather just before we entered the world, so we didn’t get to experience it—but both looked like solid family attractions. If you’re planning to ride the bigger attractions and traveling with young ones, make use of child swap, single rider, and Express Pass options—but be prepared for potential wait times.
Stroller + Stairs – The park is super stroller-friendly overall, with wide walkways and plenty of room to navigate. The only challenge was in Super Nintendo World, where stairs are prominent. Elevators are available, but using them definitely takes you out of the immersive flow of the land in certain areas.
Stores and Strollers Don’t Mix – Navigating through stores with a stroller was tricky, especially within the lands themselves. The bigger shops in Celestial Park were more manageable, but smaller stores were tight and crowded.

All in all, Epic Universe with little ones is completely doable—and enjoyable—with the right prep and expectations. From interactive zones and character experiences to surprisingly great meals and toddler-friendly touches, there's something for every family to enjoy.

Final Truth Moments: Toddler Travel Wins (and Lessons Learned!) at EPIC Universe

As a mom who’s tackled plenty of theme park adventures—both solo with my boys and with extra help—I can honestly say I was impressed by how manageable Universal’s EPIC Universe was with toddlers. What really sealed the deal for us? The hotel’s proximity. I usually power through nap time in the stroller, but this time, with the heat and intensity of the day, having a quick escape just steps away made all the difference. Both boys got a break to stretch, play, and cool down—and I got a slight breather, too. It’s not something I typically plan for, but now I can confidently recommend a mid-day break, especially when traveling with littles if you're at Helios with park admission to EPIC Universe.

Aside from a few minor hiccups (pack the nightlight and backup shoes, trust me), I felt well-prepared and genuinely surprised by how family-friendly both the hotel and park were. Would I do anything differently? I’d bring swimsuits for the splash pad, an extra power bank for photos and videos or the stroller fans, and maybe prep a little more for those toddler meltdowns that inevitably happen in new environments. But overall, this trip showed me that even parks geared more toward older guests can be magical for young families—with a little planning and the right expectations.

Whether you're team “ride all the thrill rides” or team “let’s take it slow and soak it in,” EPIC Universe has something for everyone. And traveling with toddlers? It doesn’t have to mean sitting things out. It means making space for new kinds of memories—ones that are just as exciting, just a little more giggly, snack-filled, and stroller-friendly.

Have questions about planning your own Universal trip with little ones or thinking of trying Helios Grand with your crew? Drop your toddler questions in the comments or reach out—we’ve been there (and we brought snacks).