There’s a whimsical, Seussical land at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park that’s perfect for kids and families. Seuss Landing was one of the original themed lands at Islands of Adventure when the park opened in 1999, but despite being nearly 25 years old, the area remains a super-fun hangout for families, especially ones with smaller kids. In addition to four kid-friendly rides, the land has lots of shops and some of the yummiest snacks in the park. It’s an area my family started visiting regularly when we moved from Maryland to Florida eight years ago and have continued to come back to even as my kids get older.
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What makes Seuss Landing at Universal Orlando so great? The area is like stepping right into your childhood bookshelf, filled with nods to Dr. Seuss (also known as Theodor Geisel) characters like the Lorax, Sneetches, and yes, the Cat in the Hat. But there’s more to Seuss Landing than just whimsical rides and colorful scenery. Read on for 10 reasons to go and things parents shouldn’t miss when visiting this Universal Orlando Resort attraction.
1. The rides at Seuss Landing are among the most little-kid-friendly at Universal.
Of the four rides inside Seuss Landing, two have no minimum height requirement and two list theirs as 36 inches, making the land a great setup for families who have smaller kids. After all, a kid can only handle so much time sitting in rider swap while the taller people in their group ride roller coasters.
Kids of any height can ride Caro-Seuss-el, a carousel Universal describes as “a Seussian twist on the classic carnival ride,” and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, a wacky nod to the Dr. Seuss book where riders go up and down in colorful fish cars. Kids who meet that 36-inch height requirement can ride the Cat in the Hat, a wild ride through the iconic Dr. Seuss story, and the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride, a train ride with two different tracks that take riders through either the story of the Sneetches or a Seussical run through the ABCs. Adults are welcome on all four of the rides at Seuss Landing, so it’s a great spot for enjoying the theme park together as a family.
2. You can buy so many Dr. Seuss-themed items there, including ‘Thing 1’ and ‘Thing 2’ shirts.
Whenever I spend time in Seuss Landing, I spot families purchasing “Thing” shirts for their group. Whether you identify as “Thing 1” or “the mother of all Things,” there’s a t-shirt available for you in the shops of Seuss Landing. In fact, one of the cutest family photo opportunities at Universal Orlando just may be a group dressed in matching “Thing” t-shirts, posing with Dr. Seuss characters or against the backdrop of the whimsical land.
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Seuss Landing has lots of shops selling everything from Dr. Seuss books to plush versions of beloved characters like the Grinch and the Cat in the Hat. Don’t miss Mulberry Street Store, which has a special side door entrance that only the littlest of shoppers can pass through.
3. The Seussical snacks throughout the area are top notch.
It may be unexpected, but the snacks in Seuss Landing are among the best in the park. At Green Eggs and Ham Cafe, you can order the book’s namesake dish. The cafe also sells loaded tots—with toppings like buffalo chicken or pepperoni— that are really delicious. With its shady outdoor seating, my family has holed up at this location more than once, sharing an order of loaded pizza tots and refueling after a morning racing around the parks.
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At Hop on Pop Ice Cream Shop, you’ll find Pop’s signature sundae on a stick, and there’s even a stand that sells Moose Juice and Goose Juice, along with several other flavors of slushies that are perfect on hot days. You’ll also find lots of standard theme park snack fare throughout the land, from popcorn to cotton candy. Keep an eye on the cotton candy stand, as sometimes it sells Grinch cotton candy—green cotton candy shaped like the Mean One’s head with his face printed on the bag.
4. There’s only one indoor restaurant in the Seuss Landing, and it’s quite the circus.
The only indoor restaurant in Seuss Landing is a total circus. Themed around Dr. Seuss book “If I Ran the Circus,” Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous closed for renovations in summer 2023 and reopened in early 2024 with a brand new menu and ordering format, as well as lots of renovations.
Here, your family can feast on pasta and meatballs served in a garlic bread cone or a Big Top Burger made with a red brioche bun. The cafe is set up like a big top circus tent and while there’s plenty of booth and table seating, there’s no cafeteria-style food pick-up or ordering at crowded counters. Instead, your family can pick a seat, settle in, then scan a barcode and order your meal through the Universal app. When it’s ready, it’s brought to your table.
While you wait for your meal, let kids explore the restaurant, hunting for statues of elephants, acrobats, ball-balancing seals, and other circus performers. And, keep an eye out for the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride, as the ride’s track comes right through the restaurant.
5. The land is super-accommodating to the needs of young families.
There are amenities throughout Seuss Landing designed just for families with small kids, from ample stroller parking to easy-to-find restrooms. There are also plenty of great spots to sit and rest in the shade.
To find my family’s favorite spot to take a break, enter the Cats, Hats, and Things shop and walk through to the outdoor area opposite the shop’s front door. There you’ll find a shaded area with lots of benches, perfect for taking a load off after a long day in the parks. As an added bonus, the shop is air conditioned, so it’s fun to browse the creative Cat in the Hat-themed merchandise while you take a break from the Florida heat.
6. In this whimsical land, you can sit on Horton’s egg and visit Sneetch Beach.
Like any really good theme park land, Seuss Landing is not without some really impressive attention to detail. From topiaries designed to look like creatures straight from the mind of Dr. Seuss to Sneetch Beach—a waterfront area where characters from “The Sneetches and Other Stories” bask in the waters while their belongings rest on the shore—the subtle nods to Seuss and his creations are everywhere.
Among the cutest Seussical features in the land is the egg hatched by loveable elephant Horton. Find Mayzie’s egg from “Horton Hatches the Egg” tucked into a nest in the rest area located outside Cats, Hats, and Things. The nest and its red-and-white polka dotted egg make for a sweet photo op, especially since it’s made to be sat on by guests.
7. Dr. Seuss characters come out for meet-and-greets and story time.
Not only is it commonplace to find characters like Sam-I-Am and the Lorax hanging out outside the All the Books You Can Read shop for meet-and-greets, but there’s also a fun storytime that takes place throughout the day in the same area. Oh the Stories You’ll Hear runs several times a day and features a quirky storyteller who incorporates all of your family’s favorite Seuss characters into their tale.
To find out what time the storytime shows are on the day of your visit, look for the sign outside the door of the All the Books You Can Read shop. There, you’ll find a full listing of all the shows planned for the day. What’s more, a few minutes before the show begins, characters fill the area and sign autographs, give hugs, and pose for photos.
8. The crooked palm trees in the land have a special back story.
There’s an interesting fun fact about the palm trees seen throughout Seuss Landing: During Hurricane Andrew, which hit Florida in 1992, the trees were knocked over and began to grow crooked as they curved toward the sun. Years later, Universal salvaged the palms for Seuss Landing, since their wonky appearances work perfectly in the wacky land.
It’s an interesting story to share with your family as you stroll through the bent palms—without the intervention of Mother Nature, the trees would probably have grown straight and tall, and would not be a part of the Seuss Landing landscape more than 30 years after the storm.
9. Dr. Seuss himself is hidden in plain sight.
What would Seuss Landing be without a few small tributes to Dr. Seuss himself? In addition to a plaque at the land’s entrance that reads: “We dedicate this Island to Dr. Seuss. May his genius be forever on the loose,” there’s also a special spot where kids can see the man himself … right there in the land.
Find Dr. Seuss across from Circus McGurkus near a statue of a police man on a motorcycle and his police sidecar, a photo prop where kids can pose. Behind the statue, above the shop window is another set of statues, and Dr. Seuss is one of them, seen on the top left above the window.
10. At the holidays, the entire land gets a festive new look.
During the holiday season at Universal, which normally takes place from November through January, Seuss Landing gets a holiday overlay and becomes Whoville, decked out for Christmas. Not only is the land decorated with colorful wreaths and holiday lights, but Whos come out to play, dressed in their holiday best. Find the Whos, including Cindy Lou Who and her parents, roaming the land, posing for photos and entertaining guests.
You’ll also find holiday-themed treats in Seuss Landing during this time, like green, Grinch-y Christmas cookies and specialty holiday drinks. Seeing the land in a festive and different light is a unique experience that only happens once a year.
