How Many Days For Universal Orlando?
Universal Orlando: One or two days at Universal with young kids?
We are going to Disney World for 4 days and want to hit Universal for 1 or maybe 2 days. We have a 4, 5 and 7 year old. How many days do you recommend for Universal? Is there enough for this age group to enjoy for 2 full days? Also any advise for some of the attractions like twister, earthquake, jaws. Are they too scary for this age?
I would definitely say 2 days would be sufficient to truely take in everything Universal has to offer for families(especially with kids 3-9 getting in free). Some children may find attractions like Twister, Jaws, and Earthquake too intense,but then again some kids love these rides too. My wife and I took my 5 and 6 year old siblings on Twister and they were begging to ride again.
They were also both able to get on Jurassic Park River Adventure with out any problems and they both loved it. The 6 year old even went on Revenge of the Mummy. I would say with attractions like Jaws, Earthquake, and Twister they would probably be fine as long as you comfort and reassure them that it is make-believe. But if not, there is plenty of family frienly entertainment at both parks with Shrek and Jimmy Neutron at USF and Toon Lagoon and Seuss Landing at IOA.
From Gareth H
Posted February 11, 2006 at 8:41 AM
I agree with Chris.
2 days allows you to comfortably see all attractions in both parks.
Do one park a day and you'll have fun and be able to do everything you want to do!
Have fun
Gina,
You don't say when you are going, but that will determine how much you can see. I took my then nine year old daughter to Universal and IOA and saw everything comfortably in two days, BUT, we stayed at the Royal Pacific, Universal's resort. That gave us front of the line access with our room key. I am thinking you are staying elsewhere and won't have that luxury. I would say if you are going during the summer or any other peak season, do some homework and decide which of the two parks you want to see the most. The lines get quite long and I couldn't see doing all both parks have to offer in two days, even utilizing a express pass. With the ages of your kids, I would try US first, most of IOA is for older kids, although Suess Landing is great for kids. If you want to see all both parks have to offer, two days is the minimum you will need. Of course, they will be too small to ride everything, so you might squeeze most everything in two days. If you find you have extra time courtesy of height restrictions, try to check out Citywalk too, that has some cool restaurants and stores.
This is a great question! The problem is that thre is no way to predict how crowded each park will be. The last time we went there, we were able to hit most of the things in both parks in one full day! In regards to place better for kids, I would give the edge to Universal Studios, but IOA has many very good things as well. As for rides that might be "scary" I would have to say that the Mummy and Jaws (maybe) would be the only two. Earthquake and Twister are just natural disasters. Earthquake especially is very similar to Catastrophy Canyon in MGM so it should be fine. Universal Studios also has a Barney Show and kiddie play area! IOA is mostly made for big kids, but Dr. Seussland and Cartoon Island is pretty good. All of this depends on what you kids find scary! To cover all your grounds, I would say two days for both parks, but again, they can easily be done in one day if you play the crowds right (go to the Studios first, then IOA). However, spend most of your time at Disney World! The whole family will love it more. (no offense to Universal, but Disney still can cater better to the family!)
Here's the address to the "Kids stay, play, and eat free" page of the Universal Orlando web site for more info...
http://www.universalorlando.com/kids_play_free.html
From Sherly C.
Posted February 19, 2006 at 4:48 PM
Well I've lived here ever since I was a kid, I LOVED jaws and twister and earthquake, and I was a pretty timid kid so I don't think that would be a problem. I think 2 days would be good if you wanted to see both Universal and Islands of Adventure, since you're here there's no point in missing the other park. The kids will love Suess land. (I believe they still sell green eggs and ham), Universal and Islands of Adventure together isn't huge, so i guess 2 days should be enough. I remember going through the two parks in just one day, but i guess times change
Hi:
I went to Universal Orlando for a weekend in August and with the express pass I was able to ride all the cool rideas at IOA and USF in one day. It was an extreme day but my husband (who was still working in New York when we got to Orlando) joined us the next day and we saw everything at USF. About scary rides If you have kids (I have a 4 year old) Twister and Earthquake should be OK. He rode Jaws with no problem because my husband hugged him :)
Each kid is different. You have to be the judge of that. For more info visit the disboards.com There are tons of people asking the same questions as you.
I am a regular at Universal and I can do both parks in 6 hours on a busy day. But for your first time, I recommend at least one day for each park. Size matters at these parks, if your children is over 44 inches then there is much more for them to do than if they are smaller.
IOA: They can all do Cat in the Hat, Caroseussel, One Fish Two Fish, and coming soon Seuss Sky Trolley. There is also Poseidons Fury, a walk through effects show, it may be scary for smaller kids, the Sinbad show, The Mystic Fountain, and the Flying Unicorn coaster. In Jurassic Park there is Camp Jurassic, and the Discovery Center, both interactive play areas for kids. Pterradon Flyers, is fun but get there early. JPRiver Adventure is good, but maybe for just the 7 yr old. Dudley Do-Right is good for all who are tall enough, and then there is Blutos Bilge Rat Barge. Not too much in Marvel, there is Spider Man, a must do for all tall enough. Storm Force Excelerator and for the 7yr old Doom.
USF: Shrek 4-D, Jimmy Nuetron, Twister is a little scary but my 4yr old loves the flying cow. Earthquake is that bad, just a little jostling, Jaws might be a little intense, but again my 4yr old loves it. There is also all the shows, such as Street Breakz, Lucy and Ricky, The Horror Make Up Show, Beetlejuice and Fear Factor Live. Just because it has the word Fear in it, does not make it scary.
Hope this helps a little. And if you are a disney person, as you seem to be, check DISboards, if you want a little bit more expertise then check IOACentralboards.com
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