[skwak]

If you had three DS ages 9,8 and 2 would you try to go to one of the Universal parks?? If so, which one??

This is vacation year 5 in a row for the older DS's at WDW and we always try and throw in something new and exciting. Did Seaworld one year, etc...

I am just worried that the 2 year old and my semi-timid 8 year old will not have many rides to go on at Universal.

Help!!

[dizneeluvr]

skwak--

I think that Islands of Adventure would be fun to do since there are so many different age levels in your children.

If the 9 yr old is adventurous and tall enough, I'm sure that he could go on the coasters. Both the 8 & 9 year old would love Spiderman (unless the 8 yr old is afraid of dark rides). The 2 yr old would probably have a great time in Suessland.

The first time we ever visited IOA was when my DD was 9 and we took her girlfriend in 2000. They were both short at the time but willing to ride EVERYTHING big but couldn't. They found plenty of other things to entertain themselves with.

We always try to get in a day or two at Universal, both IOA and Studios as we enjoy both. My family are ride people so to us, there is nothing in FL that compares to Cedar Point. We still have a great time though.

[MissDisney]

We took our kids, then 9 and 8, to both Universal and Islands of Adventure, and they liked the show-type rides (Neptune something or other... the Twister ride... the Earthquake ride...etc.), the Spiderman and Men In Black attractions and they liked the family raft ride. But they were too old to enjoy the Seuss stuff.
And without wanting to ruffle any feathers, I just have to say that we, as parents, didn't enjoy the parking situation and the fact that to get into the parks, you have to pass through an area filled with bars (which led to lots of rowdy behavior in that area). The whole atmosphere would be absolutely perfect for high school/college age folks.
Plus, the employees aren't really in that jovial, welcoming mood you get at WDW. The rides were very terrific, and it is worth the trip just for Twister and Spiderman alone! But you might want to go early in the trip so you can have your final days at WDW to wallow in that Disney feeling.

[darthspiderman]

spiderman is definte must see. it is the most expensive ride ever created, and is worth every minute of it!

[phayes93]

Ahem...

Exuuuuuuuuuuuse me.....
What's a "Universal??????"

[ARIEL]

hi,
you have probably made up your mind to do ths anyway by now but i too, recommend Islands of Adventure.
There is so much more colour and atmosphere here, i think and I think they will all love the area with Dr Seuss and the Popeye water ride.
Of course, while there, you get to ride the Spiderman ride and The Hulkacoaster...........fantastic!

If your after something a little less 'disney' then this is a great place.

take care

[inluvwithdisney]

We took our DD when she was two and nothing phased her at all!! She was more affected when she was 3!! I do not think they get it at 2!!! We went to Universal Hollywood which has less for kids then IOA!!

I would go to IOA!!!

[coasterman2002]

I have had no real interest to go to Universal before, but with the addition of Revenge of the Mummy and some more knowledge of the park, I want to go for a couple days. Has anyone gotten a chance to ride Revenge of the Mummy? If so, is it worth taking a day trip to ride it? Thanks.

[lisalovesmickey]

That is a tough call but you must do one of the parks.

This is how I would make my decision. Take into account the majority likes of your kids. If they are more movie, slow paced go to Universal. If they are adventure seekers, choose Islands. If they are a little of both then you can pick either and have a wonderful time.

Lisa

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by phayes93

Ahem...

Exuuuuuuuuuuuse me.....
What's a "Universal??????"

I'm not sure, but I heard a rumor that they have no idea what pixie dust is over there.

Can you believe it? Sounds like a terribly frightening place.

[skwak]

I have to say that now you all have me thinking of trying one of the Universal parks in October. I am sure that they have no fairy dust but we are always looking for something new to try.

Sounds like IOA would be the place that most of you would try. Maybe we will give it a whirl.

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by skwak

I have to say that now you all have me thinking of trying one of the Universal parks in October. I am sure that they have no fairy dust but we are always looking for something new to try.

Luke, I know how tempting the Dark Side may seem, but you should stay true to the Force.

[phayes93]

We actually went to Brand-X theme park several years ago (before IOA opened). We saw it ALL in less than one day and had plenty of time left to get back over to civilization to watch fireworks at MK. I actually liked the Back To The Future ride & the Hitchcock attraction, but the rest were totally lame. In fact, when we were driving back north after our vacation, DS (12 at the time) came up with the realization that most of the "decent" rides at Brand-X were "virtual reality" rides, just like the roller coaster virtual reality ride at our local mall. Suffice to say, we have resisted the dark side and the Force is with us.

[skwak]

Originally Posted by Matt McDonnell

Luke, I know how tempting the Dark Side may seem, but you should stay true to the Force.

Matt, the force is strong with you! Obie-Wan would be proud!!

Really our going or not is inter-related to whether or not we get a rental car, etc... I have to agree about the lack of pixie dust outside WDW. We went to Seaworld a few years ago and had a really good time. However, there just was not any magic to the place.. not as clean, not as over-the-top happy, etc.

Oh, I just don't know what the heck we are going to do....

[downsouthtigger]

Originally Posted by skwak

We went to Seaworld a few years ago and had a really good time. However, there just was not any magic to the place.. not as clean, not as over-the-top happy, etc.

Skwak, how dare you say sea world isn't magical! Thats my 2nd fave park in Orlando! Wdw is my first of course-4 parks but 1 one world!
With Atlantis and Krakken right next to each other thats soo great, wet on atlantis, dry off on Krakken! Krakken is by far the best roller coaster down in Orlando anyways! I'm not big on these launching coasters myself, thats why Rnrc and Hulk cannot top Krakken! Plus the only floorless rc in orlando!
Oh I'm off my point, Clyde and Semour, the best show in SW, one of the main reasons I go. The big guy, Shamu, is losing his touch though.
As for UF, they are some great parks, the studios is part MGM, just without Mickey. Phayes93, if you liked hitchcock, you may not wanna ever go back then, that was scrapped for Shrek 3-D. Also Kong is gone to make room for Revenge of the Mummy. If you're in the area and have the time its a really great place to spend a couple days. I haven't been in 3 years now, but I remember it was pretty fun. You will have to remember since it's not disney the theming will not be up to par. Except in one place. The dueling dragons ride @ IOA, take a look at the queue. It goes through a castle and catacombs, very much like a disney themed queue. Why is that?? This coaster was originally for AK, in the mythical beast land which was scrapped for asia. This is why there is a dragon on AK logo for those that wondered.
But IOA has some great rides, Spiderman is the top one, and I did enjoy cat in the hat myself. I actually had fun playing in Suess Landings!!! Still the theming is really generic in IOA, I can think of two islands in specific, toon lagoon and Super hero island, very bland and drab. As for the studios, its like a much larger, better budgeted MGM, like I said before without mickey.
So my take on it, if you've never been to universal studios, go there, it's the first park and the new mummy ride is there, for thrills and a more theme park style adventure go for IOA. If you have time, please do them both!
Oh as for the force being strong with me as a Cm, hows this for something funny. WHen Disney holds a blood drive for college program, why was our reward a blood drive pin, T-shirt, and a one day ticket to Universal fla?? Not a disney one day park hopper, but a ticket to USF!!!!