[gracie]

We have never been to Universal, and decided to spend a day there this trip. Is there enough at Universal to entertain a pre-schooler, or should I just save the $$? I figure either way, we wanted to get there and enjoy their downtown area. Is the Citywalk what is considered their downtown, or is there another area other than the CityWalk? I checked out the Citywalk from their website, and didn't find there was too much there...
Any help or suggestions on how to spend this day???

[wdwspider]

If you can hop between Universal and Island of Adventure you can probably fill a pre-schoolers day. Otherwise Universal is heavily geared toward teens and young adults. they have some young children rides and shows, but not alot. Islands of Adventure has slightly more with the Seuss area, and the themes of Super Heroes, Dinosaurs, and Toon Lagoon. But again, it is still tailored more toward an older audience. Together, you can find a lot to fill a pre-schoolers day I think.

[gracie]

Can I hop between the two parks with a regular one day pass?

[wdwspider]

Originally Posted by gracie

Can I hop between the two parks with a regular one day pass?

Here are your options according to www.Mousesavers.com :

1 Day/1 Park Pass Adults $63.63 Kids (ages 3-9) $51.12
1 Day/2 Park Pass Adults $84.08 Kids (ages 3-9) $72.37

I do not see the option to buy the one day/ two park pass online so I am guessing you must buy it at the park. It is a bit more expensive, but you can see all that both parks offer and choose the best of the best at each to try.

[ddoll]

I disagree. I think both parks have plenty for the little ones. I think a parent's perspective on what there is to do is influenced by what age kids you bring with you. We've been going to Uni for years.....since our youngest was a baby and there wasn't even an IOA built yet. We found loads and loads of things to keep the little ones entertained.

Citywalk is filled with stores and restaurants. For most park patrons, it's just a passageway into the parks. Think of the Uni layout as a big letter "Y". The base of the Y is Citywalk and the two parks branch off it: IOA to the left and USF to the right. The only thing for little ones to do in Citywalk is some spraying water fountains to cool you off.

This website gives you a lot of inside information about the Uni parks: lots and lots of photos. http://www.universal-excitement.com/
If you have a preschooler, you'll get a lot of use out of the play areas in each park. They're super!

eta: On the left hand side of the home page there is a guide to the site. Under each park there are headings. Check out the Kids Guide page for each park. That will give you more perspective on what you're looking for with a little one.

[wdwspider]

I'm not sure where you disagree with me. I said both parks had plenty for little ones. I just said one park does not have a days worth of stuff for little ones. Sounds like you agree with me. Or I just misunderstood you.

[ddoll]

Sorry Spider, that was a misunderstanding...what I was referring to was the "geared towards teens and young adults" part. My meaning is that if you go with young children, you will easily see many things geared towards them.

but you're right...we're on the same page.

[KarenT]

Here is my tip for you. Bring a bathing suit for your preschooler. Universal has a really cool Curious George water area. We spent a lot of time there with my 4 y/o. She was soaked the first day, we brought a bathing suit the next day! She would have spent all day there! She had a great time. There was plenty for her to do.

[royorb1]

We will go to Univ only on our next trip (no IOA); they have The Barney show which is excellent, My DD favorite Woody Woodpecker rollercoaster, ET adventure, Shrek 4d, Jimmy Neutron's Blast (which is incredible for everyone). Very good park for kids Also they have Nickelodian Slime Time Live which is alot of fun

[gracie]

Thanks for the advice. I don't think I'll get to both parks since it is alot of $$. I did want to go to Universal for the Barney show, but I don't want to spend that much money for just that.
I guess we'll play it by ear and see if we feel like going once we get there...

[Soundgod]

They don't have a two park/one day. What they have is a two park/two day that allows you to hop parks on both visit days and the second day does not expire, so you can use one day this year and one day next year. There's probably plenty in both parks for a day in each for your kids.
Hey Gracie, check out our timers. They're one hour off!

[gracie]

Yay! Our trip is almost here! I don't think I want to give up two days in WDW for Universal. One day is plenty for now. Maybe when the children are older, we'll go for a longer period.

[Kippage]

Originally Posted by Soundgod

They don't have a two park/one day.

Could it be seasonal? We went last summer and got a 1 day park hopper for Univ/IOA for around $70 per person. I'm not sure if it was a limited time offer or not. But we bought tickets at the gate.
Or maybe I misunderstood the post?

[ddoll]

They may have been offering 2 parks/1 day at that time, Victoria. They do change the ticketing options fairly frequently with different deals.

This is what is being offered presently:
http://themeparks.universalstudios.c...t_landing.html

[lopo]

gracie, if you decide to skip Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure but you'd like to visit CityWalk, you may want to go in the evening because the parking is free. Also, it is free to walk around and take in all the sites, visit the shops and restaurants, etc. If you wanted to visit a club, you'd need to buy a ticket (but I suspect that wouldn't be on your agenda with your preschooler.) Sometimes there are "shows" (Magician, music groups, etc.) going on in the open areas, too (like you may see on Disney's Boardwalk.) It can be a fun night and the bright lights, etc. will probably attract your youngster.