New to US/IOA, Not the Dis`Lot's of Questions

[jcc0621]

Hi Everyone! Dh and I are thinking of taking our DS(5) to US/IOA during our annual August trek to the Sunshine State. I have lots of questions that I hope you will be able to ask.

1. Is there enough to do for a 5yo (He is tall enough for most rides at WDW, but won't do upside down rides)

2. We are looking at a packeage that has us staying a the Royal Pacific Hotel. Booking through AAA saves us about $100 as opposed to booking directly through the Universal Orlando website. Any other sites out there that may offer some discounts.

3. Do you pay for parking at the hotel if you are stying onsite?

4. Meals - Do we need to pick where we are going to eat 6 months out and make reservations or can I do that closer to trip time?

5. Any good recommendations for food places with the 5 year old boy?

6. Will DS be able to meet spiderman? This would make his entire trip!

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[damo]

He can meet all of the superheroes every day, a few times each day. They have a superhero parade and then a meet and greet. He can even have breakfast with Spiderman if he wants.

There is enough to do for a brave 5 year old boy. Make sure you spend time in the many play areas. They seem to be more popular for kids than a lot of rides! He will probably adore the Jurassic Park playground.

Yes, you have to pay for parking, unfortunately but you can walk to the parks and that makes up for it.

You do not have to book restaurants in advance unless it is a really popular one and then just book the day before or so. There are lots of great restaurants for boys. Margaritaville, NBA, Nascar, Bubba Gumps, Mythos, Islands (cool kids' buffet), Circus McGurkus, to name just a few.

 

[macraven]

and there is barney!

check out ET, the play area, animal show, lots of great places for a 5 year old a the studios side.

 

[NashvilleTrio]

Hi Everyone! Dh and I are thinking of taking our DS(5) to US/IOA during our annual August trek to the Sunshine State. I have lots of questions that I hope you will be able to ask.

1. Is there enough to do for a 5yo (He is tall enough for most rides at WDW, but won't do upside down rides) YES! There's a misconception that US & IOA aren't for younger kids, but there is more than you think. Woody Woodpecker's play area at US is great. This includes Fievels playground and Curious George water playground. Our son can play there for hours if we would let him. Also at US is Men in Black - similar to Buzz Lightyear at MK - very kid friendly; Jimmy Neutron's movie ride; Shrek 4-D; the ET ride; and Jaws should be ok as long as he's not afraid of a couple of loud parts. IOA has the Spiderman ride which is a must do since he love Spidey; Storm Force Accelatron which is like the Mad Hatter Tea Cup ride at MK; Popeye's water raft ride - you'll get soaked...great for a hot August day; if you get there early, the Pteranodon Flyers are fun but the line can be very long; and of course the whole Dr. Suess area is great!

2. We are looking at a packeage that has us staying a the Royal Pacific Hotel. Booking through AAA saves us about $100 as opposed to booking directly through the Universal Orlando website. Any other sites out there that may offer some discounts. Sorry, don't have any answers on this one

3. Do you pay for parking at the hotel if you are stying onsite? Yes, and I think it's about $15-20 a day.

4. Meals - Do we need to pick where we are going to eat 6 months out and make reservations or can I do that closer to trip time?Ditto on Damo's response here - only 24 hours in advance is needed. However, if I were you I'd book the breakfast with Spiderman at Confisco's a little earlier just to be safe. Like a month out should be fine.

5. Any good recommendations for food places with the 5 year old boy?We like eating at Thunder Falls Terrace at IOA because our son loves to go outside during and after eating to watch the Jurassic Park River Adventure boats come down the hill, and he loves to get splashed a time or two while he's out there. Another idea would be Circus McGurkus in Dr. Suess land at IOA. We actually haven't eaten there yet, but the theming and atmosphere is so cool. Part of the Trolley ride actually goes through this restaurant.

6. Will DS be able to meet spiderman? This would make his entire trip!

Thanks in advance for any help!

I hope this helps a little - you guys will have a blast!

 

[jcc0621]

Thank you for all of the great responses! I am taking notes. I'm sure I will be hanging out here a bit more to gather more information as the trip gets closer.

 

[d4est]

You may want to look into pricing everything separately. You can usually save money. If you are staying several days, the hotels usually offer a "Super Saver" rate and that's usually a better discount than the others.

 

[jcc0621]

You may want to look into pricing everything separately. You can usually save money. If you are staying several days, the hotels usually offer a "Super Saver" rate and that's usually a better discount than the others.

Thanks. Right now the plan is for 2 full days. Is that enough do you think?

 

[donaldduck352]

Thanks. Right now the plan is for 2 full days. Is that enough do you think?

To take all that Universal and the Islands have too offer,I would recomend at least 3days!!

 

[LilMommyBug]

We took our 5 year old in May & she LOVED it. There is lots for them to do!

 

[Metro West]

Thank you for all of the great responses! I am taking notes. I'm sure I will be hanging out here a bit more to gather more information as the trip gets closer.

So glad the homies could help. Please stick around and ask as many questions as you need to. We are here to help.

 

[Planogirl]

I would consider three days too particularly if you stay onsite. That sounds odd but I'm assuming that you can still pool hop and my guys had a blast at both the Royal Pacific pool and then had a great time spending an afternoon at the Hard Rock Hotel pool.

As far as food goes, plan to eat at Citywalk. I was never that enthused about the hotel restaurants but so many of the Citywalk restaurants are great.

By the way, I know what you mean about Spiderman. DS was older than your son the first time we went to Universal and so didn't want to wait in line to meet Spiderman. I could tell though that he was totally jazzed just to see him.

 

[jcc0621]

To take all that Universal and the Islands have too offer,I would recomend at least 3days!!

Really??? Will have to do some more research!

We took our 5 year old in May & she LOVED it. There is lots for them to do!

Grat, thanks!

So glad the homies could help. Please stick around and ask as many questions as you need to. We are here to help.

Thank you

I would consider three days too particularly if you stay onsite. That sounds odd but I'm assuming that you can still pool hop and my guys had a blast at both the Royal Pacific pool and then had a great time spending an afternoon at the Hard Rock Hotel pool.

Wow! No pool police?

As far as food goes, plan to eat at Citywalk. I was never that enthused about the hotel restaurants but so many of the Citywalk restaurants are great.

I was looking at the restaurants there. DH definitely wants to eat at Margaritaville. I would like to try the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company!

By the way, I know what you mean about Spiderman. DS was older than your son the first time we went to Universal and so didn't want to wait in line to meet Spiderman. I could tell though that he was totally jazzed just to see him.

In August he was fine getting character autographs, but he didn'twant to get his picture taken with them..except Chip & Dale!

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What about inside the parks, any good recommendations for quick meals? What about the Meal Deal, is it worth it. Reading about it, it seems like such a good deal!