Islands of Adventure & Universal or Magic Way?

[kotzally]

My 5 & 3 yr old boys will be experiencing Disney World for the first time in April. I have noticed that tickets for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure (park to park) would be cheaper than the Magic your Way tickets...would these parks be suitable for these age kids? We will only be in Florida for 3 days and would like to have the best time possible but also keep cost down!

 

[PiperPizzaz]

I say no and I think that will be what the majority will say. I really really love Universal/IOA but, I haven't been there since my 4 yo was born.

 

[brergnat]

Uh, definitely NO! I, personally think US is a huge borefest! I love IOA, though, but it's chock full of thrill rides with height requirements that a 5/3 year old will not meet! The ONLY thing for kids is Dr. Seuss land, and there are only about 3 rides in it.

There is a reason why the tickets are cheaper. There is a lot less to do, and it's NOT the same as Disney at all. Save it for when they are teenagers.

To save some money, just get the MYW base tickets (no hopper) and do one park each day. They are not so bad that way. I'd do 2 days in Magic Kingdom and one day at Animal Kingdom with kids those ages. (and I HAVE kids those ages!).

 

[Maggie'sMom]

My 5 & 3 yr old boys will be experiencing Disney World for the first time in April. I have noticed that tickets for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure (park to park) would be cheaper than the Magic your Way tickets...would these parks be suitable for these age kids? We will only be in Florida for 3 days and would like to have the best time possible but also keep cost down!

I'm a little confused. You said your boys will be experiencing DW for the first time, but are talking about not buying DW tickets and only buying US/IOA tickets. If you want your boys to get to experience Disney, then I don't know why you wouldn't buy Disney tickets.

I agree with the other posters that for the ages of your boys, you are much better off at Disney than at Universal. There is so much more for young children to do at the Magic Kingdom. I'm sure they'd love Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom as well.

 

[i_love_stitch]

We took our children, ages 2, 4, 8 and 10 last summer to Universal and IOA. Although the two older children were content with what was there, there was very, very little for our younger ones. There were not even many places fit for downtime, like nice stores, in the parks for me to kill time.

Disney has many more rides suitable for the whole family to experience at once. And more stores and entertainment when you are the one stuck waiting.

PS- Child swapping was non existant at Universal IMO.

 

[casper_jj11]

Wow. I'm so glad I found this thread. We've been to WDW several times. DD(just turned 4) has been granted a Wish (in remission from cancer). We're just in the initial planning stages but dd desperately wants to see the princesses. The Foundation suggested 3d WDW, 2d Universal and 1d Seaworld. We have DS7 and DS2 as well. I know DS7 would love teh thrill rides but I've been really thinking that DD isn't old enough for US yet. Although its a family trip, its her special trip and I really want to be places she'll love. I know there's flexibility in the tickets so I think I'll ask to skip US and maybe add on to WDW tix.... or maybe request Busch Gardens since she loves animals ... I so want this to be special for her ... I'd love your thoughts.

 

[kbheap]

I agree with the others. IOA is definitely not the right place for kids that age and I love IOA. We haven't been since we have children. When they get a little older, we will go together because they will love it then. I would opt to do 2 or 3 days at DW, maybe 2 at MK and 1 at Epcot. My kids love Epcot.

 

[amez]

what ages are good ages for Universal? We are planning to visit this summer for a couple of weeks and spend part of the time at dinsey and a few days at Univeral - our kids will be 19 (figure he'll enjoy anything), 10, 8 and 6.
tia

 

[everylastbreath]

what ages are good ages for Universal? We are planning to visit this summer for a couple of weeks and spend part of the time at dinsey and a few days at Univeral - our kids will be 19 (figure he'll enjoy anything), 10, 8 and 6.
tia

Your kids are PERFECT age for US/IOA, they will probably like Universal better than Disney, it's def. geared to older kids, we were there last summer (Disney/Universal split vaca) w/my 3 year old GS, and he was just a little too young for it and we did spend a lot of time in "Dr. Seuss world" (more than I would have liked, but planning on taking him back this summer, since he is now over the height requirements and can get on a lot more rides. If you want more info on Universal, go over to the Universal portion of DIS, you will not find a lot of Universal "fans" on Disney side of the board- Personally I love universal, plus they have FOTL if you stay in their hotels, Disney should follow their example on that one. (Flames..Flames everywhere...) sorry but it's my opinion.