2 nights / 1 full day at US/IOE With a 5 year old

[BensDaddy]

Hello everyone,

In late September of this year I'm taking my wife and then-five year old son on a big vacation to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary!

We're departing our home in Arkansas on the 30th of September and spending two nights at the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. -- This is the hotel where we were engaged in 2000. This trip we'll have our 4 year old boy with us so we've splurged and decided to stay in the Seuss Suite. After a few days of Superheros, Dinosaurs, and Seuss we'll head to Port Canveral for a 4 night cruise on Disney Dream.

I am trying to figure out how best to spend our time at Universal as it will be limited. Our airplane lands at 2:30 so I would imagine it would be around 4:30 at the earliest before we actually get to Portofino Bay. I was thinking about letting the little one enjoy the pool for an hour or two and then maybe going to Citywalk for dinner, or just having some pizza there in his Dr. Seuss bedroom -- he'd probably love that! Mama Della's is another option. (I could always surprise the 5 year old with Medieval Times... he'd love that too)

On day 2 I know the wife and I would like to check out the Harry Potter area at IOA... even though we know that little guy will likely be too small to ride the main attraction. Beyond that, though, I don't know that we really have any plans. I figured I would buy one day park-hopper passes so we could see and do as much as we want to IOA and then go over to Universal Studios for the rest of the day. I think they both close pretty early on October 1st so I'm open to suggestions as per a touring plan, things not-to-miss, etc.

Should I skip Universal entirely and just do IOA since we only really have one day?

On day 3 we'll have breakfast and hit the road. We want to be out at the port by around 11am so we can have lunch on the ship.

I realize its an awfully short time at Universal -- we're really just going because that is the same resort where I asked my wife to marry me and I thought it would be romantic to go back there. But as long as we're there I would sure like to make it as enjoyable as possible for the whole family!

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

 

[SmallWorld71]

I suppose it depends on what your little one is really into.
IMO, the characters are much better at Universal. (But this depends on what the little ones like) DD7 was in heaven getting to meet Scooby, Shaggy, SpongeBob, Madagascar characters etc... IOA does have the super heroes and the Dr. Seuss characters in Suess landing.

Depending on how tall he is and what types of rides he likes, you may find that one park has a lot more for him to do than the other. Seuss Landing is the best for kiddie rides and DD7's favorite ride at both parks was Spiderman. Overall, though, there was more for DD to ride at Universal. She really enjoyed Jimmy Neutron, Simpsons and MIB. Both parks also have a kiddie coaster which is nice.

Personally, I would probably pick a park to start the day in and then see how much energy you have. Since you are at PB, you will have the front of the line access (which is great!) so you will be able to do a lot in a short amount of time. You could easily spend all day at IOA, but you may decide mid-day that you want to go over to US. If you are selective, I think you could do both.

 

[BensDaddy]

Thank you! I think you're one to something there. I'll probably buy the park-hopper tickets so we can do whatever we need to do.

Does anyone know how the early access to Harry Potter for onsite resort guests works?

 

[SmallWorld71]

When we were there (in August) all you needed to do was show up at the gate with your room keys and park passes in hand and they let you in. They were letting people in around 7:50 but I know this can vary depending on the crowds. Once we were inside we all walked through Seuss Landing to WWOHP. One day we arrived around 8:30 and they had let everyone in, but were checking room keys inside the gates after Port of Entry. If you had a room key, you were sent to the right through Seuss Landing, if not you were sent the other way and then held in Jurassic Park until 9:00.

 

[Planogirl]

Is your child aware of the Marvel characters yet? Mine was at that age and he would have been so excited to meet Spiderman. If so, Spiderman does a meet and greet in one of the shops in Marvel Island.

Is he familiar with the Shrek characters? You would definitely want to see the Shrek attraction if he is (and you go to both parks) and they also have a cute meet and greet next to the building.

One day isn't a lot but I bet that you can still get a lot done.

 

[BensDaddy]

Yes, he's a big superhero fan so that should work out great!

 

[Planogirl]

Yes, he's a big superhero fan so that should work out great!

If he likes superheroes, many of them come out on four wheelers during the day and then they stand in various locations to sign. I don't know the times but I'm sure that there must be a schedule.