3 and 4 yr old - USO or IOA better?

[DisneyDW]

We're taking our first trip to USO in just a few weeks and I'm trying to figure out which we should hit first and if we should stay at HRH or RPH. HRH looks closest to US but if we're at IOA, RPH may be better and I have a better rate there.

My 3 year old dare devil will ride anything but will hit most of the height restrictions at 37". My 4 year old is 43" but will hit the fear restriction - he's pretty conservative in what he'll ride. They love shows, characters and all the other stuff.

We're driving in on Sat after Thanksgiving so will have most of the day on Sat, all day Sun and through mid-afternoon on Mon before we need to catch our flight home. I'm thinking about staying at RPH, hitting IOA on Sat, US on Sun and go back to whichever one we like better on Mon.

 

[sha_lyn]

DD has always enjoyed IOA more, but there is more they can do at US at that age/size. Your plan sounds pretty good. ti will give you all day sunday to catch shows in US.

We've stayed in RPR and HRH. We prefer RPR. We had horrible experiences at HRH on both stays.

 

[DisneyDW]

Is it too far to walk from RPR to US with little kids?

 

[sha_lyn]

I guess it really depends on the kids and if you are using a stroller. The water Taxis are a nice way to get to either park, or back to the hotel. I would say we use the about 1/2 the time. We've stay are HRH and walk to IOA and we've stayed at RPR and walked to US. Neither walk is bad.

 

[DisneyDW]

Thanks! We'll take the stroller so we'll probably walk. Do kids wear life jackets on the water taxis?

 

[sha_lyn]

Do kids wear life jackets on the water taxis?

No

 

[GrimReapuh]

when i fell into the Universal phenomena, it forst went to IOA, and wow, it blew my mind. then I went to USF and wow it blew my mind.

but for 3 and 4 year olds, take them to IOA. They will love the cat in the hat.

 

[gschmerl]

Check out this link for info on what kids can do at the parks.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=373625

 

[DisneyDW]

Thank-you!

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

We did both parks and I think the kids liked IOA more. They had a great time at both though.

Just watch the cat in the hat ride, on our first trip through it DD (almost 3 and big) went flying despite me holding on to her on the first spin and banged her cheek on the side of the car, a week later she still has a black eye and bruise on her cheek.

 

[GrimReapuh]

There are no water taxis. Well, not anymore

 

[sha_lyn]

Originally posted by GrimReapuh
There are no water taxis. Well, not anymore

Since when?

 

[GrimReapuh]

A while ago.

I felt bad too.

I was standing in the JP port waiting for it. I felt bad cause they were gone.

 

[sha_lyn]

The water taxi's run from the the hotels to City Walk. they are not inside the parks.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I always take my kids to IOA first. Seuss Landing is so cool, my kids love that place. Since your youngest is 37", there is alot of stuff that they can do. They will be able to ride the Flying Unicorn coaster. My daughter has been riding it since she was 3 and she loves it. There is also the Jurassic park Discovery center for the little kids, we always have to make a stop in there. There is Popeye's ship that they can play on in Toon Lagoon, and Storm Force which is in the Super Hero Island that they can ride. It is like the teacups.

 

[sn00zn]

My kids are 11, 6, and 4, and they all prefer IOA for really spending time in. The Seuss area alone can take up several hours for little ones who enjoy all the rides there and the wonderful play area. The atmosphere in the Lost Continent area is also fun for kids and they all love the mystical talking fountain. The Sinbad show is also entertaining on a level that most 3 and 4 year olds would probably enjoy. Even the areas where they can't ride the big stuff are themed in a way that was more appealing to my kids than U.S. At the Studios, there were certain attractions they really liked (Shrek being #1), but IOA was always the park they all wanted to go to.

I think the person who said the water taxis were gone, was talking about the Island skipper tours. This was apparently a boat ride within IOA which doesn't run anymore. I'm sure some of the locals would let us all know if the water taxis from the hotels to Citywalk quit running!

snoozn

 

[GrimReapuh]

Ohh, those.
My bad