3 Kids, 2 Parks, 1 Day (in June)

[mirak]

Family is taking a trip to Florida in late June. We did a day at Magic Kingdom last year (early spring). This year, we thought we'd try a day at Universal.

I know that summer is not an optimal time to visit the parks, so we're getting the Express Passes. I've gotten us a room at the Royal Pacific for one night just for the EPs. It's expensive, but for a nights lodging plus 4 EPs it's a decent value. On the day we fly into Orlando, we should be at hotel by around noon, and can hopefully hang at the pool while waiting to check in. The next morning, the fun begins.

We're getting a 2 Park pass and we plan to conquer in one day. Hopefully early admission will help with that. Also, some of the rides are out due to the ages of the kids. I have 3 boys, ages 2, 5, and 8. The 2yo won't be doing much except the carousel, but grandparents will be there to help watch.

Here's my To-Do List. I'd appreciate your thoughts on whether these rides will be age appropriate for the 5 and 8 year olds.

Universal Studios
- Despicable Me
- ET
- Gringotts
- Hogwarts Express
- MIB
- Ollivanders
- Shrek 4D
- Simpsons
- Transformers

Island of Adventure
- Cat in the Hat
- Flight of the Hippogriff

and Maybe...
- HP Forbidden Journey (5yo might not meet height - is this ride too intense?)
- Amazing Spider Man (too intense for 5yo?)
- JP River Adventure (they'll love the dinos but plunge at the end might be too intense?)
- Bilge Rat Barges (how soaked?)
- Poseidon's Fury (good for young kids?)

Finally, what are the best restaurant choices for a dinner in the parks? I'm looking for decent value, decent food, and decent theme. Do I have a shot of getting a reservation this "late" for late June?

For example, last year at Disney we ate at Liberty Tree Tavern. I wasn't expecting much but was blown away by the quality and value (huge portions).

Sorry for the ramble - thanks for your help!

 

[damo]

Why don't you check in as soon as you get there and go to the parks? That's what I would do. The express pass is good for check-in and check-out days with a one night stay.

 

[Jujumama]

I was there last April with my 2 boys and nephew. My oldest was 6 but he's short (just 42") and my youngest had just turned 2 and nephew is was 5 but taller than my son. This was my experience:


Universal Studios
- Despicable Me -I think they would love it and you may be able to go with the 2 year old if you do the stationary seats.
- ET - I think this would work.
- Gringotts - 6 year old loved it and because of child swap was able to ride it 3-4 times.
- Hogwarts Express - all can enjoy this one.
- MIB - older boys liked it
- Ollivanders - all can enjoy
- Shrek 4D - didn't get to do this one
- Simpsons - my 6 year old liked it but I think it made him a little dizzy.
- Transformers - 6 and 5 year old liked it, same goes for Spider Man (similar ride)

Island of Adventure
- Cat in the Hat - 5 and 6 year old liked it. There is also a fish one that sprays water that my 2 year old was able to ride with me.
- Flight of the Hippogriff - 6 year old put on a brave face and said he liked it but didn't need to ride again, same for woody woodpecker in universal (at least he tried it). If you kids like coasters though they should be fine.

and Maybe...
- HP Forbidden Journey (5yo might not meet height - is this ride too intense?) - This one varies, people love it or don't. I am not sure about that one. Good news is you can all go and see the castle and use child swap and perhaps go first and decide if they should get on.
- Amazing Spider Man (too intense for 5yo?) - similar to transformers, I think it will be fun.
- JP River Adventure (they'll love the dinos but plunge at the end might be too intense?) - the plunge took my boys by surprise but the boat ride was really nice and before you know it the plunge was over
- Bilge Rat Barges (how soaked?) - didn't get to do that one.
- Poseidon's Fury (good for young kids?) - my 5 and 6 year old cried. I thought it was pretty tame but they have pyrotechnics that freaked my oldest and nephew so that one may require additional consideration.

There are sooooo many food choices. My boys are light eaters so many times they were able to share a kids meal or adult meal. We ate at the Leaky Cauldron (Mac and Cheese) which was pretty big so the boys shared that and the Simpsons area which I'm glad I went but would not likely return (just didn't feel the food). I really didn't consider value as much as tried to prevent lunch meltdowns sorry I can't be too much help there.

 

[macraven]

Just to add that Shrek also has stationary seating

It's colorful and your little might enjoy it

 

[Gypsy3]

Here are my thoughts-You will get soaked on the water rides. We've been several times and loved doing these but seriously you have to plan around the soaking. HP forbidden journey is intense and the last time I did it I noticed how it was a little iffy for my motion sickness but I powered through it. Spiderman was an issue for my motion sickness too but I just tried to breathe through it. I have a child who is motion sick on bus rides but she managed to do those rides.Shrek was a thumbs down for us because we were tired and the preshow made us stand and seemed so long. The actual theater part of it was great. loved the JP ride.Poseidon's Fury- meh wouldn't do it again. Really don't know why they keep it there. Just my opinion. Mummy was the best ride I've been on but it will be way too intense I would think. Just saying you might want to try to do it as adults. The first time we did it my kids were all adults and we came off it looking at each other saying"that was so great!!!"I love ET, I would do it every trip but now my kids think it's lame. It's so soothing. Your kids will probably enjoy it.

 

[mirak]

Why don't you check in as soon as you get there and go to the parks? That's what I would do. The express pass is good for check-in and check-out days with a one night stay.

I know the EPs are good for both days, but aren't the park tickets only good for one day? I'm not going to buy double the tickets for two days.

 

[mirak]

Thank you everyone for your info.

I remember Mummy from my last trip years ago and I really liked it - but that's going to be too much for 5yo.

I also loved the Hulk and dueling dragons coasters, but that would be strictly adults only. Doubt it'll happen this trip.

That's a great idea doing the que for HP in the castle and then using child swap if the 5yo doesn't actually want to ride! I know he'd just enjoy the castle itself.

 

[kohlby]

I've actually been there with kids ages 2, 5, and 8 before. Different kids can handle different things, of course.

I would add the Fountain to that list. I can't remember the official name of it, but my kids have always loved it and talk about it long after our trips. The fountain talks to the kids. It's by the Sinbad show. Woody Woodpecker's coaster is another favorite of my kids at around that age. And also don't forget about the place with the balls. (Again, I can't remember the exact name). It's by the curious george play area.

As for the maybe's you asking about:

HP Forbidden Journey - Possibly too intense for the 5 year old. Neither of my younger two would have been ready at 5. (My eldest was past 5 when it came out)
- Amazing Spider Man - That's the first ride my eldest ever did in a theme park. He was 3. We quickly figured out we probably shouldn't have started with that one for a 3 year old. However, it's no where near as intense as FJ and I'd think many kids could handle it at 5.
- JP River Adventure - It depends how they feel about getting wet. My kids won't do this ride even now - at 6, 9, and 12 because they don't want to get wet. We did get the older two on years ago and then got splashed more than expected - which resulted in my middle child not trusting me the rest of the day when I said rides wouldn't get her wet.
- Bilge Rat Barges - I'm laughing at your "how soaked" comment. This is THE wettest ride I've ever been on. I went on it before I had kids. I was completely soaked - including underwear and socks. I don't mind a splash - and enjoy the River Adventure. But there's no way I'm going back on that again without a poncho and water-friendly shoes.
- Poseidon's Fury - Eh. My older two actually liked it this last time, at 9 and 12. My 6 year old did not. We had done it two years before and the middle child didn't like it when she was 7. I'd skip it unless you find you have extra time. It can also be a bit scary for young kids.

About Hulk and Dragon's Challenge, you don't have a lot of time, but if one of the adults can sneak away, see if the ride has single rider line open. That's how we've done it in the past and it really helped it go quickly.

As for food, Three Broomsticks is one of our favorites and is very economical due to the large portions. Plus, counter service is easier with young kids we've found. We bought two chicken and ribs platters and were able to share it among all five of us. What we do on our Three Broomsticks day is get two adult meal plans, at $19.99 each. We get two chicken and rib platters and later get two frozen butterbeers using our snack credits. With just that, we've already made it worth it - and there would be four drinks total with two adult plans. We normally get two with our entree and save two for later. The drinks are big so we share those too. If you're just looking for an economical shareable snack, the giant donut in the Simpson's area is easy for a family to share. (I'm not sure how someone eats the entire thing without sharing).

 

[RMulieri]

If you little one can do transformers, they will be able to do Spiderman .It is essentially the same ride

 

[damo]

I know the EPs are good for both days, but aren't the park tickets only good for one day? I'm not going to buy double the tickets for two days.

One day park to park tickets for adults are $147 and for kids are $142.
You can get two day park to park tickets at Maple Leaf Tickets for $193 and kids for $182. Two days non park to park are just slightly more than one day park to park.
https://www.mapleleaftickets.com/universal_studios_tickets.htm

 

[johde]

I know the EPs are good for both days, but aren't the park tickets only good for one day? I'm not going to buy double the tickets for two days.

It is going to cost extra but not double. A 1 day park to park ticket is $152 on Undercover Tourist. A 2 day is $200. (slight less for child tickets) So, an extra $48 for the second day. Right now, they are offering buy 2 days get 1 free. So, if you happened to be around Orlando again during your vacation you could do another day (without EP).

 

[mirak]

This is all excellent information, on rides, meals, and tickets. Thank you. I'll talk to m wife and see if she wants spring the extra $50 per ticket to add a half day when we arrive. To me, that seems like a good deal and more time to tackle both parks, but she might just be inclined to let the kids sorta unwind at the pool after being cooped up on the jet.