4 kids-December-which park USO or IOA?

[crazee4mickey]

This may be a silly question but which is more "kid friendly" USO or IOA? We have a 6 and 8 year old plus a 15 and 17 year old and have absolutely no idea, we've read reviews but not sure. Plus we are going to WDW beginning of December and plan on either USO or IOA for one day--so is there anything "special" that happens which would make one park more exciting than the next?Thanks in advance for any suggestions

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I think your older ones will like IOA much better, but your younger will like the Studios... If you were going for more than one day &/or had a 2 park pass, I would say to go to the Studios & let the older go off on their own after doing some of it with you. I usually do that, I stay at the Studios with my 11yr old & my 15 yr old & her friends or cousins (who ever she is with at the time) go off on their own to IOA...and then we meet up later...

 

[Candice30]

i agree. i have found that older kids like IOA and younger kids prefer universal studios. if it were me and i only had one day and was going to do only one park, i think that you can cover the whole group better at universal studios. i love IOA but for one day, i would be concerned with the little ones and the rides they may not be able to get on like the coasters and i have also found that i never do the water rides when we are there only 1 day and IOA is a very wet park!

 

[MrsMud]

You don't say if your kids are thrill seekers or not, but I also think US might be the best fit for your family, IF you had to choose just one. Shrek and Jimmy Neutron alone would be reasons to go for the younger ones. The older kids would likely enjoy the Mummy and Back to the Future (you could all go on that as long as no one is bothered by simulators). Then you have Twister, Earthquake, Jaws, Men In Black and all the shows.
That said, IOA is FANTASTIC and has loads of appeal for the teens and a great kids area as well. Would you consider dropping one of you Disney days and doing two at US/IOA? That would be you best bet!

*On second thought, since you are doing Disney first, which is mainly geared to the younger set, maybe you should opt for IOA instead, your older kids will love you for it!

 

[crazee4mickey]

Thanks for all the suggestions--in answer to are my kids "thrill seekers" the answer is half of them are! The oldest(17) and the youngest (6)seem to love it but the middle two (15 and 8) are scared of their own shadow! That's why we have been split on where to go! Are there any special christmas parades, photo- ops, etc. that we should consider?

 

[Figment22]

Originally posted by crazee4mickey
Are there any special christmas parades, photo- ops, etc. that we should consider?

Universal Studios has the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade complete with the big balloons during the month of December.

Islands of Adventure celebrates Grinchmas. Seuss Landing is transformed into Whoville. There is Mt. Crumpet which is a tube ice slide and the Grinch's Lair where you meet the Grinch for a photo-op. The special Christmas show in Seuss Landing is the Whobilation. If you choose IOA, you need to brush up on your Dr. Seuss

Both parks and the Universal hotels are very festive at Christmastime.

BTW, in answer to your original question, my first response would be take two days and visit both parks. If that's truly not possible, I would probably recommend Universal Studios. It would be better for your 6 & 8 year olds but still offer plenty of enjoyment for your teenagers. With the opening of Revenge of the Mummy, USF now has a first class thrill ride and Men in Black: Alien Attack is top notch fun for everyone in the family. Your younger kids could most likely spend the whole day in Woody's Kidzone. Make sure to go all the way to the back of the Kidzone into the Curious George area. Although it's most likely too cool to have the kids get drenched in the water area in December, you won't want to miss the ball factory. Even my husband and DS14 have a great time shooting the spongy balls at each other there!

Rest assured that whichever park you choose, you will have a good time!