Adults only trip - is Universal Studios/Island of Adventure a good idea?

[WonderfulLife]

Our experiences.....Husband 53 and I am 49. We are from Wisconsin. Our kids are now 22, 21, and 16. Our first visit down was in 2006. We went down alone. We told the kids is was to check to see if it was appropriate and scope it out. Yeah, they did not believe us but we went anyway. We have been going down 3-5 times per year since (once with the kids -- all others alone). We love it. We typically spend 3-4 nights between Royal Pacific and Hard Rock. We typically eat at Emerils, the Palm, Margaritaville, Hard Rock Cafe, Bob Marleys, and Pat Obriens. We eat offsite at Roy's. We typically get in around noon the first day -- go to Margaritaville then hit the pool and go to dinner. Second day, we get up when we want -- go to the parks in the morning, have lunch, hit the pool and have dinner with either mini golf or a movie. Third day, mimic the second but the other park. Fourth day, rollercoaster day.....get up go into US do RRR, mummy, mib, gringots, train to IOA then dragons, jurassic, spiderman, then Hulk. After that we head to Margaritaville. This October we will add in Kong. It wasn't ready in June when were down. We usually eat at Roy's our last night. I know it sounds so mechanic but it is relaxing for us. We both have hectic jobs and the schedule just works for us. We tend to relax quicker with no planning. We try to hit the last Thursday of the month. Hard Rock has the Velvet Session going on. We have been to several. They can be relaxing. For these, we tend to grab some seats in the bar area and just enjoy the music.

 

[Mom3girls]

We love getting up leisurely and going to the parks and getting to do what we want. Not that our kids really ever liked to stand in lines for meet and greets (at least not for the last 7/8 years) but we can walk over to wherever we want without having to please 3 very strong headed (female)teenagers. We choose to eat at places we would enjoy without having to worry if the kids would like to eat there or not. Very relaxing having drinks by the pool and chilling on the lounge chairs for as long as we wanted. Whole vacation was fly by the seat of your pants...most relaxing trip We now plan on going back in December, all staying in one room.My poor husband!! After this vacation we are definitely gonna wanna go back ALONE

 

[klacey1]

I echo what PP have said and encourage you to go! Honestly, I never even considered the thought of UO as potentially too "kiddie" until you mentioned it. I'm in my late 20's and go all the time with my mom, who is in her early 50's and loves it even more than I do.
For such a short trip, and one where it sounds like you'll be spending most of your time in the parks, I'd go with Royal Pacific. It's a short walk to both parks and much closer than Portofino Bay. It's also incredibly beautiful. We love the pool and pool bar, Bula Bar. Also, Jake's is great for beer and casual bar food.
City Walk is basically a bunch of restaurants, bars and clubs and a few stores. I am partial to Margaritaville for a fun atmosphere, even though I don't love the food. OTOH, the food at Cowfish is sooooo good. I think you and your husband would have a great time, and I hope you bite the bullet!

 

[tweak89]

Wife and I (both in our late 40's) enjoy all theme parks on our own (we have no kids) and don't feel the least bit odd while doing it. Universal is definitely more of a park for "grown ups". Citywalk appeals to us more than Downtown Disney ever did (although with the Disney Springs re-branding that could change). If we throw in a day at Discovery Cove we'll usually do a Five day trip. Two days at the park with Express Pass is more than enough to cover everything, but maybe not uncover it all.

We're departing Wednesday for our first visit to HHN.

 

[macraven]

Hope you become a Hhn addict like me!