Age appropriate

[3jsmom]

This will be my 2nd visit to Universal Studios and my 1st visit as a mother I would like to know what rides really will be OK for my kids, the are twin 5.5 year olds. They are 46 inches tall, however many ride descriptions seem to say that my children are too young to handle these rides, even though they are tall enough. I really would like for them to experience Jaws and Jurassic Park, because I feel they can handle these rides, but I also don't want to traumatize my children for life. I have not been to Islands of Adventure and my only visit to Universal Studios was 7 years ago. I would really appreciate everyone's thoughts and/or personal experiences. We have been "riding the rides" online, and have discussed at length that everything they will see is pretend. Thanks so much for everyone's time and insight

 

[Motherfletcher]

My kids at that age were scared of King Kong but didn't have a problem with anything else.

 

[G&J's Mom]

It really depends on the child. I have experiences from this past February with 4 yo DS and 5.5 yo DD. I was curious to see how they would do. They are pretty adventurous though and will try anything once. Maybe not twice, but at least once DS was 41 inches so there was no issue with alot of the rides. He did however LOVE Spiderman and Jaws. DD did not. In fact she REALLY disliked Jaws alot, she cried. However, she was on the side of the boat where the shark pops up pretty consistently, DS was not, and I am guessing that may have made quite a difference. I will tell you what Jurassic Park was her absolute favorite. We rode many many times. She initially disliked the Bluto Rat Barges cause she rode in the dark when it was freezing outside. She is bound and determined to ride it when we go back in May, in the daylight, in her bathing suit, hehe. So no permanent mental scars there, . She is a trooper. She also has her sites set on Rip Saw Falls, which was closed when we were there. She did say NO WAY for a return Jaws though

We also did the online tour of the rides. In my life with DD, we have spent quite a few times getting in and out of lines cause she decided the ride was just not for her, so this was a great tool. DS is a bit more adventurous and I think that helps her get brave to try new things.

Good luck and have a great time!

Denise

 

[3jsmom]

Motherfletcher and G&J's mom thanks for sharing some of your experiences, and thankyou for the welcome! I've been reading alot of the posts and following the drama, but as our trip nears I really needed to know about these rides for my kids We'll be visiting the first weekend of May and I hope the crowds won't be ridiculous As I watch hotel availability offsite, more and more seem to be selling out for our dates. Anyways, (sorry I tend to ramble )I was just hoping to avoid the looks from strangers like is she the worlds worst mom or what, and/or an employee needing to tell me "maam are you out of your mind bringing those wonderful children on this ride"

 

[Sylvester McBean]

the first week of May is a great time to go, but the parks are definately busier on the weekends. on Jaws, the left side of the boat gets the wettest and has the more intense encounters with the shark. as for JPRA, it's just like the movie, and a classic attraction theme. you start out as a nice boat ride observing the dinosaurs when something goes wrong. most of the smaller kids I've been on JPRA get scared at some point in the ride, but after the drop they want to go again. I never had that problem, our daughter was stuffing toilet paper in her shoes to ride coasters when she was under the height limit.

 

[Motherfletcher]

I find the 2nd row on the left side to be the "wet" one. If you keep the kids on the inside of the rows on Jaws and JPRA it should be OK. There is very little judging of parenting skills at USO. The crazy parents go to Disney!

 

[left210]

We just got back last night. Our son is 5. He loved Cat in the Hat, ET, Jurassic Park, and Jimmy Neutron. He was not too fond of Shrek because he just doesnt seem to like the whole 3D effect. He didnt like it last year at Disney either. Also, the play areas are so much fun for the kids. Bring swim suits for them to wear at the water play areas. Also, are you staying onsite? If so you will have front of the line as many times as you like which was nice with a child because you do not have very little wait times if any.

 

[3jsmom]

Thanks for the insight Sylvester McBean, I had a good chuckle when you commented on your daughter and the t.p. I very much could remember myself that way years ago Motherfletcher I must admit, I hadn't mentioned the obligatory Disney World day we'll be spending in Magic Kingdom I've actually read in some of the tour books about Magic Kingdom that you shouldn't even visit if you will only be doing so for one day, and when I went to our local Disney Store to purchase tickets for one day they looked at me like I was from another planet I'm much more excited about the Universal part of our trip, and keep reminding myself this is about the kids, not me Left 210 thanks for the recent notes on how your young one handled the rides! We unfortunately are not budgeted to stay onsite, especially since we are travelling with a total of 3 adults and 3 children, however I'm hopeful that the lines in Universal won't be overwhelming, and somehow I bet the lines at Universal won't even hold a candle to the lines at WDW. I've been reading about visiting Disney first then Universal, but I don't know if that would work well for us. We plan to do Universal Sat/Sun then Disney on Monday, then leave. Not to change subjects, but if anyone has a better plan or idea we'd love to hear it. Thanks again for everyone's comments

 

[Motherfletcher]

If we do both, WDW is first because standing in line seems more tolerable the first day. MK has over 16 million visitors a year. US had 6 million last year. The extra 10 million at MK usually show up when we go. Lines make all of us cranky. We go early and return to the hotel for naps after lunch then return late afternoon. The best advice at both parks is to get there early.