Are US and IOA worth a day with young kids

[MikeP]

We are going to Orlando in 3 weeks. We have been twice in the last few years but have never done US or IOA, I have 2 kiddos 9 and 5 both under 54"(I believe that is the height restriction on most of the coasters as I have read here), are both of these parks worthy of a day? We are only going to have 5 days worth of parks this time since the trip is rather last minute. If both parks aren't worth a day is one of them worth a day with the kids?

 

[gracie]

I went to IOA last year with my dad and my 9 year old (at the time he was 8). He was very upset that he could not go on the Hulk or Dueling Dragons. BUT, he loved the Spiderman ride, wanted to ride that a few more times. Everything in Seuss Landing, Ripsaw Falls, and Bilge Barge.

But his favorite thing was the magic fountain, he could have stayed there for hours. Does anyone know if they're still doing this? While my dad rode Fire, we went over to do a little shopping and ran across the fountain that talks to you. Somehow someone can see you and it was picking on him and got him soaking wet. We probably spent 1/2 hour just doing that!!

Hope that helps a little with your decision.

 

[Patch'sD]

yes, My daughter who was eight enjoyed Universal with and without the coasters.

 

[Sleepy]

We were there in March and ran across this talking fountain as well. It was so cute. The voice is so dainty. We stood there for about 45 minutes. It really is funny.

There is lots for the kids to do. My son was 7 the last time we went to US. There was nothing in that park that he couldn't do. This year he is 9, but a tad short for the big coasters (we are a short family). There is still plenty for him to do and we know he will enjoy IOA. It will be a new park for him. Hubby and I went alone earlier this year. We are excited.

 

[gschmerl]

My four year old nephew likes it better than WDW.

 

[robvia]

You can't see both parks in 1 day, there is too much to see.

Universal has the Woody Wood Pecker play ground area, and it even has a kiddie coaster next to it.
This is a water park, with two houses with all kinds of hands on water contraptions to play with. Over each house is a huge bucket that fills with water. When the bucket fills, a bell rings and everyone runs to the spot where the water will fall. The kids get drenched like you wouldn't believe. Behind this area is a room with vacuum machines that suck up foam balls and shoot them all over the room.

Kids can easily spend 3 hours in this area alone, and you'll have to drag them away. Bring them here in a bathing suit, and have a change of cloths when they're done. The best idea is to have them wear a bathing suit under regular cloths. When you get to the water area, have them take off the outer cloths and shoes. There is a bench that goes around the outer edge of the play ground where the parents sit and put the cloths, noone will touch them. Bring a book to read, everyone just hangs out.

Next to that is a Barney sing alone show, and close by is an animal show. There is also a climbing play ground that has a water slide.

On the other side of the park is a Beatle Juice Musical show.

If you have two adults, one can watch the kids, while the other goes on a few movie rides.

US is the better choice and well worth the price of admission. My daughter is 9 and we spent 2 hours in that water area. I had to beg her to leave. Kids love getting wet.

 

[MikeP]

Thanks all for the comments.

We will definately be doing one of the parks. Sounds like we will be doing US for sure. Should we skip IOA for another time? Like I said I just hate to skip AK or Epcot for IOA and be disappointed.

Seems to me that most of the positive comments are about US not so much IOA.

 

[BuzzLightYear3]

We just got back last week and spent 3 nights at HRH with an 8, 4, and 1 year old. We did Universal the first day we were there and IOA the second day....I think they liked IOA better although they were both fun. IOA does a great job with the different themes in each section, and they seemed to have a good variety of rides in each section. My 8 year old is tall but not adventurous enough for the really big roller coasters. He loved the water rides though, and even the 4 year old found something she liked in each area...e.g. mid-size roller coasters, water rides, Cat in the Hat, etc. If I had to pick one, I'd go with IOA for sure!

 

[beattyfamily]

If my family with a 5 year old and a 2 year old had to choose between them, it would be IOA for sure, but we're doing both again since Universal has Barny show and the ET ride and the Woody WoodPecker rollercoaster.

 

[KProuty]

My kids liked IOA better, hands down. They LOVED the Unicorn roller coaster and they are four and seven. They could live in the Jurassic Park playground. They loved the Pteranadon Flyers, where you have to have a young kid to even get on it. They also loved the Jurassic Park ride. (Better than the Dinosaur ride at Disney.) Seuss Landing is fun... my older daughter went on the Popeye ride (forget the height requirement for that one, but my four-year old couldn't go.) Their absolute FAVORITE FAVORITE show is Sinbad. Beats any show at Universal or Disney for them. They also have the new Storm ride, teacups for older kids. The themeing is just so great -- try to go at night to get the full effect of the torches, etc. Spiderman is the best ride I have ever been on -- either at Disney or Universal, and both my kids could go on it.

Hope this helps!

Katherine

 

[Radar]

My vote would be to skip a Disney Park and stay at HR, for one night you get FOTl privileges for two days that gives you a day for each park, there is no comparison to waiting in line at Disney, we got back a couple of weeks ago and agree it was by far the most fun we have ever had, the kids rode the rides a zillion times, you are just a minute or two from the parks,the pool at Hr is soo much fun, please give it a try, you won't miss the day waiting in the broiling sun at Disney a bit I promise....

 

[The Mystery Machine]

HRH rocks! My 4yo liked Flying Unicorn coaster and let me tell you you will feel like a VIP with FOTL!! She loved Jaws, Barney, Woody coaster, Pflyers. When Barney came out here eyes about popped out of her head!

 

[sha_lyn]

My 3 1/2 DD loved both parks. I think she liked seuse lanidng in IOA the best and the Jurassic park play area. She really enjoyed US also but although she could do most of the rides she didn't really enjoy them. There was more to do in SL than in Woody woodpeckers area at US but she loved ET and Barney also.