Considering a day at universal, but have a couple of questions.

[clh2]

Will be doing a couple of park days before a Disney Cruise. In the parks, there will be: 2 grandmas, 1 grandpa, 2 parents, and 3 boys, 6, 4, and 2.

On our first full day in Orlando, we will be hanging at the hotel pool, (Coronado Springs), and then the MNSSHP, and then we have 2 park days. The mom/dad want to do one day at Universal. This doesn’t appeal to me much at all. So I’ve offered to hang back at the hotel with the 2 year old, figuring there won’t be much that he can do (compared to the 4 and 6 year old).

I am A-ok not going to universal. As a matter of fact, I don’t really have any interest in Universal at all.

So, I’m curious, if the mom and dad want all 3 kids at the park, is there even much a 2 year old can do? He is keenly aware that the older brothers do more than he can do, Ie going over to Grandma’s etc, and generally gets upset when he isn’t on the A-list.

Any thoughts on this one way or the other would be appreciated. Thank you!

 

[HopperFan]

Will be doing a couple of park days before a Disney Cruise. In the parks, there will be: 2 grandmas, 1 grandpa, 2 parents, and 3 boys, 6, 4, and 2.

On our first full day in Orlando, we will be hanging at the hotel pool, (Coronado Springs), and then the MNSSHP, and then we have 2 park days. The mom/dad want to do one day at Universal. This doesn’t appeal to me much at all. So I’ve offered to hang back at the hotel with the 2 year old, figuring there won’t be much that he can do (compared to the 4 and 6 year old).

I am A-ok not going to universal. As a matter of fact, I don’t really have any interest in Universal at all.

So, I’m curious, if the mom and dad want all 3 kids at the park, is there even much a 2 year old can do? He is keenly aware that the older brothers do more than he can do, Ie going over to Grandma’s etc, and generally gets upset when he isn’t on the A-list.

Any thoughts on this one way or the other would be appreciated. Thank you!

We didn't go until our youngest was around 10 so that everyone could and would ride. Universal Parks are really not geared for young children overall.

First it matters which park they are looking to go to, and unless you get a hopper you can not ride Hogwart's Express. I think you should look over the Ride Height Requirements to see how many rides your kids can go on to decide if it is worth it for them to go.

https://www.universalorlando.com/we...height-requirements#universal-studios-florida

We did go to EPIC and our first thought was this park is not for young kids at all. Even Yoshi, which is as lame as you can get, requires 34" (and that is with an adult).

 

[clh2]

We didn't go until our youngest was around 10 so that everyone could and would ride. Universal Parks are really not geared for young children overall.

First it matters which park they are looking to go to, and unless you get a hopper you can not ride Hogwart's Express. I think you should look over the Ride Height Requirements to see how many rides your kids can go on to decide if it is worth it for them to go.

https://www.universalorlando.com/we...height-requirements#universal-studios-florida

We did go to EPIC and our first thought was this park is not for young kids at all. Even Yoshi, which is as lame as you can get, requires 34" (and that is with an adult).

Thank you HopperFan…I’m going to send this link to my daughter/son-inlaw. In general, this supports my decision to stay back at the hotel with the 2 year old. But worse, the 4 year old is still not 40” tall, and if he isn’t 40 by the trip, that will be a day of temper tantrums if the 6 year old is continually riding and he is not.

I wonder if a better option is for my daughter/son-in-law to go to one of the Universal Halloween parties, ie have whole group do a Disney day, and then all 3 grandparents and 3 grandsons enjoy an evening at the hotel, while daughter/SIL go to universal.

The best part of this, the decision is not mine to make…I just need to know which tickets to purchase for which tickets/parks.

 

[Skippyboo]

I wonder if a better option is for my daughter/son-in-law to go to one of the Universal Halloween parties

Universal doesn’t have Halloween parties. They have Halloween Horror Nights so haunted mazes and scare zones. Definitely not kid friendly.

Studios side has the Dreamworks kid zone while IoA has Seuss Landing. Not a lot little kids rides plus 3 kids will make it harder to manage since you have odd numbers. If the 4 year old isn’t tall enough for some rides they can do rider swap with 4 yr old staying with a parent as other parent takes oldest one and then parents swap.

 

[clh2]

Universal doesn’t have Halloween parties. They have Halloween Horror Nights so haunted mazes and scare zones. Definitely not kid friendly.

Studios side has the Dreamworks kid zone while IoA has Seuss Landing. Not a lot little kids rides plus 3 kids will make it harder to manage since you have odd numbers. If the 4 year old isn’t tall enough for some rides they can do rider swap with 4 yr old staying with a parent as other parent takes oldest one and then parents swap.

Again, the final decision on which parks/which days/whose going when/where is our daughter’s to make. The park days were an add-on to the cruise we are going on.

But…once the 4 year old will quickly figure out the rider swap screws him out of riding-that will be a horrible day for him, in my opinion! Even worse with the 2 year old.

 

[Mommb]

If you all go to Universal, some of the adults could take the 2 year old and 4 year old to the kid-oriented areas (Dreamworks and Minions in Studios, Seuss Landing and parts of Jurassic Park in Islands of Adventure) while the other adults and 6 year old do the areas with more intense rides. That will make it less obvious which rides the 4 year old can’t do.

That said, most of the areas rely on intellectual property that even the 6 year old is unlikely to be familiar with. The Harry Potter areas are super cool to those familiar with the books or movies, but to those who aren’t, they make less sense. I like the idea of sending the parents to Universal one night, if they want to do Halloween Horror night.

 

[Skippyboo]

OP , when are you going ?

 

[greeneyedchick]

Have you considered Sea World instead? They have the Sesame Street area and lots of shows that all ages can attend. It's a small park, so a lot less walking.

 

[clh2]

OP , when are you going ?

Mid-October! We are hanging at the hotel pool on 10/10 during the day, and doing MNSSHP on 10/10, and then our 2 park days are Saturday/Sunday 10/11 and 10/13. And then off to the cruise on 10/13.

 

[Rory607]

I honestly think the 4 year old wouldn’t have a great time, either, depending on height and ride tolerance. I think you could keep them busy at Universal for a day, but I agree that maybe the grandparents taking the two younger ones around the parks might work better.

Which park would you do? Or would you have park to park tickets? Would you open to keeping the two younger ones with you at the hotel and just sending the 6 year old to the parks?

 

[angryduck71]

I have a completely different opinion.... but, I only have one kid. His first amusement park was IOA. He was 4. He looked up to Hulk and said, "I wanna ride that!" I gently told him he had to wait until he was tall enough and he accepted that. We spent the day looking around and in Seuss land. Had an amazing time. And, the superheros! He had a great time meeting Spidey! He knew the Hulk story all his life and could not wait until we could go back and he could ride it. He has been a thrill-seeker ever since. Anyway, we had a wonderful time at age 4. I think if the parents want everyone to go, go. You can split up for sure and there are shows and plenty for the young ones to do/see. And, if the younger ones get bored or tired, they can have now seen what is there and can go back to the pool or whatever. But, at least they were part of it. Might even talk to the kids ahead of time and show them what rides they can do at their heights.

 

[angryduck71]

Also, look at this: https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/fun-for-little-ones

 

[Rory607]

I have a completely different opinion.... but, I only have one kid. His first amusement park was IOA. He was 4. He looked up to Hulk and said, "I wanna ride that!" I gently told him he had to wait until he was tall enough and he accepted that. We spent the day looking around and in Seuss land. Had an amazing time. And, the superheros! He had a great time meeting Spidey! He knew the Hulk story all his life and could not wait until we could go back and he could ride it. He has been a thrill-seeker ever since. Anyway, we had a wonderful time at age 4. I think if the parents want everyone to go, go. You can split up for sure and there are shows and plenty for the young ones to do/see. And, if the younger ones get bored or tired, they can have now seen what is there and can go back to the pool or whatever. But, at least they were part of it. Might even talk to the kids ahead of time and show them what rides they can do at their heights.

One kid is just totally different, though. If the little ones are upset that they can’t do what the big one is doing all day that changes the dynamic. Yes, it’s part of life that we can’t always do what other people and older siblings are doing, but it could make for a miserable day for everyone if you have grumpy toddlers. They aren’t staying onsite, so going back to might not be that easy.

 

[angryduck71]

One kid is just totally different, though. If the little ones are upset that they can’t do what the big one is doing all day that changes the dynamic. Yes, it’s part of life that we can’t always do what other people and older siblings are doing, but it could make for a miserable day for everyone if you have grumpy toddlers. They aren’t staying onsite, so going back to might not be that easy.

totally fair point about just one kid versus several (why I caveated my post). BUT, just read this to my son -- he said he loved the colors at Suess and absolutely loved it at age 4 -- and probably would have at age 2. at some point, they all have to get back to the hotel -- I'm thinking leave for the day when toddlers are done (at least the ones that want to leave) not take a break. Anyway, I kind of think if parents want all the kids there, let them go. Of course, again, I shudder to think of taking care of three kids on a normal day, so I may not be the best source.

 

[Rory607]

totally fair point about just one kid versus several (why I caveated my post). BUT, just read this to my son -- he said he loved the colors at Suess and absolutely loved it at age 4 -- and probably would have at age 2. at some point, they all have to get back to the hotel -- I'm thinking leave for the day when toddlers are done (at least the ones that want to leave) not take a break. Anyway, I kind of think if parents want all the kids there, let them go. Of course, again, I shudder to think of taking care of three kids on a normal day, so I may not be the best source.

I get it and I agree there are plenty of non-thrill ride things to do, especially if they have park to park tickets. My kids are teens/tweens and they actually still love the Suessland stuff, lol! My youngest does not do big rides and we have no problem finding things to do while his older sibling and dad do coasters. The difference is that he doesn’t feel like he’s missing out since he’s not interested. I know what he’s like when he feels like his big sister is getting to do something he wants to do and can’t for whatever reason. His toddlerhood as the younger brother was not for the faint of heart

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Just my opinion, as someone who originally just did Disney onsite, and switched to Universal onsite. (And has done a Disney cruise). That's a busy schedule, and I'm seeing it as a "now" senior lady.

I would stick to Disney with those little ones, especially if there's going to be issues with who can go on which rides. Disney has plenty of options for younger children. Yes, Universal has kid-friendly zones, but do you really want to pay theme park fares for what are basically fancy themed playgrounds or water splash areas? Plus if the little ones get tired and hot, it's a walk out of the parks, back through CityWalk to the parking garage to your rental car (I assume due to car seats) or Uber back to Coronado.

If Mom and Dad want to do Universal one day, that's fine, the kids can hang out with the grandparents and do the pool, ice cream, relax/nap in the air conditioned room with Disney movies, etc. That way the kiddoes won't be too wiped out to enjoy the cruise.

Universal isn't going anywhere if they want to do a future trip when the kids are older and taller. As adults, we feel the pull to do it all, but most young children just can't handle that, and being the best parent (or grandparent) is respecting the capabilities of each child.

 

[liamthompson]

Another vote for grandparent/grandchildren day, while the parents do a day at universal.

IMO, several of the screen based rides are casually violent and not appropriate for younger children. I recently watched a YouTube video of minions and was shocked. I've rode it a few times before and thought the gags were funny/cute, but when considering it for my 4yo, it was a firm no.

I think there's plenty of spaces and fun age-appropriate things for the smaller kids (is the 2yo 34"? That's the height requirement for ET) but as PP said above, it can be an expensive day for a themed playground.

 

[marmentrout85]

Will be doing a couple of park days before a Disney Cruise. In the parks, there will be: 2 grandmas, 1 grandpa, 2 parents, and 3 boys, 6, 4, and 2.

On our first full day in Orlando, we will be hanging at the hotel pool, (Coronado Springs), and then the MNSSHP, and then we have 2 park days. The mom/dad want to do one day at Universal. This doesn’t appeal to me much at all. So I’ve offered to hang back at the hotel with the 2 year old, figuring there won’t be much that he can do (compared to the 4 and 6 year old).

I am A-ok not going to universal. As a matter of fact, I don’t really have any interest in Universal at all.

So, I’m curious, if the mom and dad want all 3 kids at the park, is there even much a 2 year old can do? He is keenly aware that the older brothers do more than he can do, Ie going over to Grandma’s etc, and generally gets upset when he isn’t on the A-list.

Any thoughts on this one way or the other would be appreciated. Thank you!

My daughter is two and there really isn't that much for her to do at Universal in comparison to WDW. It really depends on the child and what they like.

For instance, my daughter ABSOLUTELY LOVES the Cat in the Hat dark ride at Islands of Adventure (I think it's her favorite over anything at Disney even) along with One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (which is a flying carousel like Dumbo). So the Suess Landing area at Islands of Adventure is a really big hit for her, and I feel like her love for this is reason enough for us to continue to always do Universal in tandem with our Disney trips even though she's too young for a lot of stuff.

I will mention that she's basically a giant for her age and already is at the 40" mark, but she also really likes Mario and Yoshi and really loved Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe as she was able to ride the Yoshi ride and Mario Kart ride.

Each Universal Park does also have a dedicated kids play/playground area that helps little ones blow off some steam; my daughter really likes the Jurassic Park play area at Islands of Adventure and the Viking Training Camp area in the Isle of Berk land at Epic Universe.

There are also some pretty great character meet-and-greets. But, again, it depends on what characters the kid is into.

At the end of the day you won't really know if Universal is a good fit or not until you actually put them in the parks.