Convince me to go to Universal Studios

[jme829]

Please tell me about Universal Studios. We are going to WDW in Sept. We have a day that we don't have anything planned (we "may" have some days left on old disney passes but won't know till we are there, would like to have a plan before that...we can always save those days for another visit if in fact we still have some). We usually skip MGM because we don't care for it (only like RNR, not worth a visit for one attraction)...We have 3 kids who will be 13, 7, 5 when we go. I did read a post on this forum that "compares" the rides to Disney rides (i.e. MIB is "like" Buzz Lightyear, etc...) so I'm not worried about the actual "type" of ride.

We have enough Holiday Inn points after getting our hotel for the week and our Sea World tix, that I am considereing ordering the one day passes for US. Now , obviously you don't know me or my kids and their temperments, , but is this generally a park kids of all ages love and can experience?

We are not interested in IOA at this time (probably in a few more years) simply because of the age gap of our kids and the thrill rides (we love them, but the younger kids are either scared/too small), we don't want to be split up on this vacation (we do go to Cedar Point, Kings Island, etc and split up so dd 13 can ride big rides and dd7 and ds 5 can ride kiddie rides, but its also a much, much cheaper vacation) but on a WDW vacation, we spend so much money that we to be able to all enjoy everything together (give or take an attraction or two) .

I did get into the Universal website and showed the kids the videos of each attraction. Even my nervous nellie 7 yr old is excited to go on Jaws and Earthquake (but I a still have to work on her for SPlash Mtn .go figure )

From what I have seen on the website, the only attraction we all couldn't go on together is the Revenge of the Mummy (dd7 loves Mummies, so she would go on it for that, but she hates coasters so that is the only reason she won't go on, ds I think is too short). Everything else looks doable , any opinions??

With the free tix from HI and also the Meal Deal (we have no problems eating counter service ) for us the price is very attractive considering for 5 of us we usually spend a good $40-50 on one meal at Applebees, etc..so for $75 we can each eat what and when we want at the select restaurants (I did check out the menus that are offered and they all look fine for us) all day plus the $8 for the free refill drink..
..Is this a no brainer for us, should we go for it????

I still have to run this by DH, but I just want to know how family friendly this park is.

While we do love the mouse...we would like to experience Orlando's other attractions. We did Sea World our last trip (used to have one here in Ohio but it closed a few years ago) with free tix from Hol.Inn and we loved it and already have our tix for this trip (again free from HI) so we're thinking of branching out a little more...Is US the right park???


THanks...


P.S. I know you can't share the Meal Deal (and we don't plan on even trying, its such a great deal!) and you can only buy the number of refillable drinks for the # of people buying the MD (can' buy 3 MD and 5 drinks) but can we buy only one or two drinks to share even though we are all buying the MEal Deal??? (does this make sense???)

 

[bellelinus]

I think you would have a terrific time -- and what an inexpensive day! I have three daughters, ages 13, 11, and 8, and we have been to US/IOA several times. I think you are correct in assuming that Mummy is the only ride your smaller kids won't be able to ride (and maybe a parent could ride it with your 13 year old while the other parent did some things in the smaller kids area -- it's a wonderful ride). In September the crowds shouldn't be that bad, either.

 

[Snoopymom]

You have done your homework so there isn't much left to say, but for the small expense you've worked out, I'd definitely go to check it out for future trips!

You'll probably spend a lot of time comparing it to Disney at first and I'd suggest that if you have any time to spare that you take a quick spin around IOA. The theming is more impressive and disney like than Universal. Now that I've been a few times, I like Universal just as much, but I don't think I would have been that excited about going back if I had just done Universal my first time.

It feels very family like. I didn't see very many teenagers roaming around on their own. In fact I found it very refreshing (not sure if that's the right word, LOLl) to see a lot of the teenagers hanging out with their parents and having a good time, laughing, going on the rides together....gave me hope that maybe ds won't disown us when he's a teenager, LOL. At the same time it is more laid back without the crying little ones, strollers and stressed parents worrying about naps and snacks, etc.

A lot more Dads seemed to be enjoying themselves too, and because it's compact and easy to get around, your not separated for a long time when you split up to do different rides or rollercoasters....for instance, you could have a snack at Finnegans while the oldest one rides Mummy across the way and there's no trecking to meet up.

Also, I always say this but the parking is so nice and quick, I feel like that it gives us an extra hour at the parks than at Disney.

Hope this helps a little. Have fun planning!

 

[scojos]

can i just add the best thing at uso is the valet parking? for a few extra dollars you avoid a huge park from the lot, great for little legs (my kids are 8 6 and 3) We just loved USO, dont compare it disney, it isn t meant to be compared, the curious george bit was my kids fav part of our last trip, and where we spent our last day (their choice not mine!!)
they met scooby doo (HUGE fans), and lots of other bits, ds6 fav things were the huge mister fans you can run through!!!
go, enjoy, but dont compare
tracy

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I've been going to Universal for 15 years now so believe me, I loved it as a kid and I love it now. So I think the ages of your kids would be perfect for Universal.

Here are the height requirements for Universal's attractions, in case you weren't sure:

Revenge of the MummySM- Must be at least 48"

Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast™- Must be at least 40" (persons under 40" can experience this attraction from an adjacent stationary location.)

Back To The Future The Ride® - Must be at least 40"

MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™ - Must be at least 42"

Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster® - Must be at least 36"

It pains me that your kids won't be able to experience some of the amazing attractions next door but if it's not too much more for 1-Day 2-Parks, I'd say consider it at least to get a ride on Spiderman, the Seussland attractions, and a few of the other attractions you could do as a family.

 

[amshowers]

We just got back from US,and I would try to get a map, or list of showtimes before you go. I found thier showtimes were too close together to just look at the map when you get there and try to do them all. We did the meal deal also and liked the the chinese at international food and film festival the best. The meal deal really is all you can eat, you just have to go through the line again. I only got 1 drink and 4 meal deals dh and 2ds shared the soda and dd and I drank water,also if you need refill on the drinks the casher told me you just go to the soda counter you don't have to stand in line at all.

 

[kimmy kay]

I agree with the above poster ther are thing s you all would enjoy on the IOA side. The spiderman ride is awesome all of you should be able to ride. Jurassic Park ride is good also. There is a little coaster there I think it is called the unicorn that your little one would like. Another ride for your little one is the Pteradon flyers. There are alot of superhero charcters to meet. I think you would really enjoy.

 

[jme829]

Thanks everyone for your responses and ideas...I think we are going to go for it. We may still have to pass on the IOA this time around. We're going for a week and already have 5 days planned (MK, Epcot, AK, Sea World plus a hotel day -never had a day just lounging at the hotel.)...we had one extra day to plan something for and with the ability to get the free tix, we decided to try USO this time. We may be able to squeeze in at least a partial day at IOA (still have a "half day" with not alot scheduled) , but right now I'm not planning on it.

My kids are really excited about USO...(well actually so am I ).

One other question, is this an all day park? Do the shows run into the evening? Any fireworks, etc...?

Thanks again!

Jayme

 

[Sleepy]

We started out our "test" for Universal back in 99. We only spent one day. What a mistake. We did not get to do all the attractions and we never made it near IOA. Now, it is hard to decide if we want more days at Universal or WDW. Universal is definitely the highlight to all our Florida vacations.

 

[Sleepy]

It pains me that your kids won't be able to experience some of the amazing attractions next door but if it's not too much more for 1-Day 2-Parks, I'd say consider it at least to get a ride on Spiderman, the Seussland attractions, and a few of the other attractions you could do as a family.

As silly as it may seem, one of my favorite rides at IOA is the Cat in the Hat ride. I like the spinning motion. You never know which direction you will go.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

As silly as it may seem, one of my favorite rides at IOA is the Cat in the Hat ride. I like the spinning motion. You never know which direction you will go.

My favorite is Dudley Do-Right's.. It's so fun, the drop is great and you get so wet!

 

[bellelinus]

Thanks everyone for your responses and ideas...I think we are going to go for it. We may still have to pass on the IOA this time around. We're going for a week and already have 5 days planned (MK, Epcot, AK, Sea World plus a hotel day -never had a day just lounging at the hotel.)...we had one extra day to plan something for and with the ability to get the free tix, we decided to try USO this time. We may be able to squeeze in at least a partial day at IOA (still have a "half day" with not alot scheduled) , but right now I'm not planning on it.

My kids are really excited about USO...(well actually so am I ).

One other question, is this an all day park? Do the shows run into the evening? Any fireworks, etc...?

Thanks again!

Jayme

During the summer and busy times, there are fireworks at night (and I heard they are planning an update to their nighttime fireworks involving movie scenes shown on the lagoon) but by the time you go in September the parks might be closing earlier without a nighttime event. You will still have a great time, though -- just be sure to be there at park opening and plan to see the most popular attractions early in the day.

 

[mslclark]

Go for it! My 3 kids are ages 12-16. We took 3 trips to Universal in 2002-2003, so they were ages 8 -12 then, and they loved it. They prefer it over Disney. In comparison, the Universal parks are just as clean, and the employees are just as friendly. I think your whole family will enjoy Shrek, Back to the Future, ET, and Men in Black.

 

[ozarkmom]

I agree with some of the other posters about IOA. There's alot there for younger ones and families! The park is beautiful you really ought to try to go there too.

 

[reefnut]

spiderman is the best ride in all of orlando, well at least i think so. i think your kids will love it. there are plenty of rides for all ages