Disney or Universal??

[Conan the Librarian]

I know this thread will more than likely lean towards Disney.. but I want to hear it. I will post the same on the Universal board. I want to travel with our son who will be 2 in jan 08. Traveling in my party will be DH, DS, grandparents, and myself. DH and I have tickets for universal already.. we had them last year when we were suppose to go before I found out we were expecting. We are doing a cruise this year but want to do a land and sea adventure for Jan 2008. At two is it more about a vacation for him or the adults? I'm not sure which he would enjoy most. I;m not sure which the adults will enjoy most I assume Disney for my son.. but not really sure if it will make a difference. I know he would love sea world and AK. He adores animals! ANy thoughts or advice?

Tiffany

I have said it before and I'll say it again. What is a Universal and why should I care. Disney All the Way!

(Ok we have two tickets to Universal that expire in 2030. One day we will use them.....maybe)

 

[WantToGoNow]

We've been to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure as well as the WDW parks. Personally, I think the theming at Islands of Adventure is the best I've ever seen in a theme park. However, both Universal parks are designed more for the older child and adult audience. We found that there really was not much for the children to do (one area in each park). Atleast at the Disney parks, you can even take babies on most rides with you (those without a height restriction). My ds was 6 months when we went to Islands of Adventure the first time and he couldn't even ride Cat in the Hat because he couldn't sit unassisted. We decided we will focus on the Disney parks until the kids are older and are into coasters and such. My dh also does not ride roller coasters or anything that lifts off the ground (fear of heights) so there was very few rides in either park that he would go on.

 

[Silvite]

More thing for little to so at Disney.


Universal scare factor, all thrills. Not lot for 2 year old to do.

 

[Lucky82061]

IOA is a great amusement park, with some really great rides and theming. Unfortunately I don't think you can take a 2-year old on the hulk or dueling dragons... or spiderman... hmmm. There are only a few rides that you would be able to go on. IOA is more of an adult park than a family park (minus Seussville).

USF might be entertaining but with a 2-year old it has to be WDW and specifically MK.

Nothing like Mickey's Philharmagic or Peter Pan to appease young ones

 

[Foladar]

More thing for little to so at Disney.


Universal scare factor, all thrills. Not lot for 2 year old to do.

I disagree, there is lots for a 2yo to do at Universal, they have a whole area themed for little ones, one in each park. I've been to both, IMO, theres nothing wrong with visiting 'the other park'.

 

[bahsdad]

I took a 2 y/o to the other park she enjoyed just as much as disney or 6 flags or the land of make believe, if you're from nj you'll know what I'm talking about. But what does a 2 y/o know anyway.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Both ... no Orlando vacation is complete without visiting both.

FWIW, I can't handle thrill rides at all -- and I mean even the tea cups ruin my week from vertigo. I have as much of a blast at IOA as I do at Epcot. Actually, come to think of it, I think there's more rides for the non-thrill-seeker at IOA than there is at Epcot.

 

[mill4023]

I disagree, there is lots for a 2yo to do at Universal, they have a whole area themed for little ones, one in each park. I've been to both, IMO, theres nothing wrong with visiting 'the other park'.

I love Seuss Landing. But it's a very small portion of IOA and there isn't much else that a 2 yr old can do. USF has more attractions that would be suitable, but I still think Disney is a better choice for a 2 yr old. They have a lot more attractions that the whole family can enjoy together.

We had a great time at Universal and will definitely go back sometime. If our 9 and 11 yr old were choosing between Disney and Universal, it would probably be a toss-up. For younger kids, they can still have a lot of fun at Universal, but I think Disney is a better choice overall.

 

[laceemouse]

Both ... no Orlando vacation is complete without visiting both.

FWIW, I can't handle thrill rides at all -- and I mean even the tea cups ruin my week from vertigo. I have as much of a blast at IOA as I do at Epcot. Actually, come to think of it, I think there's more rides for the non-thrill-seeker at IOA than there is at Epcot.

What is there to do at IOA, besides Suess Landing, for little ones and non-thrill ride folks? As far as I have seen every other land is just coasters, log flume rides, and 3-D motion rides ! I have extreme motion sickness and can't do any of that stuff.....

 

[Brise Nannie]

No brainer for me...WDW hands down!

 

[ChrisFL]

What is there to do at IOA, besides Suess Landing, for little ones and non-thrill ride folks? As far as I have seen every other land is just coasters, log flume rides, and 3-D motion rides ! I have extreme motion sickness and can't do any of that stuff.....

There's an entire play area at Jurassic Park called "Camp Jurassic" with a big playground and many interactive things. Plus inside the Discovery Center there's more cool things to do. The Pteranadon Flyers is also a tame ride there.

For non-thrill ride folks there's the shows like Poseidon's Fury and Sinbad, but yes, most rides outside of Seuss Landing do have some kind of thrill factor to them, even if its only one drop or some water elements.

Still I enjoy going to the shops to see the very unique merchandise and the food is top notch at most places in IOA, better than most of the food I've had at Disney, except maybe at the World Showcase

 

[blondeheroine]

the food is top notch at most places in IOA, better than most of the food I've had at Disney, except maybe at the World Showcase

I would completely disagree with this, but hey: we all have different palettes.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I like both also, we had lots of fun at universal and disney..

 

[AKLRULZ]

They're both great, but both very different. For a 2 year old I'd probably stick with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom if I had to choose - our kids enjoyed USF when they were little, though.

 

[bubba73]

For me, Universal only has a handful of things to do. IoA seems to be more of a water park than anything and I just don't enjoy water parks. At Disney, there is a lot more to do at Disney for the whole family.

 

[MJMcBride]

Universal. Never heard of it.

 

[ChrisFL]

For me, Universal only has a handful of things to do. IoA seems to be more of a water park than anything and I just don't enjoy water parks. At Disney, there is a lot more to do at Disney for the whole family.

Are you sure you're not confusing it with Adventure Island?

 

[cleo]

I'm a huge fan of Islands of Adventure, which, in my opinon, has the best rides AND the best theming of any park in Orlando, bar none. There is plenty for a family with preschoolers to do; just as Epcot had to live down it's 'educational' tag, so too does IoA have to live down it's reputation as a 'thrills-only' park. It simply isn't just that. And I can't even imagine calling it a 'water park'!

Universal Studios also has several attractions geared specifically toward preschoolers and many others that are completely family friendly. What 2-year-old can resist Barney? Or Fivel?

The truth is, your two year old is going to be happy where ever YOU are happy. My son visited all the parks at least once a year since he was born (13 years ago!) and has never been bored at any of them. When he was a toddler, it wasn't the rides that interested him, it was the lights, music, excitement of others, etc. You can find that anywhere.

That said, if you are looking for the 'gentle experience', forget Magic Kingdom, forget Universal and head to SeaWorld. Toddlers have a natural fascination with animals, and SeaWorld offers a full day of discovery without the in-your-face intensity found in every other Orlando area park.

 

[blondeheroine]

It basically just comes down to what you like and what you prefer, IMO. I like Universal, but don't love it as I do Disney. I love shows like Fantasmic! and Wishes while some prefer rides like Hulk and Jurassic River Adventure (I enjoy both, but they don't excite me like the aforementioned). While some will prefer the theming of IOA, some of us enjoy the theming of WDW. It just depends on what you like. You won't know what YOU prefer until you try both.

 

[WillCAD]

It basically just comes down to what you like and what you prefer, IMO. I like Universal, but don't love it as I do Disney. I love shows like Fantasmic! and Wishes while some prefer rides like Hulk and Jurassic River Adventure (I enjoy both, but they don't excite me like the aforementioned). While some will prefer the theming of IOA, some of us enjoy the theming of WDW. It just depends on what you like. You won't know what YOU prefer until you try both.

I agree completely.

BTW, if you like shows, you might try the Sinbad stunt show and especially the phenomenal Poseidon's Fury next time you're in IOA. They don't have fireworks, but they're both incredible - Sinbad for the terrific stunts and cheesy dialogue, and Poseidon for sheer, unadulterated WOW factor.