Do you think my family would like Universal Studios?

[torinsmom]

I would caution you that MIB is similar to Buzz, but there is a LOT of spinning. Every time the other car shoots your car, your cat spins 3-4 times FAST. At the end of the ride, your car spins around so fast so many times that it make you dizzy. Just a warning since your DH has trouble with motion sickness. That being said, I think the ride is 10x better than Buzz or TSM.

The Mummy is more like Space Mountain than BTMRR IMHO. The roller coaster part is in the dark, and the drops are similar to SM. They at least FEEL bigger than BTMRR.

I think you should try it. We do both Universal and Disney when we can. We enjoy both equally. The Express perk is nice, but it's not worth the cost of the rooms to us. We just get there early and start with the busier rides. We also use the single rider lines to cut our wait(Spiderman, MIB, Mummy, HP simulator,can't remember if there are others)

 

[Badge]

I would caution you that MIB is similar to Buzz, but there is a LOT of spinning. Every time the other car shoots your car, your cat spins 3-4 times FAST. At the end of the ride, your car spins around so fast so many times that it make you dizzy. Just a warning since your DH has trouble with motion sickness. That being said, I think the ride is 10x better than Buzz or TSM.

The Mummy is more like Space Mountain than BTMRR IMHO. The roller coaster part is in the dark, and the drops are similar to SM. They at least FEEL bigger than BTMRR.

I think you should try it. We do both Universal and Disney when we can. We enjoy both equally. The Express perk is nice, but it's not worth the cost of the rooms to us. We just get there early and start with the busier rides. We also use the single rider lines to cut our wait(Spiderman, MIB, Mummy, HP simulator,can't remember if there are others)

While it is true that MIB does spin, I have never heard of it triggering any kind of motion sickness. My Dad gets motion sickness REALLY easily, but he can ride MIB multiple times in a row without feeling dizzy or sick. You will want to give this ride a try. Also, I like your comparison of the Mummy to Space Mountain, however I want to add that Mummy is not as tall as Space Mountain is. You are also not in the dark the whole ride. The first minute or so of the ride is just like any other dark ride out there. Your car remains flat without any changes in height. The "coaster" portion of the ride seems like it only lasts for about a minute.

 

[diskids2]

I had been avoiding Universal like the plague until last year when my children finally strong armed me into taking the three days away from my beloved disney trip.

I LOVED IT! You have read so many comments on "going with an open mind" and "don't do the comparison. I think that is spot on. It is a different experience, unique in its own way. There are many things I liked much better (FOTL vs. Fastpass) for one!

We stayed onsite, the walk from RPR to the parks was fine and trust me I am in no way a walker!

You will find plenty to see and do. Your DH will find many rides that appeal to him. Your children will love it. You will too.

And, if you don't ... you won't be left wondering. You'll know. I say try it once. And, I agree, the amount of days you have is perfect, where I would feel rushed at WDW...although I feel rushed over there without at least 10 days...but that's me!

 

[bumbershoot]

The thing I liked about Universal, even though we didn't take advantage of it at all, was that *everyone* can wait in line together, and split off at the end. So if you have a child who is too short for something, you don't leave them behind before the line like at WDW...they can experience the line right up until almost the end. Of course with a hubby that's prone to motion sickness he could wait in line with you at WDW just like at Universal, but it still *feels* more open to splitting off at the end than I've felt DLR/WDW is.


We gave Universal a really good shot...3 nights, 4 days (first and last day weren't full days, more like 3/4), stayed onsite, and we really loved it. When we went back to WDW after the Universal trip we were disappointed in many ways with WDW.

it was our first time to WDW and Universal, and Uni has a pull so strong I wish THEY had a timeshare so we could stay there, and visit WDW from it (rather than owning DVC which means we "have to" stay there and pay out of pocket for Universal if that makes sense).

 

[elainesj]

cedar point is an amusement park (as opposed to theme parks like WDW/universal) and there really is no comparison among amusement parks!
CP is THE greatest coaster park in the world, and pretty great in many other respects..

for us CP is a two day park (we always stay there overnight and spend 2 days)..
universal is a one day park for us

For coasters, it's true - nothing beats CP - which is why we got Platinum Passes this year It's a fun park and we're enjoying it along with its sister parks.

That said, it's a different park from Disney and for our trip to Florida, we're looking for a Disney or Disney-type experience that's not coaster-centred so we can do most rides together as a family

 

[disneyholic family]

For coasters, it's true - nothing beats CP - which is why we got Platinum Passes this year It's a fun park and we're enjoying it along with its sister parks.

That said, it's a different park from Disney and for our trip to Florida, we're looking for a Disney or Disney-type experience that's not coaster-centred so we can do most rides together as a family

CP is an amusement park
universal and disney are theme parks...
that's how i define them...CP is the old corner amusement park on steroids, but not in the same category as universal/disney..

regarding the universal/disney divide - universal has a lot more rides that are problems for the motion sickness prone..
DD and i have to stay off many of the blockbusters at both universal and IoA (though as many have said, we were both able to ride men in black, though not multiple times....but once was ok)..
and DH and DS are too tall for two of the rides at IoA - Forbidden Journey and Dragon Challenge...the only rides they've ever encountered where they were too tall.....strange that universal would build rides with maximum height limits...
so straight off, we're somewhat limited in how many rides we can enjoy..
as for the shows, the only one we enjoyed was the hollywood horror make up show...we really liked that one....found it very very funny...
but the rest were either boring or stupid..
as for twister....we don't get that one.....having lived through 3 direct hit tornadoes in my life (and numerous close calls), i just found that one boring...and so not anything like a twister....the pre-show movie was better than the attraction itself..

but again, as i said, it's worth a visit....and with front of the line and early entry, staying onside is a must....all 3 onsite hotels are nice - stay wherever you get the best rate...

 

[torinsmom]

Oh, I don't know about everyone Bob! For coaster fans, it's often Hulk vs. Dueling Dragons... and now, vs Rip, Ride, Rockit!

And personally, I actually think Mummy is better than Spider-Man.

Count me out of everyone, as well. Spiderman and HP are good, but I prefer MIB to either of them, and Space Mountain and BTMRR are above them on my favorites list as well.

 

[ducky_love]

I read one review by a US fan who really, really liked it. Then he tried Disney with his 5/6 yr old kids and found he could experience so much together as a family instead of splitting up all the time.

This is 100% it. We love, love, love Universal!! The themeing is just as good as Disney and sometimes better. They have wonderful attractions. The employees are so nice and helpful! The food is pretty awesome! And I love the ease of hopping between the parks.

...However... when we go there is very little for us to do together. It is more us waiting in line together then taking our various chicken doors. Or splitting up to ride attractions that doesn't make the other sick. If you don't like the same kinds of rides it is tough to really spend time together. But that is no reason to miss these amazing parks!! You'll have together time on the cruise!!

Editing Badge's List with my specific situation:

Studios:
Shrek
Twister
Diaster
Jaws
Men In Black (think Buzz Lightyear ride at Disney) - My hubby can only ride once a day because of the spinning
ET
T2 3D
Hollywood Horror Makeup Show
Aminal Planet Show (don't miss it!)

IOA:
Cat in the Hat - My hubby can only ride once a day because of the spinning
High in the Sky Suess Trolly
Posideon Adventure
Sindbad Show
Jurrasic Park (a ride like Splash Mountain with only drop...slightly taller) - I won't ride because of the drop
Dudley Do Right (another like Splash Mountain) - I won't ride because of the drop
Popeye (family boat ride like Kali River Rapids) - only if you want to get SOAKED

 

[macraven]

great post.


you forgot Animal Planet show, great for the family.
each show is a little different depending on the guests in the show and what the animals will really do.....


add the Lucy Tribute to the studios side.
entire family can enjoy the videos on the screens in that place.

the street celebrity characters are awesome !
check with guest services on the times they will be out.

at IOA also try the interactive walk around section cross from the seuss store for the family.
our family did it and it was fun.

spend time with the Mystic Fountain.
it talks..............
and can squirt water if you are standing in front of it.


Jurassic Discovery might be enjoyable as the entire family can do that together.

i'm quoting myself......

don't over look the above items that a family can do together.