Educate and advise me please

[Fargoman2]

Our family of five, including kids 21, 18 and 11 are headed to WDW for our annual trek there next month. We are staying 10 nights at AKL Kidani Village. We are toying with the idea of checking out US/IOA on one of the days--just to see what it's like.

We are loyal Disney geeks, but are curious to perhaps see what people like about the "other" big theme park.

Here's a few hints about us:
1. None of us are Harry Potter fans
2. We enjoy a thrill ride or two, but are not thrill ride "junkies" by any stretch
3. We prefer "family style" attractions/entertainment

Don't know if that is enough to give you a read on us, but based on that would you recommend we sample:
A. Universal Studios
B. Islands of Adventure
C. Both
D. Neither, stay at Disney you nerds!
E. Other ideas?

Thanks, in advance, for your counsel!

 

[derekburgan]

Would have to know your kid's personal tastes to give a better guess, but it sounds like Universal Studios would be right up your alley. Your kids are more than likely familiar with some pretty key franchises over there (MIB, The Mummy, The Terminator, The Simpsons and Shrek). Tons of family style stuff (including an underrated ET attraction) should make for a very enjoyable day. Be sure to spend some time and eat at CityWalk while you are there, make a day of it.

 

[last_one]

US:
Thrill - Rip Rocket Coaster
Medium - Revenge of the Mummy coaster & Dr. Doom Freefall
Mild - Men in Black - shoot at targets (spins)
Motion rides - Simpson's & ET
Terminator & Shrek - theater 3D
Disaster & Twister - walk through effects 'shows'
Jaws - boat ride - effects show
Horror Makeup & Beetlejuice review - Live shows

IOA:
Thrill - Dragon Challenge(2) & Incredible Hulk Coasters
Motion rides - Harry Potter & Amazing Spiderman
Water rides - Dudley's - flume ride, Jurassic Park - slow cruise w/animated figures, Popeye's - 'rapids' river (very wet)
Shows - Sinbad & Poseidon

 

[Purseval]

If I were you I'd stay in WDW and not come anywhere near Universal. With the amount of money you're spending to stay at AKL, eat onsite, tickets, etc., it would make you physically ill to suddenly realize how badly you were fooled by that "Magic" marketing hype.

PS: according to the ticker in your signature line it's been over three years since your last "annual" trip to WDW. Either your ticker or your story needs fixing.