First timer to Universal - should we?

[Rigaudon]

I'm sending my wife, 23 year old step son and 13 year old son to Orlando Dec14th - 18th. The main plan is to do Disney parks. Stepson was last in Orlando when he was about 12 and my son was last at Disney with me in 2011. The misses has never been to Orlando.

I'm staying home to watch over the dogs and cats. I like planning the trip for them and am happy they are able to have some fun time together. They are going to stay offsite at the Sea World Residence Inn and will have a car.

My guess is they will do Disney during the day and then head back to the hotel. My wife will most likely be tired and I can definitely see the boys wanting to do at least one night at Universal.

If they have one evening at Universal, and they like "wild" rides, which Universal park should they head to and which rides should they make sure they do?

Thanks for any hints as I know my way around Disney but have no clue for Universal.

 

[Senator Tressel]

The two wildest rides at Universal are Hulk and Dragon Challenge, both at IOA. IOA also has Spiderman, Forbidden Journey (Harry Potter), and Jurassic Park (this is a water ride though, so it may be too cold to ride).

Universal also has thrilling rides like Rip Ride Rockit, Mummy, and Transformers. It also has the new Harry Potter ride, Men In Black, and The Simpsons. I would just have them read about both parks and see which rides interest them the most, but the two most thrilling are in IOA if that is the absolute top priority.

Parks will probably close at 8 during that time, so they won't want to wait until the evening to go.

 

[Rigaudon]

Thanks for the info, I'll check them out. I'm the planner in the family and I'm sure they will wing it. My thought is to do no more than tell them which parks to visit which days and the main rides to focus on in a given park. If I gave them a detailed touring plan, they'd trash it as soon as they got on the plane!

 

[KorbensMomma]

I try to save up and go all the way on trips, I stay at PBH and eat wherever I want and buy what ever I want. I usually save up all year and part of my tax return so is am sure to be okay.

However even for me, I would consider just "evenings" way to expensive to go. If cost is no option than no problem, but if not maybe try to plan at least 1 full weekday maybe with a 2 park pass, EP if possible.

There are lots of thrill rides spread between both parks. They are older so they may enjoy IOA/US more than Disney.

 

[flortlebap]

It could be difficult to do both WDW and the dark side in only four days.

They would be better staying onsite for the xpress pass benefits with such a short trip...