First trip to Universal: what rides for 8-year-old?

[v1rok]

Our family is planning our first trip to Orlando's Universal resort in March. My daugher is eight. What would you recommend as age-appropriate rides in both Universal and IO for us? My little princess has not yet been introduced to big rollocoasters, nor does she like "scary" rides. (My wife, by the way, is the same way -- doesn't like rollocasters, hates horrow movies.) I figured we are gonna do Shrek-4D (multiple times), ET, Jimmi Neutron, and other kids stuff. But what other adult rides are worth considreing? Back To The Future? MIB? Any tips/recommendations are welcome!

 

[bjakmom]

Welcome to the DIS, v1rok!! Took my 7yo nephew in Dec - left my grown up kids home - and was surprised how happy he was to just do the 'kid' rides (which he didn't do when he went with his big brothers!). He loved all the ones you named at USF - he also loved MIB - we rode several times - we talked him onto Jaws and he made it through (he doesn't like scary, either), got him onto Mummy - said he loved it, but refused to go again - ditto for Jurassic park! He also really enjoyed the animal acts show (so did my son when he was little). Over at IOA I was surpised how much he loved Seuss Landing - rode cat in hat and 1 fish/2 fish many times - his favorite was the unicorn rollercoaster - he wanted to do it every time we got near it - perfect for his age - and of course Spiderman!! He also liked the Sinbad show, but barely made it through Poseidon's fury - thank God for the wonderful TM/actor who played Taylor, who helped him 'brave' his way through! Have a wonderful trip.

Almost forgot - we didn't do it this trip, but my son always loved Nickelodeon Studios at that age!

 

[v1rok]

Thanks for the review! So you think MIB is manageable for 8-year-old? That's good to know. But what about Back To The Future? I thought that it should be less scary than MIB. What stuff do they do on this ride?

 

[highlander447]

BTTF is not scary though its very bumpy for adults in studios the only ride u might want to miss is ROTM as some do find it scary in IOA spidey, storm force, bluto's raft, Unicorn coaster,the flyers and seuss island will all be good for her

 

[PENCOYS PIRATE]

Hi and welcome,
My daughters are 8 & 9 on their last trip my eldest was desperate to go on everything, but I thought she was a little to young to do the rollarcoaster etc.
What I would say is that when you actually get there you might find that you will want to try something that you wouldn't have thought you'd even contemplate having a go on.
You will find enough to suit everyone and there is always the ride exchange.
Whatever you do go have fun and enjoy
Chucklechops (Pencoys Pirate)

 

[phamton]

Here are two great articles about what kids can do at Universal and Islands of Adventure:

Universal Studios for Kids

Islands of Adventure for Kids