For people with younger elementary age kids...

[PHamrick]

We are going to Universal for one day before our Disney cruise in late August. Crowds should be moderate according to crowd calendars. I'm looking for personal opinions about what are the "can't miss" rides, parades, shows, meet-n-greets, etc. so we can game-plan our one day.

Here is who we are: we like rides, but one of my kids is 43" and one is 53". The taller one (weirdly enough) is also the one who gets a little more nervous on dark rides. They both like Harry Potter as do their father and I. We will get to the park before opening (we are staying onsite so taking advantage of the early hour) and will stay as long as possible, probably to around dinner time or a little bit after.

So let me have it! What would you do and what would you consider the *best* attractions for you and your youngish kids! I'd love to hear WHY you like the attraction too! THANK YOU!!!

 

[dixonsontour]

I've been with DD aged 5 and again aged 8 and 9.

With 1 day I'd definitely do Despicable me, fun ride and pre show with the minions and chance to meet them afterwards.

Harry potter definitely hippogriff (like barnstormer). Both make the height for Gringotts.

My DD made the height for Forbidden journey at 5 but it broke down just before she got on then she changed her mind. I think it would have been too much for her. At 8 she was ok and at 9 really liked it , went on several times.

Ollivanders is also a fun experience to watch. My DD's favorite thing is the interactive wand and doing spells in both harry potter areas. They are $50 but add a lot of enjoyment for children to the potter areas, very small kids may get frustrated but my say 7/8 upwards is a good age.

What are their ages? If they like dinosaurs then the meet a raptor is fun and the jurassic park ride is only a 42 inch heigh so both can ride (my DD at 5 was ok on this) Shrek is also good for smaller kids.

 

[PHamrick]

My kids are 5 and 7. These are great suggestions, thanks!! I was wondering about Gringotts. The info goes back and forth on whether it would be OK for younger kids. *I'm* totally excited to ride it, but I'd rather not have freaked out kids on it. And they love dinosaurs. The meet the raptor things sounds awesome!

 

[bchbetha]

My kiddo could handle everything except The Mummy (he went through the line then bailed prior to riding). He did great on all the HP rides. He also liked
MIB
Minions
Spider-Man
Animal Actors show
Sinbad show
Hogwarts Express
He liked every show, in fact. We were there 3 days so saw everything. But Animal Actors and the break dancers were his tops.
Ollivanders was really fun. Changing $ at Gringotts was neat. All of the gift shops were cool plus try Butterbeer.
Character meetings were of no interest but I loved Bumblebee. We aren't parade people but did watch the parade. Eh. Easily skipped.

 

[LemonNeko]

Gringotts might be scary for the one who doesn't like dark rides.
My 4 year old loved the Jurassic Park playground. Even I thought it pretty neat.

 

[damo]

My kids are 5 and 7. These are great suggestions, thanks!! I was wondering about Gringotts. The info goes back and forth on whether it would be OK for younger kids. *I'm* totally excited to ride it, but I'd rather not have freaked out kids on it. And they love dinosaurs. The meet the raptor things sounds awesome!

Our 5 year old niece loved Gringotts and she also loved ET.