Help! I don't know how to plan! Any trip reports with children 8 and under?

[wonderlandwego]

We have added 4 nights at Universal to our trip. Not quite yet, still going back and forth between Hard Rock or Royal Pacific, but we will end up at one of them.
I don't have a clue of where to begin planning!
I have tried to look at a few trip reports, but most have been adults or older children. If anyone could provide a link to a report with younger children I would be most appreciative!

 

[macraven]

There is a section on the UO website on doing the park with children/littles

Use the search button in the UO site and it will bring up different articles feared to younger kids under 9

I can send you the link later
When I am on my iPhone I just can't be as thorough as I can when on my iMac at home

 

[wonderlandwego]

There is a section on the UO website on doing the park with children/littles

Use the search button in the UO site and it will bring up different articles feared to younger kids under 9

I can send you the link later
When I am on my iPhone I just can't be as thorough as I can when on my iMac at home

Thank you! I will check that out now.

 

[macraven]

If your kids are 6 and under look at the studios side of the section that includes Barney and the fieval play area
I'm still not on my iMac and checking in while doing errands on the cell phone
But will give you links of info fro
The UO site tonight
Just be patient with me and I will help you with what I have experienced and read on the UO site

Animals actor on parade is a live show with animals
Family friendly completely

I never miss this show and it is alway full of littles in the audience

The regular mini parade near horror make up show is daily at specific

Cute lively happy characters

 

[TheConsciousness]

Might I suggest a pretty helpful video if you're still deciding on a resort:

 

[wonderlandwego]

If your kids are 6 and under look at the studios side of the section that includes Barney and the fieval play area
I'm still not on my iMac and checking in while doing errands on the cell phone
But will give you links of info fro
The UO site tonight
Just be patient with me and I will help you with what I have experienced and read on the UO site

Animals actor in oarade is a live show with animals
Family friendly completely

I never miss this show and it is alway full of littles in the audience

The regular mini parade near horror make up show is daily at specific

Cute lively happy characters

Thank you! I can use all of the help I can get!

Might I suggest a pretty helpful video if you're still deciding on a resort:

Thanks for this!

 

[bumbershoot]

My son was a tall 6.5 when we first went to Universal and we had lots of fun. Not sure if the pix are still there, but the report should be in my signature somewhere LOL. It was in 2010. And then we went again and again and again.

Ha! I'd forgotten what I called that report. http://www.disboards.com/threads/oo...ished-11-30-12-17-2010.2618193/#post-39280605

There's a link to the Universal days in the first post.

 

[khgreen]

When is your trip? Busy season or off season? Basically our last trip to Universal was with a 9 and 10 year old. We didn't have Express or Early Entry and we had a blast. We arrived at the parks before they opened each day. Did the headliners first. And had a fabulous time. You don't really need a "plan". And if you have Express... You are golden.

The only planning I did was to look up each ride and determine if the kids wanted to do it. I have one adrenaline junky and one that is more cautious. In 2.5 days we did everything we wanted and many things multiple times.

 

[wonderlandwego]

My son was a tall 6.5 when we first went to Universal and we had lots of fun. Not sure if the pix are still there, but the report should be in my signature somewhere LOL. It was in 2010. And then we went again and again and again.

Ha! I'd forgotten what I called that report. http://www.disboards.com/threads/oo...ished-11-30-12-17-2010.2618193/#post-39280605

There's a link to the Universal days in the first post.

Thank you! I will read it tonight!

When is your trip? Busy season or off season? Basically our last trip to Universal was with a 9 and 10 year old. We didn't have Express or Early Entry and we had a blast. We arrived at the parks before they opened each day. Did the headliners first. And had a fabulous time. You don't really need a "plan". And if you have Express... You are golden.

The only planning I did was to look up each ride and determine if the kids wanted to do it. I have one adrenaline junky and one that is more cautious. In 2.5 days we did everything we wanted and many things multiple times.

December 10th. Do you think we can do two park days only? Even with the Macy's Parade and Manheim Steamroller?

 

[Pesky]

I'll let you know in less than 30 days! The thing I do like about USO is that it was less intensive planning and we're able to go more by the kids' interests than anything. The only main thing is the WWOHP stuff which we'll try to knock out early. Otherwise we'll see what the kids like -- Minion ride, Jurassic Park (DS is a dinosaur nut), animal actor's show and so on. I think you can do it in 2 days provided like with anything, you are okay not seeing it all. And realize that means there will likely be stuff you want to see and don't and stuff you don't care about and don't see. As I don't have unlimited vacation, it's a choice I'm willing to make. Agree with the others to check out the links and see some of the videos out there (searching USO with younger kids). You'll get a better sense of what is there and what you want to do. Have fun!

 

[pcstang]

I have an 11 DS, 7 DD and 4 DS. I've been taking my oldest since he was 5 and the other two since they were 2. They all love it and don't want to go back to WDW.

 

[kohlby]

Are you looking for ride and attraction suggestions or just wanting to know it works for younger kids? We started going when my eldest was barely 3 years old and my youngest was 2 months. (Well, started with-kids trips, we had been without before they were born). My kids are now 13, 10, and 7 and we've been several times. They have very different preferences but I can tell you what worked best at the ages you are going with if you want.

As for days, it depends what you have available. If it's easy to fit in a 3rd day, then I'd do it. But if not, keeping it at 2 would work too. We had 6 days when they were 10, 7, and 4 and kept busy. But if we only had two days, then we could make that work.

 

[gotomu212]

I would first say there's very very little planning you actually have to do,with Universal (a reason a lot of us LOVE it). I've got an 8 year old, but we started going when he was 3. Please ask away if you have specific questions.

What surprised us the most the first time was how many play areas there were for the kids. I didn't expect to go to a theme park and then play on an insanely themed playground but that's what we did a couple times a day (the ball zone at Curious George? OMG we spent so much time there). The Dr Seuss land is also a lot of fun for kids (if I ran the zoo is another great play area and Cat in the Hat is one of my favorite rides). Once my son hit 6 he could ride most everything except the roller coasters. There are height guides on their website so you can check what they can ride before hand.

Universal's child swap areas are really easy (especially if you'll have EP). We also made sure we had time for the pool every day when he was younger because that was his favorite thing to do (and for little kids I think Royal Pacific is better than Hard Rock without a doubt).

 

[bumbershoot]

I love that ball zone past Curious George. DS thinks he's too old for it (he can't actually remember it) but someday I'll get him back there and he'll see that no one is too old for it.

 

[pcstang]

I love that ball zone past Curious George. DS thinks he's too old for it (he can't actually remember it) but someday I'll get him back there and he'll see that no one is too old for it.

It took me two years to make it back there. Never knew it existed and now it's a must for my kids. I'm sure they would stay in there all day if I let them.

 

[bumbershoot]

Our limitation in the ball area is weather. First time we were there was December 2010 and it was freezing. Very cold back there. Next time we were there it was a broiling day and apparently the heat and humidity had set up camp there and we were dripping with sweat. If we could find a moderate weather day we could spend the whole day there.

I find it amusing that the moms inevitably start using the "vacuum" to suck the balls up into the hopper. Always the moms!

 

[wookiebeck]

I love that ball zone past Curious George. DS thinks he's too old for it (he can't actually remember it) but someday I'll get him back there and he'll see that no one is too old for it.

LOL. My three had to be dragged out of there last month (drenched with sweat). They are 20, 18 and 16

 

[gotomu212]

I find it amusing that the moms inevitably start using the "vacuum" to suck the balls up into the hopper. Always the moms!

I got so focused on getting all those dumb balls vacuumed up and then the buzzer rang and they all fell down again. My son thought that was the funniest thing to happen the whole trip.

 

[kohlby]

I find it amusing that the moms inevitably start using the "vacuum" to suck the balls up into the hopper. Always the moms!

It's the dad for us. He jumps right in with the kids and I get to take a little break. (I have two kids with some quirks and one doesn't usually want to do it right away so I'm helping that child transition in). I'm usually the parent who opts to be a target for the kids though.

 

[wonderlandwego]

Are you looking for ride and attraction suggestions or just wanting to know it works for younger kids? We started going when my eldest was barely 3 years old and my youngest was 2 months. (Well, started with-kids trips, we had been without before they were born). My kids are now 13, 10, and 7 and we've been several times. They have very different preferences but I can tell you what worked best at the ages you are going with if you want.

As for days, it depends what you have available. If it's easy to fit in a 3rd day, then I'd do it. But if not, keeping it at 2 would work too. We had 6 days when they were 10, 7, and 4 and kept busy. But if we only had two days, then we could make that work.

I guess my main concern is, Is there enough for the under 51" kids to fill 3 days, or are we better off staying at Disney and just doing 2 Universal? It will be cold while we are there.