Help -- The Minions are Coming!

[LisaT91403]

I've tried to do my research on this board, and see that the general consensus is that Universal Studios is *not* a good place for a 6-year-old boy. While that's all well and good, the fact of the matter is that the Despicable Me Minion ride is opening in a month or so, and DS is chomping at the bit to go.

It sounds like Grandma is willing to spring for the tickets as a birthday present for DS. So rather than asking if it's "worth it" to go...I'm asking for suggestions as to what to do with DS(6) once we are there.

To give you some perspective, he enjoys Space Mountain, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Star Tours...but he hasn't been on Tower of Terror or Indiana Jones (not tall enough for that).

So...is there anything that he might enjoy at Universal, other than the Minions?

Thanks!

 

[Ryan120420]

Sounds like your son will be able to do everything at Universal except Revenge of The Mummy.


Transformers is a mix between Star Tours and Indiana Jones. Such a great ride. 40" height requirement.

Jurassic Park is similar to Pirates, except it has a larger and steeper drop at the end of the ride. 42" height requirement.


Simpsons is very similar to Star Tours. 40" height requirement.


Then there is the Studio Tour where you'll see King Kong 360-3D, Jaws, and Earthquake attractions. No height requirement.


Also there is The Water World Stunt show full of live action fights and explosions.

 

[inluvwithbuzz]

My son went to Universal Studios for the first time when he was 4. He absolutely loved it. He is now 7 and loves it even more every time we go. It all depends on the child. Every child is different. The studio tour, the shows, shrek 4D, characters in the park. And especially the new Minion Rush. I am sure your son will love it and have a good time.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We went to US this past Aug and all of my kids loved it. There wasn't a lot for the littlest to do, but my then 4 yr old son (now 5) fell in love with all of it, as did my older girls. I think your son will as well. The biggest hits were Jurassic Park, The Simpson's Ride, Waterworld and Shrek. They also really liked the Studio Tour. I believe they liked Transformers but DH went on that with them and I stayed with the little one.

 

[LisaT91403]

Thanks for all of the advice! Sounds like we will get to do something other than just ride the Minions over and over and over again

I might have my little guy watch some YouTube videos so that he's not too scared to try some of the rides. I did that for Disneyland, and it worked really well to lower his anxiety.

 

[seagodess]

We are going in 3 weeks with our 6yr old DS. We showed him the stuff that is there and he is so excited. Mostly about Jurassic Park and Transformers. We plan on doing everything except the house of horrors with him.
When is the Minion ride coming? I'm hoping its there when we are, but I haven't seen an actual date.

 

[LisaT91403]

We are going in 3 weeks with our 6yr old DS. We showed him the stuff that is there and he is so excited. Mostly about Jurassic Park and Transformers. We plan on doing everything except the house of horrors with him.
When is the Minion ride coming? I'm hoping its there when we are, but I haven't seen an actual date.

They are officially saying "Spring", and rumors say that means April 11th. However, they sometimes do soft openings before the official opening day.

 

[seagodess]

They are officially saying "Spring", and rumors say that means April 11th. However, they sometimes do soft openings before the official opening day.

Darn. I was hoping by spring, they meant when spring actually starts (Mar 21st) .

 

[LisaT91403]

Most of the Los Angeles schools are on Spring Break starting April 12th. I'm sure that's why they are shooting for Friday, 4/11.

 

[StageTek]

I heard that soft opening is mid-March. Maybe the weekend of the 15th.

 

[Kyjin]

They're holding previews for APs 3/29, 3/30, 4/5, and 4/6, so I think the 4/11 official opening date might be good. (Just got an email about the previews today)

 

[LisaT91403]

They're holding previews for APs 3/29, 3/30, 4/5, and 4/6, so I think the 4/11 official opening date might be good. (Just got an email about the previews today)

Thanks for the update!

DS's birthday is 3/31, and we were hoping to take him then. Sounds like that won't work...such a bummer.

We just bought our passes at Costco, and need to activate them. Would that work if we activated them on 3/30? Or does your email say you need to have activated the AP before then?

Thanks!

 

[Kyjin]

You need to register by 3/27 for the preview, so I'm not sure if you'll be able to do that with non-activated passes. On the passholder preview site, it asks you to input AP# and will tell you if it's valid. Then you can choose one of the four dates and pick a time frame (9am-12pm, 12pm-3pm, or 3pm-6pm). I should note that you can also have one guest ticket per AP.

 

[LisaT91403]

You need to register by 3/27 for the preview, so I'm not sure if you'll be able to do that with non-activated passes. On the passholder preview site, it asks you to input AP# and will tell you if it's valid. Then you can choose one of the four dates and pick a time frame (9am-12pm, 12pm-3pm, or 3pm-6pm). I should note that you can also have one guest ticket per AP.

I was thinking of going to activate the passes tomorrow. However, someone I spoke with on the phone said that I still wouldn't get "an invitation" for the Minion preview even if I activated the pass now. Darn it! I guess we will have to wait for the regular opening to go.

 

[LisaT91403]

Just an FYI that the Minion ride is open now for "testing"...you don't need a special ticket or pass to ride it.

 

[yaytezIOA]

The entire Despciable Me area is open as of TODAY!
Here's videos of the entire area, including the ride and the new play area they just opened
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtI-HBuIN_k&list=PLUF1V3WOfeczV9etC_DNyjalGGOpurMVh

I just put a playlist up, because there's so many videos from the park...