How many days at Universal?

[bethnburke]

I will be going in Jan with DH, DS (almost 3), and DD (10 months). We got the 5 day passes to US and IOA but Im not sure how many days to plan. I was thinking Fri afternoon, Sat Sun and Mon. Is this too much with little guys who wont be able to do much at US? Should I plan on staying at WDW longer?

Thanks
Beth

 

[highlander447]

You may be suprised at what u can do with little ones at Universal and with days u have planned u should be okay

 

[4greatboys]

Our kids are 16, 13, 3 and 18 months and we stay at Universal hotels 2 nights and do the parks 2 days. If your staying onsite I would think 2 days--1 whole day for each park would be okay. Or maybe just the Friday afternoon, Sat & Sun. I dont really think you would need the extra day. Disney on the other hand we always need as many days as we can get.There is just so much more over there. We love both but we just dont need as long at Universal.

 

[Prince Eric1]

I would say at least three days. You do Universal one day, IOA one day, and then go back a third to catch the shows you missed at Universal or want to see again and hit IOA for the great rides one more time. If you do it in less, even with FOTL if you have it, you will miss things and regret it.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Aw, it brings back memories of dragging 4-5 tons of baby stuff, stroller rentals, crying in shows, bottle feeding, changing diapers and they won't remember a thing about it. WDW is a lot harder on kids that age than USO. Standing in line really wears them out fast. I think you have a pretty good time allotment.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

IMO, minimum 3 days, but I did that and am now planning a 5 day trip. There is so much to do, but the parks and only the parks can be done in 3 days.

 

[ritzbuddy]

We also are going to US for our first time with a 17 & 12 yr old boys. We figure 3 full days during the busy spring break (unfortunately)-the last week of March. Then there are those partial days of travel bookending the 3 days. Are weekends busier than weekdays? Should we take that in consideration when making ressies?

Are we allotting too much time? We want to stay onsite at the HRH - so there goes that budget anyway.

 

[Motherfletcher]

For the first time 3 days is great. If you stay on-site you really don't have to worry about the crowd. I went spring break last year and did the headliners, commando style, no problem, without staying on-site. I couldn't have done it my first time though because I wouldn't know what to skip. Like Barney for your kids is dumb, but perfect for bethnburke.

 

[dzneprincess]

We were there for 5 days in June, and it was lovely to just take our time around the parks and not hurry. My kids ages 7,6 and 3 loved it when we just let them play in the curious george area for like 1 or 2 hours.

 

[ritzbuddy]

Motherfletcher, That is for sure our kids will want to avoid anything that they deem "uncool" or possibly too young for them. Except none of their friends will be there to see them so they might try every area!

When you plan to do a park in one day, does that include the shows? Do both parks have shows? Or do we wait for day 3 to see those?

Now I am finally getting excited. The planning and these boards will do it to you!

 

[Motherfletcher]

I think with kids their age you could do all attractions and all the shows at both parks in one day each. I have a 10 yo daughter that still needs a mid-day break to rest. Day 3 should be reserved for "return to favorites". You can even go to your parties' favorites at both parks in one day. Right now IOA has 3 shows and US has 6.
I don't have to but even with FOTL we tour the same order getting the headliners out of the way early.
Go to Flyfly's website and look at her suggested touring plan. Mine is very similar but I don't sit through all 4 shows of Extreme Ghostbusters.
Planning is half the fun. FOTL is the other 90%!!

 

[Selina]

Hey...Motherfletcher..my daughter's 10 on the 16th December.

I think like Spidey - a minimum of 3 days, 1 for each then best of two on last!

 

[Motherfletcher]

I see from another thread that you are considering HRH. You might want to plan one of those days or 2 afternoons at the pool. The boys will want to go back to the snow with some color and the pool is "cool". Underwater music, slide, basketball hoop and bikinis are all boy magnets.