IOA for 4 year old ?

[mombrontrent]

Our family of 5 is taking an Orlando vacation with some other extended family (all aldults). We have one day planned for the beach, one day for Magic Kindgom, 1-2 days at Seaworld (they give you a 2nd day free), one day at Aquatica, one day at IOA and then one day that's free. I have been planning on this trip for over a year so I was hoping my 4 year old would be 42 inches by now as alot of the rides at Seaworld and IOA you have to be 42 inches to ride. I am not to concerned about Seaworld as there is alot of shows and other stuff for her to do. However I'm not sure about IOA as I've never been before. Is there enough there to keep her busy all day and not be upset that everyone but her gets to ride. IOA is a must do for most of our party since we have many Harry Potter fans. Would it make more sense for some of our party to split up and go to Animal Kingdom or another day at Magic Kingdom (we love both but haven't been to either in 3 years) where she will be able to ride more as most ride requirements for little ones is 40 inches instead of 42. She's just over 40 inches maybe 41 with shoues on. We leave in 6 weeks so I dought she'll grow an inch by then.

 

[nytimez]

There's not a ton do for a little kid at IOA, unfortunately. Suess Landing is great, but you'll run out of things to do quick... even if you ride the rides again and again.

Your 4-year-old should be tall enough for Hippogriff at Harry Potter and the Pteradon Flyers in Jurassic Park... Other than that, you may have to rely on someone watching her at the various play areas while others ride the other rides. Jurassic Park Discovery Center is another good place for a little one to spend some time. But the whole family will quickly get bored there, IMO.

Oh, she'll be tall enough for Spider-Man... might terrify her, though.

 

[IdesOmarch]

I have to disagree slightly, and if you were doing all of Universal (not just IOA) there would be even more, but there is all of Suess Landing, one ride in Harry Potter, there is a really great entire play area in Jurassic Park, called Camp Jurassic, that is terrific, there is a sky coaster called Pteradon flyers in JP as well. And I believe there should be at least 1 or 2 other things in the remainder of the park, not to mention just the theming (visuals) of the entire park she will enjoy.

 

[nytimez]

I have to disagree slightly, and if you were doing all of Universal (not just IOA) there would be even more, but there is all of Suess Landing, one ride in Harry Potter, there is a really great entire play area in Jurassic Park, called Camp Jurassic, that is terrific, there is a sky coaster called Pteradon flyers in JP as well. And I believe there should be at least 1 or 2 other things in the remainder of the park, not to mention just the theming (visuals) of the entire park she will enjoy.

Dunno... we do all those things, multiple times, in the space of a couple hours. Maybe the Express Pass helps (except with the fliers), but it's just not a lengthy experience for someone too short for the thrill rides.

The play areas are a godsend, though, and little a kid can spend a LOT of times in them if a family member wants to take turns keeping an eye on her there.

 

[lamb616]

my 3.5 year old is the same height and we just came back. At IoA she did all of Seuss landing of course. You could probably spend an hour there, longer if really crowded. She also went on Spiderman and that's really it now that I think about it. You could easily spend an hour in the Jurassic Play area BUT I found it was really big and confusing in there (I had a hard time finding my way out of the caves! ) so I couldn't just sit on a bench and let her play herself, I had to stay with her. And it was tiring, lol.
If you get the 2-park tickets, then after you do those things with her, you could take her over to US and there will be plenty more for her to do there -- the Fievel Playground, CUrious George play area, Animal shows, etc. etc.

 

[pktbMouse]

dont forget Popeyes boat..."Me ship the Olive" my kids had a good time playing on that, its all interactive fun. Also in JP they have this little show where a dinosaur egg hatches and the kids get to name it...my little boy loved it!!

 

[Metro West]

dont forget Popeyes boat..."Me ship the Olive" my kids had a good time playing on that, its all interactive fun. Also in JP they have this little show where a dinosaur egg hatches and the kids get to name it...my little boy loved it!!

 

[Josh'sDad1974]

I have been to IOA but it was back in 2003. We now have a soon to be four year old and will be visiting last week of Nov. My son is 42 inches tall now. The way I read the height requirements is that if they do not reach the height requirements then they can ride with an adult.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Resort_Information/ride_height_requirements.aspx

Is this not correct? Very much conflicting information on their site. This may determine whether my family visits while also visiting Disney.

 

[bumbershoot]

There might be some with complicated height reqs like that, but the rule (that I think you're seeing) is that a kid 48" and above can ride alone on rides that allow 48" kids to ride (my son could have gone on Hippogriff alone, and in fact a few times he did sit in his own seat, but DH or I was behind him in another seat b/c wanted to). He did ride along on Woody's Nuthouse coaster.

But someone under 48" would need an adult with them, on the rides that they are otherwise allowed on. A kid under 48" won't be allowed at all on a ride that doesn't allow kids shorter than that.


Disney has some complicated things like that as well...I know Autopia at Disneyland is like that, and maybe the Speedway at MK...and there's no really good way to state the rule...

But no, the 42" child can't ride something that requires you to be taller, even if they are with a parent.



Good news is that their child swap is done IN the line, not outside like at WDW, which I think is nice.

 

[Josh'sDad1974]

May have to rethink whether we visit IOA or not. Some family members really want to see the Harry Potter attraction, I don't think it is worth the money.

 

[lamb616]

I know for sure DD couldn't ride Jurassic Park, even with an adult. I can't remember what the height requirement was. She's just about 41"

 

[damo]

I have been to IOA but it was back in 2003. We now have a soon to be four year old and will be visiting last week of Nov. My son is 42 inches tall now. The way I read the height requirements is that if they do not reach the height requirements then they can ride with an adult.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Resort_Information/ride_height_requirements.aspx

Is this not correct? Very much conflicting information on their site. This may determine whether my family visits while also visiting Disney.

I think you are referring to this: NOTE: Children under 48" (1.22 meters) must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion at all times and on all attractions.

It is saying that that you can't send your little kids alone on rides or leave them sitting outside a ride while you ride. You'd be surprised how many people do that. I stood outside a ride waiting for my teens to ride and right beside me was a child that was about 7 years old and a toddler in a stroller. The 7 year old was in charge. The parents were riding the ride. Unbelievable.

 

[Minniemouse07]

We were considering a visit to IOA for our trip this August.

We generally fly and use DME/on property transportation so IOA isn't really an option...but this trip we will have our van w/ us so we thought it would be the perfect opportunity.

Then I looked at the ride height requirements.

Ds is 5yo and only 44" tall ...he wouldn't be able to ride most of the things at the park. I couldn't see paying all that money on tix for ds to watch dd (10yo) and dh or I ride things all day....especially since it doesn't cost that much to add another day at WDW.

So... we are pushing it off until our next trip. Seems the smartest thing to do.

 

[Metro West]

Ds is 5yo and only 44" tall ...he wouldn't be able to ride most of the things at the park. I couldn't see paying all that money on tix for ds to watch dd (10yo) and dh or I ride things all day....especially since it doesn't cost that much to add another day at WDW.

So... we are pushing it off until our next trip. Seems the smartest thing to do.

That's probably the smartest thing to do as you said. Let him grow some so he can enjoy everything.