IOA vs MGM

[lmk]

Please weigh in on these two parks for a couple going with a 16 month old. We've been to Universal Studios in California already. Is either pretty similar? Which one has more "rides" - I don't much care for the Alien Encounter type shows except for the 3D's, prefer roller coasters but would also want more sedate rides for the little one.

 

[swilphil]

If you like roller coasters, you'll love Rockn Roller Coaster at MGM. It's my favorite roller coaster anywhere. Tower of Terror is a really fun thrill ride too. MGM has some good shows, especially for little ones--Disney Playhouse, Beauty and the Beast (also great for adults), and the Muppetvision 3D. The Great Movie Ride would also be okay for the little one, but there's really not a lot to it.

What ever you do, don't give the baby the 3D glasses at Muppetvision. My 23 month old was playing with them during the movie. He wouldn't keep the glasses on, of course. Well, when he got out into the daylight, his face was covered in blood. He had stuck the glasses up his one of his nostrils and given himself a bloody nose! He didn't cry at all, but he sure did make a mess and freak a few people out.

 

[lyncruiser]

IOA has great roller coasters (although my sister -- a great roller coaster fan still likes R&R at MGM best!). At IOA, the Hulk is great and the Dragon is two roller coasters going separate tracks and often coming close to each other. IOA is IMO pretty much an adult park. The land for children is SuessLand. It is very cute -- has a Seuss Carousel and a Cat in the Hat Ride. The Cat in the Hat Ride is I think too rough for a 16 year old. So not much for a little one.

IOA also has Spiderman -- considered by many to be one of the best amusement park rides in the country. It is spectacular. Also, IOA has something of the look IMO of the next generation in theme parks, if you will. Very creative and great too look at. IOA also has some rides on which you'll get very wet.

Universal Studios Orlando is a better choice for a little one IMO than IOA. It has E.T., which is pretty gentle. It has a couple of cute playgrounds. It has an animal show. It has some kind of Barney activity or show, I think.

As far as Universal Studios vs. Disney/MGM -- for a tot, I think it's a tossup.

 

[lyncruiser]

Sorry, when I said sixteen year old, I meant sixteen month old!

 

[DavidNYC]

I don't think IOA is great for a 16 month old. The Dr. Seuss section has a few rides that would be fine and there is one other ride (the Pteradactyl something) but other than that it's pretty much thrill rides. However, if you like those type of rides and want to do a baby swap you might still really like it. Universal Studios similarly doesn't have too much for a 16 month old either - definately not a full day.

MGM is somewhat better - a few more things easy for a baby to sit through and better little kids theming in general but 16 months is really young for any park like this - in the end - I'd say go to the park which seems to hold more interest for you.

 

[4greatboys]

IOA--has a lot of thrill rides that little kids cant do: Hulk, Spiderman, Dr Doom, JP, DD. Im not sure about the water rides as we dont do them but you probably have to be 40 inches.
What they can do is: Cat in the Hat, Caro-Suess-el, 1 Fish, 2 Fish, Storm force accelorator.

MGM-they cannot do RNR or ToT, Star Tours--but all those have baby swap, They can do Playhouse Disney, Backlot Tour, Indy Jones Stunt Show, Great movie ride, VTLM.

 

[tartangirl]

I think a 16month old would struggle in both parks.

I'd go for the park that has more interest for you. I much prefer MGM as it has a good mix of rides but if you're a coaster fan it probably has to be IOA - and it has Spiderman

I find IOA somehow seems hotter and has less shade than MGM and the glare seems way worse.

 

[zaxmom]

If you are talking about the parent, IOA is a way better park. The only thing at MGM would be that Playhouse Disney show and maybe Little Mermaid. Your little one probably won't care that much for the muppets. Universal Studios has a good Barney show for kids, when mine were little, I thought it was worth the price of admission for them. If you guys went to US you could take the baby on much more attractions than the other parks and baby swap less. The baby might like watching Jimmy Neutron and Shrek. There would be only about 3 rides you really need to swap on. Men In Black, Back to the Fututre and the Mummy. The Mummy is an awesome ride. I put it up there with Spiderman. Universal does offer a two park/1 day ticket where you can see the best of both park. They offer little playgrounds where the baby will love to get wet. So be prepared.

 

[The Sweetness]

I wouldnt expect a child less than 2 (MAYBE) or 2 +1/2 to really enjoy either park. If its for the kids, honestly and truthfully, put the trip off as long as you can.

For yourselves, if you enjoy thrill rides, do IOA without even a second thought

 

[The Sweetness]

BTW~ IOA does not have BArney, Shrek, Or J Neutron ( those are at USF, the other US park next door )

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by The Sweetness
I wouldnt expect a child less than 2 (MAYBE) or 2 +1/2 to really enjoy either park. If its for the kids, honestly and truthfully, put the trip off as long as you can.

I have taken my kids to MGM at ages 1 and 2. They really did enjoy the shows, the parade, the movie ride and just being in the parks. I'm putting off trips to Europe and Hawaii until my kids are older, but Disney World is for kids of all ages.

 

[lmk]

Thanks - I guess we'd like the best of both worlds here - keep mommy and daddy and baby happy! I think she'll have enough of rides etc from our visits to MK and AK so I'm not too worried about her needing more "action" when we go to IOA or MGM - I wish IOA was included on our Park Hopper. Someone mentioned a one day/2 park pass - which 2 parks were you referring to?

 

[zaxmom]

I was referring to IOA and US at Universal orlando. I was trying to say you might like to go do the adult roller coasters and such at IOA and then go over to US where you can do more of the stuff without having to do babyswap. They have a lot of attractions you can take the baby on with you. And they are the ones with Jimmy Neuton, Shrek and Barney that the baby might like as well. I don't know how similar US in Orlando is to Hollywood, but it would be a way to hit your top choices for both of the parks. I think the tickets are about $10 more than regular one day tickets. I think they are only sold at the gate. People on the US/IoA boards can tell you exactly. Kids are happy seeing flashing lights and watching coasters roar by no matter what. Give Mom and Dad a day to do whatever they want.

 

[lmk]

thanks for clarifying!

 

[packy]

Neither or these parks is goog for a 16 month old nor are any other of the parks. As far as you and your husband, they both are good with different attractions.