Is it worth it for our crew?

[gopherit]

We go to WDW about every 18 mos or so -- have 3 kids, now aged 10,8,and 4. The 10 yr old does NOT - repeat NOT - like "thrill" rides of any sort. (Oddly -- he DOES like Mission Space... but no coasters, no ToT, none of that, thank ya very much.) 8 yr old does love the thrills. 4 yr old does too but while her courage may be great, her size ain't! (She's petite relatvie to her peers.) I'm no thrill rider -- I prefer shows and technology and culture (think EPCOT), but DH is a MAJOR thrill lover. However -- unless we took other thrill-seekers with us, I can't see him going by himself to ride (DS8 would go -- but unsure if he would be big enough for everything? And some stuff seemed even too "adult" for him, even. DOn't wanna give the little dude nightmares on vacation...)

We are certified Disneyphiles. We know squat about Universal. I got on the website tonight with 10 yr old son and he was very leary of the "attractions" (they all seem like "thrill" rides to me, Mom!) Lol, even the hotel choices bothered him, though ("Hard Rock Hotel? Well that just sounds downright painful, Mom.") What can I say, we're DVC and he's spoiled by villa life...

And here's my question: Is this sojourn from Disney worth it? And if so, for how long, given the agees of our kids? I had seriously considered a trip over to Seaworld on our last WDW trip, but we didn't do it. We like to have a few days of leisure on our vacations -- we usually do 1 or 2 park days, then take a day off. I was thinking of spending a thurs/fri/sat night at a Univ. hotel and maybe doing Univ. for 2 days, then Seaworld the next, before moving over to our WDW accommodations (and resiting for a day or two before hitting THOSE parks!) After going over the attraction with DS10, I'm wondering if there's enough to hold the gang's interest for 2 days at Univ.

Input appreciated -- like I said, I'm woefully out of my league when it comes to this side of Orlando.

 

[phamton]

I would suggest you read these two articles which will give you an idea of what the non-thrill riders would like:


Kids at Universal

Kids at Islands of Adventure

And here are the height requirements:

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS®

Revenge Of The MummySM- Must be at least 48".

Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast™: Must be at least 40”. Persons under 40” must experience this attraction from an adjacent stationary location.

Back To The Future The Ride® - Must be at least 40” ; 40” to 48” must be accompanied by an adult.

MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™ - Must be at least 42” ; 42” to 48” must be accompanied by an adult.

Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster® - Must be at least 36” ; 36-48” must be accompanied by an adult


UNIVERSAL’S ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE®

Jurassic Park River Adventure® - Must be at least 42” ; 42” to 48” must be accompanied by an adult.

Pteranodon Flyers® - Must be at least 36” ; 36” to 56” must be accompanied by an adult. Guests over 56” must be accompanied by a guest meeting this requirement.

Dueling Dragons® - Must be at least 54”.

Flying Unicorn® - Must be at least 36” ; 36” to 48” must be accompanied by an adult.

The Cat in the Hat™ - Under 48” must be accompanied by an adult.

Caro-Seuss-el™ - Under 48” must be accompanied by an adult.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish™ - Under 48” must be accompanied by an adult.

Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls® - Must be at least 44” ; 44” to 48” must be accompanied by an adult.

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges® - Must be at least 42” ; 42” to 48” must be accompanied by an adult.

Incredible Hulk Coaster® - Must be at least 54”.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man® - Must be at least 40” ; 40” to 48” must be accompanied by an adult.

Doctor Doom’s Fearfall® - Must be at least 52”.

Storm Force Accelatron® - Under 48” must be accompanied by an adult.

I think your older son who hates thrill rides will love: Men in Black. It is like Buzz Light year. He would probably love Spiderman also but you might want to ride it first and see. Also ET is like Peter Pan and is a fun ride. Shrek and Jimmy Neutron would be great for him also. The Kid zone areas in both parks are really fun for the non-thrill seekers. Also while some of you went on Jurassic park ride, the non-thrill seekers could go into the Discovery Center and learn about dinosaurs.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

It never hurts to try... If you are looking for a relaxing hotel...Portofino Bay and the Royal Pacific Resorts are very nice.

My Review of the Royal Pacific

Universal-excitement's information of the resorts

There is something for everybody at Universal and Islands. Here's my personal take:

The "Big" Thrill-rides: Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Dr. Doom's Fear Fall, Dudley Do-right's, Back to the Future, The Mummy. and Jurassic Park River Adventure

Medium Thrill-rides (some may enjoy, but try them yourself before having them go on...many are worth a shot): Popeyes and Blutos, Spiderman, Jimmy Neutron, Flying Unicorn (kiddie Coaster), Woody Woodpecker (kiddie coaster), Twister (more of a show than ride...but may be scary), Earthquake

Low Thrill-rides: Shrek 4-D, MIB, ET, Jaws, Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish, Carosuessal

Shows and Play Areas: The 8th Voyage of Sinbad, BMX Show, Camp Jurassic, Discovery Center, KidZone's Barney Show, Curious George play area (water are and huge foam ball play area), If I ran the Zoo (fun water play area), Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue, Blues Brothers Show, Street Breakz breakdancing Show, Animal Planet Live, Star Toons dance show (featuring Shaggy, Scooby, Curious George, and Woody Woodpecker), Nick Studios, and Horror Make-up Show (many kids love it...parents LOVE it...but some things might be scary...if anything, see if at least you and your hubby can see it!)

**NOTE: Jimmy Neutron and Shrek 4-D have stationary seats if your DS is weary of simulators, but still wants to see the 'show'.**

There is actually quite a bit...I say check out some sites for their takes on certain attractions to get a better idea, or check them out yourselfs during your visit. Better to try something and *then* decide if you like it than not give something a shot and never knowing!

www.universalimho.com
www.universal-excitement.com
www.ioacentral.com
www.usoinfo.com

 

[robvia]

Little kids say no to thrill rides and anything new as a way to get attention and be in control. After your visit, he'll be asking to go back, telling all his friends how cool it is. Go and make sure YOU have a good time. The oldest probably won't make the height requirement for the biggest coasters, but there is plenty to do. You might even think about splitting up, you going on some big kid rides with the oldest, and the spouse taking the young ones to Suess landing and the kiddie play areas.

 

[damo]

Actually, I think Universal/IOA would be perfect for you. It has something for everyone and is so close to the hotels that you can split up and meet later.

 

[gopherit]

Little kids say no to thrill rides and anything new as a way to get attention and be in control. After your visit, he'll be asking to go back, telling all his friends how cool it is. Go and make sure YOU have a good time. The oldest probably won't make the height requirement for the biggest coasters, but there is plenty to do. You might even think about splitting up, you going on some big kid rides with the oldest, and the spouse taking the young ones to Suess landing and the kiddie play areas.

Well, unfortunately, our "little" kid isn't the issue -- she will ride ANYTHING her 41" will allow (and wishes she could ride a LOT MORE that it WON'T). As for attention / control -- after 10 yrs with eldest ds, I can safely say it's not an attention thing -- he just prefers terra firma. He's also my one kid who gets carsick, so it may be an inner-ear issue, but since he LOVES Mission Space yet hates any Disney "mtn" ride (spcae, splash, BTM), I tend the think it's the "feet on the ground" thing more than a nausea issue. He's smart enough to know that when he's in that capsule, it ain't leaving the building, it's computer generated images and some centrifugal force. And he never had an occasion to see a "space capsule" go whizzing past him at breakneck speed, either -- Disney hid that from ya -- so he's blissfully ignorant that it "moves".

Maybe DH can take our thrillster middle kid on what few rides he's tall enough for, but it won't be me! (DS #1 takes after his momma... I'm a terra firmite too!)

Anyway -- if we do a divide and conquer approach, would 1 day suffice? Or would we need 2? My kids aren't interested in meeting Marvel characters, and the Cat in the Hat creeps 'em out, so we won't be doing much character mtg (probably just the Nickolodeon folks, like SBSP and company...)

DS #1 and I checked out hotels on his computer last night... we both agreed that Royal Pacific seemed the best "fit" for us. I'll have to go read FlyFly Eclipse's review now!

Thanks to ALL or your responses -- input very much appreciated!

 

[dan-tot]

jurasic park ride is like splash mountain. You drop at the end like splash my friend says it is higher and steeper that splash mountain but it doesn't seem like it to me. The unicorn is like the barnstormer in toon town. The hulk, dr doom and dueling dragons are major coaster rides. Back to the future, shrek, Jimmy Nuetron are like star tours. Twister is a terra firma but it has alot of special effects in the show. It doesn't last long but it is very visual. Posiden is a walking show it was great. The time I saw it there was a few people but it holds a large crowd. Cat in the hat is like pooh but it spins the car more than does the honey pot. One fish Two fish is like dumbo and the majic carpet rides. Carousels are about the same different theming. Men in Black is my favorite ride. This is a shooting gallery in one to one real time mode. Tip, if you don't care about not going as a group. There is a single line entrance on the right side that NEVER has a line and if you do have people in line it is usually about two maybe three. If you go through the front you can see EIB Headquarters. Which is the que area. Jaws is ok, I think Earthquake is Lame not worth the wait in line. I haven't been on mummy but coaster like ride.
Et is a fun ride the theming is nice and its like really being in the woods. There is alot of different stuff to see hope you have fun.

Dan-tot