Is there allot to do for a 3 year old at US/IOA?

[TrainerBBD]

Going to US/IOA in 29 days !!!

My son is 3 so I was wondering if there are peeps on here that have gone to the parks with their 3 year old and how did it go? Did the family have to split up allot for the older kids (Yes that includes me, lol) can do the bigger rides? Or are there play places near by the big rides so meeting up after a ride is easy.

Thanks for any help
Dan

 

[Melanie230]

Yes lots to do! My DD had just turned 4 the first time we went. Your son can ride several things! We rented the parks open stroller for her to sit in so she wouldn't get tired, and it was very easy for her to get in and out. Plus it is a great way to store all your stuff when you are walking. There is TONS of stroller parking. There is a great Woody Woodpecker play area, and Curious George. Over in IOA there is Suess Landing. He will love it! The rides he can't go on...do the baby swap at each ride.

 

[TrainerBBD]

Cool, thanks for the information.

We will have my Dad with us so we will not have to do the baby swap as he can look after him while we ride. I was more worried that they would need to be in one area of the park being entertained and us in another on the big rides. We purchased a set of radios incase we get separated so that should help.

We went to Disney last year and were pleasantly surprised when we found allot of little play areas of at least things to keep him occupied while we rode so it made it easier on my Dad and kept us together as a family instead of going our own ways.

We are SUPER excited to go this year and hope the crowds will be minimal as the last few years when we have done Disney, Busch and Sea World.

 

[nytimez]

I have to disagree. I don't think there is lots to do for a three-year-old, unfortunately... but there are some nice play areas here and there if your dad is willing to watch while everyone else rides.

It's really the biggest shortcoming of Universal, IMO.

 

[dimimi]

I have to disagree too. There may be places for him to hang out, but as far as riding rides, our family commented how this was definately a park (and a good one!) for older children. I guess it depends if this is a one day trip with other days at a Disney park...or a week long trip? If it is for a day, I'm sure your 3 year old will be fine.

Enjoy.

 

[TrainerBBD]

Ohhh, This will actually be a 9 day stay. We were planning on US/IOA and Wet & Wild plus shopping and hanging at our hotel a bit.

This will be our 4th year in a row to Florida... We did Disney in 08 with just our DD, Then Sea World and Busch in 09 with just our DD, then last year we did Dis with DS and DD... We were surprised at how many rides they let him on and how we were able to stay together ... Guess we will need to be creative with him during this trip ... He does LOVE water so maybe he will be fine hanging out in one of the water park areas (lol)

 

[damo]

I have to disagree. I don't think there is lots to do for a three-year-old, unfortunately... but there are some nice play areas here and there if your dad is willing to watch while everyone else rides.

It's really the biggest shortcoming of Universal, IMO.

I agree with you. I really think that both parks need to add more family rides. GOOD family rides...not just little sucky stuff. They don't have to spend $100,000,000 but there are some cool rides at other Universal parks like Crate Adventure.

 

[Zim]

I have to go with the consensus here. There are whole sections of US and IOA where there won't be a thing for a little kid to do. Now there are also whole sections that are completely dedicated to little ones - Seussland and Curious George areas...

But 9 days... I dunno. I'd be wanting the spend the majority of that at a Disney park. The water parks will help, but Universal definitely caters to an older thrill seeking crowd. But at 3 years old, how much will be remembered anyway? Now at 6 or 7 I'd really be pushing for a week or longer trip to focus on Disney not Universal.

Having said that, my DD is 13, and we're JUST doing Universal and SW this fall, no Disney whatsoever. The only things I think we'll really miss are a couple coasters and Tower of Terror.

 

[damo]

A lot depends on the kids too. Many little ones don't like anything scary, so rides like Peter Pan can even be no goes. My 5 year old nephew twins only went on a few rides at Magic Kingdom...the Blue Train (aka The People Mover) was their absolute favourite. They really don't like any bad or scary characters. If your child just likes play areas, then Universal is great.

 

[TrainerBBD]

Thanks for all the great conversation and advice

My Son is 36" this year and last year he went on every ride he was allowed to at Disney parks. He didn't even mind the Haunted Mansion (He was 2 and around 32" at the time) .. I wouldn't call him a thrill seeker yet but as long as Mom or Dad is around he is good to go on about anything.

I guess we just figured that US/IOA would be close to as inviting to the little ones as Dis as they are a big park too. Glad we are asking questions now though as we have not purchased our tix yet. Maybe a chat with the wife after work will decide if maybe we do US/IOA another year or just chance it and try to keep him busy.

Worst case maybe we get the 14 day pass they have on right now and if we decide after a day or two to hit Dis for the other 7 days. The 2 day pass is pretty much the same price as the 14 one anyways.

I was at least glad to see they have allot of quick service meals through the parks as that is usually all we do. Quick bite on the go kinda thing and the kids love chicken fingers / burgers and usually get those even if we eat at a fancy restaurant (LOL)

 

[Planogirl]

If he's really brave then he might only be excluded from the big coasters and FJ. Have you looked at the size chart on the Universal website?

So much depends on the child. Our son was fascinated with pretending to shoot the guns on video games at that age.

 

[TrainerBBD]

Our son is HUGE into Monster Trucks right now... We have Monster Jam on the PVR and it is the first thing he wants in the morning or else he is Grumpy (lol)

Spoke to the wife and we will try out US/IOA for a few days and if we are having trouble entertaining him we will get Sea World tix as I remember they have a kiddie area with some rides. (The wife is a huge Potter fan so I figured she would not skip the parks this year )

Now to just hope I can fit on most of the rides as I am a bigger fellow but from what I read it may only be an issue on 1 or 2 rides so for the most part I think we will have a blast.

I will report back when we are home (Sept 23rd)

Trip info:

Sept 13th
Moncton to Toronto
Toronto to Orlando

Sept 22nd

My DD and I
Orlando to Montreal
Montreal to Moncton

My DW, DS and Dad
Orlando to Toronto
Toronto to Moncton

Thanks for all the help