Is Universal good for parents and young children???

[bcarson]

We went to WDW last May and we are going again in Oct. My dh has said several times that he would like to try Universal. While I agree it looks like a lot of fun. I am just not so sure that are children are at an age right now where we will all enjoy it. The perception I have gotten is there are either really big rides that we can't ride with the kids or we will be stuck riding the baby rides all day. My kids will be 4 and 7 at the time of the trip and I just think that Disney more meets everyones needs for right now. I would love to ride the big stuff at Universal but with the kids it wouldn't be very plausible. Can those that have been there either confirm or deny my suspcions. Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

We went to WDW last May and we are going again in Oct. My dh has said several times that he would like to try Universal. While I agree it looks like a lot of fun. I am just not so sure that are children are at an age right now where we will all enjoy it. The perception I have gotten is there are either really big rides that we can't ride with the kids or we will be stuck riding the baby rides all day. My kids will be 4 and 7 at the time of the trip and I just think that Disney more meets everyones needs for right now. I would love to ride the big stuff at Universal but with the kids it wouldn't be very plausible. Can those that have been there either confirm or deny my suspcions. Thanks!

You and the family can do some of the attractions at US and IOA..not as many as MK though. At IOA, you could do anything in Seuss Landing like One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (which is actually kinda fun), Cat in the Hat, etc. In Jurassic Park, you can do the P-Flyers and maybe JPRA. At The Lost Continent, you can do The Flying Unicorn, Sinbad Stunt Show and Posiden's Fury. You can always use the Baby Swap area for the big stuff like DD, Hulk and Spiderman although your 7 yo might be tall enough to ride Spiderman.

At Universal, you can do: Shrek 4-D, Jimmy Neutron, ET, Woody Woodpecker area and possibly Twister. Again, use the baby swap areas for MIB and ROTM if you really want to ride the big stuff.

 

[alisonbestford]

DD (6) does about 2 rides at each park but absolutely adores water so we spend hours at Curious Georges or Sseuss Landings
DD is small for her age but was tall enough to do SpiderMan - she didn't enjoy it much as she doesn't like the dark but can't wait until she's tall enough for the Hulk!!
She loves both the Unicorn rollercoaster and the Woody one .
Both she and DH are SuperHero fans so that's a must too
Just be sure to pack bathing suits .

 

[sha_lyn]

DD has been going to WDW since she was 2 1/2 and US/IOA since she was 3 1/2. IOA is her favorite park.
Your 7 yr old should be big enough for everything except for hulk, DD and Dr Doom. The 4 yr old should be big enough for everything except the things above, Mummy JPRA and possibly MIB .

 

[wicket2005]

The official sites should give height requirements for the rides. I have taken my sons at these ages 7 & 5, 9 & 7, 11 & 9 and they have really enjoyed the parks.

Universal has a great water area where water cascades every now and again. My kids loved it here. I think they could have just stayed here every day. They also enjoyed the Animal Actors show with loads of cute animals. The Barney show was a hit too when they were younger. When my son was 5 he went on a lot of the rides.

IoA does have areas for the younger kids, again another water area attracts the kids, plus rides in Dr Szeuss (sorry about the spelling). The first time we went here was when the kids were 11 & 9 and they could go on all the rides.

I would definitely recommend going, we love these parks just as much as the Disney ones. I am constantly amazed that people just stick to the Disney parks and don't bother going to other theme parks in the area.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Last year my kids were almost 4, 51/2 and 7. They loved Universal. The younger ones favorites were ET, Jimmy Neutron, Shrek, CUrious George's water playground, Woodys Rollercoaster. Cat in the Hat Ride, One Fish Two Fish Red FIsh Blue Fish. THey had a great time at the Cat in the Hat Character breakfast and believe it or not they loved Margaritaville! We had a ball at the HRH and they even had poolside activities for the kids. There is a lot more for little kids to do at Universal then you would think.

 

[phamton]

I would suggest you look at these two articles and decide if there are some things there that your little ones would like:

Kids at Universal

Kids at Islands of Adventure