Is Universal suitable for toddlers??

[angel659]

Im flying over to Disney in October, staying at ASM.

I am going with my DH, DD (5), DS (2), DS (2).

We arent hiring a car, but was thinking of doing a day at both US and IOA.

Is it worth it when our sons are so young?? Is there any entertainment for them.

Im desperate to go on revenge of the mummy, but wont bother if there isnt enough for the kids to do.

All advice appreciated!

 

[dpuck1998]

Im flying over to Disney in October, staying at ASM.

I am going with my DH, DD (5), DS (2), DS (2).

We arent hiring a car, but was thinking of doing a day at both US and IOA.

Is it worth it when our sons are so young?? Is there any entertainment for them.

Im desperate to go on revenge of the mummy, but wont bother if there isnt enough for the kids to do.

All advice appreciated!

I say yes. There isn't a LOT for them but the stuff for them to do will more than fill a day. You can spend a lot of tiem in Suessland and the Kids area at the Studios.

 

[Janice B]

If it was me, I dont think I would take kids that young. If you still want to go. I would suggest universal studio's. IOA has more rides for older kids.
We just returned last week. We had a 13 & 15 year old. They both liked IOA but found Universial Studios very boring.

 

[Hockeygoalie100]

well in universal there is woody woodpeckers kidzone which has fievals playland, curious george goes to town, woody woodpeckers nuthouse coaster, a day in the park with barney, animal planet live, and E.T. (et's begginning may be a little too scary for them because of loud noises) all the others arent scary at all.
IOA has of course seuss landing that has if i ran the zoo a little playground thing, the caraseussel(a merry go round) One fish 2 fish red fish blue fish (which is like dumbo the elaphant in WDW) and my favorite in there the cat in the hat which will be fine with toddlers.
I hope i helped and have a great time.(sorry i put so much info its just when someone asks a question about universal i just have to answer with detail)

 

[3forWDW]

We took my son when he was 3 3/4 years old to Universal (back in Oct. 2000). I spent the whole day seeing Barney, playing in Fieval's Playland, riding the Jetson's ride (not there anymore), and playing in Curious George Area with all the balls. He had a blast there and had plenty to do. My husband enjoyed it too --- He went and rode all the rides he wanted to without having to wait for us (and the loaded down stroller).

 

[momof3disneyholics]

IOA has more rides for older kids.
We just returned last week.

Actually, no. There is lots for little ones to do at IOA. There is The Cat in the Hat, One fish Two Fish, CaroSeussel, If I ran the zoo, Flying Unicorn (36"), Storm Force, Spiderman (40"), Camp Jurassic, Jurassic Park Discovery Center, and Me ship the Olive. There are also lots of fountains in Toon Lagoon for them to play in. My kids love those.

 

[shelleyz]

Hubby and I were at US and IOA for the first time last week. We went without the kids for a much needed break, and I kept commenting on how there was a lot for our boys(ages 6 &4) to do. I originally thought there was not a lot for small kids but once I went and checked it out for myself, we are now planning on taking the boys next summer. We will be staying onsite again and using our room key for FOTL. Nothing beats not having to wait in long lines especially with young ones.

 

[UniversalAddict]

The kids will love it. I have a 3 1/2 year old and an almost 2 year old and we have been taking them since they were babies. They love it almost as much as us.

You did mention that you wanted to do both US and IOA in one day. I would not recommend that. You will probably feel rushed to see everything and won't have time to enjoy the place. Being from England you might enjoy a pint or two of some fine English/Irish brew at Finnegans and with happy hour prices too.

I would either take two days to enjoy both parks or pick one park and spend the entire day there.

B

 

[angel659]

The kids will love it. I have a 3 1/2 year old and an almost 2 year old and we have been taking them since they were babies. They love it almost as much as us.

You did mention that you wanted to do both US and IOA in one day. I would not recommend that. You will probably feel rushed to see everything and won't have time to enjoy the place. Being from England you might enjoy a pint or two of some fine English/Irish brew at Finnegans and with happy hour prices too.

I would either take two days to enjoy both parks or pick one park and spend the entire day there.

B

Cheers for all your helpfull advice so far guys!

I do actually plan to do a seperate day at each, just didnt put it very clearly and now im thinking about maybe even a 3rd/4th day. It seems theres more than enough for the little tykes.

Sounds like Finnegans will be a definate priority for me! Couldnt go abroad without having a beer or two!

 

[Soprano]

Just to back up what others have said. YES! Definately!

We took our 2/3 y.o's there last year and there was loads to do for them. I think we ended up spending 4 days in the parks. They LOVED it!

My boy loves Spider-man (doesn't ever boy, no matter how old )

 

[UniversalAddict]

By the way - seeing as you enjoy a pint - check out the "happy hour" thread. I just bumped it to the top. I think the most recent info is on the last page.

 

[Blizzrock13]

Plenty. Of course, what you have to understand is that UO isn't disney and every ride isn't suitable for toddlers. But there is still plenty to do:
IOA

Storm Force Accelatron - basically MK's teacups only cooler.

Me Ship, The Olive - interactive play area for kids. You can also spray those on popeye w/ waterguns from here

Toon Lagoon in general - there may be no rides for toddlers here, but water it spraying everywhere for people to run in. They'll love it.

Camp Jurassic - a great playland in JP. Water guns, plenty of places to explore. Paths that take you through volcanos and past geysers

Pteranodon Flyers - A ride that you need a kid to get on. You basically sit down on this single rail ride. It's technically a coaster, but by the world's standards, it's toned down so much that it's boring to anyone but a toddler. Good view of Camp Jurassic. Keep in mind the hour wait you may have to endure to get on, though.

JP Discovery Center - Very interactive. You can enter through the Burger Digs and go downstairs, where you find lots of games.

Flying Unicorn - this is probably be too intense for toddlers, it's really meant for young kids but it depends how old your toddlers are.

All of Suess Landing - this entire island is based on small kids. One Fish Two fish red fish blue fish is like dumbo, then there's the Cat in the Hat which takes you through the book (this ride spins some but barely). Then there's the CaroSuessel, a merrygoround for suessian creatures. To see suessian animals on display, go to If I ran the zoo.

USF

Production Central in general - this is also based on things kids like. It may be based on kids a little older, but it should still be cool for toddlers. Shrek 4D is a great show for all ages. I thought it was great, but keep this in mind - the seats move (they jerk forward and backward), some parts are dark, and one effect definitely makes you jump (simulates spiders falling to the ground around your legs, similar to AK's It's Tough to Be a Bug ending. Jimmy Neutron will be good for 'em, since it's based on all the Nickelodeon cartoons. They should have no problem w/ this one.

San Francisco/Amity in general - Two rides here. First is Earthquake. People of all ages can go on this ride. There is fire and water effects, but nothing scary. Shouldn't be too much of a problem. Then there's Jaws. This ride is a little more questionable. You can put your child in the middle, and he/she shouldn't be bothered too much by the shark, which scares mostly just the people on the side who are close to it. However, this ride involves loud noises and fire, which may be scary. It's your call.

Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone - Another land devoted to kids. Visit Barney in a theatre show, run through a playland @ Curious George goes to town, fly with et on the ET Adventure, have a ball at Fievel's playland, or, another maybe, try woody's nuthouse coaster. It's similar to the Unicorn at IOA.

There are also shows at both parks, but as I've never seen any of them (I never see the shows), I won't go into that.