Is US worth a visit?

[wideeyes]

Hi, I am going to WDW with my DD(5) and my mum and I can't decide if we should go to US, my mum says it worth a visit, however I am thinking of the extra cost involved, i.e tickets, transport, food (we have all these included at Disney).

My mum is the only one who has been before, me and DD are first time visitors to Orlando.

 

[Goofey's Girl]

Hi

Personally if you were going for a two week holiday no, if three weeks maybe.
we have been twice and although good I found it better for older children.
If this is your first trip with a 5 year old I would try and take it steadier going round Disney.

The one place I always pay extra for is Seaworld....the kids love it..now aged 10 and 8. My favourite day out, we usually go twice. If you do go go to a show where they use pets..can't remember what it's called. It's really fun but one alot of people miss out thinking its not as exciting. Your DD will love it.

Have a great time

 

[Ware Bears]

IMO I wouldn't bother going this time Claire. If I were you I'd concentrate on Disney and Sea World and save it for your next visit.

 

[Netty]

IMO I wouldn't bother going this time Claire. If I were you I'd concentrate on Disney and Sea World and save it for your next visit.

I say the same, just stick with disney,seaworld!
US is more for older kids, and not as exciting as wdw imo

 

[wideeyes]

Hi, thank you, I will stick to Disney & Sea world, will be much easier, my DD definitely wants to go to sea world. I will save US for when she is older.

 

[Andy Lou & Meg]

I know you have made your mind up but I thought I would give you my opinion. We first took our DD6 to US and IOA when she was 4 in 2004 - we go every year. She loved it, we have the advantage of her being tall for her age so she was able to go on Men In Black, Back to the Future, Sherk, Jimmy Neutron etc. If you DD is into Spongebob, Dora etc she will love it. Whilst I agree is not to the same standard of Disney it makes a nice change. My only problem is that every year my DD gets upset as she is not quite big enough for Hulk and Duelling Dragons at IOA - the tears I have had. Oh well she can at least go on the Mummy this year.

Good luck. Happy planning.

 

[wayneg]

Even though I enjoy US, Busch and SW as much if not more than the Disney parks if its your first visit and you already have tickets for Disney and SW, I would do them if you think you will be going again. A lot of people cram all the parks into 2 weeks and its too much, just plan another visit for next year.
US AP's are the best value in Orlando, I am renewing again for £53 each. free parking and a lot better discount scheme than Disney.

 

[XAVIER]

Both my kids have always preferred Islands of Adventure to any of the Disney parks (since they were 5 and 7 respectively).
Both the US parks offer a lot for younger children with Dr Seuss' "Cat in the hat" and "One fish two fish" rides, Shrek 3D, Jimmy Neutron, the Woody Woodpecker coaster and play area etc etc ...my kids love it! Which is why we usually stay on-site at Universal.
Personally I could not go all the way to Florida and not do these parks. IOA is by far the best park in Orlando for me. (Love Disney too! )

 

[Miss Stitch]

Have not done US yet. We went to Disney in 2005 and decided that the extra expense for US wasnt worth it and that we would have plenty to do at Disney. We regretted it as soon as we returned. We have now booked again for this September, not staying on-site but staying inbetween Disney and US (next road to Seaworld, so we can cram that it too). We have also booked a Kennedy space center day. We are hoping to do around five days at Disney, one at each park, one seaworld, one KSC, and maybe three or four at US. that still leaves us a few days leftover for rests or shopping: .

We have a fourteen day pass to both disney and US. and the US one was only around £80 per person, so for just £80 each we can choose every day what we do without worrying about paying cash on the day. You can also buy 7 days one too even cheaper.

Just take your time to decide, and dont regret it like us, instead of it costing us a few dollars and a couple of days of time., it has cost us a new holiday of around £4000 all in. Although you wont find me complaining

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Whilst I appreciate you may have a struggle fitting it all in, US/IOA in my opinion are just as good as the Disney Parks.
However, the last thing you should do on a 1st visit is rush around the parks day after day, so it could be too much perhaps to try and see everything.

Certainly the likes of Spiderman, Shrek and The Mummy for example are 'must do' attractions.
As others have said there is plenty to keep kid's occupied and Woody Woodpecker, ET, Barney, Curious George water play area plus the fabulous Popeye's Barges are just some of the things Josh loves.

The real advantage of Universal is both the parks are literally next door to one another, and just a few minutes walk apart.

Personally only Magic Kingdom of the Disney parks is better, just my opinion of course.

 

[Andy B]

I would not go 3500 miles to Orlando then not do anyting but the Disne parks. If you are going for 10 days or more you will have time for a day at each Universal park.

 

[Soprano]

I would not go 3500 miles to Orlando then not do anyting but the Disne parks. If you are going for 10 days or more you will have time for a day at each Universal park.

I agree. It boggles the mind that people travel all the way to Orlando and skip these amazing theme parks. WDW is wonderful, but there is a lot more to see than Disney. Both Univeral parks are a 'must' see and rival everything Disney offer.

 

[XAVIER]

I have to say that the "Spiderman" ride at IOA is the best ride anywhere!!!
It's worth the admission price alone!

 

[dc1964]

I agree. It boggles the mind that people travel all the way to Orlando and skip these amazing theme parks. WDW is wonderful, but there is a lot more to see than Disney. Both Univeral parks are a 'must' see and rival everything Disney offer.

I agree. you will all Disneyed out after 10 days, make time to visit US and USIOA, they are brilliant, if cost is an issue just visit Universal City walk, it is free and there is lots to see, you could be cheeky and jump on one of the free boats and visit one of the On site hotels like Portofino bay, have a drink in the bars there, very nice, there is a bar at Portofino Bay overlooking the water and where the boat docks. Walk back via the Hard Rock hotel, stop in the bar for a drink, then comtinue walking to the gates of US, It looks spectacular especially at night.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Glad there are so many Universal fans around

 

[wayneg]

If someone said to me you have only 3 hours, pick where you want to spend it, My choice would be Curious George at Universal. Like a guy said to me last week "This is the most fun I have had all Vacation, why didn't we find it earlier?"
I just wish they would upgrade the water canons, I cant reach enough innocent bystanders with them

 

[spencem]

I agree with the people who say go! On our first trip we did all 8 major parks and then 6 of them again in the 14 days. You can rest on the flight home.

 

[Graeme]

Another vote for Universal!! Must-do rides include Popeyes and Dudley Do-Right.

 

[Claire L]

Yes much better to 'sample a little of everything than everything of a little' so to speak. USF/IOA is such a great area and it will give you an idea for future visits as to how much time you want to spend and where.

Claire

 

[wideeyes]

I am confused, spoke to my mum last night and showed her the itinerary and she says we should go to US even if it is just for one day. can you buy 1 day tickets, don't want to spend any more than I need to due to budgeting. Its a case of every £ or $ saved counts.