Would we be splitting up all the time between the parks so that DS10 could enjoy one thing and DDs could enjoy something else? Just courious on your opinions.
We'd stay at one of the resorts right there - leaning towards RPR as the theme is nice but not sure on the pools. Pools are a big part of our vacation.
Thanks for any insight.
I've been to the parks with children of all the ages you posted. There is plenty to do for all of them. There are lot of play areas for the smaller kids in both parks plus Universal has a great kid swap program for rides all of you can't get on. You'll find lots of characters throughout the park, and little shows they may enjoy. It will ultimately come down to your childs personality and how adventurous they are. My DD's were night and day, the older one at first didn't want to try any dark rides, but now she loves them. One child at the age of 5 may be scared of Jaws while another one may love it. My DD is 9 this year and can't wait to ride Rip Ride Rocket, her older sister and brother would never get on it in a million years. So keep that in mind.
A good way to prepare them is to pull up
Youtube videos, you may see rides they can't wait to ride, and some they won't want to ride. Plus there are shows like Barney (your girls may be too old and not like Barney like mine did, they wouldn't go near him.
) or Animal Actors, or catch the Scooby Doo/Curious George show right outside of the Barney area/Woody Woodpecker Zone.
When my DD's were 4 and 5 they enjoyed:
Islands Of Adventure
Seuss's Landing:
The Cat In The Hat
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
Caro - Suess - el
If I Ran The Zoo (interactive play area my girls loved, be warned there is a little area with water and your kids most likely will want to get wet, and spend a long time here)
Jurassic Park:
Pteranodon Flyers
Jurassic Park Discovery Center
Camp Jurassic - another play area
Me Ship, the Olive (play area)
Toon Lagoon:
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls (your girls may be able to ride this depending on height)
Jurassic Park River Adventure (your girls may be able to ride this depending on height)
Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges(your girls may be able to ride this depending on height)
Universal Studios
Production Central:
- Shrek
- Jimmy Neutron
World Expo
- Men In Black
Woody Woodpecker's KidZone
- ET
- Woody Woodpecker Nuthouse Coaster
- Curious George Goes To Town (interactive play area with water)
- Fievels Playground (interactive play area with water)
Your seven and ten year olds will have even more to enjoy. All of the above rides, plus any of the other rides at the park they are tall enough for.
As for the hotel, you can't go wrong with any of them. Royal Pacific has a small plane that is a play area by the pool, The Hard Rock/Portofino have a water slides. All three pools are awesome and they even offer childrens activities throughout the day and movies on some nights. Another good thing about the hotels is they offer "camps" or a day/night care center basically for days/nights where you might want to go out alone with your DH. My DH and I took advantage of this once when we wanted a night to do coasters and have a nice quiet dinner at Mythos. Fair warning, it ain't cheap.
I think your whole family will have plenty to do and have a blast!!!
