Kids under 9 in the parks? Here's what ours liked/disliked.

[ChrisFL]

Now's a good a time to ask...............what's with all the DH and DD and all that jazz?

DH=Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife
DS=Dear Son
DD=Dear Daugther

 

[RAPstar]

DH=Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife
DS=Dear Son
DD=Dear Daugther

Oh!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DoodlesMom]

Thanks so much for the reviews. I am about to get start a thread for some opinions regarding a trip with our 5yo DS. We're only going down for a day or two in July and can't decide between Sea World or Universal or IOA etc. Any opinions welcome.

 

[drinkme]

Thanks for posting this! It's very informative for our family.

We're thinking of taking our first trip to US/IoA this June. Not sure if my kids would enjoy some of the bigger rides.

We've done WDW and DLR a bunch of times.

Ds7 loves: Expedition Everest, Space Mt., BTMRR, Test Track, Primevil Whirl, Indiana Jones (at DLR), Grizzly Bear Rapids (the water ride at DLR)
He's too afraid to try: Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster
He won't go on again: Splash Mt.

Dd9 (a big chicken) loves: Space Mt., Test Track (it was hard to get her on this, but once she did it, she loved it), Indiana Jones, BTMRR, Grizzly Bear Rapids
She's too afraid to try: EE, ToT, RnR, Primevil Whirl
She won't go on again: Splash Mt.

Which of the big rides do you think we should try with the kids? I'm thinking my dd9 won't try too many of them, but ds7 would try some.

TIA

 

[lynn71092]

I have a Shrek question.
Does it have spiders the way Honey, I shrunk the Audience has mice?

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I have a Shrek question.
Does it have spiders the way Honey, I shrunk the Audience has mice?

For a quick second and you'll know it's coming. Just pick your feet up when Shrek is about the drop the spider.

 

[lynn71092]

Are you sure??
I tried that with HISTA and I could still feel the mice!!
(Yes, I am an adult Wus!!)

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Thanks for posting this! It's very informative for our family.

We're thinking of taking our first trip to US/IoA this June. Not sure if my kids would enjoy some of the bigger rides.

We've done WDW and DLR a bunch of times.

Ds7 loves: Expedition Everest, Space Mt., BTMRR, Test Track, Primevil Whirl, Indiana Jones (at DLR), Grizzly Bear Rapids (the water ride at DLR)
He's too afraid to try: Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster
He won't go on again: Splash Mt.

Dd9 (a big chicken) loves: Space Mt., Test Track (it was hard to get her on this, but once she did it, she loved it), Indiana Jones, BTMRR, Grizzly Bear Rapids
She's too afraid to try: EE, ToT, RnR, Primevil Whirl
She won't go on again: Splash Mt.

Which of the big rides do you think we should try with the kids? I'm thinking my dd9 won't try too many of them, but ds7 would try some.

TIA

Your kids sound like they'd be fine on everything at Universal Studios but might want to miss out on some of these at Islands:

Incredible Hulk Coaster, Dr. Doom's FearFall, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, Jurassic Park River Adventure, and Dueling Dragons.

 

[jennobrn01]

Excellent post!! We are just starting to plan a trip for late fall of this year or early winter of 09. Our children will be 6 and 3. Your information was very helpful!

 

[Bibbidi]

Your post was great! I've always wondered if our family was missing anything by not having tried Universal yet, but I honestly think that the Disney parks suit our family best. You saved me a bundle of money

 

[wahoolio]

Which of the big rides do you think we should try with the kids? I'm thinking my dd9 won't try too many of them, but ds7 would try some.

TIA

Based on your kids' experiences with attractions at Disney, I'm not sure of the best advice to give you. Both of them enjoyed Space Mountain, and your son enjoyed Expedition Everest. In my opinion, EE is on a par with Hulk and Deuling Dragons, as thrill rides go. To me, the biggest difference is that Space Mountain and EE are "indoor" roller coasters, whereas Hulk and Deuling Dragons are right there in the open -- every twist, helix and loop. It can be quite intimidating visually. If you can convince your son that "if you can do EE than you can do this," that might work.

Again, my experience was that the Studios and IOA often employ more mature/scarier theming than some of the comparable Disney rides. To my DS9, often the theming is what freightened him, much moreso than the "thrill" of the ride itself.

Honestly, in your case, I think an earlier poster in this thread put it best -- you know your kids best. Take them by the ride and look into their eyes. If you see abject terror, then it's probably a safe bet to move on.

 

[wahoolio]

Your post was great! I've always wondered if our family was missing anything by not having tried Universal yet, but I honestly think that the Disney parks suit our family best. You saved me a bundle of money

Bibbidi, I'm not sure of your kids' ages or your family's preferences, but I can assure you we all had a great time at the Universal theme parks -- including the kids. We are Disney fans, too, but we thought this visit was well worth it. The kids found the Curious George area in the Studios and the Suess area in IOA (in particular) as fun as any of the areas they enjoy at the Disney parks.

 

[Bibbidi]

Bibbidi, I'm not sure of your kids' ages or your family's preferences, but I can assure you we all had a great time at the Universal theme parks -- including the kids. We are Disney fans, too, but we thought this visit was well worth it. The kids found the Curious George area in the Studios and the Suess area in IOA (in particular) as fun as any of the areas they enjoy at the Disney parks.

Both my DH and I have never had any real huge desire to try Universal. We thought maybe we were missing something by not going, but honestly, I think it will be more worthwhile when our kids are older. I'm glad your family had a good time, but for the number of attractions that we'd actually get to experience for the cost of going for a day or two, it's not worth the extra expense for us right now. We may still consider Sea World next year as a day trip. I know sometimes they have combo tickets with Universal--so in that case it would be worth it to go over there, but to buy Universal tickets independently doesn't make sense for us right now. Again, your review was a great help. Thank you.

 

[3kidzmom]

Oh Bibbiditi I must strongly disagree Myfamily took advantage of the 7 consecutive day Universal/IOA tickets (and bought Disney Tickets as well)--my family enjoyed IOA so much more than I expected. On our 9 day trip, we spent at least 4 at IOA (we only went to Universal Once). My kids are 12, 9, and 5. I didn't think they would like it, but for the bargain tickets, I took a chance. If I knew then what I know now, I would only have bought 3 day single park Tickets for Disney for 5 people and saved tons of $$$)

Give it a chance...you might be surprised!

 

[Cadillac_Dreamgirl]

I am going soon. and will post my 2 year olds experience.. I know he will have a blast because he loves the outdoors to death.

 

[MassMom94]

Your kids sound like they'd be fine on everything at Universal Studios but might want to miss out on some of these at Islands:

Incredible Hulk Coaster, Dr. Doom's FearFall, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, Jurassic Park River Adventure, and Dueling Dragons.

I'm thinking Mummy might be iffy for them, especially DD, if scary theming is an issue.

Unlike RnRC, you can actually see Hulk and DD, so they will be able to make their own decisions based on observation of what the ride actually does.

 

[bfwood]

very helpful! thanks!