MGM or Univ Studios?

[rhazz]

10 days away from our trip and trying to decide on MGM or Universal Studios for our DD and DS (6 y/o & 4 y/o). This is our third trip and are planning MK and Epcot but can't decide on our 3rd park. Anyone have any opinion on this? (we've already done AK twice and don't feel the need to go back) Thanks!

 

[catnik]

rhazz:

MGM has Disney Playhouse, with characters from RoilePolieOlie and Bear in the Big Blue House, among others. If your kids are big fans, I understand the show is very good. Little Mermaid and Muppet shows would be appropriate for them, as would the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground (altho watch for where the entrances and exits are: easy to have your child enter at one point and come out completely on the other side ). We went to Universal last February so can not comment on the Jimmy Neutron ride or Shrek show, but the Barney show was exceptionally popular, ET was a very "Peter Pan" like ride and the play areas at Woody Woodpecker and Fievel had lots of activity for kids (but very little shade so it has the potential for being VERY hot in summer). Seuss Landing in the Islands of Adventure was lots of fun (but beware the Cat in the Hat ride: I rode the Hulk twice in a row without blinking but nearly lost lunch after riding that "child's ride"!) but you would have to buy a 2 park ticket to check it out (and there is not much else in Islands for preschoolers to enjoy IMHO). Disney does a good parade in MGM; if there was a parade at Universal we missed it. Indiana Jones stunt show and Wild West stunt show are of the same ilk (somewhat noisy tho, so be prepared if you have sensitive kids). Each has it's own fans; I guess you have to decide which characters your kids would prefer to see. My kids did not know who Woody Woodpecker was (my DH was gracious enough to mimic Woody's voice....all day.....until I threatened to injury him!) I know you will have fun at either park.......I'm sure others will give you their opinions as well.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Depending on how tall your 4yo is there are lots of things to do at IoA. Spiderman is great and worth the price of admission by itself! The Popeye barge ride has a 42" restriction, same with Jurassic Park (you get wet on the barge ride so you'd have to wear clothes that can get wet or bring a change and that's assuming that it's warm enough). Pteranadon Flyers is good, but go first thing in the morning since you can't use express on that.

You could all do most everything in Universal Studios. Men in Black has a 42" height restriction.

I love MGM, but more because I really like Tower of Terror and Rock N Rollercoaster. I will try bringing my 4yo on ToT, but I doubt he'll want to ride a second time. I think that you could have a lot of fun at the Universal parks.

T&B

 

[QuickGold]

For a touring guide for kids at MGM try http://www.mgmstudios.org/dayguide2.html

 

[momof2inPA]

My 6 year old says he would choose Universal Studios over either IOA or MGM.

 

[rhazz]

Thanks for the useful info. I should add that both kids are always up for the "big kid" rides yet are only 45" and 44" tall. Also, they've somewhat grown beyond the Disney channel and are very much into Nickelodeon right now. I'm leaning towards Universal but really want to experience TOT!! I guess this trip is all about the kids, right?

 

[jgates]

Just remember - if you have multi-day Disney passes you are set for MGM. Otherwise you will be digging out your wallet again at Universal!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Your kids are tall enough to do almost all the rides at IoA and I think everything at Universal Studios. Is there any way you could spend 2 days at Universal? If not, I think I would get two day passes so that you can park hop and save the remaining day for the future. There is a one day, two park pass, but I don't know the cost.

T&B

 

[chamonix]

Thanks for this thread. We are trying to decide if we should do Universal this trip too. (will still go to MGM though!)
Our 6yo dd doesn't do thrill rides but is a huge Nickelodeon fan--can anyone tell me about the Nick stuff there? Is it enough reason for us to go there? Dh and I are not huge thrill ride fans either, to be honest!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

It depends on what your definition of thrill ride is. If you mean the big coasters, there really aren't that many of them at the two Universal parks (Hulk and Dueling Dragons (DD is actually two coasters and they are my favorite rides). There are a lot of other non-coaster rides that your 6yo would probably love. 42" seems to be the height that allows a child to do most of the rides. I'm way excited because my youngest was 40" last April when we went and is now 42". He was able to do a lot last year, but can now do everything that he would be interested in doing.

We haven't been back to WDW as a family since trying Universal. We hope to go back to WDW next January, though.

If you go during a busy time make sure that you stay onsite to get the front of the line privledges.

T&B

 

[KLAIT]

My 5 yo enjoyed Tower of Terror and the Indy stunt show at MGM. Too old for Playhouse Disney and some of the girlie shows. The playground was fun, for a little while....Back to the future we had to do twice....It was worth the time to spend the day here if you have extra time.

He truly enjoyed Universal more than Disney. There was a lot of stuff he enjoyed at Universal such as the Jimmy Neutron Ride, ET, MIB, Jimmy Neutron, Jimmy Neutron and Jimmy Neutron. There were the Nick characters out and about. We saw Jimmy Neutron, Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica and Spongebob.

He went on everything that he was tall enough to ride.

IOA was probably his favorite park of all. He loved Spiderman, Flying Unicorn, Stunt show, Posidons Fury, Suess Land, Jurassic Park, Popeye ride....

 

[Shooby doo]

Universal all the way!!I like MGM but Us has got to be my favourite park-although it's a pity Kongfrontation is no longer there!Apart from Men in Black I don't think that there will be much they cannot do & if they like getting wet head for Curious George's playground!
If you're sticking with WDW then I would agree on doing MGM instead of AK-which has to be my least favourite,which is a pity because it has a few good attractions! TOT really has not to be missed!So far I've only managed 2 out of the 4 possible rides!!
SD

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Originally posted by Shooby doo
Apart from Men in Black I don't think that there will be much they cannot do & if they like getting wet head for Curious George's playground!

MiB only has a 42" height restriction so it is fine.

If you go to Universal make sure you bring a change of clothes for the kids. If you plan on doing Popeye barge ride bring a change for everyone. Sandals/water shoes are good. The barge ride is great and worth riding unless it is way too cold.

T&B