Never Been to Universal

[TerriBelle]

Help!

We will be going to Disney in January and are considering trying Universal for a night or two. We have never been to any of the non-disney parks. Our reservation at BWV starts on Sunday so we were thinking of spending Sat & Sun at 2 non disney parks (Sea World, IOA, or Universal). Our kids will be 10, 6, 6.

Which parks would be best for us?
Can you see most of these parks in a day?
Which on-site hotel would be best with kids?

Thanks for any advice

 

[vernon]

It depends a little on what they like. For GREAT thrill rides it's hard to beat IOA, but the 6yr olds will not be able to ride some of the bigger coasters. They will enjoy the Seuss Landing area, Jurrassic Park play area and the water rides. Spiderman is the best single ride in Orlando IMHO. Universal has a lot of more gentle rides, the new Shrek experience is likely to be popular and Terminator 3D is one of the best 3D live action shows around.

Unless they are BIG into animals I would have a day each at IOA and Universal and pass on SW, it's a great park but if you plan to stay at one of the Universal hotels you may as well make the most of the front of the line privilages. If I was only doing one of the Universal parks ( in your situation) I would pick Universal Studios as it better suits the younger twos ages. IOA is my favourite park in Orlando, but the height restrictions on the best rides may make this a better option to return at a later date. You may be able to get a pass that allows you to park hop, in which case maybe one whole day at Universal with the second day spending half of it ( as a group) at IOA doing the things that everyone can do then if you have more than one adult with you leave the 10 yr old and one adult to do the rides with higher height restrictions ( if the 10 yr old fancies those rides ) and take the youngertwo back into Universal to ride anything you missed on day one or anything they'd like to reride. Don't forget the hotels at USF have great themed pool areas and you might enjoy just one day in the park(s) and one relaxing around the pools.