One adult w/ 2 kids, first time at WWoHP... is it doable?

[TxDisFans]

Advice, please!

Just learned that we have an opportunity to visit orlando feb 14-17th.

We're big WDW fans... but my kids are Potter-maniacs and I thought I'd try Universal instead. Here's the catch: my husband can't come.

Is it realistic for a single adult to take two kids, ages 6 and 8, through WWoHP?? Will I regret this? We've done MK and AK this way, but I'm nervous about a park I've never been to, especially w/crowds.

Can three people go on each ride together like then can at Disney? My kids won't feel good about going on a ride without me next to them.

Advice? Tips? Obviously this is very last-minute so just trying to plan before committing.

 

[HawaiiDiscount]

You can all ride together on the Forbidden Journey but you need to check the height requirements for your 6 year old. My 6 year old barely met the height requirement. The ride is very intense but I went on it first while my husband stayed with the other kids so I could warn him about the scary parts before he went on it. He says he loved it. The Flight of the Hippogriff reminded me of a slightly longer version on Disney's Barnstormer so even though you couldn't all sit together they will be fine. We didn't even attempt Dragon's Challenge. Ollivander's was cute and that would be easily doable. IOA also has a cool Spiderman ride that you can all ride together but my kids did not like it because of the 3-D effects. (6 year old boy and 5 year old girl)

We loved just taking in the sights of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts - the attention the detail is amazing!

 

[TxDisFans]

That was very helpful.... I'll go measure him right now! We have no interest in the dragon challenge. My kids are a little wimpy when it comes to rides but they love Splash Mtn, and made it through Big Thunder... I'm sure that FJ is intense, but that's the one thing I was really hoping to go on! If he's too short, I think we'll wait a year.

One more question: They have only read through book 4 and have only seen movies #1 and 2.... will this ruin it? Too many references to books they haven't encountered yet? Or will they get most of it? They've already encountered a few later characters via lego sets, etc.

 

[DISdreamin']

I have to say that the shops, if it is busy, might be difficult with two kids. Dervish and Banges was so crowded when we were there, and some of the aisleways so narrow, that it was tough to keep an eye on both kids - people would squish in to go the other direction and effectively separate our party. DH and I finally each took one shild so they could shop, and then DH took them outside to the benches so I could look around. I couldn't take my eyes off them for a second or it would have been really easy to become separated!

So, while I'm sure it will be do-able, the shops might be the most stressful part of the whole thing. I'd just go into it warning the kids to keep near you if you decide to go in, but I'd definitely go. It is amazingly themed!

 

[Momw/aplan]

Can you stay onsite? If you stay at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel or Portofino Bay you can get into the park an hour early. You could hit WWoHP first when it is far less crowded and then do the rest of the park later if you start to feel like the crowds in the shops get to be too much. Plus you get to skip the long lines on all (or at least most of) the rides for no extra charge when you stay onsite. And the boats and walking paths that take you from the hotel to the parks and restaurants at City Walk would make it very easy and worry free. (I'm a BIG fan of staying onsite at Universal in case you can't tell. )

My son was 7 when we went last year and he LOVED Forbidden Journey. It is intense but the themeing was so good it took all of his nervousness away. We also LOVED Flight of the Hippogriff. Very simple and not too intense but a LOT of fun (and WOW what a view from the top, too!) The basket/cars on the ride were small and only fit 2 people at a time, but maybe the kids could ride in one car together and you could ride in the car behind them or even in front of them so they could see you the whole time?

I personally would feel more comfortable taking my kids to IOA by myself than I would to MK by myself. It somehow felt a lot less large and overwhelming to me when we were there. Not that I'd pass up a chance to go to MK any time or anything.

 

[HawaiiDiscount]

They have read enough to enjoy it! My son is only on the 2nd book but he knew enough to "get it."