one day each park

[bkline]

After several years of doing Disney, we will be going to Universal for the first time in early October. We have a 9 year old boy.We are staying on-site (portofino). Any don't miss things for the 9 year old? We arrive Friday night and based upon hours, I was thinking US on Saturday and IOA on Sunday. Does this seem like a good gameplan to the veteran Universal Studio goers? Does Mythos stay open for dinner after the park closes? IOA closes at 5:30 on Sunday and I thought that would be a good time to hit Mythos.

 

[ksdave]

If your son is anything like mine, he'll love Hulk, Dueling Dragons and Spiderman in IOA, and T2-3D and MIB in USF. My son is now 11 and rode Hulk five times in a row when we went last February, twice in the front row (he wants to be a fighter pilot or astronaut some day).
I think your plan of USF Saturday and IOA Sunday is good, but you can actually do both parks on both days if you're staying at Portofino. Since they are staggering both the opening hours and closing hours of the two parks, you could start in one park and go to the other half way through the day. It's a real short walk between the parks (compared to WDW) and I've actually done both parks in one day (commando style ). Plus, you definitely want some time to enjoy Portofino, particularly the "castle" pool.
I would plan for lunch at Mythos on Sunday as your big meal of the day. They normally do not stay open past park closing (not sure about during HHN, though).

 

[SpideyHulk24]

It's a 9 year old's dream come true!!! Heck my 3 year old loves it too!!! And so does his Daddy!!!!

 

[bkline]

Thanks for the info. I think my son is going to be too short for Hulk and Dueling Dragons. He will be disappointed because he loves the roller coasters at Disney. I think he's at 48 or 49 inches right now.

 

[ksdave]

Just buy him some platform sneakers

 

[Seahag]

Originally posted by ksdave
Just buy him some platform sneakers

ksdave, that was SUPER funny LOL
(*mostly because I just bought a pair of platform sneakers* !!)

 

[SpideyHulk24]

He can still ride those two attractions in Marvel Super Hero Island, and you can tell him that he can ride those coasters on the next trip!!!!

You'll have a reason to go back!!!

Enjoy your trip.

 

[bkline]

I like the platform shoes idea. Pretty funny. He'll have a great time. He'll like the more grown up stuff.

 

[mike230652]

ksdave hit the nail on the head!!!

When we did our first visit in November/December 2000 our 9 year old daughter was only an inch or so too short for Hulk and Duelling Dragons ( and Kraken at SW ). Since her younger brother is MUCH taller she was less than happy that he could hit Hulk etc and she couldn't.

Straight over to Florida Mall and a pair of platform sneakers!!!

Ok, until she got used to them she walked like she was drunk !!!....but no more height problems at the rides.

...............and she had the bonus of being the coolest kid in her class back in England with her sneakers.

We're back to Florida this November..........thank goodness no height issues anymore!....but looking forward to Shrek 4D.

mike230652