One day outside WDW?

[hpli]

OK, we're coming in Feb 05. Staying at CBR Sun to Sat. We're planning four days at the disney parks and one day elsewhere and it has come down to SeaWorld or Universal.

Kids (9 & 5) want to see Shamu and also want to see Nickelodeon. The 9 yo saw Shamu when she was 5, both kids love animals and aquariums, they also worship Spongebob. We are leaning towards SeaWorld since Universal seems too much for a single day.

So, any pros and cons about the two? I don't think half a day at each would do either justice, and my wallet would not appreciate it. I know SeaWorld but no one has been to Universal. I assume that getting into Nick show tapings (if any were happening then) would be a major undertaking and maybe a temptation better avoided....

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[winniedapooh]

We have never been to Universal but have been to Seaworld many times. Kids were disappointed last Dec/Jan and this Oct. trip when we did not go. When we take them next Christmas DH has already said it is a must! I think it is more laid back and calming than the parks and is a break of sorts while you are still doing and seeing things.

 

[spiceycat]

sw gets my vote - but I am an animal lover.... SW pet show is so much better than US.... (okay I am also a cat lover)

remember with us/ioa when you park your car you are still a half mile from either park....long walk....However if you have a coaster freak in your party then IOA is worth it.

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

Hmm...tough choice.
Universal sure is an awful lot of fun, there are lots of rides and you can't beat the Suess area. But I really think it has more to do with the dynamics of your family. We took cabs to both parks, so parking was not an issue. You do have Kracken for a roller coaster at Sea World. I Would highly recommend the swim with dolphins experience, its at a different enterence, might be a great way to start or end your day.

Sea World and Universal are also both set up in the same manner- you can work in a circle to cover the park.

i dont know as I write this if I can tell you one over the other.

My suggestion....discuss with the family what each park has to offer, than have everyone write their choice and put in a cap- you total up and say which is in the majority.

 

[Digger In FLA]

actually, for the show tapings, call UO and see if they're taping the day you're there. they're easy to get into, but they take a big chunk of your day. the first time we ever went to US, my daughter got picked to be on slime time live, which was very cool. we also lost 3 1/2 hours in the park. it's a hard choice, I love them both for different reasons. but feeding and petting dolphins is pretty cool.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

If you've never been to Universal then I'd try that (as opposed to Islands of Adventure).

 

[jtdl]

I had the same decision to make. I tried to discuss it with my family and they left it up to me. I chose SeaWorld, we've been there and never been to Universal, only because after being at the Disney parks for 4 days, I thought a more relaxed day would be more enjoyable. Actually, I'm still kinda contemplating Islands of Adventure, but for the time being have chosen SeaWorld. I also want to have lunch at Shark's Grill

 

[hpli]

Thanks for the feedback so far. We are still leaning towards SeaWorld. We'll have our own car (driving from NY) so no worries about transportation.

Are Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure completely separate? Different tickets, each one requires its own day probably. Yes?

 

[phamton]

Just so you know, there are only 2 rides at Seaworld: Kraken and Journey to Atlantis. Also the dolphin show is closed until Memorial day.

Islands of Adventure and Universal are two different theme parks side by side but you can buy a ticket similar to a park hopper at Disney. It is a one day/two park ticket.

I used to love Sea World but I was just there over Christmas and only stayed half a day as my kids and husband were bored. The Shamu show was a bust as the whales weren't co-operating the day we went. The announcers/performers for the show said the whales were having a family disagreement and they had to put them back into their home pool. Then we thought we'd hit the Dolphin Show and were told they were closing until Memorial day.

My vote would be for Universal. Seuss Landing is great for kids and so is Curious George play area.

Here are two informative articles that tell what kids can do at Universal and Islands of Adventure:

Universal Orlando for Kids

Islands of Adventure for Kids

 

[LLD]

If you go to Islands of Adventure, definitely go to Seuss Landing. If you go to Universal, Shrek-4D is great and so is Jimmy Neutron's. I don't even like coasters and I liked The Mummy ride. I went about 2 weeks ago, so there wasn't much traffic before the holidays. You can do the park in one day during the off-season. I looked on Universal's site to see if they listed anything about Nickelodeon, but didn't see times. You may want to call ahead and find out.

I don't know who else would mention this, but even if the Dolphin stadium is closed, you can still pet the dolphins at Dolphin Cove. If you lay your hands flat, they are likely to come to you rather than if you are splashing trying to get your attention. Of course, I found that out after I'd been trying to splash for about 5 minutes. Spiceycat, you're right about the pet show. It's adorable! If you want to go to the shows at Sea World, do get there about 20 minutes early for good seats, 30 minutes early during busy season. You're coming in February, so it's a good time to visit..not too busy. www.accuweather.com gives a 15 day forecast. Zip code for Orlando is 32821. Get some inexpensive ponchos before you go.

I don't have kids, so it's a little more difficult for me to recommend one or the other. I've been to both, and kids seem to like them when I see them there.

They're both going to cost about the same rate. Prices for Sea World went up on the 1st, but obviously there are links to discount ticket sites on this board.