Opinions on Universal?

[Kristen47]

I'm not sure if it's alright to ask about Universal here but I was hoping to get some opinions. We are traveling in November with three children (8, 6, 2). My oldest would really like to visit Universal after seeing it on TV. After reading about it, I'm unsure if the cost would be worth it. My middle child is not a thrill seeker at all (Frozen Ever After is about as daring as she gets) and then we have our little one. If you have been, is the admission price worth it for myself and the two littlest if we wouldn't be riding the bigger, faster rides or should I attempt to send DH and the oldest for the day and take the two littles to MK?

 

[Kathryndisney]

Universal is amazing, I would definitely recommend it. ET adventure, the Dr Seuss area, Minion ride and more are great for those ages. To make the admission price worth it, you really want to spend a whole day there open to close. I have been with a 6 year old who was like your middle child with not liking thrill rides, but he really enjoyed it.

 

[Kristen47]

Thank you! That's good to know.

 

[disneyinthespringtime]

We’re researching for a trip there next year and your littlest two would probably also like the Jurassic park playground area - that looks really cool.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'm not sure if it's alright to ask about Universal here but I was hoping to get some opinions. We are traveling in November with three children (8, 6, 2). My oldest would really like to visit Universal after seeing it on TV. After reading about it, I'm unsure if the cost would be worth it. My middle child is not a thrill seeker at all (Frozen Ever After is about as daring as she gets) and then we have our little one. If you have been, is the admission price worth it for myself and the two littlest if we wouldn't be riding the bigger, faster rides or should I attempt to send DH and the oldest for the day and take the two littles to MK?

It's perfectly OK to ask here - in fact, we have a whole section on Universal:

https://www.disboards.com/forums/universal-studios-islands-of-adventure-forums.30/

My family loves both, and we usually alternate years between Disney and Universal. I agree with @Kathryndisney that there are areas your littler ones will love! I would definitely try to go, especially if your oldest is a Harry Potter fan.

 

[katyjeka]

Our daughters favorite character meet is the Grinch at Universal. Our girls also love the Scooby Gang and on our last trip we were the only ones around and they spent a lot of time with us. Dr. Seuss Land is fantastic and themed as well as Disney. Our girls are not Harry Potter fans but the area was really something. Have a great trip.

 

[Spunky946]

Personally I’d either just take your oldest, but depending on how tall, they may not be able t ride everything, or wait until the kids are older.

 

[Jetta8300]

I'm not sure if it's alright to ask about Universal here but I was hoping to get some opinions. We are traveling in November with three children (8, 6, 2). My oldest would really like to visit Universal after seeing it on TV. After reading about it, I'm unsure if the cost would be worth it. My middle child is not a thrill seeker at all (Frozen Ever After is about as daring as she gets) and then we have our little one. If you have been, is the admission price worth it for myself and the two littlest if we wouldn't be riding the bigger, faster rides or should I attempt to send DH and the oldest for the day and take the two littles to MK?

You know your children best. Personally I would just take the oldest.

My husband and I have been there 5 times. My current 5 year old is a thrill seeker, and I would consider taking him probably around 8-9 years old. Most rides I would say are for 9ish and above, and even teenagers. There are a couple of rides a 6 year old could do, and there is Dr. Seuss land with a few rides. You would have to weigh the ticket price for all of you against how many rides you all would do and see if it's worth it to you. Look at their website...and see the attractions. I can tell you my 6 and 7 year old niece and nephew probably wouldn't ride even one ride there. The Frozen ride is about as daring as they will get... But it totally depends on the child!

 

[Gussie Granger 1969]

We took our kids 4 years ago. Their favorite was the horror makeup show, I forgot the name, they still talk about it. It’s not scary but the host is hilarious, so worth it. When they found out we weren’t going to Universal on our last trip, they were disappointed because they wanted to see that show again.

 

[KenHutch]

Well I would not bother but the then 9 year old insisted and I got her and her mother 2 days tickets at Universal (Harry Potter freaks) and they loved it.

 

[Patches Lee]

We went as last summer DD9 was just short of 54" so we did skip Hulk. It was fun for us because we are big on HP. If Dueling Dragons would have still been open I think we would have put off visiting till she was taller though. We have a thrill seeker though so the higher and faster it goes the better. We spent a good bit of time in all 3 of the kids play areas having water fights and just playing. DDs favorite outside HP was spraying ppl riding the river rapids from the Popeye play area.

 

[Kristen47]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Very helpful!

 

[QueenIsabella]

I would consider having just your DH take the oldest. An hour or so in Seuss Land, and my kids were done with it. There just wasn't much to hold their interest, if they're too short and/or chicken to ride thrill rides.

The last time we went to Universal, my youngest was 3. He and I waited patiently while DH and the older three went on Forbidden Journey. We were supposed to do rider swap, but the ride was too intense for my kids to want to do it a second time. Fast forward 10 years, and we're finally going back--DS(now)13 SWEARS he remembers waiting in the special area on that Harry Potter ride, and that he was too short to go. He's now 5'8"--I think he'll be tall enough now!

 

[rg35]

Our kids are not thrill seekers so we put off Universal until this year. We're doing 3 days there before checking into WDW. They'll almost be 11 when we go.

I know if we had gone in prior years they would not have wanted to do most of what's there. I have a feeling that you're in a similar boat as us. I'd look at maybe sending you or your husband with your oldest, and not paying for everyone.