opinions please...

[Mommyof2]

I need some advice. My family was originally scheduled to take a 7 night Disney vacation in October. I was recently able to add 2 night on to the trip, making it 9 nights/10 days. I had originally planned to make 2 days in the middle of the vacation relax days- DTD, pool, sleeping in etc. Last night DH brought up the idea of spending the 2 extra days at Universal or Sea World. Do you think these 2 parks are worth it with a 3 yr old, or should we wait for our next trip when she's older? Has anyone taken small children to Universal/IOA/Sea World and found it worth it, or should we stay in disney the entire 10 days and plan the 2 off days in the middle?
Thanks!
Christine

 

[Laurajean1014]

Welcome to the boards. I too live in Fld County.

Universal maybe too much for a 3yo. SeaWorld would be fun though. Does your little one like water parks. You can relax even on days at the parks. Just stop at 2:00pm or go after 3:00pm. Sometimes spending a full day at the parks is just too much for anyone.

Character meals would be a great recess for the family, as well. Try Chef Mickey's (Contemporary) or 1900 Fare (GF).

 

[brentalex]

at universal there is a small part of the park that is devoted to young kids. This is not at IOA, that is much too old for a 3 year old. But it is a lot of money to spend for a place where a 3 year old will not have much to do. I also think that 3 is a bit young for Seaworld. I would just stay on site and relax and go to dtd, or hang by the pool

 

[Laura_Lewis]

I really enjoy Sea World. If your three year old is like my niece, she will love the marine animals there. Next to Disney World this is my favorite Florida destination. I find the park very relaxing. Universal might be a bit much for a 3 year old though. Why not do one day at Sea World and the other day at the pool or a water park as the OP suggested?

 

[SonyaD]

We went to disney with out 3 year old and Seaworld was is favorite. If she likes animals she will really like Seaworld. He loved the Shamu show and the pet show.

 

[DavefanBen]

I think that your child would probably enjoy Sea World more. Granted there is a large portion of Universal Studios set for kids, but like someone mentioned earlier, it might be expensive for you to go and other adults to go if you were unable to enjoy the attractions aimed at older people. Sea World is probably a better overall family park.

2 thumbs up for setting (or at least attempting to) relaxing days. Much needed on a trip to the DIS!

 

[ChickieToo]

Grew up in Fairfield County--live on the "shoreline" now. Anyway, Universal/IOA is just a big tease for adults with small kids. Not enough to do for little kids to make it worth the price, and too many cool thing for adults that are too intense for little kids. Took my adventurous now six-year-old DD when she was 5 and she was able to do a little more, but it still wasn't really worth it. I'd skip these for now. Seaworld is fun and my daughter loved it at three, however, it is big and spread out so there is a lot of walking, and it probably won't be very relaxing.

 

[TimothyG]

I would skip Universal Studios and IOA right now because it would be too much as the rides are really intense (MGM Studio rides X 3 or 4). In fact, at three I doubt she'd even reach half of the height levels in the entire park (even though there is a kids section).

For a 10-day vacation though you should take some time though because that is plenty enough to see Disney parks as well as DTD (I'm doing it in 5 days!). Having said that, I would spend 1 day of break and visiting DTD, pool, and sleeping in. As vast as Disney is, you'd probably only need 1 day of this to be completely refreshed and that'll include shopping. I would then go to Sea World on the second day of non-Disney fun. 8 days in the park is a long enough time to do and see everything and even have another DTD trip plus have pools in during the day.

10 days is my dream. We did that once, it was very very nice and extremely magical. I hope you have as good of a time as we had! Good luck on planning!

 

[WickedWench]

at universal there is a small part of the park that is devoted to young kids. This is not at IOA, that is much too old for a 3 year old.

I thought IOA had a whole section devoted to Dr. Seuss?? Am I remembering wrong?

 

[lovethattink]

Your 3 year old would love Sea World. As for IOA, my ds(11) only liked going there once he was older and tall enough to ride most of the rides. Almost every show and attraction gets you wet. There were only a few things for little kids to do at IOA. Lots of stuff for the big kids! As for Universal, we went recently with a couple of young children and spent the entire time at the Curious Geoge area splashing around the fountains and stuff, and playing in the giant ball pit.

 

[Mysteria]

I thought IOA had a whole section devoted to Dr. Seuss?? Am I remembering wrong?

You are correct. IOA has Suess Landing.

Suess landing is great fun for little ones but I don't think I'd want to pay for a day just for that. I agree with the others who say Sea World is the better bet for you for now.

Myst

 

[tiki23]

I'd choose Sea World as well, for a little one.

I've never been to the SW in Florida, but at the California park it was very easy to go at a relaxed pace.

My kids have always loved the big public aquariums and I think they talk more about Sea World than any other place we have visited - even Disneyland!

 

[the kabuki]

We did 2 days at IOA/US on our last trip. Had it not been for my older kids' I probably wouldn't have gone with just the 3 yr old. Don't get me wrong, there was lots for her to do, there's a curious george water play area that was just awesome, but if it was just her without her brother and sister, i'd probably go for the rest day at the pools.

10 days is a long time to be just at the parks, especially for a 3 yr old

 

[PixieDust32]

I need some advice. My family was originally scheduled to take a 7 night Disney vacation in October. I was recently able to add 2 night on to the trip, making it 9 nights/10 days. I had originally planned to make 2 days in the middle of the vacation relax days- DTD, pool, sleeping in etc. Last night DH brought up the idea of spending the 2 extra days at Universal or Sea World. Do you think these 2 parks are worth it with a 3 yr old, or should we wait for our next trip when she's older? Has anyone taken small children to Universal/IOA/Sea World and found it worth it, or should we stay in disney the entire 10 days and plan the 2 off days in the middle?
Thanks!
Christine

Well Universal is no fun for a 3 yearl old, unless you go to the Island of adventure next to universal, the kids rides are great, sea world would be fine, we always save one day to relax, sleep late, pool, and just relax.

 

[SorcererDonald16]

My advice: Sea World all the way. Even if it means cutting out a day at WDW, imo it's worth it. It's very interesting, educating, and, to me, utterly breathtaking. There's no other place in Orlando or most areas you can see all of those animals and fish all in one place. Needless to say, when I go to Sea World and then turn around and go to Epcot, it doesn't make me all that excited about Living Seas, LOL.

Plus there's a roller coast and water ride for adults/older children; not sure if they have a switching off policy or not, but if so, you and your husband could enjoy those rides as well.

The other good thing is it's not a place where you're always waiting in a line; aside from those 2 rides and if you decide to "visit" Wild Arctic (polar bear, beluga whale, and walrus exhibit) by air (aka motion simulator ride before heading to the exhibit) rather than by foot (same film, no ride), you're basically just walking in and seeing what you want for as long as you want.

First downside is the shows can be packed together timewise and spread out distancewise. Other downside? It is definitely NOT a rest day. You will walk a lot there. Example: when I was there last Thursday, and elderly gentleman staggered over to a bench and sat beside another elderly gentleman and muttered "I thought this was supposed to be the easy day?" Poor man. It's definitely not an easy day, but it's still worth it. I was only in the world for 7 nights/ 8 days and only had 1 off day. Next trip, we're adding a day and night and taking a 2nd off day. It's too much to do in such a short time without completely exhausting yourself and leaving you feeling awful the rest of the trip.

My best advice would also be to go around 1 or so in the afternoon or a little later. Most people go in the am and leave by afternoon, so you would time it to miss the crowds. Even going that late though, it's still a tiring day.

 

[Mommyof2]

Thanks for all the advice! We are going to look at Sea World as a real possibility for one of our off days, and just relaxing, swimming, and DTD on the second off day. Universal/IOA can wait a few years! Thanks!

Christine