Our first trip to Universal...any suggestions?

[holden]

Hi everyone! We've been to WDW many times, but we are going to visit Universal the next time we are in FL (got the Costco tix!). We have DD8 (who is not quite 48" but might be by the time we go) and DD3. What rides do you suggest for them? We will only be there one day, so we want to hit the highlights. Harry Potter is a must for DD8. Also, what places do you recommend to eat? I know at the WDW parks there are some decent places and others that are just gross. We try to eat as healthy as we can, even on vaction (i.e. apples/grapes instead of fries). Also, we will be staying offsite.

Thanks for any tips!

 

[Metro West]

Food recommendations:

IOA - Thunder Falls Terrace, Mythos, Blondie's and The Burger Digs.

Studios - Louie's, Finnegan's and Lombard's.

Attraction recommendations:

IOA - Flight of the Hippogriff, Seuss Landing attractions, Camp Jurassic, Me Ship The Olive, Pteranodon Flyers and Jurassic Park Discovery Center.

Studios - E.T., Shrek 4-D, Jimmy Neutron, Animal Actors show, Woody Woodpecker's KidZone, Woody Woodpecker Nuthouse coaster, Curious George Goes to Town, Barney show and Fievel's playground.

I'm sure they will have a blast!

 

[Ratatosk]

I agree with the post above --- DS7 loved Harry Potter, which surprised me. He's 49" tall and very slight. He liked the Dr. Seuss train and the hippogriph as well, but wasn't too sure about any of the other rides -- spiderman, jurassic, pteradon flyers...

At the studios we kept having to return to Jimmy Neutron, ET, Woody's Nuthouse coaster, MIB and the Simpsons -- he loved them and insisted on going on them over and over again.

BTW, is it just me or does ET kinda smell. DS loved it but it kinda smelled damp/mildewy.

 

[holden]

Thanks for those recommendations! I'm going to print them out to bring with us.

 

[Ratatosk]

Oh and DS got picked to be the kid in the Disaster show/ride and was thrilled. Great experience for him and seeing his "movie".

 

[Magpie]

Don't forget - your AAA card (or CAA for Canadians) will get you ten percent off practically everywhere. It's good for both food and souvenirs!

 

[holden]

Great tips everyone! Thanks again!

 

[Planogirl]

BTW, is it just me or does ET kinda smell. DS loved it but it kinda smelled damp/mildewy.

I think that it's supposed to. It has that forest smell in that wonderful queue and at the beginning of the ride and then the rest has an odd odor too. Of course everything about the rest of the ride is odd isn't it?