park recommendation for 7 year old girl

[stellaxzwang]

Hello Orlando experts. I am in need of some help planning our trip in Orlando next week. We will be arriving late Sat and leaving mid day Thur. A total of 4 days (may be 4.5 if we push it) play time.

DD is 7 and is not into really thrill rides. She loves water but is not a strong swimmer. Last time we took her to Great Wolf Lodge water park, she enjoyed the lazy water the most and refused to do any of the big water rides. She likes tall slides, but not so much the twisty ones.

She had been to Disney Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studio, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot 2 years ago and she said she doesn't want to go back to any of these this time.

SeaWorld is an only definite so far. Discovery Cove, Aquatica, Universal Studio, Island of Adventure, LEGOLAND, Kennedy space center, Bushe Garden as possible maybes. I am under the impression that Universal Studio and Island of Adventure are for older kids. Is this a correct assessment? Is one better suited than the other for DD's profile?

Much appreciated!

 

[HM]

I'd have to say that I'm not sure the US/IOA parks would be her thing. Unless she's content to do a lot of looking around at the great theming and riding few rides and seeing some shows.

I'd probably wait until she's older. For this trip, I'd go to SeaWorld and Legoland. I might throw in an afternoon or morning at Gatorland if she's interested in that at all. Discovery Cove is a possibility for one day. And if you are staying at a resort rather than a hotel, maybe a day at your resort would be good.

 

[stellaxzwang]

Thanks HM... That was my thought - thanks for confirming it. Maybe after she get a chance to read Harry Porter first. I watched the first harry porter movie with her last weekend. And she was somewhat interested

 

[schumigirl]

Have a look at the website to see exactly what`s there. There are park maps and you can get an idea of the parks layout.

www.universalorlando.com

There`s so much more than Harry Potter she may like.

 

[Darcy03231]

I don't like thrill rides and find plenty to do at US/IOA. I would do Studios. There's lot to see/do there that doesn't involve thrill rides.

 

[kelleybean]

I have a 7 year old too (although he loves thrill rides). There is a lot to do I think, especially at Islands of Adventure. At IOA, he absolutely loves the playground in Jurassic Park. Can't get him out of there! He also loves the Flyers. You are in the air but it's very tame. She'd probably like pretty much all of Seussland ... the Trolley, the carousel, One Fish Two Fish (a bit like Dumbo), maybe Cat and the Hat. Cat and the Hat spins but they've toned it down. There is also a cute Dr. Seuss show with great character interactions afterwards. She might also like the Frog Choir in Hogsmeade. And of course my son has to get a Butterbeer. If she is into Harry Potter at all, she might enjoy the Hogwart's Express although you have to get park-to-park tickets. My son also likes the dinosaur center (forgot what it's called) where you can watch the dinosaur egg "hatch."

At Universal, ET would be a safe bet. You could also do the front row of the Minion ride - doesn't move. The parade is not nearly as spectacular as Disney's but my son LOVES it. He also likes the Celestina show in Diagon Alley. There is a playground near ET but it's not nearly as elaborate as the one in IOA and we tend to skip it. There is also an animal show that she might like (we've never been so I can't comment on that one but I've heard good things).

I personally think that she will have a blast even if she isn't into thrill rides.

 

[imprint]

Regarding the Animal Actors show, our 5 year old wanted to see it 3 times and she got to go on stage once. Highly recommended.