Pro's and Con's of taking a 2 and 3 year old? Or should we wait another year or 2?

[newsliner1]

Need advice we are thinking about going to Universal at the end of January beginning of February. It would be me my husband our 11 year old daughter and our 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 year old sons. We have went in the past and loved it just not sure how difficult it would be with 2 toddlers. Advice?

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Need advice we are thinking about going to Universal at the end of January beginning of February. It would be me my husband our 11 year old daughter and our 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 year old sons. We have went in the past and loved it just not sure how difficult it would be with 2 toddlers. Advice?

When we took trips to Disney and US/IOA with our young children, we would simply revel in the sunshine (which will feel very good at the end of January and/or beginning of February) and see where the day took us. You will have your 11 year old daughter to accompany you or your husband on the bigger rides, the crowds should be pretty low, and you should be able to find something to entertain the boys near the exit while you wait to do rider switch. We always brought snacks and bubbles to keep our kids busy and it was great. We also had APs for US/IOA and had been many times before so we didn't feel the need to get everything done while there. I think flexibility is the key.

 

[lazer]

Here's my thoughts from our trip with our 2 year old (last week). We also had our almost 6 year old son with us.

The 2 year old couldn't ride much in comparison to my older son, but it didn't seem to bother him at all. The rider swap at Universal is incredibly awesome. Not sure how much you know about it. But, basically, we all were able to get in line together. Then, while my husband and son rode the ride, my youngest and I sat in an air conditioned room and watched a movie. Then, when they got off the ride, my oldest and I could ride again, immediately. This was really important because my youngest knows a lot of about Harry Potter and Transformers, so he was so happy to walk through the castle, gringotts, and the transformers line.

He was able to ride: Hogwarts Express, One Fish Two Fish, Dr. Seuss Carousel, Simpsons ride that's like Dumbo (can't think of the name off-hand), Storm Force Accelerator (like Teacups), Despicable Me (sat in a non-moving seat because of height) and Shrek 4-D.

He also really enjoyed spending time at the Curious George and Barney Play Areas. Seeing the Barney and Dr. Seuss Shows were also highlights. And, meeting The Simpsons (other characters didn't garner the excitement that Bart and Homer did).

My son is pretty easy going and just enjoyed walking/running around and even being in his stroller. I was surprised he also really enjoyed Butter Beer and starting asking for it by the second day. And, of course he had to have a wand like his brother.

Snacks were key to survival for us as surviving breakdowns (usually from us going too long without a meal).

Sorry to be so long-winded. But, I think it's totally do-able. I loved seeing him get excited about the littlest things and just having an all around great time. Now, everyday he asks to watch E.T. and tells everyone he rode the Hulk while we were there. Haha.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Another pro would be that you don't need a ticket for the 2.5 year old.

 

[lazer]

Another pro would me that you don't need a ticket for the 2.5 year old.

Great reminder! We also we found kids meals big enough for our two kids to share, which saved some $.

 

[newsliner1]

Thanks. I forgot all about Barney. They will love that. I was thinking of getting the 2 day get 1 day free ticket for just one park each day. Are there any benefits to the park to park pass? I think one park a day might be enough.

 

[lazer]

Thanks. I forgot all about Barney. They will love that. I was thinking of getting the 2 day get 1 day free ticket for just one park each day. Are there any benefits to the park to park pass? I think one park a day might be enough.

You won't be able to ride the Hogwarts' Express unless you have Park to Park passes. It's pretty neat, but my kids love Harry Potter (and I'm a huge HP nerd). If you're not a fan, I wouldn't say it's a must do.

 

[bumbershoot]

With a magically-aged 11 year old, if she's a Potter fan, you really do want the park-to-park. Gotta ride the train!

Also, if you find you like the food somewhere you might want to "hop" there. Like we LOVE the veggie burgers at Richter's, and have been known to run over there for lunch then go back to IOA. Now our "must have butterbeer NOW" moments of hopping to IOA won't have to happen since Diagon opened. Whew.

If the older people in the family want to go, GO. If no one is that interested, wait. Just don't forget that wizardy age of 11, if she's a fan of the books/movies.

 

[ORMom2Four]

I would go!

As someone else mentioned, Universal has Disney beat hands down with rider swap. Most of them, you take the entire party through the line, and then they have a room set up for the people waiting to hang out in. It's awesome!! The second rider gets on immediately without having to wait another 10-15 minutes in a fastpass line. Not all of them have it, Minon's is one off the bat I can think of that does not have that option, but most big rides do.

Your 11 year old will love the Harry Potter worlds, if she likes the books or movies.

There are several areas that are good for toddlers too. Dr. Seuss land will be fun. Curious George has a great water splash area, it might be too cold in Jan for it though.

 

[lazer]

When we were there last week we used it at Despicable Me. Two different times. The first time, my husband sat in the non moving seats and then rode again in the moving seats. Then the second time we used it, we waited in line together then after the pre-show we waited outside the ride and my son and I rode after my husband and (same) son rode.

 

[kelleybean]

They also might enjoy the parade at Universal. It's not at all as elaborate as Disney's, but unless it's a crazy crowded day we've always been able to get a front row spot within 15 minutes before and my six year old consistently gets a lot of attention from the people in the parade.

 

[damo]

The best thing with the rider swap is that the older kid gets to ride twice, back to back. Our little loved that perk!

Only problem with the rider swap is that the strollers need to be left outside, so you've got to haul the kids out of the stroller before you get in line.

The 2 year old we brought along in September absolutely loved the playgrounds at Universal....moreso than anything at WDW. He was always unsure that the ride would be scary and never really enjoyed himself at WDW being confined so often.