Question about 3 year old

[tinkerbell716]

Is IOA good for a 3 yr old or should we just take her to Universal Studios? Also how are the crowds the week of April 9th? Thank you for any info you could give me

 

[phamton]

I would suggest you look at these two articles and decide if there are some things there that your 3 year old would like:

Kids at Universal

Kids at Islands of Adventure

 

[PixiDust04]

Islands of Adventure doesn't have as much for kids to do as the Studios does. The Studios have lots of kid-friendly rides and attractions, like the E.T. ride, and the Shrek 4-D show. Islands is more thrill-ride oriented, and may not provide as much fun for a 3 year old. I'm 20 and I still get kinda bored at Islands, because I don't like many thrill rides, so I always wait outside while my sisters ride. The Studios has thrill rides, as well, but nothing compared to the Hulk. Its up to you to decide if your child would like the play areas offered at both parks...but I'd definitely say that Disney is more kid-friendly (in my own opinion, of course...)

 

[robvia]

I vote for USF.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Do both parks. Most people will say "IOA is mostly thrill rides, no fun for kids" and to a degree they're right. However, there is a lot to do at both parks.
At IOA you have Seuss Landing, which has the Caro-seussel, Cat in the Hat, and Red Fish Blue Fish. In Lost Continent there is the Flying Unicorn, the little tyke may be small for that, but my daughter who is 4 loves it. There is the Discovery Center in Jurassic Park, as well as Camp Jurassic that has Pteredon Flyers, that is a fun little coaster that is only about 90 seconds long, loads of fun, and not really much of a height requirement, I believe.
Crowds may be an issue, as you'll have spring break.
But to USF, there is Shrek, JAWS, Earthquake, ET, Barney, Animal Planet Live, the whole Feivel playground, the Curious George water playground.....anything else??? I think thats about it. Now JAWS and Earthquake may be too much, but as you can see there is equal to do at both parks. Of course you're not going to take the little one on HULK, but HULK isnt the only ride, or thing to do.
Oh, almost forgot, theres the Marvel Superhero Parade, where all the Marvel characters ride in on four wheelers, jump off and sign autographs, and pose for pics. Then there's the Mystic Fountain, let your little one stand in front of that for a while. And the Sinbad show, a fun show, that is just a little scary.
Hope this helps, and hope you think about doing both parks!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Apart from the Suess Landing area there is nothing much for very young children at IOA.
US is better, with ET/Barney/Curious George though the likes of Woody Woodpecker your child may a bit young, sorry I disagree about Jaws/Earthquake in my opinion these are a bit too intense for a 3 year old child.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Apart from the Suess Landing area there is nothing much for very young children at IOA.
US is better, with ET/Barney/Curious George though the likes of Woody Woodpecker your child may a bit young, sorry I disagree about Jaws/Earthquake in my opinion these are a bit too intense for a 3 year old child.

What about Jurassic Park? You do know that there is more to the whole area than JUST the river adventure. Pterradon Flyers, Camp Jurassic, The discovery center. Those are great fun for kids. The sinbad show in Lost Continent. The super hero parade in Marvel Super Hero Island. I still agree that Flying Unicorn may be a little too intense, and so may Woody woodpecker, and JAWS and Earthquake...but if you boil it down to what i've said, dont they both have about the same? ET/Barney/ Curious George.....vs....Cat in The Hat, Carosuessel, Red Fish Blue Fish, and soon....Mcmonkey Mcbean...then all the ones I just mentioned. Again, they have the same, maybe a little more.....and makes it worth checking out BOTH parks.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

What about Jurassic Park? You do know that there is more to the whole area than JUST the river adventure. Pterradon Flyers, Camp Jurassic, The discovery center. Those are great fun for kids. The sinbad show in Lost Continent. The super hero parade in Marvel Super Hero Island. I still agree that Flying Unicorn may be a little too intense, and so may Woody woodpecker, and JAWS and Earthquake...but if you boil it down to what i've said, dont they both have about the same? ET/Barney/ Curious George.....vs....Cat in The Hat, Carosuessel, Red Fish Blue Fish, and soon....Mcmonkey Mcbean...then all the ones I just mentioned. Again, they have the same, maybe a little more.....and makes it worth checking out BOTH parks.

oh yes I agree, we always visit both parks every year when we visit from the UK.
I think whether the rides are suitable depend on your child, it is just that there is no way our son Joshua would have been able to ride the likes of Jurassic Park, Earthquake - I am not saying other children could not.

He is 8 and has only on our holiday last year been suitable (in our opinion) for the likes of Jaws, which he loves.

They probably are about the same yes, I guess it's just that Joshua likes the rides at US better than the one's at IOA, with the exception of Cat In The Hat...

 

[Flyin2MCO]

probably not a good idea to subject your 3 year old to any of the rides discussed here, even woody or shrek 4-d...maybe red fish/blue fish, but not cat in the hat. lot's of visual appeal at ioa, which should hold the tot's interest (at least for a short time) while you enjoy the park.

 

[webray]

I would take a 3 year old to IOA, not so much to ride rides, but to see everything. Seuss Landing, the super heros outside of the spiderman show, the dinosaur section. Lots for a little one to look at.

Although I doin't believe in taking little ones into the parks, lol, I am having a hard time waiting until my grandaughter is what I consider old enough to go.
She will be 3 in march and I think I am going to take her in just for a bit. IOA is bright, clean and wonderful!

 

[deelam]

My son was 2&1/2 when we went last year, we are going again this year when he is 3&1/2. He couldn't do much at either park. He loved Barney, but was scared of ET. My little son loved both parks even without going on many rides, and I would not hesitate to bring him again. But the real reason we are going is for my older son who LOVES Universal. I would not build a vacation at Universal around taking a child under 4 unless you are planning to skip many rides and just enjoy the onsite Hotels, park atmostfere and City Walk restaraunts(and that can be fun to do for a relaxing time). For our upcoming trip, we are doing 4 days at Disney, mostly for my 3 year old, and 5 days at Universal for the rest of us.

 

[yaytezIOA]

probably not a good idea to subject your 3 year old to any of the rides discussed here, even woody or shrek 4-d...maybe red fish/blue fish, but not cat in the hat. .

Why not cat in the hat? I cant imagine why you would say that! Woody woodpecker can be quite a rough ride, but thats why the little ones have mom and dad by their side. Our daughter was 3 when we first went, but now she is four. If she couldnt ride any rides, she would think it a bore. All kids love to look around and see the decorations all around the place, but its truly the rides that put big smiles on their face! All kids are different some brave some not....it all depends on them to decide what is hot. So think hard about the good tips, I really wish you would. These things are fun, and fun things are good.

 

[deelam]

They have a playland at Jurrassic Park. Little one's will enjoy that. You really need to keep after the little one here, they could climb up steps and there are bigger kids running around.The little one's could easily get knocked down. My little guy ran all over the place here and it was exhausting for me to keep up with him. I believe Woody is okay. I believe the hieght is 36". Dr Suese's spin is fine too. There is a little waterpark in the Studios section, but again you have to stay with the little one's because there are steps and it would be easy for them to get knocked down or fall. So plan on getting very wet because bigger kids have water guns on the top level of the play area. An adult running after a little kid would be a great target.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The spinning sensation on Cat In The Hat , can give people motion sickness.

Although my son likes it, I must admit it sometimes makes me feel sick.
Especially if I ride it more than once.

 

[Flyin2MCO]

cat in the hat is a bit loud and dark in places, not to mention the spinning ....wouldn't want to have the 3 year old associate that experience with dr. seuss.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

every kid is different. when our daughter was 4 the teacups at the MK didn't spin fast enough for, and the first time she rode the hulk she was 1 1/2" too short. US would be my first choice, but I agree there's plenty at both parks. I'm mid-30's and still love camp jurassic.

 

[yaytezIOA]

If they can handle Buzz Lightyear, Pooh, and Peter Pan....Cat in the Hat is fine.