Question about universal with a 4 year old

[Abbeysmom]

Hi everyone
We are planning a trip to DW this November, and are spending one day at Universal in the middle of the trip as we have a young adult who is not so much into the Disney stuff and is into the superhero atmosphere of Universal. Here is the question... we are also going to have a 4 year old traveling with us (my daughter who loves all things Disney but also enjoys Dora, Barney, and many other characters that I assume Universal has to offer. My question is this... I know there are Barney shows and a kids play area, but is there enough to occupy the 4 year old for the day while the teen spends his day riding the superhero things? I was thinking I had heard that there was a dora and diego show, but can't seem to find anything about it on the website. Anyone have info that would help? Also most of the kids things and the superhero rides/ meet n greets on the same side of Universal or are they pretty well separated? Any help would be appreciated.
Monica

 

[Metro West]

Hi everyone
We are planning a trip to DW this November, and are spending one day at Universal in the middle of the trip as we have a young adult who is not so much into the Disney stuff and is into the superhero atmosphere of Universal. Here is the question... we are also going to have a 4 year old traveling with us (my daughter who loves all things Disney but also enjoys Dora, Barney, and many other characters that I assume Universal has to offer. My question is this... I know there are Barney shows and a kids play area, but is there enough to occupy the 4 year old for the day while the teen spends his day riding the superhero things? I was thinking I had heard that there was a dora and diego show, but can't seem to find anything about it on the website. Anyone have info that would help? Also most of the kids things and the superhero rides/ meet n greets on the same side of Universal or are they pretty well separated? Any help would be appreciated.
Monica

I think there is plenty to keep the youngster entertained but remember...Barney and the kid's zone are at the Studios and the superhero stuff is at IOA.

 

[backinoz]

We took our girls to IOA way back in Nov 2001 when they were 2 & 4. We only had 1 day free and for us it was the best decision as they LOVED Suess landing. Admittedly it was Nov, and the Grinchmas celebrations were happening, but that only took up a small portion of our day. I have no idea how well themed the kiddies section at Universal is, but IMHO Suess landing is GREAT. It's sort of like a whole park section that's exploded out of a comic book. (You get a similar feeling when walking through Mickey & Minnies houses in WDW).

Because the girls were so young, we skipped the coasters, did the 'baby swap' on Jurassic Park, and DH did Spiderman, and easily managed to fill the day. If it's possible, I'd say go to IOA first and take her on all the rides at Suess Landing, then head over to Universal for the Barney shows etc. HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[Darcy03231]

We were in US/IOA with DN last summer. She was 3.5 and loved both parks. Suess' Landing in IOA was a huge hit. She also loved the Sinbad show (I don't know if its still being shown or not).

In US she loved the water park area. Make sure you bring a swim suit.

 

[Tizzy_Meliss]

Hi everyone
My question is this... I know there are Barney shows and a kids play area, but is there enough to occupy the 4 year old for the day while the teen spends his day riding the superhero things?

Absolutely. In US there is a Curious George play area with both a water area and dry area with soft sponge balls. Also Fievels Playland. Barney's show and playground. Woody Woodpecker’s coaster, my 4 yr old at the time loved it. IF she is brave enough, there is an ET, Jimmy Neutron ride and a Shrek ride, if not there is Spongebob in the gift shop at Jimmy Neutron ride she can meet (same place we met Dora), or Shrek and Donkey are outside of the Shrek 4 D ride. Animal Actors On Location is a great show that kept my little ones entertained.

IOA there is of course Seuss Landing, inside there is One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, a fun ride that you may get a little wet on. The High In The Sky trolley is a gentle ride that takes you around the top of Seuss Landing and through cafe Circus McGurkus. The Caro-Seussel is a fun merry go round. The Cat In The Hat ride is a great ride for little ones, only if they don't mind dark rides. My children spent alot of time at IF I Ran The Zoo, another little play area. There is also Camp Jurassic and the Jurassic Discovery center where she can see the dinosaurs. Me Ship, The Olive is another play area. So between both parks, I would say there is plenty to keep your little one occupied.

I was thinking I had heard that there was a dora and diego show, but can't seem to find anything about it on the website. Anyone have info that would help? Also most of the kids things and the superhero rides/ meet n greets on the same side of Universal or are they pretty well separated? Any help would be appreciated.
Monica

You can meet Dora, but I don't think there is a Dora show, at least since my DD was into Dora there wasn't. On our last trip we did meet her outside of Jimmy Neutron tho. We met alot of characters all throughout the parks, there were pretty spread out. In the morning we met Woody Woodpecker outside of the Studios. Shrek and Donkey outside of the Shrek 4 D ride. Cat in the Hat and Things 1 and 2 in Seuss Landing. Scooby, Shaggy, and Curious George we met after they put on a little show in the Kidz area. While waiting to get into The Horror Make Up Show, we saw the Madagascar crew drive by waving with music playing, not sure where they went to tho.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[Abbeysmom]

Thanks everyone!! I appreciate all the good suggestions. It looks like she will have plenty to do!!