questions about going to Universal with kids

[vicki845]

My husband and I haven't been to Universal since the early 90's way before we had kids. I'm thinking about going to Universal next year instead of Disney.
We have been to Disney for the last 3 years and want to try something different. Anyway I read that 3 days is a good amount of time to spend at Universal. If we go for a week is there anywhere else we can go? Is there a water park or other attractions? Also next year my kids will be 8 and 5 is that a good age for them to enjoy a lot of the rides? What hotels would you recommend? Should I stay on property or off property? Thanks in advance!

 

[Grendalynn]

Subscribbing! I amin the same boat - I have looked into booking a room at an on-site hotel for anytime between march 1 an April 10 ad have had NO LUCK! I can call US reservations but I like doing it online... Anyone out there have any ideas about this? Sorry if I am thread jacking...

 

[macraven]

My husband and I haven't been to Universal since the early 90's way before we had kids. I'm thinking about going to Universal next year instead of Disney.
We have been to Disney for the last 3 years and want to try something different. Anyway I read that 3 days is a good amount of time to spend at Universal. If we go for a week is there anywhere else we can go? Is there a water park or other attractions? Also next year my kids will be 8 and 5 is that a good age for them to enjoy a lot of the rides? What hotels would you recommend? Should I stay on property or off property? Thanks in advance!

read some of the stickies for the 3 forums and read the trip reports to get first hand info how others felt about it.

i stay 5 days on site and it isn't long enough and i go solo.

you need to check out the uo website, the interactive map, and what i mentioned above.

until you get a foot hold on what there is to offer, i would only confuse you at this point. try to read and let me know what or which of the rides, attractions, shows, etc get your attention. what is good for one family may not appeal to others.

stay onsite, free transportation to wet and wild.

if you have read the other threads in this forum, you will see the special for tickets include wet and wild tickets.

 

[jillybeene71]

I recommend staying on the property at least for 1 night to get Fotl for your check in and check out days. It is also convienent to the parks...just a short walk, boat ride, or bus ride away. And you could always take a break in the day to go swim at any of the on site propertys gorgeous pools.
You could also get the flex ticket (not sure how much) but it offers Universal, Islands of Adventure, Busch gardens, seaworld, wet and wild (water park). I think its like 4 different parks.
If you are driving there is so much to do by Universal on International drive that would keep you busy for a week.
If your flying...onsite Universal hotels offers shuttles to Busch Gardens, Seaworld, wet and wild. Im sure off property hotels offer shuttles too but im not 100% sure as we have never stayed off property.
hope this helps a bit.

 

[msr709]

Also, SeaWorld has opened the new waterpark Aquatica and I understand its right across the street so you should be able to get there by the free shuttle the on-site hotels offer. I love staying on-site and wouldn't go any other way. You can definitely be there a week and have plenty to do. Besides all the parks, the hotels are well worth a day to themselves and since pool hopping is encouraged you can easily spend a day just enjoying all 3 hotel amenities. HTH

 

[patster734]

I advise staying on-property if possible. The perks are fantastic: unlimited express access at the Universal Parks, priority seating at the Citywalk restaurants, and easy access (walkway or boat) between the hotel and Citywalk/the parks.

Besides the parks, there's a movie theater (AMC) located at Citywalk; the Blue Man Group perform every night, sometimes twice on selected days; the RPR has a Luau on Tuesday and Saturday nights; the PBH has the Mandarin Spa for those looking for a spa treatment; on the PBH's Harbor Piazza right after sunset, musicians and singers entertain for free; and, as Mac pointed out, complimentary transportation is provided to both SeaWorld and Wet & Wild.

http://www.universalorlando.com/hot...tel/hotel-services-information.html#transport

SeaWorld® Orlando & Wet ‘n Wild® Transportation
There are complimentary scheduled buses available to transport guests to SeaWorld Orlando and Wet ‘n Wild®. Reservations are required for this service. Upon arrival, contact the concierge desk at the individual hotel to confirm transportation.

 

[Tizzy_Meliss]

Anyway I read that 3 days is a good amount of time to spend at Universal. If we go for a week is there anywhere else we can go? Is there a water park or other attractions?

We are going for a week too! I think a week is perfect for us. If you buy the 7 day unlimited park tickets they are upgrading you to free Wet N Wild. Sea World is also close by. But I think you will find plenty to do in one week. It gives you lots of time to see all of the shows and take in all US/IOA has to offer. You won't be rushed and you will have time to re-ride your favorites.

Also next year my kids will be 8 and 5 is that a good age for them to enjoy a lot of the rides? What hotels would you recommend? Should I stay on property or off property? Thanks in advance!

We have ages 8, 9, and 17 in our party. We go every year. Something for everyone at US/IOA. My youger kids love the shows, Shrek, Jimmy Neutron, MIB, ET, Seuss Landing (great rides plus a cool play area), Jurassic Park area (they have a cool discovery center in there too), the water play area Curious George, Woody Woodpecker coaster and the Flying Unicorn, which sadly just closed. There is alot to see and explore for little ones.

I recommend staying onsite, if you can afford it, believe me it is soooo worth it. Not only do you get front of the line access to all rides (waiting only minutes to board) but the hotels are beautiful! They have great pool areas that have fun activities for the kids to do every day! When we went they were having hula hoop competitions and relay raft races. Plus the Hard Rock Hotel and the Portifino have slides for the kids, and the Royal Pacific has a play area by the pool for little ones. You are encouraged to pool hop so you can check out all three. We like to break up the week with a day at the pool. They also have dive in movies at night 2 -3 times per week depending on the season, I think.

Also if you and your DH want to have a night out for a nice dinner, they have a babysitting service, called camps, Camp Little Rock is the one we used at the Hard Rock. I believe it was $12 per hour plus additional fee if you want to have them feed them. We used the camp because we had DH's 17 year old and 16 year old who wanted to do the thrill rides and coasters wtih us that the little ones couldn't, so instead of switching and waiting we put them in the camp for 2 hours and did the coasters together. My little ones loved it so much they didn't want to leave camp little rock and kept asking to go back! LOL!

Sorry if this is long, but I love US and want to be as helpful to newbies as everyone here was to me. Read the stickies and Trip Reports, you will gain alot of knowledge there too!

 

[tricia]

Grendalynn, They have not posted the 2009 rates yet so they are unavailable to book online. You can call and book and then they will give you the proper rate when it comes out. I too prefer to deal with things online and to know the price I am paying when I book, so I am waiting patiently.

 

[Grendalynn]

Sorry if this is long, but I love US and want to be as helpful to newbies as everyone here was to me. Read the stickies and Trip Reports, you will gains alot of knowledge there too!

Thanks so much for the friendly responce!! Its always nice to find peeps who are willing to share some quick thoughts and bits of advice!! Thanks so much!!

Grendalynn, They have not posted the 2009 rates yet so they are unavailable to book online. You can call and book and then they will give you the proper rate when it comes out. I too prefer to deal with things online and to know the price I am paying when I book, so I am waiting patiently.

Good to know!! Any idea when the rates will be released??? I know WDW usually releases their in August... Is US about the same?? I am glad to know this, I was worried everything was booked up!!

 

[macraven]

Thanks so much for the friendly responce!! Its always nice to find peeps who are willing to share some quick thoughts and bits of advice!! Thanks so much!!

Good to know!! Any idea when the rates will be released??? I know WDW usually releases their in August... Is US about the same?? I am glad to know this, I was worried everything was booked up!!

book now at the rate rack to guarentee your room and modify later when discount rates come out.

you can only book by phone if it is far in advance.

i booked oct 07 for oct 08