Quick Q - Gotta decide tonight - Should we spend a day or two at Universal

[LeahJ]

We're trying to decide about whether to go to Universal for a day or two or none.

I would probably prefer to just stay at Disney, but DH thinks it would be fun to do a day or two at Universal.

Have you spent time at Universal? Can you compare it to "The REAL Deal - DISNEY!" for me?

It will be me, DH, DD10, and DD8 traveling. The DD's are open to more things this time than in 2004, but they aren't thrill seekers. They are tv fans and would probably enjoy the characters from Universal.

I'm just kind of at a loss - I really love Disney so much that I have no desire to ever not be there But if Universal is cool, I could let go of a Disney day to please the DH.

Also - are there any discounts for Universal that you know of?

Thanks for your help!

Leah

 

[Arielsfanmom]

If your kids are not thrill seekers or very tall(bigger than 54 inches) I would only a limited amount of rides they will/can do.

 

[LeahJ]

Thanks! That's helpful. I've got one who is definitely under 54.

Leah

 

[Marshay]

My DH and I go to US and IoA for thrill rides and love it...they have great roller coasters and such. However, if you are not into them, I would not go. I really don't think there is a lot to interest young children.

Our next trip to WDW in Sept we thought about doing US and said, 'nope, maybe when DD1 is a lot older.'

 

[LeahJ]

Thanks Marshay!

That confirms what I was wondering - would there really be enough for them to enjoy.

Maybe when they're older.

thanks again!

Leah

 

[reelmom]

I would say go for it! We took our DS3 and DS4 there last October and we had so much fun. There was plenty for them to do, both are under 54 inches.

At Universal:
Animal Planet Live- show from T.V.
E.T. Adventure- a cool ride to help save E.T.'s planet
Fievel's Playland-play area that includes a water slide for the little ones
A Day in the Park with Barney
Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster- similar to Barnstormer
Curious George Play Area- water filled play area
Men In Black- like Buzz Lightyear on steroids
Earthquake- show and ride(think Castastrope Canyon)
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast- simulator ride
Shrek 4-D- One of the best
Character meet and greets

Islands of Adventure:
The Cat in the Hat Ride
One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish- similar to Dumbo but you will get wet
Caro-Seuss-El- carousel
If I ran the Zoo- interactive play area
High in the Sky Trolley- Train ride above Seuss Landing
The Flying Unicorn- a step up from Barnstormer
Discovery Center at Jurassic Park- Interactive displays with Dinosaurs
Camp Jurassic- play area with caves, rope bridges and ladders
Pteranodon Flyers- a hang glider above camp jurassic
Me Ship, the Olive- play area
Spiderman- 3-D motion simulator ride
Character meet and greets

I told my kids we were going to Disney for Christmas and they said they wanted to go back to Universal Studios/IOA.(they must have been switched at birth). I am a huge(obsessed) Disney fan but I will say that we had fun at US/IOA and would go back again.

 

[reelmom]

Plus Universal is offering a 7 day pass to both parks for $85.00 a person.

 

[Brer_Claire]

I would definitely go! We have DS9 and DD6 and they love it. We spend 1 day at US, 1 at IOA and then a third day split between the 2!

Have fun

 

[disneycake]

I am not a thrill ride person so when I went I didn't really enjoy myself there. I guess it depends on if you want to spend the money to see if they'll enjoy themselves...

 

[eliza61]

for us it depends on how long we will be on vacation. If we have 7+ days we will go to IoA. We always have a good time, but often end up comparing it to Disney. If we're only on a short vacation we stay put.

 

[LeahJ]

Thanks for all your help! This is really useful helpful.

Leah

 

[radev104]

We went twice and the second time we went it was much dirtier than Disney Yeah Disney is dirtier but Universal was worse. There was trash everywhere, we didn't see anyone trying to clean the tables in the restaurants or the bathrooms or emptying trashcans and all that stuff. We saw much of that at Disney so we didn't like that at Universal. The people that work there we're really rude also. And many can argue that some at Disney are rude but not as many as there was at Universal. My mom said we are never going back there again. And this is the second year we aren't going there.

 

[matysgrandma]

We go every time we plan a trip to Disney. I'm not a big thrill seeker, but there is LOTS to do at the parks.
We were just there in January and we didn't notice the parks being dirty at all.

 

[TaylorsDad]

Don't miss out on Universal/Ioa. Plenty of fun for entire family. Also consider staying onsite for 1 night. All onsite guests get free unlimited front of the line access with stay and paid park admission( similar to fastpass but better. No irritating return times, ride when you want.) And if you stay at an onsite hotel 1 night you get day of check in and check out.
Also heard on Universals UK site a deal buy one adult 3 day ticket for $112 and get childs free. Many people forget you can love both Disney and IOA.For us the staff were so friendly and helpful.One lady working in the Barney in the Park had even remembered my daughter from her make a wish trip the year before and invited her to stay for photos with Baby Bop, and BJ as well as Barney. I think it would be worth it for you to give Universal/Ioa a try. If you go please let us know how your family enjoyed the parks(I know they will love it)

 

[scammermom]

We actually prefer Universal to Disney. The kids loved the Jimmy Neutron and Shrek. Mine don't seem to know the Disney characters as well and were more bored at Disney. I don't think you will be at all disappointed! And I know your kids will thank you. Check out the Universal boards for more info.

 

[TinkRBel_In_Training]

We tried Universal twice, and the last time was because we got discounted tickets for looking at a timeshare resort. Never again will we go. We got there around noon and the lines for everything were horrendously long and all of the fastpasses had run out by 9:30am.. We only rode 3 or 4 rides the whole time (not kidding) and at 5pm we gave up and went home. We rode King Kong, Earthquake, ET, and something else I can't remember and we went through the I Love Lucy museum thing (which I thoroughly enjoyed, really the only thing I liked at Universal). We waited for over 2 HOURS to ride ET. Now granted it was summer, but since we are not thrill-seekers, there aren't that many "tamer" rides or attractions for us like at Disney. Since there were no more fastpasses left, we had no choice but to wait if we wanted to ride it. We considered Islands of Discovery, but since none of us like roller coasters and the like, the only one that appealed to us was the Dr. Seuss island, and we decided that one island was not worth the money. They do have many things which appeal to young children, so your kids might like it. If you decide not to go for it this trip, maybe you could try it out for a day on a subsequent trip and decide whether or not you like it.

 

[Arvandor_Ilfirin]

My family and I go every year for Halloween Horror Nights. We spend 1 whole day (since we go every year we only need a day. If you do end up going to both parks for the first time, I'd reccomend 2 days instead) and we use the hopper option to go between parks.

Now as far as I feel about US/IoA...
I am a big fantasy fan. I love being 'immersed' in my vacation and nothing kills if for me more than giant concrete buildings. That being said, if I didn't have to go with my family, I'd skip Universal Studios all together...It just doesn't charm me, and the rides (besides the Mummy) just don't 'wow' me. However, I love Islands of Adventure! It has alot of wonderful attractions and beautiful scenery...There are a few entertaining shows, and your kids will probably love the Dr.Seuss area. I'd be careful about The Flying Unicorn though, it's not a tame kiddie coaster at all...I love it to death, but if my children hated thrill rides they wouldn't be going on that one!

If you have alot of time to spend on your vacation, it may be worth it to look into spending at least one day there...However, I will always prefer Disney. I'm not a hardcore biased WDW fanatic, but as many times as I have been it's just not on the same level. The parks are not as clean, customer service is dull and lacking for the most part, and as fun as the thrill rides are, I could get the same kicks out out the Tower of Terror or Rockin Roller Coaster. This is just my opinion, and I still thoroughly enjoy going! Have fun while you're on vacation, whatever you end up deciding, you'll have a blast!