Reccomendation for park - 1st time visitors

[RIJim]

Hello, we are DVC members and will be staying onsite at WDW in August. We are taking a break from the parks this year and mostly looking to hang at the pool. We do want to take a few day trips. Sea Word is on the list as my son (6ys old) is crazy about sea life and will really enjoy it there. We where thinking about spending one day at Universal. My kids are 6 and 8. My wife and daughter love thrill rides, my son and I , not so much. I usually do a ton of research but was looking for some input on which park may best suit our needs. We'd like a place we can see most of in one day and maximize our enjoyment. I get the sense Universal is mostly thrill rides and my son and I may be spending a lot of time waiting around. your input is greatly appreciated!!

 

[torinsmom]

I guess it depends on what you consider thrill rides. Universal Studios only has a few rides I would consider thrill rides, maybe only one. There is the Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket roller coaster and then Revenge of the Mummy, which is like a differently themed Space Mountain. I am a ride chicken and will ride that one. Then you have the Simpsons ride, which is a simulator, not really a thrill ride and Men in Black, which is like Buzz Lightyear on steroids. It spins, but not a thrill ride either. Everything else is either a show or a no thrill ride.

At IOA, you have Hulk, the HP roller coaster opening up, and Jurassic Park ride. Spider Man is another simulator, and there is a ride like Kali River Rapids. There is a spinning ride too, Storm Force something that we didn't do. Then there are a few non-thrill rides there as well.

If you go to the Universal Orlando website, you can check out all the rides. You might want to check out the height restrictions for your kids as well.

Marsha

 

[lachica]

More info needed. How many days planned for USO? The term thrill ride is very subjective - what exactly do your son and you do not enjoy in rides? i.e. turning upside down, heights, spinning, etc.
USO is not an amusement park as say Six Flags, or Bush Gardens is. There are only 4 coasters if you count dragon challenge 2x (aka dueling dragons) that go upside down, and 1 indoor coaster.
Since you are going in August, Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be open in Island of Adventure, and unfortunately there’s no precedent to determine crowd levels.

 

[RIJim]

Goofy's Barnstormers is a stretch for us
Neither of us ride Splash Mountain or Big Thunder. We like more of the theme rides.

 

[albino_pygmy]

Goofy's Barnstormers is a stretch for us
Neither of us ride Splash Mountain or Big Thunder. We like more of the theme rides.

Likewise. I'm not into 'thrill rides' either but yet enjoy myself at USF and IOA.

At IOA, you have the whole Seuss Landing area to explore and take in and explore all things Seuss. See if you can find where Horton's egg is, relax on Sneetch Beach, sip on some Moose or Goose Juice, and then take a spin with the Cat in the Hat (dark ride that spins), One Fish Two Fish (dumbo with catchy song), and get a great view of the place on the Sky Trolley (TTA with 4 different stories.) In the Lost Continent there's Posideon's Fury (special effects show) and 8th Voyage of Sinbad (stunt show) and Mythos (excellent resteraunt.) Jurassic Park has the Discovery Center and Camp Jurassic (kiddie area that is fun for all to explore, one of my favs.) Toon Lagoon has a lot of great sight gags along the way, and Popeye's Bilge Rat Barges (river rapids.) Marvel is home to Spiderman (voted best dark ride ever since it has opened. This is a unique blend of motion simulation, 3D, and special effects all into a dark ride. If you can handle Dinosaur at AK, you should be fine here)

USF has a lot more going for it from great shows such as Beetlejuice's Graveyard Review, to Blues Brothers, and Horror Makeup Show. ET is Universal's classic dark ride and sure to be an instant favorite. MIB trumps Buzz anyday. Jaws is another classic ride, nothing really thrilling about it, but could be a bit scary for first timers and you don't like mechanical sharks popping up close to you. Disaster used to be Earthquake, and the ride portion is still the same. Also, don't forget to venture out back past Barney for Curious George goes to Town. Ok, so it's another kiddie area, but you can have a lot of fun here getting soaked, or step inside for an all out war with tons of nerf balls and ball cannons.

There should be plenty for everyone to do, thrill riders and non thrill riders

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

There is something for EVERYONE there, really, you guys will have a blast. I recommend doing both sides, there is something for everyone. IOA may have a few more larger coasters, but they have other rides, and US side has more laid back type. ET (think Peter Pan only much better), Twister, etc. There are also shows. The Mummy is a larger roller coaster type at US side but most are laid back. IOA a few more larger, also water rides, but also has the children's side at Seuss and others, it is so nice there, u have to go at least once. Do both sides, both have everything.

 

[Metro West]

There is something for EVERYONE there, really, you guys will have a blast. I recommend doing both sides, there is something for everyone. IOA may have a few more larger coasters, but they have other rides, and US side has more laid back type. ET (think Peter Pan only much better), Twister, etc. There are also shows. The Mummy is a larger roller coaster type at US side but most are laid back. IOA a few more larger, also water rides, but also has the children's side at Seuss and others, it is so nice there, u have to go at least once. Do both sides, both have everything.

 

[donaldduck352]

Likewise. I'm not into 'thrill rides' either but yet enjoy myself at USF and IOA.

At IOA, you have the whole Seuss Landing area to explore and take in and explore all things Seuss. See if you can find where Horton's egg is, relax on Sneetch Beach, sip on some Moose or Goose Juice, and then take a spin with the Cat in the Hat (dark ride that spins), One Fish Two Fish (dumbo with catchy song), and get a great view of the place on the Sky Trolley (TTA with 4 different stories.) In the Lost Continent there's Posideon's Fury (special effects show) and 8th Voyage of Sinbad (stunt show) and Mythos (excellent resteraunt.) Jurassic Park has the Discovery Center and Camp Jurassic (kiddie area that is fun for all to explore, one of my favs.) Toon Lagoon has a lot of great sight gags along the way, and Popeye's Bilge Rat Barges (river rapids.) Marvel is home to Spiderman (voted best dark ride ever since it has opened. This is a unique blend of motion simulation, 3D, and special effects all into a dark ride. If you can handle Dinosaur at AK, you should be fine here)

USF has a lot more going for it from great shows such as Beetlejuice's Graveyard Review, to Blues Brothers, and Horror Makeup Show. ET is Universal's classic dark ride and sure to be an instant favorite. MIB trumps Buzz anyday. Jaws is another classic ride, nothing really thrilling about it, but could be a bit scary for first timers and you don't like mechanical sharks popping up close to you. Disaster used to be Earthquake, and the ride portion is still the same. Also, don't forget to venture out back past Barney for Curious George goes to Town. Ok, so it's another kiddie area, but you can have a lot of fun here getting soaked, or step inside for an all out war with tons of nerf balls and ball cannons.

There should be plenty for everyone to do, thrill riders and non thrill riders

There is something for EVERYONE there, really, you guys will have a blast. I recommend doing both sides, there is something for everyone. IOA may have a few more larger coasters, but they have other rides, and US side has more laid back type. ET (think Peter Pan only much better), Twister, etc. There are also shows. The Mummy is a larger roller coaster type at US side but most are laid back. IOA a few more larger, also water rides, but also has the children's side at Seuss and others, it is so nice there, u have to go at least once. Do both sides, both have everything.

Great advise!!
I do highly recommend at IOA Spiderman and Popeyes and at the studio MIB,Simpsons and Horror Make up Show!!