Seaworld or IOA for a 4 and 5 year old???

[myworldisjam]

I have a 4 and 5 year old and planning our first family vacation for December. I am torn between taking them to IOA or Seaworld. My 5 year old loves Dr. Suess books but he also likes whales and dolphines?? My husband and I have been to IOA and really enjoyed ourselves but not sure if there is going to be enough for the little ones to do. We have never been to Seaworld before. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

[donaldduck1967]

As far as I can remember IOA doesnt' have much for a 4 or 5 yr old. It's really more thrill rides but the do have a child section. My vote would be Sea World my 4 1/2 yr old loved it in October.

 

[SharonLowe]

For 4-5 year olds, they would really only like Suess. I would vote for Sea World - they will love the shows and places to interact with the animals. Plus, they have Shamu's Happy Harbor, a play area just for young kids. You didn't say when you were going but Sea World can be very hot and is very spread out so I really suggest going to their web site, getting the schedule for the day you plan to go, and plan a bit ahead of time. Also, make a reservation for a mid-day meal at one of the restaurants so you get some time to relax. Sharks Underwater Grill would be a good choice to keep the kids entertained. And, of course, make sure you have plenty of water to drink.

 

[myworldisjam]

We would be going in December of this year. We will be staying on the Disney property. I would love to do both but as of right now I think only one is pratical. Thanks!

 

[phamton]

Islands of Adventure for young children:

Suess Landing

The whole land is built for kids, with even the fences, signs, and steps are built kidsize. One Fish Two Fish is like Dumbo but with water. Caro-suess-el is a whimsical caroussel full of Dr. Seuss characters. Cat in the Hat has some spinning but kids love this ride.

If I ran the Zoo is another interactive play area. Kids can crawl into holes, squirt water on a small island, and play tic tac toe. There are plenty of areas to climb and get some energy out.

The High in the Sky Trolley, takes you on a trolley ride in the sky above Suess Landing. There are two tracks and four story lines all involving the Sneetches.

Other areas in Suess Landing: Toss a coin into the mouth of the fish in McElligot's Pool to receive a surprise. Sit on Horton's Egg outside the Cat, Hats, and Things gift shop. Walk through the street of the Lifted Lorax and listen to the Once-ler. Stop by Sneetch Beach and listen to the story of the Zax. Meet the Grinch, Cat and the Hat, and Thing 1 and 2.

Jurassic Park

The Discovery Center is a mini-science center where every exhibit is based on dinosaurs. Kids can test their dinosaur knowledge, X-ray the inside of a dinosaur egg, have their DNA sampled to create a new dinosaur, search for bones in a rock, and can "Beasuar" by looking through virtual reality glasses in dinosaur models, or watch a dinosaur hatch in the nursery.

Camp Jurassic is a play area where kids can run through caves, squirt water, climb rope bridges, and go down slides. There is also a kids' ride called Pteranodon Flyers where adults can only ride if they are accompanied by a child.

Toon Lagoon

The Me Ship, the Olive is a tri-level play area. There are stairs to climb, slides to go down, and a piano to play. They can squirt the people who are on the boats at Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rats.

Marvel Super Hero Island

Storm Force Acceltron is a tea-cup clone. This one makes me dizzy but kids love it. And there are characters who ride into Marvel several times a day for Meet and Greet. They may be tall enough for the Spiderman ride which an "amazing" ride.

Lost Continent

The Flying Unicorn is coaster made for children. Pteranodon Flyers is a ride you can only go on if you have a child with you. Enjoy it while your kids are still short enough for you to accompany them on it. "Adults only" guests can't ride this one.

You can buy a 2 park ticket for only $10 more than a one park and park hop during the day between Universal and Islands of Adventure.

Here are height requirements:
Jurassic Park River Adventure® - Must be at least 42"

Pteranodon Flyers® - Must be at least 36" (36" to 56" must be accompanied by an adult)

Dueling Dragons® - Must be at least 54"

Flying Unicorn® - Must be at least 36"

Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls® - Must be at least 44"

Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges® - Must be at least 42"

Incredible Hulk Coaster® - Must be at least 54"

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man® - Must be at least 40"

Doctor Doom's Fearfall® - Must be at least 52"

The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!™ - Must be 34". (Children 34" to 48" must be accompanied by an adult.)

 

[myworldisjam]

THANK YOU! For the great information!!! When just my husband and I went 5 years ago I paid no attention to what they had for children and we did the park in about a half days time - my husband gets motion sickness so we weren't able to ride some of the rides - I guess I didn't realize how much they had for kids! My son LOVES Dr. Suess and is obesessed with the Grinch so I was leaning more towards IOA, where my husband wants to go to Sea World. Another thing I found very interesting is the extra $10 for Universal! I would definitely do that. With that said, how much is there for young children at Universal? It has been 10 years since I've been there. Thanks again for any information you have!!!

 

[phamton]

Universal Studios



Production Central

Jimmy Neutron: Most of the kids are familiar with the Nick characters from the ride especially the Rugrats, Dora, and SpongeBob. It is a fun 3 D simulator ride with stationary seats for younger kids. When you exit the ride, there is an interactive area where kids can send an email to friends, be the director of a cartoon, or control the sound effects of a cartoon. They can play a trivia game and, if they get enough correct answers, they win a round on an arcade game. SpongeBob also has a meet and greet in that area. You don't even have to go on the ride to enter the interactive area.

There are also plenty of characters for "Meet and Greet" in Production Central such as Dora and Jimmy Neutron as well as SpongeBob.


Shrek: Stationary seats are available for toddlers or anyone who doesn't like a little shaking but the best thing is the meet and greet with Shrek, Fiona, and (my favorite) Donkey. I can spend quite awhile just listening to Donkey interact with the kids.


Woody Woodpecker Kid Zone

Animal Actors is a fun show for kids to watch. Animals perform stunts and there is plenty of audience interaction. Just watch out for the bats

The Barney show is every little kid's favorite. After exiting Barney, there is a play area where kids can make music, splash in the water, or draw on the walls. There is also a meet and greet with Barney.

Curious George is a wet and dry play area. Kids can squirt people with water cannons or run upstairs to dump buckets of water down. There are all sorts of water interactive areas. For those who want to stay dry, there is a Ball Factory where kids can shoot and throw nerf balls and plenty of climbing for the little ones. The balls are soft and safe whether you are throwing or getting hit.

Woody's Coaster is a kiddy coaster. ET is also a fun ride for the kids. Listen for ET to say your name at the end of the ride.

Fieval's Playland has tons of interactive elements and everything is at a mouse eye's view. There is also a slide where kids can take a two person water raft down.

World Expo

Kids love standing inside the giant coca cola bottle and getting fogged. Your children maybe tall enough to ride Back to the Future and Men in Black or you could do Baby Swap. There is also a Fear Factor Live show. Some kids love watching the stunts and the drinking of "bug" juice.

Depending on your kids, they may enjoy Jaws, Earthquake, and Twister.

Height requirements at Universal:

Revenge of the Mummy- Must be at least 48"

Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast™- Must be at least 40" (persons under 40" can experience this attraction from an adjacent stationary location.)

Back To The Future The Ride® - Must be at least 40"

MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™ - Must be at least 42"

Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster® - Must be at least 36"

 

[MissionMouse]

I have a 4 and 5 year old ... My 5 year old loves Dr. Suess books but he also likes whales and dolphines?? ... but not sure if there is going to be enough for the little ones to do. We have never been to Seaworld before...

Sea World is a relaxing park to go to with children this age. Our children enjoyed feeding the dolphins & sting rays and seeing all the different shows. Lots of laughs and smiles... We have also debated the Universal offering which we concluded are really for teenager and older crowd. Recommend Sea World

 

[CoasterNCake]

Sea world all the way!