SeaWorld or US/IoA??

[rainbowbrite812]

Ok, so we (dh35 me28 ds5 ds3 ds1 plus my parents) will be going to disney in nov...we have one day planned to visit either SW or US/IoA...with this age group i'm guessing that SW would be the obvious pick as they can't ride rides or enjoy shows at US/IoA...but my boys LOVE LOVE LOVE the characters that will be at IoA...they are huge Spiderman fans, plus Dr. Seuss stuff, and they'd love the character breakfast, plus my parents really really want to go to US.

i'm just nervous to do US/IoA as us adults will want to ride the rides, but the kiddos won't have as much to do and i don't think we can fit it ALL in one day.

i KNOW they'll love SW, but i'm not sure my parents will be as excited...they are the ones paying for the trip. they told me to get whichever, but i know they'd rather be at US.

what would you suggest? if we did do the 1day/1park pass is IoA the way to go vs US?

 

[Tillikumtrainer]

well IOA is more like teenager oriented but they do have a place and rides for kids its like dr. seuus land or something. But its small.. I know their expanding for a harry potter theme. But Yeah seaworld is more family oriented so for

*Universal Studios- there is Nickolodeon studios and other rides that kids can get on (minus the Mymmy - its def not a kids ride)

*Islands Of Adventure -is more Teenager oriented with a small section for little kiddos

*SEAWORLD - Heck im 26 and my hubby is 31 we love it there is soo much to see and do there. plus you get a second day pass free. And all the animals, hows and other little things to appreciate.

personally My Opinion- US & Seaworld

 

[vellamint]

I think you can go to a character breakfast in one of Universal Resorts and THEN go to Seaworld.....

 

[pixeegrl]

There is a ton of stuff for the little ones and adults as well at IOA/US post this over on the US and you will get a ton of well informed answers.

 

[eisens]

U / IOS hands down.

SeaWorld is boring. Sorry. You'll be finished in half a day and the kids will be bored to death. There are only a couple of decent rides and the kiddie play area isn't that great.

Universal has Barney Live! (no kidding). It has ET! It has the new Simpsons ride. It has Curious George -- a semi-water park area where you can sit and relax while the kids have a blast getting soaked or going in the ball pit. Bring a change of clothes for the kids.

IOS has Seussland which is loads of fun for you AND the kids. It is has the Seuss carousel, the Cat in the Hat ride, One Fish Two Fish (again you'll get wet). Seussland is fun for you and the kids.

The cartoon area of IOS has a Spiderman ride which might be scary for the little ones, but there is a great rapids ride (again, you'll get soaked).

My son has been going to U / IOS since he was 5. We have annual passes and he loves the place. Plus you have Nickelodeon rides -- Jimmy Neutron, Shrek --

there is no way you can think that U / IOS is not for kids!!!

My son prefers it to Disney. Have fun!

 

[Tillikumtrainer]

i disagree

to yu seaworld is boring, but to me (and most people on this board)who appreicate animals and beauty and all that good stuff it is not. she does have a 5 yr old , a 3yr old and a 1yr old. most likely the 5 & 3 yr old will enjoy the dolphin feedings, plus the other rides. They even have a roller coaster for kiddies. Kids love bright colors and animals so this may be an enjoyment for them and you. now that their young its the best time to have them go to zoos and aquariums to appreciate those animals. US has the nick studios and other fun family stuff..lol (my 10yr old brother loves it. But i respect your opinion, SW is not for everyone, but neither is US,

*In the end its what is best for the little kiddos.. Either way ENJOY YOUR VACATION!!! cause thats all that matters

 

[eisens]

Hey, freedom of speech, feel free to disagree. I don't appreciate the dig that you enjoy animals and I apparently don't appreicate animals and beauty and all that good stuff (LOL). Just because someone doesn't like what you like doesn't make them a BAD person.

I just spent yesterday at Aquatica.

Yep, it is all about the kiddies and my kid was bored to tears at SeaWorld. Too much of it is watching shows instead of DOING stuff.

That is MY opinion and I disagree with yours -- which means the original poster will just have to research the parks and decide what is best for their own family.

 

[donaldduck352]

Everybody has likes and dislikes.Everyone has a opinion(ThATS WHY ITS CALLED THE DISboards)We love US-IOA and we always love SW.My opinion,go to the websites and see what they have to offer.Altough Sw is kinda hard to navagate(thier website needs to be updated)

 

[Tillikumtrainer]

Like I sad before In the end its whats best for the kiddos

arguing is not going to solve anything. So im just going to move on.

 

[DixieDolphin]

Personally, I love all three parks! I've worked for both Universal & SeaWorld, so I'm pretty familiar with them too.

IOA is definitely more teen-to-adult oriented. Yes, there is the Dr. Seuss island and the Camp Jurassic 'playground' on the JP island... but, on the whole, IOA is definitely ride-centric... roller coasters and thrill rides for the most part. It's one of my favorite parks here in Orlando, but 5 & under kids might not get the most out of the experience and it might not be worth the money just for a couple of minimal kiddie areas.

Out of the Universal parks, USF is probably a better choice for kids where rides are concerned. The Mummy might be too much for them (and if they're not over 48", out of the question anyway), but most of the rides there are pretty tame for kids. It's an alright compromise, as there's plenty geared for both adults and kids.. but, personally, I think it sometimes gets a little stale. But, that might just be me.

Sea World is a good family compromise, in my opinion. There's a couple of roller coaster type rides (Kraken & Journey to Atlantis) and the simulator ride (Wild Arctic, which also has a non-motion version for the little 'uns) and a kiddie coaster (Shamu's something or another). But there's a lot of anybody-can-play, whole family attractions. It's a lower key park, but for inquisitive or science-minded kids it can be quite awe inspiring! And it's a unique experience, really... you can ride roller coasters anywhere, but there are very few places left where you can see killer whales up close.. or see dolphins up close.. and such well choreographed animal shows.

It all depends on what you're looking for. If you're most interested in rides, USF is your best bet. If you want THRILL rides, IOA. But if you're interested in a slower paced day of discovery, Sea World is where you ought to go! They're all great!

Extra info:

Universal Ride Height Restrictions:
http://www.universalorlando.com/hours-information/height-requirements.html

Sea World Ride Height Restrictions:
http://www.seaworld.com/SitePage.aspx?PageID=130#rideshow

Good luck and have fun! =)

 

[rainbowbrite812]

thanks for ALL opinions, i still can't decide which to do, but you have helped me open my eyes to all options.

i have worked at sea world when it was here in cleveland (obviously not as big as FL) and i personally love the animals...but dh and i are total ride lovers so i'm still unsure.

while my kids do love animals i'm not exactly sure how well they will sit still through a day of shows, and i know there are play areas, but i definitely don't want to spend a majority of my day watching my kids run around a play area if they aren't into the shows, for $7x.xx they can do that in my back yard and have just as much fun...BUT i also don't want to drag them from ride to ride just to watch dh and i ride rides at IoA.

ugh planning this trip is giving me a headache

 

[2Princes_&_1Princess]

I'm definitely *not* an unbiased opinion - but I would definitely pick a day at Sea World with kids that age. My kids (7,5,3) LOVE to feed the dolphins, sea lions, and rays - plus the kids area at Sea World is lots of fun for them. You can't beat Kraken as a coaster, and your 5-year-old could probably get on Journey to Atlantis. Plus, Wild Artic has the walrus - and he's totally awe-inspiring. Plus, who can beat FREE BEER? They'll enjoy the shows on some level, but the truth is you can probably spend a whole day there and never see a show!