Talk me into US/IOA

[LovesHauntedMansion]

I've never been to US or IOA, but have been to WDW many times. My trips are usually 6 days: Arrival day- We get in late so we just eat and unpack, 4 park days - 1 day for each of the 4 Disney parks, and 1 off day to rest my feet, swim, shop, etc. In June my extended family is planning a trip. It will be the first trip for my 4 year old nephew. My brother says that he wants his son to see Spongebob at US. I do not want to give up one of my Disney days, but can be persuaded to give up my off day.

Since he is just 4 and I am a ride wimp, can someone compare rides at WDW to US and IOA so I can see if it is worth giving up my off day? To give you some info on me: Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Teacups and Test Track are too intense for me. My party will also include 3 other ride wimps.

Also, would you suggest a 2 park/ 1 day pass for us?

 

[Melanie230]

You will love US/IOA.

The Jimmy Neutron ride is a simulator. It has SpongeBob in the theme. Not scary.

Some US rides that are fun, but not scary:

Shrek 4D
Jimmy Neutron
Twister
Men In Black
Woody Woodpecker

IOA

There is Suess Landing rides
Spiderman (might be a little intense but not scary)
Poseidon


You will LOVE US/IOA...we have been the last 2 years and are headed back this year. It is a great change from Disney!

 

[donaldduck352]

They have some great shows at both parks.So the 2park 1 day tick would be great.I can list them all,but would be here awhile.Check out the website would be the easy way..

If your not doing any rides,you should be able to catch most of them..

The walk between the 2parks is about 5min

If you decide to do it,my personal favs are:Horror Make Up show @ US and the Sinbad show @ IOA...Also @ IOA take in the theming-Suess Landing is awesome.

Hope this helps

 

[Tink_Kel]

What Disney lacks for little boys, US/IOA makes up for it! Lots of super hero stuff. Leave the frou-frou behind for a day (Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Disney!). When it comes to the male gender, especially when they get my boy's ages (15 & 18), it's ALL about the rides, and US/IOA beats Disney hands-down in that area!

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

Thanks so much for the responses. I assume that you park at one location and can walk between the 2 parks. Is this correct? Is Jimmy Neutron ride similiar to Star Tours or more intense? I can handle Star Tours.

 

[damo]

Thanks so much for the responses. I assume that you park at one location and can walk between the 2 parks. Is this correct? Is Jimmy Neutron ride similiar to Star Tours or more intense? I can handle Star Tours.

Yes you park and then walk to both parks. Jimmy Neutron is much tamer than Star Tours. You are in a theatre and sit in vehicles with 4 seats across. On the screen in front is the movie and your vehicle moves.

 

[Metro West]

You will love US/IOA.

The Jimmy Neutron ride is a simulator. It has SpongeBob in the theme. Not scary.

Some US rides that are fun, but not scary:

Shrek 4D
Jimmy Neutron
Twister
Men In Black
Woody Woodpecker

IOA

There is Suess Landing rides
Spiderman (might be a little intense but not scary)
Poseidon


You will LOVE US/IOA...we have been the last 2 years and are headed back this year. It is a great change from Disney!

 

[SusanDK]

Just a note of caution for the ride wimps, Jimmy Neutron might be too intense to sit in the moving seats. My husband and I are ride wimps and we hated the jolting and jerking of those seats, but they do have stationary seats in the front so you can still see the show but in immovable seats.

For ride wimps at US you should enjoy:
Jaws
Disaster
MIB (if you like Buzz Lightyear at WDW, then this is similar but better)
Terminator 3-D
ET

Also, if you can handle simulator rides, the new Simpsons ride is a simulator. We haven't tried it yet, because we hate simulator rides, but might give it a whirl next week when we're there for the first time since it opened.

And, of course, at US there are all the shows which are enjoyable:
Horror Makeup (don't miss it!)
Animal Actors - enjoyable and probably perfect for the 4-year old
Beetlejuice
Fear Factor - depending on the interest of your group

Also, depending on your timing, it can be fun to catch the Vinyls who play 50's-60's music at Mel's Diner, and Blues Brothers. Both those musical shows are only about 20 minutes each, but a lot of fun to catch if you're in the area.

As ride wimps, my husband and I find less to to at IOA, but we can just handle Spiderman. It's a bit on the edge as far as what we can handle, but the technology is so awesome that it's worth sucking it up to ride once in a while.

Also at IOA, if you don't mind getting wet, then Popeye/Bluto barge rafts is fun, as is Dudley Do-right.

Have a great time.

Susan

 

[Snowy-girls]

Most of what i would have recommended has been quoted.But cannot agree more about Seuss Landing-this is a fantastic themed area.When we took dd who was 3 at the time we spent ages in there-even me+hubby loved it.x.

 

[d4est]

The little one might also enjoy Camp Jurassic, the Discovery Center and Me Ship, The Olive...all at IOA. Not rides but neat for little ones and some adults too!

At the Studios there's also the Barney show and the Curious George and Fievel play areas. Oh, and what about running into Scooby and Shaggy? Not rides, but very cool!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I don't know that I'd sacrifice my off day for Universal. Feet need rest. Instead I might sacrifice my least desirable (that trip) Disney park. Another possibility is if you get a multi day pass those who want to can go over to Universal first thing on a couple of days. For some reason US/IOA park goers seem to get to the park late so you can cover quite a lot in the first 3 hours.

As for adult park wimps everything in US is great except for the mummy. I would not bring a small child into Terminator (made that mistake once, never again). We thought Disaster was wonderfully done...Christopher Walken and Dwayne Johnson did a great job.

IOA...I don't know about that for people traveling with small children. Suess landing is great but its just one part of the park. Worth walking over from US either on the beginning or on the end.

 

[Rhonda922]

I think my DH thinks there's only one park at Universal -- the Studios. He thinks that because I never talk about IOA because I don't think I could tolerate the rides. Now, I'm not old -- I'm in my late 30's and DH is in his 40's. I almost had a fit on The Mummy ride at US. My DH on the other hand loves rides like that and the more intense rollercoaster-type rides. I don't know how people can stand those rides. I like just about every other ride/attraction at US except for that one. I really want him to go to IOA but for me, it would be a waste of money to buy a ticket. I would be standing there outside the rides second-guessing myself about going in. I wish they had videos running outside of how the ride is so that you'd know what you're getting yourself into before entering. Like if I had known about Back to the Future, I never would've gone on that ride.

 

[SLK1]

Magic Kingdom/EPCOT vs. Universal

-Soarin' vs. Simpsons Ride
-Philhar Magic vs. Shrek 4-D
-Buzz Lightyear vs. Men in Black
-Jungle Cruise vs. JAWS
-Peter Pan vs. E.T. ride
-Goofy's Barnstormer vs. Woody Woodpecker Coaster
-Space Mountain vs. Mummy
-Mission: SPACE vs. Disaster!
-Honey, I Shrunk the Audience vs. Terminator 2: 3-D


Hollywood Studios/Animal Kingdom vs. IOA

-Rock n Roller Coaster vs. Hulk (7 loops)
-Star Tours vs. Spiderman
-Tower of Terror vs. Dr. Doom
-Kali River Rapids vs. Popeye & Bluto
-Toy Story Midway Mania vs. Cat in the Hat
-Indiana Jones Stunt Show vs. Sinbad
-Expedition Everest vs. Dueling Dragons (5 loops each)


*IOA has less shows but more thrill rides that don't compare to the ride lineup at Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom*

Well, if your favorite rides weren't compared, or you don't like the comparison, stick with Disney. Also, on the Universal website (usf.com) push the 'Compare to Disney' link at the top of the page to see what they've got.

 

[macraven]

this is on the uo website. they have other features for younger children to enjoy at the parks.
do take your child to see barney to perform.
and have fun at the woody woodpecker section.



Blur the lines between child and adult! At Universal Orlando Resort you don’t sit back and watch your kids have fun - you have fun together. Nobody, regardless of their age, can escape fun and excitement this real.


Universal's Islands of Adventure offers fun and excitement for children of all ages!



Kids can run, jump, ride and play throughout Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone at Universal Studios!


Age becomes unimportant. Bonds strengthen. And having fun becomes something you'll know you'll always have in common. From theme park rides and shows to activities at our hotels, Universal Orlando Resort offers a vacation that the whole family can enjoy as a family.

• Widely regarded as the top theme park attraction in the world, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man® is a 3-D ride that will astound riders of all ages.

• The hilarious Shrek 4-DTM and Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon BlastTM both feature plenty of slapstick for the kids and clever verbal humor for teens and older.

• Water rides like Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls® and Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges® provide oceans of fun for everyone.

• The Cat in the HatTM ride takes everyone’s favorite childhood story and puts a new “spin” on it.

• The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad® and Fear Factor Live stunt shows offer action-packed thrills as well as side-splitting laughs.

• Both theme parks feature extensive games areas where you can challenge your skills, and each other, on a number of new and classic arcade and carnival games.

• And for kids — or parents — not quite ready for the Incredible Hulk Coaster®, Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster® offer great roller-coaster fun and excitement on a smaller scale.

 

[SusanDK]

I think my DH thinks there's only one park at Universal -- the Studios. He thinks that because I never talk about IOA because I don't think I could tolerate the rides. Now, I'm not old -- I'm in my late 30's and DH is in his 40's. I almost had a fit on The Mummy ride at US. My DH on the other hand loves rides like that and the more intense rollercoaster-type rides. I don't know how people can stand those rides. I like just about every other ride/attraction at US except for that one. I really want him to go to IOA but for me, it would be a waste of money to buy a ticket. I would be standing there outside the rides second-guessing myself about going in. I wish they had videos running outside of how the ride is so that you'd know what you're getting yourself into before entering. Like if I had known about Back to the Future, I never would've gone on that ride.

You sound a lot like me. Luckily, my husband is the same. Actually, he might even be a bigger ride wimp than me. After asking for advice here on the forum, I decided we should try MIB and Spiderman. He sent me ahead to ride alone first, to report back whether he would be able to stand them.

It's true that we do very little at IOA. But since we're AP holders, it doesn't cost any extra for us to wander over there sometimes and we enjoy walking around. We can do Spiderman if we're feeling up to it (only once per visit). But we don't do any of the coasters or other thrill rides. We enjoy Jurassic Park. We've done Popeye/Bluto and Dudley and can handle those in terms of thrills, but haven't felt like doing them much because we don't care to get soaked. We enjoy spending time watching both of those from the various vantage points, and seeing people get squirted with water from above. My husband is a camera buff, so he enjoys getting pictures and short movies.

So I know where you're coming from. You can still enjoy the atmosphere of IOA and watching others if you're so inclined. The price for a 2-park pass isn't much more than a single park, so it's not like you have to pay for a full one-day pass to experience it.

Also, you mentioned being able to see the rides so you know what to expect before riding. At IOA, with the exception of Spiderman, you can pretty much see what you're getting into on all the thrill rides (Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Doom, the drop on Jurassic Park, Bluto, Dudley, etc.). Spiderman is not to be missed. It really is impressive and even we can manage it. And I totally agree with you about Back to the Future - we hated it!

(Oh, btw, we've never had the nerve to try the Mummy, so kuddos to you there!)

Susan

 

[YouJustBideYourTime!]

Check height requirements first on Uni's website! I don't know if that may be an issue for your little man.

Areas he may enjoy:
In IOA
Marvel Superhero Island!!!!!!

Jurassic Park-It has a tom Sawyer-ish play area which is great! The caves can be creepy if he's scared easily but I think they are amazing and beautiful...
Definitely go into the visitor's center in JP!!! He MIGHT see a "real live" dino being hatched out of a shell! Pretty sure you cant get a timed schedule for this though- mother nature and all

Seussland-for obvious reason. Cat in the Hat ride is even better than most Disney Dark Rides, an opinion but you know...

Universal Studios:
Maybe he will like the Nickelodeon ride but it isn't amazing just so you know. But being a kid and if he watches those shows it could be just his thing!

MIB I would reccomend for a little boy, it's a shooting game like Buzz but... sorry but IMO better than our (FL) version of Buzz...

ET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big time

There are 3 childrens themed areas: Fivel Playground, Curious George water playground (I reccomend this highly and I didnt even go with the kids! lol! I just like it!) and Barney who has a show. Never seen it so I dunno what it's like.

Plus Universal has cool characters as well. Marvel Superheros, Seuss, Popeye, Scooby Doo, Woody Woodpecker, etc

Im sure I missed some stuff but these are some.

 

[Metro West]

Check height requirements first on Uni's website! I don't know if that may be an issue for your little man.

Areas he may enjoy:
In IOA
Marvel Superhero Island!!!!!!

Jurassic Park-It has a tom Sawyer-ish play area which is great! The caves can be creepy if he's scared easily but I think they are amazing and beautiful...
Definitely go into the visitor's center in JP!!! He MIGHT see a "real live" dino being hatched out of a shell! Pretty sure you cant get a timed schedule for this though- mother nature and all

Seussland-for obvious reason. Cat in the Hat ride is even better than most Disney Dark Rides, an opinion but you know...

Universal Studios:
Maybe he will like the Nickelodeon ride but it isn't amazing just so you know. But being a kid and if he watches those shows it could be just his thing!

MIB I would reccomend for a little boy, it's a shooting game like Buzz but... sorry but IMO better than our (FL) version of Buzz...

ET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big time

There are 3 childrens themed areas: Fivel Playground, Curious George water playground (I reccomend this highly and I didnt even go with the kids! lol! I just like it!) and Barney who has a show. Never seen it so I dunno what it's like.

Plus Universal has cool characters as well. Marvel Superheros, Seuss, Popeye, Scooby Doo, Woody Woodpecker, etc

Im sure I missed some stuff but these are some.

Very good advice!

 

[shoney]

my boys loved the parks when they were 4 and 6. They spent over an hour in the open hydrant in the NYC scene. Actually, they were having so much fun a photographer asked us for permission to photo them. Then there was the Curious George area and many other smaller water attractions that really held their attention. We opted for disney on our last trip to the area. We are planning a trip for May and the boys will be 8 and almost 10 and they wanted universal instead of Disney....thinking Mickey was for babies and now they are big boys! I was happy! I love disney, but there is just something about US and IOA that I just love!

 

[Twilightlover]

How about rides for a 1 yo(not sure what it will be) and a 2 yo Boy?

 

[ky07]

How about rides for a 1 yo(not sure what it will be) and a 2 yo Boy?

I really don't think there will be any rides they can do other than the play areas