Thoughts About Universal for Families with Kids Who Don't Like Thrill Rides

[virge]

My husband surprised me with a text this week asking if I wanted to plan a family vacation to Disney for June. As a family, we did Disney World in 2012 & 2015. We were lucky enough to win a trip to Disneyland in Nov. 2016. My sons (10 year old twin boys) & I took a very last minute (as in 24 hours from decision to travel) trip in Jan.

I love Disney but I thought we should try something new, so I did some quick research into Universal. I would love some advice about how much there is for families who don't enjoy thrill rides. The things I've looked at emphasize the thrill rides and I can't tell how much else there is to enjoy. My sons rode, but did not enjoy, Rock 'n Roller Coaster & Tower of Terror at Disney but we have yet to even get them on Test Track (they loved Radiator Springs Racers though). Even Dinosaur & Star Wars have been hit or miss depending on their moods. One of my sons loves Harry Potter so I know we would enjoy exploring those areas but I can't tell how much there would be for us other than riding Hogwarts Express between the 2 parks. Thoughts from the experts?

 

[danielocha30]

you won't regret it!!! Universal have the best simulation rides in Orlando, and actually only 3 trill rides, at 10 yrs pre teens are going to love this parks, Harry Potter lands, Spiderman, Jurassic Park, Transformers, Simpsons and Minions!!! also Universal is opening a new water park Volcano Bay

 

[damo]

I think they will enjoy themselves. Universal is way more than thrill rides. If they loved Radiator Springs Racers, they should enjoy Spiderman and Transformers, Men in Black, ET, Terminator, Minions, Jurassic Park Discovery Centre and the amazing play area. They should also enjoy Shrek, the Horror Make Up show, the Seuss stuff and last but not least both Harry Potter areas with their interactive wands and shows.

 

[virge]

Thank you for the fast replies! This information is really helpful. I'm off to learn more about these rides

 

[bumbershoot]

How do the grownups feel about the thrill rides?

Dh can't ride any of the big rides (and he wants to) but still loves going to Uni.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I think Universal is a nice variety of level of rides. You have everything for some age in your party. If you stay on site the resorts are great with 3 of them offering Express Pass, and they all offer EE. The Harry Potter place is amazing and a must do. Like a PP said if you like water parks Volcano Bay is opening this month and looks awesome! We have gone to Disney for years and we alternate years however, this is the first time we are doing back to back Universal. We just really enjoy the parks. I think you also don't feel as overwhelmed with planning. The parks are close together and really not spread out. It is a much more relaxing pace. I think it's good you want to try something else. Good luck

 

[Anonomom]

I'll be the voice of dissent here. If your kids don't like coasters and have qualms about simulators, then I think a trip to Universal would not be idea. There are very, very few rides in either park that aren't one or the other. Yes, the Harry Potter areas are well done, and there are shows and activities that your kids may enjoy. But fully half, if not more, of what's available at Uni sounds well outside your kids' comfort zones. I'd wait a year or two.

 

[sandy77d]

I have twin girls who are 11 years old. We took our first trip to Universal when they were 10. One of my daughters does not like any thrill rides, but the other does. At this point, they both prefer Universal to Disney. I think you can have a great time in Universal.

 

[schumigirl]

I think they will enjoy themselves. Universal is way more than thrill rides. If they loved Radiator Springs Racers, they should enjoy Spiderman and Transformers, Men in Black, ET, Terminator, Minions, Jurassic Park Discovery Centre and the amazing play area. They should also enjoy Shrek, the Horror Make Up show, the Seuss stuff and last but not least both Harry Potter areas with their interactive wands and shows.

This.

There is so much more to Universal than thrill rides.......

Check out the website and see what there is on offer www.universalorlando.com

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

A thrill is a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure. I think when people use the term to describe Universal, others interpret it as big, roller coaster rides. That is not what it means exclusively. I would say Universal rides offer more adventure and movement which makes them exciting and thrilling. A ride like Spiderman is more thrilling than one like RRR for some.

 

[Chuckers]

A thrill is a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure. I think when people use the term to describe Universal, others interpret it as big, roller coaster rides. That is not what it means exclusively. I would say Universal rides offer more adventure and movement which makes them exciting and thrilling. A ride like Spiderman is more thrilling than one like RRR for some.

Yes, Spidey is a thrill ride. While not a roller coaster, it does have a chance for Sensory Overload.. and some kids/adults don't like that at all. I remember when I rode it the first time and there's the part where your car is falling straight down, before it's caught in the web, it really did feel like a free fall. While I knew we were horizontal the whole time, it was still pretty intense.

 

[schumigirl]

My husband surprised me with a text this week asking if I wanted to plan a family vacation to Disney for June. As a family, we did Disney World in 2012 & 2015. We were lucky enough to win a trip to Disneyland in Nov. 2016. My sons (10 year old twin boys) & I took a very last minute (as in 24 hours from decision to travel) trip in Jan.

I love Disney but I thought we should try something new, so I did some quick research into Universal. I would love some advice about how much there is for families who don't enjoy thrill rides. The things I've looked at emphasize the thrill rides and I can't tell how much else there is to enjoy. My sons rode, but did not enjoy, Rock 'n Roller Coaster & Tower of Terror at Disney but we have yet to even get them on Test Track (they loved Radiator Springs Racers though). Even Dinosaur & Star Wars have been hit or miss depending on their moods. One of my sons loves Harry Potter so I know we would enjoy exploring those areas but I can't tell how much there would be for us other than riding Hogwarts Express between the 2 parks. Thoughts from the experts?

Have you made any decisions yet.......would be interested to know what you think........

I have one set of friends who dislike "any" form of thrill ride, but still enjoy Universal a great deal. Enough to cut back their time from Disney by half.

 

[Parker Clan]

My hubby and I aren't huge "thrill ride" people. We do enjoy Tower of Terror but not RnR. We don't do any of the huge coasters at Universal and IoA but LOVE the rest of the rides. There is so so so so much else to do. I second the poster who said they have the best simulation rides. It's absolutely true!
Give it a shot! I've been going to Universal since I was a kid but have become even more addicted as an adult lol A trip to FL isn't complete without Universal first then Disney. We've done it the last six years!
And those Harry Potter lands

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

My husband doesn't do anything with drops and I don't do spinning. Some of the simulation rides are a little hard on me, but even with kids (2, 5, and 8) we love Universal. DS8 and I do enjoy the big coasters at Universal. Our kids love Seuss Land and the Fivel play area (I love this too as An American Tail was a favorite of mine as a child).
The ET ride is calm dark ride. I loved the Mummy rollercoaster but DS8 thought the mummy stuff and fire were scary. We have plenty at Universal to have an enjoyable 3 day trip (more could be fun but that is the longest we've had). Disney does have a bit more for the little kids, but even with our mix of ride preferences there is plenty to do.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Yes, Spidey is a thrill ride. While not a roller coaster, it does have a chance for Sensory Overload.. and some kids/adults don't like that at all. I remember when I rode it the first time and there's the part where your car is falling straight down, before it's caught in the web, it really did feel like a free fall. While I knew we were horizontal the whole time, it was still pretty intense.

Sensory Overload is different to me and speaks to my thoughts that its subjective to the person. Something you may find intense, I may not. I'm interested to see what the OP is looking to avoid, is it drops, spinning? FX?

 

[TommyJK]

....Even Dinosaur & Star Wars have been hit or miss depending on their moods. One of my sons loves Harry Potter so I know we would enjoy exploring those areas but I can't tell how much there would be for us other than riding Hogwarts Express between the 2 parks. Thoughts from the experts?

This statement I think will be the determining factor of if your family has a good time vs. have a fantastic/incredible/unforgettable time.

In terms of level of motion and thrill, some of the best attractions at Universal have a similar the level of "thrill" as say Star Tours, just IMO more incredibly executed.

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Escape from Gringotts
• Spiderman
• Transformers
• Kong

Those are some of the top attractions in the parks and would not be worth a visit to Universal (just my opinion) if you didn't plan on going on most of them (while also excluding the coasters).

But I think if your kids can tolerate Star Tours, and you can convince them to at least try Escape from Gringotts and Forbidden Journey, then it will be an unforgettable experience and likely lead them to also want to try the others.

 

[Jenniferlth]

Universal parks have a lot of simulator type rides like Soarin and Star Tours. Some are pure fun- minions is awesome!! Others have a scrary theme, but are not real drops, or coaster type thrills. My youngest found the Harry Potter rides scary because of content. My oldest loves all the scary roller coasters, Hult, Rip Rocket etc., but finds Dinosaur scary. I think there is a lot for everyone at Universal and the Harry Potter world is fun just to be immersed in.

 

[Spaceace5150]

This statement I think will be the determining factor of if your family has a good time vs. have a fantastic/incredible/unforgettable time.

In terms of level of motion and thrill, some of the best attractions at Universal have a similar the level of "thrill" as say Star Tours, just IMO more incredibly executed.

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Escape from Gringotts
• Spiderman
• Transformers
• Kong

Those are some of the top attractions in the parks and would not be worth a visit to Universal (just my opinion) if you didn't plan on going on most of them (while also excluding the coasters).

But I think if your kids can tolerate Star Tours, and you can convince them to at least try Escape from Gringotts and Forbidden Journey, then it will be an unforgettable experience and likely lead them to also want to try the others.

I know this is an old post, but thanks for this info. Planning our first Universal trip with kids and its helpful to have a comparison of "scariness" to Disney rides, which we are familiar with.