To go or not to go?

[Princess Sleepy]

We are going to Florida in October first for a Disney Cruise, followed by 5 days at WDW. My kids (who will be 5 and 8 at the time of the trip) are now obsessed by Harry Potter. I am thinking about going down a day early so we can spend Saturday at IOA before we cruise on Sunday.

I am wondering a couple things. Is it worth it to go for just one day and do only IOA, not the Studios part, especially with girls this age. Also, my DD5 will not likely be 48" by then (she is 42"now). If she can't ride the Forbidden Castle ride, will there be enough other HP stuff to pacify her, or am I just opening up a can of worms?

I have never been to Universal, so I have no frame of reference here at all. We have always considered it more of a thrill ride park. However, when we looked at YouTube stuff today, they were interested in things like Ripsaw Falls and Jurassic Park, plus the Seuss stuff. If we are going to spend several hundred more $ to come a day early and stay at a park hotel, I want to make sure it won't be a disappointment.

Opinions?

 

[Metro West]

I am wondering a couple things. Is it worth it to go for just one day and do only IOA, not the Studios part, especially with girls this age. Also, my DD5 will not likely be 48" by then (she is 42"now). If she can't ride the Forbidden Castle ride, will there be enough other HP stuff to pacify her, or am I just opening up a can of worms?

Sure it's worth it for just a day. IOA is a great park and your kids should find lots to do. If she can't do the Forbidden Journey, she can walk through the castle tour queue and still see lots of amazing things. She can also do Flight of the Hippogriff which is a kids coaster but lots of fun. Plus she can look through the shops and soak in the atmosphere. I doubt she will be disappointed.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

Thanks for the reply! That's what I was hoping. She's not a big thrill seeker anyway, and it sounds like the ride itself is pretty scary. I'm glad she can still see the castle though. I am already excited to get to see a new park.