Universal and a toddler - worth it?

[rachael95]

DH, DS (will be about 20 months), and I will be heading to Florida for a week or so in November. We'll spend most of our time at Disney but I am trying to plan a few off days. My sister and her husband live there so we'll visit with them. They are NOT Disney fans. But I thought they might like to do one day at Universal.

Is Universal a good place to take a toddler? Which would be better Islands of Adventure or Universal. I'm sure the adults would rather see Harry Potter but DS LOVES Curious George. He's "so so" on Dr. Seus.

Would it be worth it to go and if so, which park that the adults and he could all have fun?

Or should we just plan that day as a beach day?

Thanks!

 

[kam1011]

Most people here are big fans of US/IOA and will tell you yes, it's worth it. It's been six years now since I've been, and we're heading down on Friday. My oldest was 14 months old for that last trip and it was not pleasant. Universal is not as baby friendly as Disney. There are many rides that the toddler cannot go on. Even on the Cat in the Hat ride, the rule was that the child has to sit unassisted, not on your lap. My 14 mo *could sit unassisted, but she certainly didn't want to in that strange place while being swirled around! She ended up in my lap by the second bend. We vowed not to go back until all the kids were 7yo+. I'm breaking that now (kids 7, 5, 4), but we'll have three adults and figure we'll baby swap a lot for the younger two. The beach will be more fun!! My two cents - now I will be flamed...

 

[Choozee]

I have a 24 month old grand baby girl that just moved to FL (where I live) and I can't wait to take her to Disney! After talking it over with her parents, they decided to wait until she is potty trained....with that said: we are planning a trip to US & IOA this year in lieu of Disney. Why? You ask. Since we can't take the baby, we might as well ride rides at the more adventurous park! so, I would vote no. No, and do a beach day instead.

 

[macraven]

kam, you won't be flamed on the darkside.
homies on this side of the dis are more laid back.


if you didn't like the darkside with a toddler, totally understand and not an issue here.

with your kids being older now, your next visit will be a different story.


take advantage of the family child swap rooms.
your entire family can wait in there while you take turns doing the rides.

 

[bumbershoot]

Most people here are big fans of US/IOA and will tell you yes, it's worth it.

From what I've seen, that's not really true. People try to be realistic and specific.

For a big family trip with several kids that will have a blast, it's an easy decision to take the baby, because there are so many people having fun and lots of people to play with the baby.

In my family, with only one child, we wouldn't have gone when he was a baby, because when he was a baby we had NO idea we would love Universal.

In the OP's case, where there are 4 adults and 1 baby and no other children, it really depends on the group. Are they are OK splitting up if the little one is having scads of fun in Fievel's playground but 2 or 3 adults want to move along to ride something big? Is the baby easy-going enough to be taken through the ride lines to get to the rider switch area (at Universal families aren't split up before the ride, but right near the boarding area...this can be great, but it can also be hard on an easily-spooked kid)? etc. Are all the adults such big ride and Universal fans that any hardships caused by the baby-care will be easily overlooked?

The answers to those are what determine if it's worth it. And the answers are different for every group.

 

[RMulieri]

I am a HUGE Universal fan and will tell you that it depends on your priorities..Are you going for the adults or have a group of people that just happens to also have a toddler? It sounds like it, in that case it might be worth it if you are willing to take turns entertaining and sitting things out with the toddler.Now if you have a toddler and are planning on going just to take them or there is only the 3 of you going on a family vacation? then the answer would be NO..Universal parks are fantastic, but they are meant for older kids.
We are a family of 3, and we waited till she was 8 to take her.Even then, she was still scared of alot and too short for some of the height requirements.We had a blast though and are going back in a few weeks.

 

[damo]

It all depends on you and your child. If the trip is for the adults to ride as much as possible, then Universal is great because it has an excellent rider swap system where all parties wait in line together and then the one parent and child waits in the swap room right at the ride entrance and swaps as soon as the other parent gets off the ride and then the other parents ride. No double waiting in line and no separation of party like at WDW.

It may be a better time to go than waiting for your child to get a bit older because then they will want you to spend lots of time on the kiddie rides instead of the adult rides.

If you are going to Universal soley for the child's enjoyment, then there aren't a ton of rides for them but there is lots for them to do with playgrounds, etc.

 

[rachael95]

Thanks everyone! I think we'll hold off on Universal for a few years. DS is a sweetheart and as long as their are people to flirt with, he's great. He and I had to stand in a line at a funeral home for an hour a month ago and he didn't even start to get fidgety until after 45 minutes. He was just content to wave and smile at the others in line and look around while I bounced him. But if there isn't a ton for him to do, I'd rather us do something all of us can do. I don't get to visit my sister that often that I'd want us to split up and do different things. So beach day it sounds like!

Thank you all!

 

[bumbershoot]

But if there isn't a ton for him to do, I'd rather us do something all of us can do.

Well, before going that route, have you studied the UniversalOrlando website to SEE all there might be for him to do?

My point in thinking about the group as a whole is that when DS was 17 months and we went to Disneyland the first time, it would have been pretty boring if it had just been the 3 of us. But it wasn't just us; I went with my brother and his wife. With the use of rider swap we had a pretty decent day, as there was always someone new to entertain him and show him things and hang out with him. There was splitting up for rides, but then Disneyland doesn't really have play areas like Universal does.

Be sure you've really looked at the no-height-requirement things and the play areas at both parks, before making the decision. And fwiw, there's a difference between looking at Seuss books vs seeing the bright, fun colors, so don't discount Seuss.

And don't forget the Barney show at one of the parks. (my husband would say that I'm trying to torture you by mentioning that...)

 

[rachael95]

And don't forget the Barney show at one of the parks. (my husband would say that I'm trying to torture you by mentioning that...)

I think I might agree with your husband.

Actually, you do make some great points. I think I'll talk to my sister and see what she and her husband would like to do. Hadn't thought about ride swap just because DS is in that stage where if mommy goes out of site, tantrum follows until mommy comes back. Funnily enough, he doesn't do this when I drop him off at daycare or church nursery. But yeah, with other things/people to watch, he'd probably be perfectly happy sitting with someone else while I went on a ride.