Universal and Islands with young kids?

[rob_jen]

We have been to both of these parks 7 years ago. We have a 4 and 2 year old now and was wondering if there allot of rides/attractions for the kids at IOA and US?

How are the crowd levels the weekend before Thanksgiving?

 

[SNylund]

Yes there are, there is Suess Landing at IOA, pretty much totally for young children, its like living in a Dr. Suess book, there is going to be the re-tooled Flying Unicorn, which will now be part of Harry Potter's world, which is a kiddie coaster. There is Pteradon flyers at Jurassic Park which a parent can ride with a younger child. THere is also camp Jurassic which is a really cool kind of play ground area in JP.

Universal has a lot, ET, (not sure about 2 year old for some of these) there is Shrek 4-D great show, a whole kids area, Simpsons, and several other shows and things.

 

[Darcy03231]

We took my niece when she was 3.5 and she had a great time. She loved the Sinbad show at IOA! I think we saw it at least once every day we were there. She also had a great time in Suess' Landing.

In US she had a ball in the water park area and really liked the animal show.

I do have to say that the bulk of US/IOA is definitely geared toward older kids (we had 5 children with us, ages 16, 14, 12, 9 and 3.5). It was a good fit for us as the older kids really weren't interested in going to WDW.

 

[rob_jen]

We will be going to WDW for a few days before our cruise before returning back to Orlando for a few days so the kids will get there Disney fill as well.

Any hotel better to stay or should I look off site?

 

[SNylund]

We will be going to WDW for a few days before our cruise before returning back to Orlando for a few days so the kids will get there Disney fill as well.

Any hotel better to stay or should I look off site?

Yes if you can do it, definitely stay on site, the room key front of the line to all the rides access is worth it in and of itself, plus just being that close to everything is great. Plus the resorts are beautiful, at least as good if not better than the top of the line disney resorts on site.

The Royal Pacific is where we've been the last several trips, mainly because its the cheapest, but its very elegant, tropical theme, great pool, great theme. Typically around $150 a night. For over the top elegance and luxery there is the Portifino for approximately double the RP price give or take, awesome place if you don't mind spending the extra bucks. Just check out their website for video tours and stuff.

 

[Tizzy_Meliss]

We have been to both of these parks 7 years ago. We have a 4 and 2 year old now and was wondering if there allot of rides/attractions for the kids at IOA and US?

How are the crowd levels the weekend before Thanksgiving?

We go around Tday, the weekend before the crowds are light, especially during the week. Crowds pick up the day after Tday.

Our girls first went at ages 4 and 5 and they both had a blast. While there aren't too many rides geared towards the 2 year old, there are a lot of play areas where they will want to spend most of their time anyway. My DD's didn't want to leave Curious George/Seuss Landing/or Feivels play areas. Just bring a swimsuit.

Oh and they also have a great Barney show/play area for the 2 year old.

 

[circelli]

My boys were 4 and 2.5 when we went lasy year!!!
We are going again in 2 weeks!!! Your little ones will find lots of fun things to do in both parks. Suess Landing in IOA is a HUGE hit with our kids