Universal for Kids?????

[ebloom]

Let me know what you think. I am planning another trip to Florida, but we have never done Universal. My boys are 5 and 7. The 7 year old is VERY tall for his age and a total thrill seeker. The little one doesn't seem to like anything that moves faster than Dumbo. The Barnstormer at MK was not at all to his liking and he let everyone know it. I tend to take more after the older one, but don't "need" to do the rides for myself. My husband is like our younger one and has no desire to get the thrill. Is Universal for us and if so which one? Is there enough "other stuff" beyond the thrill rides for the two "scaredy cats"? Thanks for the help.

 

[ckay87]

Yes!!! I'm gonna post this statement and then run and hide, but I think in a LOT of ways, Universal is better than Disney for little kids. What Disney lacks is all opportunity for free play. At WDW, you have full days of wait-ride-wait-ride-wait, etc. Universal has a health dose of run and play opportunities, including
Curious George land, which is very very wet, but includes this "ball factory" thing which is crazy fun for kids (it's hidden in the back...find it!)
Jurrasic Park, another large play area
Me Ship, Olive, a boat the kids can run around on (my kid loved this thing)
Several funny fountains

IOA has lots of rides for the little ones, including Suess Landing. But over at US, your kids will ride just about everything, I think. There are some scary-feeling things, but no surprises, it's all common sense. Is your kid going to be scared by a tornado? Avoid Twister, for example.

Our first visit to Universal was a side trip during our first Disney visit when my boys were 5 and 8. And I'd go so far as to say they preferred it to WDW.

We're just back, I just adore the place!

 

[Tizzy_Meliss]

Yes!!!

My daughters loved Universal, if Snow White was at Universal they probably would never need to do Disney again. I would do both parks. Like ckay87 said there are lots of free play areas for children who are afraid to ride like to go, plus shows for them too. Suess Landing is great for little ones, nothing scarey in there. I was also able to get my little scaredy cat on Shrek because we are big fans, which gave her confidence to try other rides like Jimmy Neutron and Men In Black. My girls cannot wait to go back this fall, and can't wait to try the Simpsons.

 

[macraven]

check out some of the threads on the past pages.
lots of info about universal with littles for what to do at universal...

now who doesn't like Barney......you'll find him at UO

animal planet, ET, characters, etc
lots for kids to do at universal.


read some of the trip reports of families with young children and what they did.
a recent poster over there went to UO after disney trips in the past and fell in love with the park.
if i remember correctly, she had a child about 2 years old.

 

[macraven]

here is the link of cadillac dreamgirl's trip with a 2 year old.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1849606

 

[reelmom]

We took our two boys for the first time when they were 3 and 4. They loved it for all the reasons stated in the other posts. My boys would rather go to Universal than Disney.

 

[LilMommyBug]

We just went last month with our 6 & 4 year old and they loved it. Not only did they enjoy the rides, but they loved the Seuss playground & the Curious George play area - both of which are water areas!

 

[ebloom]

Thanks for your help, I think you all have inspired me to split my stay at RPR and Disney Beach. I will have to talk it over with the hubby, but he likes that I do the planning and he just gets to relax and enjoy the vacation. He thinks I am slightly obsessed. Quite Possibly! Any ideas on how to do the transfers from airport to RPR or on to Disney. I looked a MEARS and that gets pricey for the 6 of us, but I am not too sure about renting a car. Any more help would be appreciated, you have been great.

 

[macraven]

Thanks for your help, I think you all have inspired me to split my stay at RPR and Disney Beach. I will have to talk it over with the hubby, but he likes that I do the planning and he just gets to relax and enjoy the vacation. He thinks I am slightly obsessed. Quite Possibly! Any ideas on how to do the transfers from airport to RPR or on to Disney. I looked a MEARS and that gets pricey for the 6 of us, but I am not too sure about renting a car. Any more help would be appreciated, you have been great.

if you planned to stay at rph, you would have to book 2 rooms if you have a party of 6. room limits are 5 per room. yes, that is counting littles also

 

[ebloom]

We will have two rooms as it will be my parents and then our family of 4. I think if we stayed in a suite together (no matter how big it was) that would be just too much together time.