Universal for little ones?

[hulagirl]

Hi all,
I have never been to Universal Studios before but I'm intrigued. Are there things for a 3 and 4 year old to enjoy or should we wait until they are a bit older (I also have an 8 year old - all boys!) My 4 year old loves rollercoasters We will be there in early July doing the Disney thing but could incorporate some time at Sea World and Universal. Do you think it's a good idea?

 

[zaxmom]

I have 2 boys ages 2 and 4 and they love Universal. We have been twice and are planning our 3rd. visit. My 2 year old is big enough for the Woody Woodpecker and Unicorn roller coasters and we could do that all day. There is quite a bit for them to do there. Both parks have lots of playground areas and water fun if you go when it is warm. I guess a lot of it depends on how tall they are. You can check all the height requirements at the Universal Escape website. I think my boys are more excited about going back to Universal than to Disney.

 

[USO2003]

Some one needs to make this a Important Question, it's asked almost everyday. You might check out so of the other threads because this is very common question.

Universal has a lot of kid rides and areas created for the youngsters at both parks.

USF: KidsZone is targeted just at kids inside KidZone you have Animal Planet live all kids love animals. E.T., Curious George Goes To Town, which is a water type playground. Fievel's Playland, another playground with a kid coaster and water slide. A Day In The Park With Barney, a kid show with the kids favorite purple dinosaur.

Outside Kidzone you have Nickelodeon Studios, where all kids go to get slimed and be on tv or on Slime Time Live. Men In Black is a sort of kiddy ride as is Back to the Future.

I guess you would have to use your best judgment for the rest of the rides.

IOA: Gets a rep as a Teenage park and I don't know why most of the park is more for little kids then Teenagers.

Suess Landing is a one big huge playground for kids with rides like, The Cat in the Hat, The Caro-sel-suess, 1 fish, 2 fish, blue fish, red fish and If I ran the zoo.

The lost continent has a kid coaster The Flying Unicorn.

Jurassic Park: This Island is a kid area, I am not too sure about the River Adventure that 85-Foot drop scares me but I force myself on it. You your best judgment on that ride as well, all kids love dinosaurs so they might like seeing them. Triceratops Encounter is where kids can see a life size Triceratops they can even pet it. Camp Jurassic is another kid playground. Pteranodon Flyers is an exclusive kid ride, if you are taller then 56 and don't have a kid guess what your not going on. The Discovery Center is another indoor kid interactive area where they can actually see a baby raptor hatch.

Toon Lagoon: Has kid shows with characters like Popeye, A kid interactive playground at Popeye's Ship. Then has 2 rides Ripsaw Falls I never have been on so can't say, Then Popeye and Bluto's Bilage-Rat Barges which any kid would love.

Mavel Super Hero Island: Spider-Man and The Storm Force Acceletron would be all I would recommend.

So there is plenty of things for little kids to enjoy, use your best judgment and you'll be ok.

 

[YenSid1222]

I wouldn't take all that too seriously...Back to the Future I would say is definately not a ride for young children, nor is Men In Black. Of course, this is all dependant on the individual children. Both of the afore mentioned rides take place at times in total darkness with loud noises and lots of turbulant actions. This is often too much for children.

Really, the best advise I can say is that all rides have a program where one parent stays with the child, while the other rides. If you have any doubts, do this first, make the judgement for your children, and go from there. That is really the best plan...and there is still LOTS for the entire family to do.

The same type of thing goes at IOA...The Amazing Adventures of Spider-man is an amazing ride, but often FAR too intense for young children.

I think that you will still have a great time no matter how you plan it.

 

[USO2003]

Originally posted by YenSid1222
I wouldn't take all that too seriously...

That's why I said "use your best judgment and you'll be ok." I have see kids who were 4 and 5 on BTTF. It's up the parents to know what their kid will react to.

www.orlandorocks.com www.usf.i8.com www.ioacentral.com

These sites have some of the best information on the parks. You might want to read about the rides to know more about what they are like.

 

[hulagirl]

Thank you all so much for the replies. I really appreciate it. USO2003 I will take a look at those links - thank you for posting them. I think that will help me make an informed decision about what my kids will be able to handle.