Universal for younger kids?

[My2Angels]

We are planning for November 2008 with our extended family. My parents want to see Universal. Our children will be 7, 6, and 4. Will there really be enough to interest them worth giving up one of our Disney days?

 

[5mins2disney]

We're in the same boat...and our decision so far has been "no". We opted to visit SeaWorld instead our last 2 trips. Our kids are 4 and 8 now, the problem is the height requirements for most of the "big" rides in these parks. We're thinking of going there when our kids are a little bit older.

 

[KayR]

I think it depends on your family and what they like to do. We go and our DS is 7 and our DD 2. Universal is two parks; Universal Islands of Adventure (IOA) and Universal Studios (US) and their shopping area (Citywalk)

My DS (7) has been going to Universal for a while. He loves roller coasters etc and is tall (48") so has been able to do enough of the rides for him to enjoy. He loved the Mummy ride in US. Most of the rides / shows at US are OK for all ages - DD went on jaws when she was 5 weeks old!

IOA has the Dr Seuss area which has several rides just for kids, additionally they have a unicorn roller coaster (36" up) do my DD (2) can ride it - if she wanted to . There is also a pteranadon (sp?) flyers which can be done at 36" tall.

For the older kids, Spiderman is great - but can be scary. Two water rides (Blutos & Popeyes) are great - but you WILL get soaked. There are more, but I can't remember them all now.

US has more shows and is more younger crowd friendly, but we as a family can enjoy both parks. DH gets to have his roller coaster fix at IOA. DD loves Barney at US DS doesn't care as long as he gets to ride the coasters.

Both parks have play areas for kids to climb and get wet in.

My favorite ride is Men in Black at US - similar concept to Buzz Lightyear at MK

New this year - blue man group have a stage at Citiwalk - they are awesome.

Check out Universal's website for good deals on passes. You need at least 2 days to do Universal properly.

Oh. Universal also do a baby swap thing should you need/want it.

We also like Seaworld - great shows, neat animals and I believe that they have doubled the number of rides in the kiddie area (Shamu's Happy Harbor). Again, lots of places for the kids to get wet. Seaworld is becoming a 1.5 - 2 day trip to experience fully.

Hope that helps.

--Kay

 

[Mainebound]

I am a big fan of bringing young kids to Universal parks. We started bringing our when they were 2 and 4 and have every year since. Now, we have longer trips -- usually at least 10 days -- so we are not "giving up" any days at WDW parks. However, IMHO, Universal parks are just as good -- in a different way-- as WDW parks, and if you compare MGM head to head with Universal Studios, the latter is better.

We do NOT ride rollercoasters, we do NOT do thrill rides. Yet we love these parks, and our boys get to do rides with themes that really appeal to them, like Barney, Shrek, Jimmy Neutron, Spiderman, Men in Black, Rugrats, Dr. Seuss, etc. For our boys, these characters and films are just as important than Disney films.

For more discussion, you might want to ask this on the Universal board where many folks bring younger kids.

For us (maybe because we are not trying to get on the rollercoasters) Universal parks are much more relaxed and less crowded, hot and hectic than WDW parks. Our Universal days are often the best of our vacation.

Best of luck planning your trip!

 

[DIZNUT57]

We went in April with our 4yo and 12 yo boys. Our 4yo absolutely loved US and IOA. He is still talking about it this day and about 2-3 times a week he will get the pictures of our trip out and look at them. There is plenty to do for the kids.Our 4yo could ride everything except the rollercoasters. With Spidey,Dr. Suess,Shrek and all of the other characters it is great for kids.

 

[isla bonita]

We all loved US/IOA. Our age range was 4-65. My 4YO is not very daring and we had a lot of things to do. Lots of fum, great food, rides and shows. We can not wait to go back.

 

[mx3man123]

It all depends on how daring your kids are. If they are really daring then ya they will love Universal. IOA is mostly coasters. Another alternative would be Seaworld, great park.

 

[calgarygary]

It all depends on how daring your kids are. If they are really daring then ya they will love Universal. IOA is mostly coasters. Another alternative would be Seaworld, great park.

IOA is mainly coasters? Yes, IOA has the Hulk & Duelling dragons and kiddie coasters Flying Unicorn and Pteranodon Flyers but it also has the following specifically for young children: Cat in the Hat, High in the Sky Seuss Trolley, Caro-Seussal, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, If I Ran the Zoo, Me Ship the Olive, & Camp Jurassic. Over at Universal Studios - Shrek 4d, Jimmy Neutron, Animal Actors on Location, ET, A Day in the Park with Barney, Curious George goes to town, Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster, & Fievel's Playground will all appeal to most in the younger age groups. For older children or the more adventurous there is the rest of the US/IOA attractions. WDW has more coasters than US/IOA but somehow, universal gets labelled as being mainly coasters.

 

[minniebeth]

My younger ones enjoyed the shows at Universal as well. I'm not sure if they are still running, but there was an Animal Planet Live show that showed how Hollywood trainers trained animals for shows/movies and a Beetlejuice rock show that my kids both really enjoyed! Those two events can take up a chunk of your day right there. My 4yo could have riden ET and Woody Woodpecker rollercoaster all day. I think there is enough at both IOA and Universal for the little ones. We really enjoyed it since there was enough for all the ages of kids in our family (little to older and more adventurous).
The characters were fun as well!
I would say thumbs up, but definately read or post on the Universal Boards. They helped me plan my trip where we had a great time!

 

[KLAIT]

I would say definately a day at Universal. As posted earlier, there is lots of stuff for kids to do. Actually my kids choose an additional day at Universal and to skip the Animal Kingdom.