Universal for younger kids

[marcgiu]

What are the UK visitors thoughts on Universal?
I have a 5 year old and a 9 year old and we always just do Disney and SeaWorld.

Is Universal really worth the £400 or so I would spend - especially for the 5 year old. They love Superheroes but aren't really into Harry Potter. Really appreciate any advice

 

[dixonsontour]

My DD enjoyed it age 5 last october. But we just did universal and seaworld that holiday. Her favourite was the suess landing area. She made the height on hp ride but didn't want to go on in the end (it broke down on our first try and put her off)

 

[darthtatty]

it really depends on how tall your child is.
Universals height restrictions are higher than Disney.
We went when our son was nearly 5 and found- height wsie, he really couldnt do much at IOA. There was more to do at universal studios though but we didnt think it was worth it.

 

[Sabby52]

I have to admit my 2 boys both preferred Universal to Disney, they loved every part of it. Last year they were 3 and 13, the 3 year old had just made the height for most of the smaller rides and the simulators, so I am hoping next year, bar all the big rollercoasters he will be tall enough for them all. Both my boys are big Harry Potter fans and my youngest loves all super heroes. I suppose it really depends on what they are into but in my opinion Universal is well worth the money. Next year we will probably spend more time at Universal than we do Disney

 

[T1gger]

There is tons to do at Universal apart from the big coasters - loads to do as a family, plus there are areas aimed at younger ones like Woody Woodpecker Kidzone which we didn't explore fully

Seuss Landing is fantastic and probably my fave area(WWOHP wasn't open then so that will most likely change ) - DD6 could have spent all day there alone! She rode most things there multiple times and DD11 quite liked it (after the coasters obviously!) and the adults all quite enjoyed it as a break from the big rides

We met Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, Scooby Doo & Shaggy in the Mystery Machine, Dora, Spongebob & random Madagascar peeps without even trying!

The Simpsons ride remains my all time favourite ride anywhere! Other rides we (and especially my 6yo) loved ET, Spiderman, Jurassic Park ride, Dudley Do-right Ripsaw Falls and there were more we went on that we enjoyed

The other bonus is that you can walk between the parks so if you decide IOA hasn't enough for you after half a day then you can just walk across to US

It is a different experience to Disney which is quite nice to have for a couple of days

 

[dixonsontour]

I'd forgotton about the woody woodpecker play area - DD spent ages in there - took her uv water suit and water shoes.

Maybe think of doing universal instead of seaworld for a change.

 

[Davscotcar]

Last time we went DD was 7 and DS was 4 and the kids i think preferred Sea World although there was plenty they could do at US/IOA, we didn't spend lots of time at Universal due to the thunderstorms at that time but there are certainly rides we missed out on.

Going back next year after a gap, DD will be 13, DS 10 and both are huge HP and Simpsons fans those were not available in 2007, so we are looking to make more use of these parks and probably drop Sea World from the plans as we have most of SW shows on video camera and both kids don't seemed to fussed about watching them anymore.

 

[marcgiu]

Thanks for all of the tips - my youngest saw an advert last night promoting the Spiderman ride so I now have no choice but to go

Sounds like loads to do anyway- well just make sure we get our Moneys worth.

 

[wideeyes]

I took my daughter when she was 6 and she wasn't that keen on it as she didn't know the films etc and found most the rides scary, however I think there is stuff for most 5 year olds to enjoy. My daughter just finds lots of stuff scary even stuff I would view as tame.

We are going back next year and she will be 11 and can't wait to go on the bigger rides.

 

[flortlebap]

If your youngest enjoys thrill rides and is over 42", I say go for it. My 5 year old twins love it!