Universal/Hogwarts with a 3 year old?

[cleverclovers]

Ok. So I'm thinking way into the future. But rising prices, lower quality, FP+, etc. have pretty much soured me on returning to WDW. I am not one of the privileged people who can go to Orlando every year. Once every 5 years is about my limit, with careful financial planning. My question is, by the time I can afford to go again I should have a 3 year old grandchild (FINALLY! Due in April). How much is there to do and ride that a 3 year old can enjoy? I've never been to Universal so I really am just beginning to look into the possibilities. Thanks to everyone in advance for any advice you can give me.

 

[damo]

We just had a two year old with us last visit and there was definitely enough to keep him happy. He especially loved the playgrounds.

 

[lazer]

My two year old had a blast the entire week we were there. Especially loved Hogwarts Express, the playgrounds, the Barney show, and meeting all the characters. He also just loved watching the Hulk roller coaster go by.

 

[FargoBear]

I took my son when he was under 40 inches and then when he was over 40 inches, and we had a ton more fun when he hit the 40-inch mark. A fair number of rides open up at that point: Despicable Me, Spiderman, Transformers, Seuss Trolly (used to be lower than 40), Simpsons, etc. ... If he's 42 then that opens up Jurassic Park and Bilge River Rats/Popeye ride (which, as it turns out, was the most fun we had in the parks our entire vacation together).

And no matter the height, there are things like splash pads and character meets, things like that. Time spent as a family is the important thing.

 

[schumigirl]

Have a look at Universalorlando.com website.

It has maps of both parks and info on what rides and shows that are there now, and you can see for yourself everything the parks have to offer for little ones.

Of course it may have changed a bit by the time you go, but you'll get an idea.

 

[mrsabbott]

My son was 2 when we went and he had a blast! Lots for him to do and the child swap option on rides was great!

 

[cleverclovers]

Thank you everyone!

 

[Terra Nova guy]

You should find some things to keep a toddler busy - the Woody Woodpecker Fun Zone in USF and the Suess Landing area in IOA. However, keep in mind that you may not find enough to keep a toddler busy for more than a few hours. When my daughter was 3 she loved Seuss Landing, but after a couple hours it got got old. It was difficult to spend the entire day there, which we tried to do by my wife and I taking turns with our 3 year old and our 11 year old, who obviously could find more to do and wanted a full day in the park.

 

[RMulieri]

there are play areas, but if you are looking for a lot of toddler-friendly rides for kids under 40" ( like Disney) , there really aren't that many. Once they hit the magical 40" in height,a few more rides open up to them, but it will depend in how timid they are..Universal rides are loud, in your face and can be scary to kids..We brought our DD for the first time at age 8 and she didn't ride a lot because she was either 1) too scared or 2) too short ( she is a tiny little thing)

 

[bumbershoot]

If the adults want to go, then you can find things for a 3 year old to do.

If you're trying to gear the park days around the 3 year old, IMO that's a mistake.

And it's nice to have the child be earthside and grow a bit so everyone knows what sort of 3 year old it is, before deciding on themepark trips.





I also, with a background as a daughter in law with a difficult relationship with her mother in law (first time I met her she tried to make me cry the whole evening...she's a joy), hope you're not overwhelming your adult child and his/her spouse with these expectations for a trip with a grandchild who hasn't even been born yet. With my own personal background, I'm twitching a little bit thinking about it! (and I'm not saying you're like my MIL, I'm just saying that with my background that is what is happening in my head)

It's lovely that it sounds like you want to take them, that's nice (my MIL won't even pay the $40 a month for the blood pressure medication that has literally gotten her out of the hospital twice and expects us to pay for it if we want her to take it), and definitely go ahead and start saving up...but 3 years from April-ish is a long long time and many things can happen. (in fact, go ahead and decide that baby will arrive in May, so there's no pressure being put on its mom...be a rockstar in that way!)

 

[cleverclovers]

If the adults want to go, then you can find things for a 3 year old to do.

If you're trying to gear the park days around the 3 year old, IMO that's a mistake.

And it's nice to have the child be earthside and grow a bit so everyone knows what sort of 3 year old it is, before deciding on themepark trips.





I also, with a background as a daughter in law with a difficult relationship with her mother in law (first time I met her she tried to make me cry the whole evening...she's a joy), hope you're not overwhelming your adult child and his/her spouse with these expectations for a trip with a grandchild who hasn't even been born yet. With my own personal background, I'm twitching a little bit thinking about it! (and I'm not saying you're like my MIL, I'm just saying that with my background that is what is happening in my head)

It's lovely that it sounds like you want to take them, that's nice (my MIL won't even pay the $40 a month for the blood pressure medication that has literally gotten her out of the hospital twice and expects us to pay for it if we want her to take it), and definitely go ahead and start saving up...but 3 years from April-ish is a long long time and many things can happen. (in fact, go ahead and decide that baby will arrive in May, so there's no pressure being put on its mom...be a rockstar in that way!)

Whoa! Calm down! I think I stated that it was a long time out. Just speculating at this time. My daughter is a HUGE HP fan. Son-in-law, daughter, niece (nephew's oldest), and myself did WDW in 2013. It was OK but nothing outstanding. (Have been there several times before). And with all the FP+, etc. of WDW I am looking for a calmer, more enjoyable alternative.

 

[Keeblerelf928]

I'm due in April, though tbh, baby girl will come when she wants to and I'm hoping for a trip for my husband, I and her hopefully in Dec/Jan. We'll put it out to family (when we decide our exact plans in the next 10 months or so) that here's the dates, here's where were staying, here are the flights we plan on taking if you want to come, we'll be glad to see you.

Baby is coming along, but it's a trip for my husband and I for the most part. She'll be 8-10 months depending on when we decide to go and I'm sure she'll have fun spending time with Mom and Dad

I think taking a three year old to the parks is really up to each persons style of vacation. Typically when we go away even when it's been just the two of us, we take it pretty slow and laid back and don't overly plan. Most days we were tired of being in the parks after 6 hours or so and wanted to relax in our room and do other stuff later so I really don't see much changing with a baby in hand. If your style is more the commando style all day/all night parks with park hopping, a three year old might not be a whole lot of fun to have around.

Personally I wouldn't "plan" a trip this far in advance as a lot can change in 3 years. Even our trip next year is in the "I want to go back next year" phase. I probably won't even book a trip to Universal until a month or two before we plan on going.

I would like to say, my lack of planning is probably why Disney is leaving such a sour taste in my mouth. I don't like to overplan my vacations. It's a vacation so I can relax. And universal, at least in my experience (3 trips over 4 years), I can do little to no planning. I might make my evening dinner reservations the morning of... but even that isn't a guarantee :-D

I'd say look at your options and bring it up to your son and daughter in law to see what they think but don't make concrete plans until your closer to when you actually want to go as a lot can change.

 

[Sparkly]

Honestly, hit MK at rope drop, knocking Fantasyland out by lunchtime and not really needing FPs would be better.(or make FPs for after lunch for Jungle Cruise etc) It's far more suited to small children then Universal is.

There's the Kidzone at Universal though, has nice big play areas, kid coaster. Might be good for a couple of hours or a morning. Seuss Landing (that's in IOA!) is very cute too! Two rides (not sure if the trolley has a height requirement actually?) plus what I think is a play area but not sure.

Harry Potter might be more appreciated when he's familar with the world and setting- but it's well worth a visit for the grown ups! I forsee several days exploring Diagon Alley for us!

On the whole Universal's more big kid oriented- and as somebody else has pointed out, has a lot of height restrictions whereas Disney has smaller rides and dark ride types everyone can go on. Not sure if the no movement area of Despicable Me still has the height requirement? I'm afraid I'm not very helpful on that front- no experience with restrictions as I was over 48 inches by our first trip!

 

[lazer]

Honestly, hit MK at rope drop, knocking Fantasyland out by lunchtime and not really needing FPs would be better.(or make FPs for after lunch for Jungle Cruise etc) It's far more suited to small children then Universal is. There's the Kidzone at Universal though, has nice big play areas, kid coaster. Might be good for a couple of hours or a morning. Seuss Landing (that's in IOA!) is very cute too! Two rides (not sure if the trolley has a height requirement actually?) plus what I think is a play area but not sure. Harry Potter might be more appreciated when he's familar with the world and setting- but it's well worth a visit for the grown ups! I forsee several days exploring Diagon Alley for us! On the whole Universal's more big kid oriented- and as somebody else has pointed out, has a lot of height restrictions whereas Disney has smaller rides and dark ride types everyone can go on. Not sure if the no movement area of Despicable Me still has the height requirement? I'm afraid I'm not very helpful on that front- no experience with restrictions as I was over 48 inches by our first trip!

There is a height requirement on the Dr. Suess Trolley and The Cat at the Hat ride. My two and a half year old was not tall enough for either. No height requirement for Despicable Me's stationary seats.