Universal/IOA over Disney?

[poohluvr]

I'm taking my boys and my son's gf to Disney for a week in June. They are 17, 17, 13, and 9. So many people have told me to take them to Universal/IOA instead. Just about everyone I've talked to that have been to both say they will be bored with Disney. My kids are not real fans of rides, meaning the big, crazy rollercoasters and such. I figured that because Disney has more attractions than regular rides they would like it better. Plus my son who is graduating from HS is a huge animal lover, and he really wanted to see AK. I just feel really bad that everyone is telling me this. I really don't see how anyone could get bored with Disney! Please convince me I'm not making a mistake!

 

[baileybelle]

If your kids are into big rides go to Universal. If not do Disney. I've done all 6 parks numerous times and I never get bored at Disney. On our next trip in October we'll be doing only WDW because there's really nothing new at Universal. Universal doesn't have the "magic". It reminds me of just about every other amusement park I've gone to. Just my opinion.

 

[spiceycat]

I think it is your two oldest at 17 - most guys would rather do US/IOA than WDW at that age.

Your youngest will be happy with either place.

If you boys aren't into RR then WDW will be fine.

Ask them what they preferred.

oh don't worry most guys of that age know what US/IOA is and what WDW is - I think they will pick WDW.

if your oldest is into animals and if won't put a big burden on you - then I would suggest a day trip to Sw (seaworld).

 

[laceemouse]

IOA is almost all mega-coasters. We don't do big rides so we would HATE it! US does have lots of "ride the movies" stuff, but we are really not into most of the movies either. AK is great for animal lovers, and I also agree that SW is a fantastic day trip.

 

[Kimberly]

It's actually kind of funny, usually the first day whenever i'm in orlando, i usually go to islands of adventure, and then go to disney to "relax". I am a huge roller coaster nut, and the only thing that comes close to satisfying my need for spreed are in universal studios. Even the rockin' roller coaster is very tame for my tastes, but still a lot of fun.

I would stay at a disney hotel though, or something on the disney property, just because the service cannot be beat anywhere else in orlando, except perhaps at the ritz carlton. But that doesn't have the "disney flavor" to it.

Usually breaking up a vacation between Disney, Universal, and Sea World makes it a great one. If your son loves animals, he'll love Sea World too. If you are trying to save money, only buy disney tickets for half of the days you are going to be there, and reserve some days for universal and sea world.

 

[spiceycat]

Kimberly - have you stayed in a Universal Hotel - I got much better service there than WDW has ever given me.

We only stayed two days - but they learned my name and even better learned Spicey (my Cat) name!!! He had the best time!!!

besides the FOLE is a very nice treat!!!

 

[the kabuki]

How about doing Universal for 2 days, then disney the other day?
You really only need 1 day for IOA and 1 for US. That leaves 5 days for WDW. Even 3 or 4 days would be great for the parks

 

[F-L-A]

Universal doesn't have the "magic". It reminds me of just about every other amusement park I've gone to. Just my opinion

"Magic" & "Pixie Dust" aren't real. Disney is like every other major corporation that simply wants your money. For me personally, Universal supplies more fun. Fun is real and worth paying for.

BTW, if it reminds you of every other park you've been to, how does it not remind you of Disney?

IOA is almost all mega-coasters.

FYI, You should actually go somewhere before commenting on it's content. That couldn't possibly be more false. IOA has three coasters. Three. Out of over two dozen attractions.

 

[Figment22]

F-L-A,

Just let all the people who only want to do Disney and think that IOA is only coasters keep on thinking what they want to, then those of us who LOVE USF/IOA can still have the place to ourselves

 

[isla bonita]

No one knows your kids like you do. Disney is the magic you make it. I love it all IOA/US, WDW, SW, and yes BG. They all have something to enjoy. Go have a wonderful time and if it seems like a bust pop over to the other park and see if its any better. Have a great time what ever you choose.

 

[thepwa]

Now that Disney is making an attempt to get into the thrill rides, the gap is closing. Mission: Space is about as good as they come. But....

I go to both each year, and I love IOA for the rides, and I love Disney for the "magic".

Bottom line is: I go to Universal for the thrill rides, and Disney for the overall vacation/resort experince.

I can get IOA done in a morning. Disney takes days.

Hope that helps.

 

[powellrj]

my kids will be 9 and 14 and they really don't want to do disney this year. We spent a week last year at universal and IOA and only spent 1 day at disney. this year they really don't want to go back to disney at all but I have 2 days of park hoppers I want to use, and I still have my left over season pass from universal so we'll see where we end up.

 

[poohluvr]

Thanks everyone for your help. My 17 yo doesn't do rides period. My 13yo will do the relatively tame rides, and the little one is just getting into the big rides, so it sounds like Disney is the way to go. Maybe we can head over to US if it won't totally break my budget.

 

[dgaston]

I have APs for both Universal and WDW. I enjoy walking through the different areas of Universal. I get into their theming too. I love the Mummy ride, Terminator 2 3D, Shrek, and all the coasters at IOA. I like the discounts I get with my AP and have really loved staying at RPR, and the Hard Rock -- felt the service was outstanding at each hotel. It takes us a day each for Universal and IOA. My DS16 strongly prefers Universal.

 

[emmalgin]

Congratulations to the fact there are so many defenders of US/IOA..... For older kids I definitely think older kids get more a kick out of US/IOA.

One thing that I'd look at is the Flex Pack that includes Sea World, Busch Garden US/IOS and Wet n Wild.......

 

[MazdaUK]

I think it also depends a lot on the weather. The 3 wet rides in IOA are VERY wet (bilge-rat barges is a longer, better and wetter ride than Kali River Rapids), so you want to be there on a nice warm day. The younger ones will love Seuss Landing, Toon lagoon is fun for everyone.

We don't really do big rides, but we did enjoy the shows in US/IOA. We've said that if we go back when the kids are older we'll spend a couple of days in a Universal hotel (for the express pass where you just walk in, and because there is a lot of evening stuff/concerts which older teens will enjoy) before going on to Disney hotel/parks for the rest of the time.

In case it makes a difference - Belz is nearer Universal, Premium outlets is closer to WDW

 

[the kabuki]

I think it also depends a lot on the weather. The 3 wet rides in IOA are VERY wet (bilge-rat barges is a longer, better and wetter ride than Kali River Rapids), so you want to be there on a nice warm day. The younger ones will love Seuss Landing, Toon lagoon is fun for everyone.

We don't really do big rides, but we did enjoy the shows in US/IOA. We've said that if we go back when the kids are older we'll spend a couple of days in a Universal hotel (for the express pass where you just walk in, and because there is a lot of evening stuff/concerts which older teens will enjoy) before going on to Disney hotel/parks for the rest of the time.

In case it makes a difference - Belz is nearer Universal, Premium outlets is closer to WDW

I second the weather. You definetly want to go when it's warmer. Lots of places/rides to get soaked. The kids have a Curious George area where a bathing suit will come in handy. Above the bridge on the bilger rat barges, they large squirt guns that you can use to shoot down on people in the ride.Kids got a kick out that.

 

[JessicaR]

IOA is almost all mega-coasters. We don't do big rides so we would HATE it! US does have lots of "ride the movies" stuff, but we are really not into most of the movies either. AK is great for animal lovers, and I also agree that SW is a fantastic day trip.

IOA is almost all mega-coasters??? Thats totally not true! Statements like that can really put a bad twist on a great thing.

It sounds to me like the OP has his/her heart set on Disney and it really doesnt matter what the kids want. The kids will have fun no matter what...its a vacation!

My kids love Universal parks and pick them over Disney.

 

[MazdaUK]

Of the two parks, IOA has the concentration of big rides (Duelling Dragons and Hulk, plus Dr Doom and Jurassic Park ride) but there is still stuff for the smaller ones - the shows are very good.

But if you don't do big rides you may struggle to find enough to do, unless the queues are very long - we had a 3-day ticket, and did most of it in 2. Went back for our 3rd day to "mop up", but it was good Friday and the lines were soooooo long (and express passes so far ahead) that we left without doing Spiderman (1 3/4 hour line) and did't go on Cat in the Hat again (next express pass 4 hours time). If the lines had been short we still would have been repeating ourselves -not necessarily bad of course.

We'd definitely go back, but I would'nt revolve a whole holiday around US/IOA

 

[poohluvr]

It sounds to me like the OP has his/her heart set on Disney and it really doesnt matter what the kids want. The kids will have fun no matter what...its a vacation!
Ummm.....excuse me??? I'm highly offended by your comment! If I didn't care what my kids wanted I wouldn't have started this in the first place! I haven't been to Disney in years, and I've never been to US so I was just trying to find out what the difference was. Just knowing that my kids are not that big on thrill rides, I think they'd enjoy Disney more. Believe me if I had my way on where to go, I'd be booking a trip to Hawaii. You don't know me so how dare you assume that I'd choose what I want over what my kids want!!