Universal newbie with questions

[DisneyBabies]

My DH is going to take our son to Universal for one day during our October trip while DD and I do Disney and we have some questions since we have never been to Universal.

DS will be 11 at the time of the trip. He prefers rides like Goofy's Barnstormer and Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road and refuses to ride Everest or Rockin Roller Coaster (like his dad, he won't go on anything that goes upside down). His biggest "must-do" is Harry Potter.

Am I correct in thinking that Forbidden Journey, Hippogriff and Escape from Gringotts will be ok for him?

And to do all of those and ride the Hogwarts Express, they need park-to-park tickets?

Beyond Harry Potter, what would be a few other rides he may be ok with? Or will Harry Potter take up all day?

Thanks so much for your time!

 

[lazer]

And to do all of those and ride the Hogwarts Express, they need park-to-park tickets? Beyond Harry Potter, what would be a few other rides he may be ok with? Or will Harry Potter take up all day? Thanks so much for your time!

Yes, they'll need park to park.

You could definitely spend all day at HP stuff, and then explore outside those areas if they have time. The other rides that might interest him (that don't go upside down) will probably be the rides with 3d elements (Spider-Man, Men In Black, etc). Mummy is pretty rad, but dark and again has some elements that might be scary. Does he like Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom? They aren't similar in many ways, but I've seen people compare the darkness/surprise factor.

I'd say he'd be fine on Gringotts and Hippogrif for sure. Forbidden Journey is more intense, with some scenes kids might be afraid of. There's a lot of info on this board about it. My kids are younger, so they aren't tall enough for FJ yet.

 

[nighttowll]

Unless he's big into shopping, I don't think it will take all day to do the three non-coaster rides in the HP section and walk around a bit. You could have lunch there, see Olivanders, maybe catch one of the small skits, and play with the interactive wands, and you should still have some time left over if you stay all day at Universal.

I'd start with looking at MIB, Spiderman, Transformers, Despicable Me, and Shrek as far as the none HP rides go. If it is still hot in Oct., the water rides are very good, but about the equivalent of jumping in a pool with your clothes on, so keep that in mind.

If you are familiar with Disney rides the below link may help.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3278370


It is a comparison of Universal to Disney rides by type with descriptions out beside the rides. A lot of people have the misconception that Universal is all coasters, but honestly, it doesn’t really have any more than Disney does. This is why I’m thinking the list my help you. You can see which rides are the same or similar to ones you may have already done before and liked. For instance, like Mad Tea Party, but it seems too childish or girly to a tween boy? Universal has the same ride only with X-men theming.

 

[DisneyBabies]

Thank you so much for your help! I'll take a look at the list and make a copy for DH to take with them when they go.

DS is really into HP right now, so I imagine he will want to inspect every inch of the HP areas which is why I think he can make a whole day of just that.

But with my luck, he'll surprise me and only take a few hours, so I want to make sure we have a back-up plan ready just in case.

Thanks again for your help!

PS Are there meet and greets like at Disney?

 

[pixeegrl]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you said you are going in October. Keep in mind that Universal Studios side will close early in preparation for Halloween Horror Nights.

 

[DisneyBabies]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you said you are going in October. Keep in mind that Universal Studios side will close early in preparation for Halloween Horror Nights.

Thanks so much! I honestly didn't even think of that. It isn't really a big deal for us though since they will have to leave early so we can go to MNSSHP that night

 

[vicky33006]

My DS (8) is a Harry Potter obsessed ride chicken. He likes Big Thunder in Disney but hated Space Mountain. I can't get him to try Everest. He loves rides... Just the tame ones. Haha. So take all of that into consideration with what I tell you.

My DS HATED Forbidden Journey. I even bought the picture because his scared little face was priceless. It was wayyy too much for him. For that reason he doesn't want to Gringott's. I'm still trying to convince him though. He also did not like Spider-Man. It was just a bit too intense for him. He didn't ride anything else after that. Too traumatized I guess. Haha. But the thing is out Universal day was still his favorite day of the vacation. He LOVED the HP area so so much. There was still a ton for us to do and that was before the new addition. The theming is incredible. He's really looking forward to the interactive wands on this trip. So we may be paying a ridiculous amount of money for both parks not to ride a single ride. But that's ok. He loves HP so much that it's worth it. I hope your DS has a blast!

 

[Planogirl]

Your son might get a kick out of Terminator 3d even if he isn't familiar with the franchise. Giant robots that shoot - what's not to love? It does get foggy at one point but if he is OK with that then this attraction is a great place to rest and see a decent show at the same time.

 

[johde]

I will say, you're looking at a pretty full day. USF & IOA & MNSSHP @ MK. I was going to agree with the other poster, I would go on Gringotts before going on Forbidden Journey. Given what your sons done at Disney, He should have no trouble with Gringotts. Forbidden Journey is a slow moving ride but the ride vehicle is a Kuka arm like Sum of All Thrills at Disney. It doesn't go clear upside down but you do move side to side and flip onto you back in a couple of places.

 

[lazer]

There are meet and greets. We didn't look for any schedule, just saw them hanging out and got pics taken. That was in October. Hardly any lines (except for Sponge Bob) for meeting characters and saw a lot just out and about!

 

[Momw/aplan]

You should also look into Woody Woodpecker's Nut House Coaster; it is very much in line with Goofy' Barnstormer. It's tucked in near the Curious George play land in Studios. The play land itself is pretty cool, too. I know it's really meant for younger kids, but my 11 and 14 yo had a blast running around in there our last trip. It was a nice relaxing change of pace from the rest of the thrills of the day.

And don't discount the Dr. Seuss land either. My kids, husband, and I all enjoy the High In The Sky Trolley Ride as well as the Cat in The Hat. High in the Sky goes just fast enough to not be boring, and the view up there is amazing.

 

[DisneyBabies]

Thanks so much for the info everyone! These are great tips.

From what I've seen from the pictures, he's going to go crazy over all the detail in the HP area and that may be enough for him to spend hours in that area. But I'm an over-planner, so I've got to have Plan B in place just in case

They won't spend all day at US & IOA since DS will need a nap before MNSSHP. It's really just something special for him to do while DD and I go to BBB and the tea party. Oh, and he won't know he's going until he gets there

And what are the interactive wands?

Thanks again for all the help and suggestions!