Universal Newbie

[Bichon Barb]

We're planning a trip to Orlando for 2/12/03 to 2/19/03. The boys (7 and 9) don't know. I'm thinking either MGM or Universal. I'm sure the 9 year old would be devastated if we didn't go to Universal -- he's a big Nick fan.

HELP! We've never been to Universal. Any ride recommendations for their ages? We'll probably go from opening time until late afternoon. Any lunch recommendations? Any recommendations on discount tickets?

Also, grandparents will visit us for a couple of nights which means mom and dad have a babysitter for a night out. Should we head to Citywalk for dinner?

Sorry this is long. Hey did I mention ...

 

[Bchamp]

Your boys will love it all, well maybe not the Barney show, but should love just about everything else, and how extremely lucky for you that you have grandma and grandpa coming so you and your hubby can have some alone time!!
If my hubby and I had a sitter, I am sure we have dinner somewhere at citywalk and then just go bar-hopping there too. It is so awesome, the whole atmosphere says "great time"
Have a wonderful trip.

 

[nhrenee]

Your boys will have a blast at Universal. They will love Men In Black. If you're in the back of the park soon after opening sometimes the "MIB" guys come by in their car and interact with the crowd. It's very funny. The Wild Wild West show is full of very corny jokes and some fun stunts. Terminator 2 3-D might be too intense for your 7 year old (it's really loud at the beginning) but you have to go by how well your kids tolerate that kind of thing. It's a very cool show/attraction. Earthquake made my 7 year old very upset but she liked T2-3D, so you never know. The Gory, Gruesome make up show isn't very much of either but it is corny funny, not scary.

If it's warm enough, plan on spending a lot of time at the Woody Woodpecker kidzone. Bring swimsuits and towels (as well as water shoes). Don't miss the dry ball area in back of the wet area. It's really fun! We're always in WWkzone for at least 1 1/2 hrs, not including ET or animal planet show. Animal Crackers take out food has big hot dogs and sausages/fries but we thought they were overpriced, even for park food.

Richters burgers is pretty good. They have a great fruit cup. It's nice to sit by the water on the deck. For atmosphere, Monster Cafe is pretty cool. They show clips of old Horror Movies. Pasta was pretty yucky but the chicken is supposed to be better. For sit down, Finnegan's serves a nice cold guiness and hot shepard's pie (as well as other dishes). The International food place (by animal planet show) is cafeteria style food but it does have something for everyone.

Oh, if you're planning to go to a nick show check out the post titled "Nick slime time info...". It's a very posts up.
have fun!!!

 

[damo]

They'll also get a kick out of ET. Have them put phony names in at the beginning (my guys usually do Homer and Bart) and then listen for them at the end of the ride. Typical grade school humour.

 

[Bchamp]

It was so busy the last couple of times we rode ET, I ended up being a "Joe" one time and a "Tom" the next. Funny, my 4 year old kept saying, thats not my name mom, why did he say that?
But it is a great ride, we like being in the first group of bikes

 

[pnelson]

Something only an 8 year old would appreciate...My son's name is Carter, but on the E.T. ride, he says "Farter Poophead". He thinks its hilarious to hear E.T. say that.

 

[Bchamp]

my sons name is Carter also, its and has not ever been called farter, except by me, his loving mommy~!! LOL