Universal or Sea World?

[cwnhokie]

Not sure were to put this question. We have two boys ages 3 and 5. Last year we did WDW and one day at Sea World. This year we will be doing WDW, still have 6 days left on our MYW tickets, and I am trying to decide if we should do Sea World again or Universal. We will probably only have one day to spend. For children our ages what would you guys reccommend? DS5 is a huge super hero fan, but not much of a thrill seeker and 42" tall, DS3 is anything goes and 40" tall, will there be much for them to do? Thanks for your input.

 

[yaytezIOA]

At those sizes they can both do Spider-man, a must see! They can also both do Popeye, and you might be able to squeeze them on Jurassic park. Then there's the flying Unicorn, Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish, Carosuesseul, and depends on when you go, they might have Sylvester Mcmonkey Mcbean open by then. And thats just Islands of Adventure. They have child swap so you and your spouse can both hit the coasters while the kiddies wait. Then at the studios you have Shrek, Twister, Jimmy Nuetron, Jaws(if its in season) ET, Barney, T2 and Animal Planet Live. Loads for the kids to do. And loads for the parents as well, if you use the child swap.

 

[phamton]

I would suggest you look at these two articles and decide if there are some things there that your children would like:

Kids at Universal

Kids at Islands of Adventure

 

[yaytezIOA]

Of course unless your kids like animals more than rides....Thats Sea World completely.

 

[Mainebound]

Not sure were to put this question. We have two boys ages 3 and 5. Last year we did WDW and one day at Sea World. This year we will be doing WDW, still have 6 days left on our MYW tickets, and I am trying to decide if we should do Sea World again or Universal. We will probably only have one day to spend. For children our ages what would you guys reccommend? DS5 is a huge super hero fan, but not much of a thrill seeker and 42" tall, DS3 is anything goes and 40" tall, will there be much for them to do? Thanks for your input.

We took our boys ages 3 and 5 at the time, to Universal and Sea World last year (along with WDW). We also took them to USO the year before, and plan to go back to Universal in May.

As you know, Sea World is a wonderful, fun, relaxing park. We also love Universal parks. They are pretty close together (not like WDW parks -- you can walk in about 10-15 minutes), so maybe hit the highlights of both.

We just did our itinerary and we realized that we have more to do with the boys (now 4 and 6) at Universal Studios than at IOA. So if I HAD to pick just one for our family, it would be the Studios. On the other hand, they can meet Spidey and Wolverine at IOA!

Send me a PM if you want any last minute advice on what rides they might like.

Have a great trip!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

from your sig, it looks like you guys come down here at least once a year. I'd defer in your family's case to get the kids to seaworld again. give them another year to get a little taller and maybe a little braver. no way would I suggest SW is better than US or IOA. but we have friends and family that visit us and we have to make the same choices for them. and they love feeding the dolphins, playing in shamu's playground, going through the shark tunnel...

US and IOA are both very family-friendly parks. but I think you might want to wait a year when both the kids even out and you can enjoy most of the attractions as a family. not worrying about stressing one of the kids or parents out. that's not what a vacation is about.

 

[Mainebound]

from your sig, it looks like you guys come down here at least once a year. I'd defer in your family's case to get the kids to seaworld again. give them another year to get a little taller and maybe a little braver. QUOTE]


Sylvester, this wasn't directed at me, right? Because now that we've discovered Universal, wild horses couldn't keep us away!

I agree, SW is great, and there's alot that little guys (and big scared guys) cannot do at Universal, but our family had to choose either/or for our upcoming May trip this year and we chose Universal over Sea World!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

either choice you made would have been a good one.

 

[Taratink]

I took my 3 and 5 yr. old kids to seaworld 2 years ago. My 5 year old liked it a lot but my 3 year old had a heard time waiting for the shows. I had to leave the A Shamu show because it could not hold her attention. Both kids enjoyed the animal exhibits. They have really great face painters there that I thought were way better than the ones at WDW. So my advice is to take it at a slow pace and maybe split up if the 3 yr. old is gets antsy.
Tara

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I would choose Universal, there are lots of attractions for kids - not that SW isn't great too but if you can only choose 1, then US.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Sea World has a great little playground that is full of nets, bounce houses and slides. They have closed down a good portion of that and are building a few rides including a sea-dragon coaster and little drop tower. That should be open in May, i think I read. But that being said, Ioa has tons of little rides (a whole seuss landing area) and two playground areas (one in JP and one in Toon Lagoon....not to mention the whole if I ran the Zoo area)
Then there's the Studios they have Shrek, Jimmy Nuetron, ET and the curious george playground. Not to mention Barney and Feivel....if you have to choose just one I would say UO...do both parks, but if you have the time and want to do both....skip disney.