universal Parks, transportation, and ride information

[horse11]

Does the universal parks offer free transportation to the parks if you are staying in one of there on grounds hotels? We have a trip planned in May to Disney but may consider Universal instead. Also do the hotels provide transportation to other parks like Aquatica and Sea World?
We have 3 young boys that are not quite ready for the fast roller coaster rides or fast rides in general. Is Universal's rides more geared for older kids? Are there plenty of rides like the DIsney rides such as Haunted Mansion and Peter Pan which are for everyone?

 

[RMulieri]

There is no free transportation to the Universal resorts from the airport.If you are staying at one of the current 3 deluxe resorts there is a dedicated boat that runs from each resort to citywalk ( the hub that connects the parks ).There is also a bus, but the shuttle bus brings you to the Unviersal parking garage which is a bit away from the gates ( the boat docks are much much closer).You can also walk pretty fast from the resorts .Royal Pacific and HArd Rock are closest, Portofino is the furthest, but even then only a 10 -15 min walk tops.The newest ( calue/moderate)resort that is opening ,Cabana Bay,will only have bus or walking as an option.No boat.
As for kids,depends on the kids and the ages . .Most of the rides have height requirements, and are intense,even the non-coaster rides. My DD was 8 when we first brought her .She had a blast, but she also was tall enough for most things and some things scared her.I recommend going to the Universal site and looking at what both parks offer, any height requirements and the general ride descriptions. You can try looking at a few things on youtube to judge for yourself.