Universal Studio and IOA??

[wideeyes]

Hi, my dd has been looking at are brochures and got really excited about some of the universal picture in there just as much as pictures of Disney characters. She is particularly keen on seeing Cat In the Hat and Shrek. Are these characters to meet there? she is 5 so won't be going on any of the roller coasters, is it worth going just to meet the characters? which theme park will we find them in, and will a day be enough?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

You can see both Cat In The Hat (IOA)and Shrek (US) at the parks yes.

1 day will be enough as both the parks are right next to each other, about a 5 minute walk apart.

Both parks have attractions and rides for kids, although IOA is for thrill seekers and coaster lovers, there is Seuss Landing there which has a Cat In The Hat ride (and shop full of souvenirs, which she will love), and there are Carousels and gentle kiddie rides there too.

Universal Studios has Shrek, Barney, Woody Woodpecker (kiddie coaster), Curious George water playground and more....

So I would expect you would enjoy the day there.

 

[wideeyes]

hi, Thank you, It definitely seems worth doing then and it will make a nice break from Disney.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

hi, Thank you, It definitely seems worth doing then and it will make a nice break from Disney.

Definitely, and there is plenty for young children, to be honest Universal Studios (along with MK) is Joshua's favourite park.

Just a tip - if you want to do the Shrek ride as well as meet the character, get there early and head straight for it (just inside the park on the right) as it's a very popular ride.

At IOA it's the likes of Spiderman and the coasters that attract the queue's so doing US first is a good idea, plus by the time you have done Shrek and had a look around the Barney kiddie's playground and Woody Woodpecker will be open too (at 10am).

 

[isla bonita]

My daughter loved the Barney show. Also very much enjoyed the water area. The pictures from this park are so vibrant and they have many opportunities for them.

 

[minnie29uk]

Definately get your fast pass for Shrek as soon as you get there,or get in line for this as your first ride.
The fast pass sells out real quick and the queue is always long.
We didnt get to see it till 3rd visit.But the characters have breaks and dinner break,so do check the character times.The characters are there as you walk out of show.But you can just go and see them without going to show first.

Have Fun,
Lynn

P.S Some Madagascar characters there now too

 

[scojos]

Definately get your fast pass for Shrek as soon as you get there,or get in line for this as your first ride.
The fast pass sells out real quick and the queue is always long.
We didnt get to see it till 3rd visit.But the characters have breaks and dinner break,so do check the character times.The characters are there as you walk out of show.But you can just go and see them without going to show first.

Have Fun,
Lynn

they no longer have the fass fass or ue system, you can buy a ue extra ticket which is good for 1 ride per person, or if your really that bothered you can stay on site and get fotl access...

i would just like to agree with johnny and say how fab both parks are.. worth it just to see scooby doo!!!

tracy

 

[Queenie]

We've seen the Grinch as well as Thing1 and Thing2 at Seuss Landing as well as the Cat in the Hat.

Was looking at a park map yesterday and there are readings of Green Eggs & Ham and Cat in the Hat in Seuss Landing. I'm sure kids would love that!

 

[alisonbestford]

Universal and Islands of Adventure are, I think, DD's favourite parks.
We've been going since she was 3 and there's loads to see and do

Just don't forget to pack swimwear and a towel for the water features - especially 'Curious George' and Dr Sseus
Many Americans find it inappropriate for young children to be playing in the water features in their 'undies' - have to admit that I've been guilty of letting DD (then 3) play in the fountains, in her pants, without a second thought, before I realised it might be causing offence

Will a day be enough?
Well, we bought annual passes this last year and made more good enough use of them

You will have loads of fun

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We also have APs, excellent value for money, you are right Alison about a change of clothes, towel etc as there are plenty of water attractions at these parks.

 

[Minniespal]

We've also seen Scooby Doo and Shaggy and also The Rugrats

 

[iHEARTflorida]

yes 1 day will be enough, just to meet the characters at both parks

 

[Frances999]

We also have APs, excellent value for money, you are right Alison about a change of clothes, towel etc as there are plenty of water attractions at these parks.

Definitely agree to take some extra clothes! DD was in floods of tears after coming off of the Popeye ride (she doesn't like getting wet with her clothes on!) and we didn't have any spare clothes. Luckily we were staying onsite so I popped back to the room and got her changed. If we weren't we would have had to have gone to one of the clothes shops. Even if you don't mind getting wet, you will quite literally get SOAKED on some of the rides at IoA!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Definitely agree to take some extra clothes! DD was in floods of tears after coming off of the Popeye ride (she doesn't like getting wet with her clothes on!) and we didn't have any spare clothes. Luckily we were staying onsite so I popped back to the room and got her changed. If we weren't we would have had to have gone to one of the clothes shops. Even if you don't mind getting wet, you will quite literally get SOAKED on some of the rides at IoA!

Guaranteed to get soaked on Popeye's barges. Every time without fail.

 

[scojos]

Guaranteed to get soaked on Popeye's barges. Every time without fail.

i second that but its great fun

 

[Tron[ADS]]

I managed to see scooby doo being driven past erm.... scooby doo in the mystery machine this year.
Fortunately my daughter didnt spot it, so i never had to explain to her about cloning etc.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I managed to see scooby doo being driven past erm.... scooby doo in the mystery machine this year.
Fortunately my daughter didnt spot it, so i never had to explain to her about cloning etc.

Must be something special they put into the 'scooby snacks'

 

[wideeyes]

I think I will need a note book to write all this down, thank you.

 

[Julia Ann]

We had photos with Shrek, Barney, Sponge-bob, Rugrats, Crashbandicoot, Scooby-doo, spiderman (and all other superheros), The Grinch, Popeye and Olive Oil, to name a few.

 

[wendy_uk]

Guaranteed to get soaked on Popeye's barges. Every time without fail.

Definately soaked Myself and my daughter were the only 2 of us brave enough to do this ride out of our family, we met up with a family and they joined us on the ride, we all wore those plastic poncho things, but another couple were with us and didn't, it was February and not too warm, so I joked and said you are brave and they agreed, only to find I was the one who was the most soaked at the end of the ride, and not to say freezing by the end of the daY. Anyway it is a great ride and am looking forward to doing it again in August.