Universal (US or IOA), Seaworld or other: 3 and 6 year old

[atots]

I'm planning a big 8 night/5-6 park day Disney trip for late January 2026. My kids will then be 4.5 and 7.5, it will be their first time, my husband's first time and my first full trip as an adult (I went for 1 completely unplanned/last minute day to MK before a conference in 2016). The wait is more than I can bear so I've been researching a 6 night (really only 5 days due to flight timing) Airbnb stay in Orlando for February vacation 2025. We plan to rent a car and just enjoy being warmer than New England winters for a few days; enjoy the resort at the condo if weather permits, visit Disney springs, maybe do a character breakfast at a Disney resort. I am considering doing 1-2 days at theme parks. I've looked at Legoland, SeaWorld, Universal, a visit to the Crayola Experience (more of a few hour thing). I'm open to Disney but almost don't want to ruin the first time magic with just a 1-2 day visit (also worried a character breakfast is also something I should save).

Any thoughts on which 1-2 days of parks or activities we should do? My kids will be 3.5 (38" tall) and 6.5 (44" tall). My 6 year old is autistic, loves rides at fairs and is obsessed with villains. My daughter is a needy, dramatic princess and loves everything about princesses.

Universal: It is worth it with kids this age? I went when I was 11. If we do just 1 day at Universal, is Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure better? I'm leaning IOA because there will be more rides my youngest can ride on. Is the disability pass at Universal worth what seems like the hassle to get for just one day?

Legoland: my daughter in only 38". More than half of the rides are for 40" and taller. Seems like a waste until she grows a bit more.

SeaWorld: the Sesame Street area looks fun, decent amount of stuff they can do plus shows. My worry is that we went to the aquarium in Boston recently and barely lasted 2 hours; my kids were so bored. I know SeaWorld has way more to see and do but now I wonder if my kids just don't like sea-life. lol.

Disney: the most expensive option but what I think my kids would love the most. But I should probably save it for next year...and not test my husband's patience by making him go two years in a row.

Something else fun? They prefer interactive stuff, not ready for museums where you just walk around and look at stuff (honesty, I don't enjoy museums that aren't interactive either).

Skip it all and make my husband happy with a trip to Aruba. I just cannot seem to find anything that would fit my budget (under $6,000 all in - hotel, flight, transportation, food). Plus we are not beach people, we live near the beach and went once in the last two years. It is not fun or relaxing with little kids who cannot swim where we have to follow them 100% of the trip and cannot safely lounge or relax.

Thanks in advance for your help with my crippling indecision

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

Hands down Legoland. Neither Universal park will have much at all for 3 yo at all. Add on Peppa Pig at Legoland also which is perfect for 3 yo, but legoland has so many areas to play and still plenty a 3 yo can do plus the crowd levels are way more manageable (and still a solid 12-13 rides she can do plus the 4d theater, pirates water ski). Crayola is also super fun for young kids, but you only need 2-3 hours there so its a nice partial day.

 

[cigarboo]

Since you'll have a car, Legoland is probably your best bet since it is geared towards the under 12 set. The park size and crowd will be more manageable. The cost will be significantly less for admission. Be on the look out for black friday ticket specials. Seaworld is also nice with Sesame place. They have parades and shows that your kiddos might enjoy(Pets ahoy, sea lion show, dolphin show, etc). I think it's a bit more interesting than the Boston Aquarium since the animals/sea life are a bit larger and there's more opportunity for interaction. The seals and dolphins are fun to feed. They have penguins, manatees, flamingos, sharks, manta rays, just to name a few. Seaworld also has some great black friday ticket prices.

 

[atots]

Hands down Legoland. Neither Universal park will have much at all for 3 yo at all. Add on Peppa Pig at Legoland also which is perfect for 3 yo, but legoland has so many areas to play and still plenty a 3 yo can do plus the crowd levels are way more manageable (and still a solid 12-13 rides she can do plus the 4d theater, pirates water ski). Crayola is also super fun for young kids, but you only need 2-3 hours there so its a nice partial day.

Thank you, glad to hear it's worth worth visiting!

 

[atots]

Since you'll have a car, Legoland is probably your best bet since it is geared towards the under 12 set. The park size and crowd will be more manageable. The cost will be significantly less for admission. Be on the look out for black friday ticket specials. Seaworld is also nice with Sesame place. They have parades and shows that your kiddos might enjoy(Pets ahoy, sea lion show, dolphin show, etc). I think it's a bit more interesting than the Boston Aquarium since the animals/sea life are a bit larger and there's more opportunity for interaction. The seals and dolphins are fun to feed. They have penguins, manatees, flamingos, sharks, manta rays, just to name a few. Seaworld also has some great black friday ticket prices.

Thank you! I appreciate the tip about Black Friday. I will keep my eyes peeled.

 

[The Gatekeeper]

I would do the character meal this time if it were me. It won't ruin anything. 3 and 6 years old is the *perfect* age for that. Don't wait too long, the window on that being magical can close very quick.

 

[liamthompson]

Oh, hi. You basically sound like me. Debated between universal or no parks Disney with my 3.5yo. I also considered Legoland but didn't want to make our drive even longer/my kid is not very interested in Legos yet. If you don't stay onsite at Legoland, I saw a Hampton inn across the street that has good reviews and bedroom suite setup that might be nice with kids/included breakfast. Also very close to Publix for groceries.

These are the reasons I thought universal was a good fit even though it's marketed toward older kids: (a) the kiddie rides have relatively short lines because everyone else is busy trying to to ride the big rides (b) we saw SO many characters meet and greet last time where there was only one kid in line (c) the street entertainment is very accessible and there's lots of places for small children to just wander around and explore (d) because IOA and US are right next to each other, it is incredibly easy to park hop - I was blown away by how much easier it was to navigate universal vs Disney and (e) on-site hotels dockside/Surfside offer bedroom suite that is better value than Disney's offerings, in my opinion. It is bus service only, but my understanding is that service is very frequent.

 

[atots]

Oh, hi. You basically sound like me. Debated between universal or no parks Disney with my 3.5yo. I also considered Legoland but didn't want to make our drive even longer/my kid is not very interested in Legos yet. If you don't stay onsite at Legoland, I saw a Hampton inn across the street that has good reviews and bedroom suite setup that might be nice with kids/included breakfast. Also very close to Publix for groceries.

These are the reasons I thought universal was a good fit even though it's marketed toward older kids: (a) the kiddie rides have relatively short lines because everyone else is busy trying to to ride the big rides (b) we saw SO many characters meet and greet last time where there was only one kid in line (c) the street entertainment is very accessible and there's lots of places for small children to just wander around and explore (d) because IOA and US are right next to each other, it is incredibly easy to park hop - I was blown away by how much easier it was to navigate universal vs Disney and (e) on-site hotels dockside/Surfside offer bedroom suite that is better value than Disney's offerings, in my opinion. It is bus service only, but my understanding is that service is very frequent.

Thanks! I'm still totally all over the place with this decision. I have already booked a hotel. So many posts about the hassle and reliability of Airbnb right now convinced me to book at the Sheridan Vistana Resort instead. I got what I feel is a pretty good deal through Costco, under $1,700 for six nights in a two bedroom including a rental car. Flying into Tampa because the flights were $200 plus cheaper and even the rental car was $80 cheaper.

The Legoland reviews are so mixed online. And adding an extra drive isn't fun for me. But my 6-year-old does LOVE Legos. I'm still thinking about one day at SeaWorld because it's pretty affordable. The part that's really getting to me is that Universal has the buy 3 days get 2 free right now. Even if I only go 3 days, it's still basically the same price as going 2 days... And we won't have to drive over an hour to get there. My kids are starting to get into Harry Potter, and they love Minions, Trolls, Shrek, Gabby's Dollhouse. You certainly are right about the value you seem to get from Universal resorts versus Disney.

If we can get a reservation, I plan to do Storybook Dining at Artist Point because my son is obsessed with Disney villains. And if I can convince my husband, another night with dinner at Kona Cafe so we can watch the fireworks from the beach after.

And then keep planning my big 2026 Disney trip

 

[liamthompson]

Ha, I also looked at the same Sheraton vistana Costco deal! Given the location and that you'll have a car, I think you could easily fill up 6 days with SeaWorld, a couple of the I-drive attractions, and a few days at Disney (tack on the boat ride and other wilderness lodge activities if you get that storybook dining reservation, your kids might also enjoy the monorail ride if you go to Kona cafe). I'm also planning Feb 2026 as our "proper" Disney trip. I'm considering this Feb's trip to Disney as reconnaissance

 

[atots]

Ha, I also looked at the same Sheraton vistana Costco deal! Given the location and that you'll have a car, I think you could easily fill up 6 days with SeaWorld, a couple of the I-drive attractions, and a few days at Disney (tack on the boat ride and other wilderness lodge activities if you get that storybook dining reservation, your kids might also enjoy the monorail ride if you go to Kona cafe). I'm also planning Feb 2026 as our "proper" Disney trip. I'm considering this Feb's trip to Disney as reconnaissance

Lol, this really is the same story. January 2026 is the big Disney trip for us. Hoping we avoid a bit of the crowds (in Disney and Logan Airport) by avoiding New England February vacation. And definitely planning a monorail ride just for fun I hope you enjoy both of your trips!