Universal vs IOA

[Bacrd]

If you had only 1 day, a DH52, GD8 & DS6...would you choose IOA or Universal Studios (or elsewhere)? We have 1 add'l day after the Disney Cruise and trying to squeeeeeeze in one more thing before going home!. Also..keep in mind....trying to keep hubby happy too!

 

[HookdonWDW]

Between US/IOA, I'd probably choose IOA. But if given a choice of any park, we'd probably end up going to Seaworld instead. I like US/IOA, but FOTL access has ruined the parks for me when I'm not staying onsite.

 

[julfre]

IOA is more rollercoaster/thrill rides. For the ages of your group, I'd recommend Universal since it has more rides that aren't coasters. ET, Men in Black, Terminator show, and most of the others can all be enjpyed by most ages. That said, the best ride I've ever been on-Spiderman- is at IOA. You know your group the best to judge what park to go to.

 

[Bacrd]

Thanks all for the comments!
Initially thought about the water park or sea world...but we have them both here in the Mich/Ohio area...the kids have been to them. Also trying to keep DH entertained & happy (after forcing him to go on the cruise with thousands of kids)...but not bore the grandchildren.

SUCH A DILEMMA...

And since this is our FIRST trip to Orlando.....I've not got the faintest idea!!

Having that said....I love these boards!!

 

[Planogirl]

I would pick Universal because of the youngsters with you. I agree that the rides will likely appeal more and Universal has a great wet play area that my son would have been happy to spend several hours at. I was OK while he played, I found a Starbucks first.

 

[Cindy B]

It all depends on the height of your kids.. my 8 and almost 6 year old prefers IOA over USF.


My 8 year old adores coasters, and the Spierman ride can't be beat. Hulk & DD are two amazing coasters.

If they aren't tall enough for the coasters, there is still Spidey, Jurassic Park, the Toon Lagoon, water area, Dr. Doom (depending on height), the playland in Jurassic park, the Discovery Center in Jurassic Park, Storm Force Acceletron, dudley do right, Posiedon show (very cool!), there are a couple of other things, but I can't remember off the top of my head


USF has MIB, T3, and a few other things that appeal to my kids.

My kids prefer IOA, but that is my kids. They are thrill ride nuts, and tall for their ages.

 

[beattyfamily]

That's a tough one but for my DD's 3 and 6, I think they love Suess Landing in IOA SO much especially when we go in December because that's when they transform it into Whoville with the Grinch and Whomen and Whowomen walking around that my DD's could spend 2 hours just there. They'd be very upset if they missed it.

Here's what we do at IOA:

-Suess Landing:
-Whoville/Meet the Grinch!!
-Cat In the Hat
-One Fish, Two Fish

-Pteranodon Flyers (both can do this)
-Dueling Dragons (older kids)
-Flying Unicorn (family/kiddie one)
-Incredible Hulk (older kids)
-Dr. Doom Fearfall (older kids/I LOVE this!)
-Dudley Do-Right Ripshaw Falls (not sure of height on this?)
-Spiderman (both can do this!)

Here's what we do at USF:

-Shrek 4-D - NEW!!!!!!!!!
-Jimmy Newtron
-Barney Show
-ET
-Woody Wood Pecker Roller Coaster (kiddie/family one)
-MIB
-T-2
-Twister
-Back to the Future
-Earthquake
-Jaws
-Curious George (water) Play area (spend at least an hour here!)

Hope our list helps you!

 

[Hockeychic]

I have only been to each once but now that we are planning our 2nd trip we are only going to IOA.

However with the age of the kids I would probably go to MK at Disney world.

Just my opinion.

 

[ZachnElli]

My kids are 4 & 8 and I'd say US. The new Jimmy Neutron and Shrek alone have got them so excited! Plus, they love Nickolodean and they know they can go do the game here. Now, I have to ask, you said GD8 & DS6, so you have a granddaughter 2 years older than your son?? LOL!

 

[damo]

I'd say USF as well. Save IOA for a couple of years when you know they can handle the rides. Do they absolutely love Splash Mountain and Space Mountain? If so, you can probably do IOA. If not, stick to USF. The Wild West Show is very good as well. I don't think it was mentioned, as well as the Animal Planet show if the kids are into animal tricks and things.

 

[Bacrd]

OOPS !!!

S/B...GS (sorry)

You guys are all great with the info...THANKS SO MUCH!!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I'd say USF, unless your DS is at least 44". If he is, then you can vote for IOA, but know that he'd be unable to ride Hulk, Dragons, and Doctor Doom. At USF, MIB has the greatest height requirement, of only 42". You'll be able to do everything there.

Plus I like the Horror Make-Up Show.

 

[hilltopfamily]

We're staying onsite at PBR for 1 day after our 7-day disney magic cruise and going to USF for the day. We have kids similar in age to what you describe--DD 6, DS 9, & DD 12.

After reading a book about non-disney Florida attractions focusing a lot on USF/IOA and reading these boards a lot, I decided we will do USF and save IOA until my littlest is a bit older/taller and more adventuresome for the thrill rides (though the suess landing area looks great). I would feel bad repeatedly telling her "no, sweetie, you can't go on this one". Also, my kids like watching Nick a lot, especially sponge bob, and will get a real kick out of seeing him and other characters after having seen disney characters on the ship for 7 day. Good luck in your decision!

 

[Bacrd]

hill...

I'm sorry...but I'm a slow learner and can't find what PBR means

We are currently booked at an airport hotel for the night....but the FOTL is making me re-think that and maybe switching to a USF hotel. Is PBR one of them?

Thanks

 

[beattyfamily]

Yes, it's Portofino Resort. There's also Hard Rock Resort and Royal Pacific Resort.

The best deals are with Entertainment book and Universal Fan Club but also sometimes AAA.

We're staying at HRH again with the Fan Club rate of $129 pool view. RP has $110 Entertainment rate and I don't know about Portofino but it's the most expensive of the 3.

You can walk or take a boat to the parks from the resorts which is nice too!

 

[Bacrd]

I was just looking at rates for USF hotels...and found minimum of about $300 for these resorts. How do you get the lower FanClub rate. For $129...I would consider switching...but NOT for $300

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Bacrd
I was just looking at rates for USF hotels...and found minimum of about $300 for these resorts. How do you get the lower FanClub rate. For $129...I would consider switching...but NOT for $300

Call Universal direct and tell them what you have like AAA or Entertainment (which you can get later if they have the discount!) or Universal Fan club card (which is like Disney Club card and some on the Universal Board have extras of) and they will ramble off the rates available.

That is how I got my rate. I called and told them I had Entertainment and Fan Club and they told me the rates.

RP will be the cheapest, then HR and then Portofino!

Good luck!

 

[hilltopfamily]

Bacrd: beattyfamily is right. We're onsite at Universal at the Portofino Bay Resort and I CANNOT afford their usual pricing either! From these boards, I learned about the entertainment card rate and called a couple of months ago about availability for ANY of their 3 hotels for the time we considered. Keep in mind this is for a Saturday night, as this is the day we get off the ship (as do you).

Unfortunately, they only had rooms at PBR for the entertainment rate (none at Hard Rock or Royal Pacific) and it will cost us $179 plus taxes for the night (standard room, no great view). Probably only $70 more than we'd spend at a off-site hotel on a weekend. With all I have read about "front of the line" (FOTL) access, I think it is worth the extra money to stay there (though I wouldn't think so if it were at their regular rates). There will be 5 of us enjoying fast access to rides and we can only stay 1 day, so we really need to make the most of our time! Good Luck!

 

[JessicaR]

hilltopfamily,

I wasnt sure if you read the thread about Aug. dates opening up for discounts. Give them a call because the fan club rate is available at RPR for Aug 3. The rate is $146 and if Entertainment rate is available it would be even less.

Although.......PBH is gorgeous with larger rooms.

 

[hilltopfamily]

JessicaR:

thanks so much for the post. No, I didn't read a thread about Aug. dates opening up! I will be sure to call tomorrow and see about Aug. 2 availability at Royal Pacific (which was originally my first choice of the 3 hotels due to the tropical theme there with us having just come off a caribbean cruise!). Not to mention, saving a little more money would be great.


If they have no entertainment rates available, what and how do you get fan club rates? I may be too late (as we leave Nebraska in just 1.5 weeks) if I have to get something mailed out to me to use.

thanks again!!!