Universal with 2 and 4 1/2 year olds

[littleprincessmom]

Hi and help! My mom and I are taking my 2 dds (2 and 4.5) to Disney the 2nd week in May but we are spending our first night (and one or two days) at Universal (arriving May 8th and moving over to the Poly at Disney on the 9th). We've never been to Universal. Can someone PLEASE give some advice on best attractions for preschoolers and suggest a restaurant for dinner Saturday night. We want somewhere we can take small (but reasonably well behaved) children but we also like GOOD (read gourmet, if possible) food. Also, do you think we should do Saturday and Sunday at Universal or just Saturday and head to WDW Sunday morning? We have reservations for Hoop Dee Doo Sunday night so we'll have to leave by mid-afternoon. Any suggestions or advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!!!!!

 

[missyc]

My kids (3, 6, 7, 8, & 12) loved Universal Studios! More than Disney. I'm sure with their ages your kids are into Barney...right? That show was the highlight of my 3 yr old's trip! If they haven't seen ET I would rent it to show them before you go. They will like that attraction more if they know who ET is. Maybe an extra set of clothes (for the kids) as there's a nice area to play and get wet! We were there in November and the kids loved it! But we didn't take anything extra with us and they got cold.

 

[RescueRanger]

I have heard lots of good reports on Myhtos in IOA. They are supposed to have really good food and a good selection for kids as well. Are you staying onsite? If you are, then you could probably go to Universal for 2 days because of FOTL (front of the line- as an onsite resort guest you get to bypass the normal lines by just showing your room key). You could still get most stuff done even if you had to leave early Sunday.

 

[wendypooh]

Hi, my son was 3 on our last visit in Aug. He loved the Nickelodeon area, Jimmy Neutron, Shrek, ET, The water play area, (he's not into Barney, but enjoyed the play area) He pretty much went on every ride at US...... and he liked the cat in the hat at IOA, and the Jurassic play area over there. There is a lot for little one's to do. We were even on slimetime! and he met the host of the show......... ( yes, he watches nickelodoen a lot!!)

Your little one's will enjoy it.......... I would put on swimsuits under thier clothes if they want to play in the water area.

As far as the restaurants go........... you can take them to any restaurant, they are all kid friendly.......... we enjoyed Mytho's and Tchoup Tchoup at RPR is good, if you are staying onsite you may want to try there.

Have a good trip..........

 

[littleprincessmom]

Thanks for the replies - very helpful. I was a little worried that ET and Shrek were more adult rides...are they scary? My dds don't mind the dark but don't like to be startled...

We are staying on-site at the Royal Pacific. I'm still having a little trouble believing that we can just walk to the front of the line for rides. Does this really work?

Thanks for advice on bathing suits and changes of clothes. We will definitely do that. It sounds like we may stay and do at least Sunday morning at Universal.

We are excited! Any additional information on ET, Shrek or other rides is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!!!

 

[RescueRanger]

At US there is Curious George Goes To Town which is a great water play area. I think it was "this" big kids favorite place to cool off. They have these water cannons that you shoot and that is where I spent most of my time. There is a dry line on the cement that if you stay behind you are supposed to be safe. I don't think they were expecting a thirtysomething man to be shooting th cannons because there were quite a few surprised parents if you know what I mean. HEHEHE!!! One fish Two fish, Cat in the hat, ET, and Barney. Also, your kids would probably love Animal Planet Live. I know my two did. ET realy isn't scary and I can't tell you about Shrek yet because we will try it for the first time in May. As far as FOTL goes, you just show your key and they let you in the Express line; so, you may get right on hte ride or you may have to wait around 15 minutes on hte more popular rides if it is crowded. Compared to the 60-90 minute waits in the standby lines, that isn't to bad.

 

[wendypooh]

ET is not scary at all!!! Especially if they watch the movie first. Shrek is really funny......... not scary at all either......... I don't want to give too much away......... but they'll love it. My ds loved the animal planet show also.

We loved the RPR......... it is so beautiful!!! You'll love it, you may also want to try Jakes, the food is awesome!! Yeah, fotl is so great!!! You actually use your room key, and go right it........ usually with very little wait. It is wonderful.......... you are going to get spoiled with it..........

Your little one's will love it, don't worry. The only thing my ds didn't like was twister........ SKIP IT with the little ones or do child swap, and he didn't like spiderman......... too intense for him, but he pretty much enjoyed everything else he could go on. He couldn't do MIB/BTTF, the coasters........ etc.( those type rides) but almost everything else.

Have a great time.