Universal with 2 teens. One likes rides/coasters, one doesn't.

[frayedend]

So I'm considering an Orlando vacation with my 2 boys ages 15 and 13. I'm a divorced dad so it will just be the 3 of us. My only concern is that my younger boy loves thrill rides, while my older boy hates them. He also hates 4D rides/shows. But he is fine with family friendly type stuff. They have no further interest in Disney.

Anyhow if we go I plan 1 day at each Universal park. The rest of the week will be Sea World and water parks so that will be fine.

Will there be enough family friendly stuff without it being all thrill rides? Will my younger son and I be able to get on the enough big coasters without leaving my older son alone for a long time? I don't want them to be stuck alone. My ride goer won't want to ride alone. I'm hoping I can keep us together for a lot of the day.

 

[WifeHatesDisney:(]

Universal does a good job with interactive ride ques (The Harry Potter rides, Dueling Dragons, MIB, Simpsons, ect.). I think the eldest would be able to stand in line with the two of you then last minute jump into the child swap area while you two ride the ride. He'd then only be alone during the time you're actually on the ride. Both parks have a handful of family friendly rides (If he doesn't like ET then there is no hope) like the Dr. Sues area, Jurassic Park River Adventure (until the drop. Just don't tell him about the drop), MIB, and shows like Terminator. I think anyone that age will find enough to entertain themselves. Good luck and have fun!

 

[WifeHatesDisney:(]

The Hogwarts Express is another easy experience. That requires a 2 park ticket though. You might want to look into doing a one day/2 park ticket so he can ride that. I usually knock both parks out in one day, but I also know what I want to do and I start right at rope drop. Both parks in one day is very doable it just makes for a long day. You could save a little money by doing that, then take them to explore other things in the area on another day. I suggest listening to The Trip podcast for some ideas. I360, the Skeleton Museum, and other things on International drive might interest him.

 

[angierae]

I would totally agree with having your other son go through the queues with you and then just not ride. That way you stay together as much as possible.

 

[damo]

There are chicken exits right at the end of every ride. Stay together and then separate right at the loading dock.

 

[hdnwaters]

We just back from Orlando. The 3 water rides at IOA are a lot of fun! You will get soaked on the Bilge Rats. I do not ride anything that goes upside down. I loved all the 3D rides and the Mummy. Transformers and the Harry Potter rides are really top notch. Maybe your older son would like them if he tried them. They are so much fun. Minions and Shrek have some motion but basically sit still. At SeaWorld....don't let the penguin ride scare him. It's really tame, even the "wild" cars!

 

[johde]

The biggest question is where the thrill ride line starts with your older son. If he can do BTMRR, he can probably do all the coasters at Universal except Hulk (which is currently closed for refurbishment), Dragon Challenge, and Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket.

On the 4D ride/Show front, the big issue is why he doesn't like them. Universal has a lot of 3D/4D rides/shows. Done properly, this could be a chance to stretch his horizons. You could start with something like Terminator, a 3D/Live action hybrid show. Then, move on from there.

 

[frayedend]

Thanks for the tips. We'll probably be fine. He has done BTMRR at Disney no problem. Although I don't know that he "enjoys" it. But if it's a matter or a water ride with the one drop he's fine. It's really fast coasters with big drops or a super fast take off like Aerosmith at Disney (IIRC the Mummy is like that?). As far as 4D, he has sensory issues so it's the rumbling, stuff spraying you surprisingly etc that he doesn't like. He is a tough kid but for some reason that's alway really bothered him a lot. He's fine with 3D and stuff that looks like a thrill ride on film. He likes Soarin' at Disney to give an idea but hates the Mickey Philharmonic (I think that was what it was called, been a while).

Oh and as far as tickets I'm just about sure we will be doing the Orlando flex pass so we'll be able to visit both parks in one day if we want.

 

[kohlby]

My eldest does not like coasters and my middle will do any ride she's tall enough for. And my youngest has sensory quirks - resulting in riding almost nothing two years ago when we went (But he was only 4 then). We still manage to stay together as a family since there is so much to see - even for the kids who don't do the ride. They all enjoyed walking through the castle - though the two younger didn't do FJ last time. (Eldest could have done it twice due to rider swap but decided once was enough. He likes Harry Potter enough that he actually did want to do it). My eldest does fine on Mummy - though he won't do Expedition Everest - forget about Aerosmith. (He does fine of BTMRR and Soarin'). We have to skip some of the water rides with my crew - even Splash Mountain hasn't been attempted yet by my eldest, so forget about Bildge Rats. There is plenty to do for us - we did 6 days at US/IOA on our last trip!

 

[Kivara]

***Mummy ride SPOILER*****







The Mummy is an indoor coaster. There are some dark parts, loud noises, fire, simulated bugs, and water spritzes you. No loops, but it does go fast, jerk around a bit, has one jarring stop, and shoots quickly uphill into a short drop (makes the tummy float a bit.)
So, yeah, it's awesome