Universal with a 9 year old

[Shrill]

Hi all. Opinions needed!

Considering a 2nd Disney trip, just me and my 9 year old (we went the first time when she was 7). She is obsessed with Harry Potter so I am wondering whether it would be worth it to add on a day at Universal.

It is possible to do both parks in one day, focusing on the Harry Potter stuff but also doing other things she might like? Or would it be worth it to buy an extra day (considering we would probably only realistically get a couple of hours- half a day as that would be travel day)? What else would be appropriate at that age? She's fairly short and extremely slim (and I don't like crazy rides although she is an adrenaline junkie), so we have a rule that we don't ride anything that goes upside down. Plus we would be going to Disney immediately after, so it isn't like she wouldn't get her fill of rides. This trip would be either at the very end of August or the beginning of November, and I am looking at potentially staying onsite for a night to get the early access (and maybe even staying at Royal Pacific so that we can get the express passes, if they are worth it).



Thanks!

 

[hm8453a]

Hey! I'm glad to help. I'm 23 now, but I grew up in South Florida. My family used to go to both Disney and Universay 4-5 times a year.

First, I would definitely recommend staying at the Royal Pacific. First, you get the Express Passes, as you know, which are totally worth it, but what you might not know is that you also get to go to the parks an hour early by staying on-site, which means you have exclusive access to the Harry Potter sections of one park or both depending on the time of year. This really, really lets you enjoy the HP areas of the park before they get really busy. It also means that if you're going during a busy time of year (on that note, I recommend early November instead of late August), you'll already be in the section before they potentially close entry to the area because it's too crowded.

I think you CAN do it all in one day, with the caveat that you'll be always running, and you won't have much time to relax or feel comfortable going back to the hotel for a rest. I would recommend two days, even with one being a half-day, but if you can only do one for financial reasons, you can definitely make it work.

I am a scardy-cat when it comes to rides. I put a list of rides up that I can't do, and that might help you out some. Maybe you could sit down with your daughter and look at a map of the parks. If you tell me (here or in PM) what rides you're interested in, I can tell you if I think you'll be able to ride them, and why. I'm gong to post this, but I'll be right back with my own list of the rides I can't do. I don't elaborate on them there, but if you have any questions as to why, just ask.

Also, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey does NOT go upside down, but it tilts you back so that you're lying sort of horizontal at parts. It's super quick, and then it straightens out. I literally could never ride the Goofy Barnstormer, but I'm okay on Forbidden Journey.

I'll be right back with that list!

Hayley

 

[hm8453a]

Here's that thread I started. NOT ALL OF THESE GO UPSIDE DOWN, I'M JUST A WIMP.

If you want to know how these rides go, or what I can't do about them, please ask:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/crowdsourcing-info-for-adults-who-get-scared-on-rides.3587446/

 

[angryduck71]

So, I have a son who is 10. He started liking Universal better when he was about 7 or 8. He wanted to do more Universal this trip than Disney. We will be doing five days of Universal and, because I begged, 4 days of Disney (3 regular park days and one water park day) in late May/early June. At Universal, there is also a new water park which looks fabulous. My son can spend HOURS at the Harry Potter portion. I hope you plan on getting her an interactive wand (which is $50 I believe), as you can do spells around both Harry Potter areas. My son spent three hours just in Knockturn Alley doing this (which is a SMALL part of Diagon Alley in Universal). So, yes, you can "do it all," but if your daughter is anything like my son, she'll want to just hang out. I would really sit down with her and see what she wants to do. Now, as a girl, I'd imagine she'd still love Disney just as much (I do). There are much bigger thrill rides at Universal. I know you don't do them though... there are also lots of simulator rides, so be prepared if you get motion sick (I wear a patch so then I don't have a problem).

I would honestly say if you can get at least 2 full days, I would do that. And,yes, stay at Royal Pacific. You can't use express passes on the major Harry Potter rides, but like hm8453a said, do the early entry!

 

[janicept]

Hopefully for your sake she won't find out that RRR doesn't technically go upside down. You can always go with her in line then at the end just say you're not riding and wait for her where the coasters let out. My nephew is 9 when we went last year he loved all the major coasters and the simulator rides like Transformers and Spiderman. If you go in August you might go on the water rides but in November probably not.

 

[bchbetha]

9 is a great age- and 2 days for a HP is far better than 1. 1 day to really indulge in the HP areas (do buy an interactive wand!) and time to ride all the other great rides!

 

[macraven]

end of august is a great time to do the parks!

lower crowds and much better than parts of november.



shrill, go to www.universalorlando.com

check out the guide map and locations of everything in the parks.


you can get descriptions of rides, height requirements and general information

there are listings of what is recommended for children in the ride section of the website.


Potter has many fans of all ages.
your daughter will be thrilled with everything in those two sections of the parks.


if you are doing one day only, you should be able to cover both potter sections
go early and enjoy your add on day at UO!

if you could swing two days there, all the better...

 

[hm8453a]

I'm not going to argue about when Shrill should go to the parks. All I'm going to say is that the first day of school in Broward County, FL, as an example, is August 21st this coming year. Shrill, if you and your daughter would be going after that, good time to go. If you'll be going before that, expect big crowds, because Florida families tend to take their children before school starts. It was that way when I was little, and my younger sister says it still is now. November the week before Thanksgiving is probably the best time, if you're between late August and early November.

And I agree looking at the maps and ride info on the site is a good way to start. That's why I recommended it! When you've taken a look, Shrill, feel free to ask any of us for help or advice. It's not hard to figure out what's a roller coaster and what's a simulation movie. It's a lot harder to just look at the facts of the ride mechanics and figure out if you'll be able to handle it, without asking someone else questions about whether or not it goes upside-down, how bad the drops are, how high it goes, etc.

 

[schumigirl]

end of august is a great time to do the parks!

lower crowds and much better than parts of november.



shrill, go to www.universalorlando.com

check out the guide map and locations of everything in the parks.


you can get descriptions of rides, height requirements and general information

there are listings of what is recommended for children in the ride section of the website.


Potter has many fans of all ages.
your daughter will be thrilled with everything in those two sections of the parks.


if you are doing one day only, you should be able to cover both potter sections
go early and enjoy your add on day at UO!

if you could swing two days there, all the better...

Absolutely........end of August is a fabulous time to go.......it's a lot quieter by then.......two sets of my friends go there at that time every year and love it.

And although I have an obvious bias for RP, really you could consider one of the two hotels that offer only EE. It does give a decent advantage on day crowds.

As mac said, if you can swing two days it will be so much better.......you could certainly do both Potter areas in one day......just about......but maybe not much else.

Have a good read of the stickies on here......they are full of info and as mac said the Universal website is full of info you will find useful........

 

[jagafen]

I'd base a rough plan off of how tall your daughter is. When our son was 9, he wasn't tall enough for the big coasters anyway, thrill junkie or not. He was tall enough for the HP stuff though, except dragon challenge. At that age, Mummy was his favorite ride.

As far as EPs, I'd get them for August, but maybe not so much for November (if you're looking to condense your budget a bit). Nothing is worse than standing out in the hot FL August heat, and IMO, the cost of a room at RPR is worth it if that's when you end up going.

 

[macraven]

who is arguing?
i post based on the times of year i am in the parks.

attendance each year has been growing at the darkside parks.
i can imagine that for years to come, it will be difficult to predict the slow time periods

who knows how Volcano Bay will change the attendance patterns for UO....

 

[schumigirl]

Jagafen you just reminded me to post this link. It has height requirements for all rides........


https://www.universalorlando.com/park-guide/universal-orlando-riders-guide.pdf

 

[schumigirl]

who is arguing?
i post based on the times of year i am in the parks.

attendance each year has been growing at the darkside parks.
i can imagine that for years to come, it will be difficult to predict the slow time periods

who knows how Volcano Bay will change the attendance patterns for UO....

Yep, don't see anyone arguing??

Now Volcano Bay will be an interesting addition to folks......will be curious to see how it changes things.

 

[macraven]

I'd base a rough plan off of how tall your daughter is. When our son was 9, he wasn't tall enough for the big coasters anyway, thrill junkie or not. He was tall enough for the HP stuff though, except dragon challenge. At that age, Mummy was his favorite ride.

As far as EPs, I'd get them for August, but maybe not so much for November (if you're looking to condense your budget a bit). Nothing is worse than standing out in the hot FL August heat, and IMO, the cost of a room at RPR is worth it if that's when you end up going.

August is hot!
if someone is not used to the southern weather, i can see why they would avoid it.

end of August has shorter park hours and also room rates go down.
but November can have spurts of crowds due to veterans day.
jersey week, if it falls in november, can bring the attendance up

 

[hm8453a]

I'm really excited for Volcano Bay. We never went to Wet and Wild. Now it's my partner and I who go to Universal, we both want to go to Volcano Bay so badly.

 

[schumigirl]

August is hot!
if someone is not used to the southern weather, i can see why they would avoid it.

end of August has shorter park hours and also room rates go down.
but November can have spurts of crowds due to veterans day.
jersey week, if it falls in november, can bring the attendance up

Oh we did August twice and loved it!!! It was like walking on the sun.......But then you know only too well I am known as the lizard........out in the heat......retreat when it's gone.......lol.......

 

[macraven]

I'm really excited for Volcano Bay. We never went to Wet and Wild. Now it's my partner and I who go to Universal, we both want to go to Volcano Bay so badly.

we will be getting lots of info from those that do Volcano Bay when it opens.
i read other sites and it sounds like VB will be a winner.

i'll visit it but not do the water portion and looking forward to it.
when i do the solo trips, only if lockers are available would i get in the water

would miss my phone and money if i could not have them secured in a locker....just sayin'

 

[macraven]

Oh we did August twice and loved it!!! It was like walking on the sun.......But then you know only too well I am known as the lizard........out in the heat......retreat when it's gone.......lol.......

if you love hot weather, you had a great time there in august.
i prefer august over june/july due to the storms that crop up a lot.

 

[Shrill]

Thanks everyone! My DD is approx 51 inches at the moment but hard to know what she will be when we go. We have done the "smaller" coasters/ thrill rides at DW: ie. not space mountain, not the Tower of Terror, not Rockin Rollercoaster, not Expedition Everest. I would be happy to do Space Mountain at least once but didn't know how my DD would react when she was so little and having to sit separate etc. Of course, now my husband is making noises (he'd love to come I know, just don't know if we can work it timing-wise): if he comes, we would still have the upside rule though (which is mostly because my DD is very underweight and I don't know how much of the height requirements are also about width).

We went to DW at the end of August and loved it. DH is an Aussie so we are used to going there and both he and my DD love the heat (and hate the cold). I'm the least heat tolerant of the three of us and I did fine. It was so quiet and empty. Of course, if we went in November, we might be escaping the cold, so.... We would be going around August 27th or so, or November 3rd. We'd love to go for my DD's bday but it's pretty much right at Thanksgiving and we don't want that.

 

[macraven]

hhn will be happening november 3 and 4 this year.

studios park will close at 5:00 due to that event.
there will be more crowds in the late afternoon those days as people with ap or day tickets will arrive a few hours before the parks do close and wait out the time until 6ish when hhn opens.

ioa should stay open to 7 on those two nights.

just a heads up in case you want to plan for early november this year.