US/IOA or Sea World

[Minnie's Pal]

We are coming down for a last minute vacation in Jan. I have a 3, 9 & 11 yr old. We are taking the 3 yr old to WDW for his first time but we want to spend 2 days somewhere else. (Sat. - Wed. WDW, Th. & Fri. ???)

Sea World has buy one day, get 2nd day free OR we can do the $99 2-day passes for US/IOA. Having never been to any of these parks, so we are having a hard time deciding. I like the idea of staying on-site & having transportation for US/IOA (don't see anything like that for Sea World.) But Sea World is cheaper.

What do you all suggest would be best for my family?

 

[kohlby]

Would you really spend 2 days at Sea World? Some people would but it's a one day park for us. We've fallen into the pattern of doing US/IOA on every trip along with WDW but doing Sea World every other year - so that gives you an idea of which parks we like better! Sea World is definately worth visiting but I wouldn't be willing to give up IOA/US for Sea World. I think your 3 year old would be thrilled with either. But your 11 year old may be more into US/IOA.

Could you give up one of your WDW days so you can do both? You did mention 5 WDW days - if you do 4 parks in 4 days, then you have one day left over for Sea World.

 

[Metro West]

We are coming down for a last minute vacation in Jan. I have a 3, 9 & 11 yr old. We are taking the 3 yr old to WDW for his first time but we want to spend 2 days somewhere else. (Sat. - Wed. WDW, Th. & Fri. ???)

Sea World has buy one day, get 2nd day free OR we can do the $99 2-day passes for US/IOA. Having never been to any of these parks, so we are having a hard time deciding. I like the idea of staying on-site & having transportation for US/IOA (don't see anything like that for Sea World.) But Sea World is cheaper.

What do you all suggest would be best for my family?

What kinds of attractions does your family like? If you guys like animals and shows, I would go to Sea World. SW has some great shows and rides for the kiddies but to see all the shows, you will have to plan around the show times.

If you're looking for more rides than shows, stick with Universal and IOA. There are some shows but not as many and there are far more rides. Universal offers free shuttles to SW from the onsite hotels so that's covered but the hotels can be expensive. Of course you would get unlimited Express access for the duration of your stay at Universal.

Let us know what kind of experience you're looking for and we can go from there.

 

[taliategan]

We have DD9 and DD7 and decided on US rather than SW for 1 day before our cruise next month. I think our girls would really like the shows at SW, but there does not seem many ride options for kids their ages. They are not tall enough for either of the coasters, it may be to cold for the water flume ride and they probably would not be interested in any of the kiddie rides. This would only leave them with the Wild Artic ride - which is OK, but in my opinion the simulator rides are much better at Universal. We are going to spend the day just at US (not IOA) - as most of the rides seem to be good their ages and interests, as well as some shows to mix in through out the day. I think for you it may ultimately depend on what your 9 and 11 year olds would like the most. I would suggest looking at the web sites for both parks.