US with a 2 1/2 yr old

[new mom11]

I haven't been to US in about 4 years. Any suggestions for our 2 1/2 yr old DS. Not sure exactly what it is, but I know Barney is at US so that's a definite. Would a 1/2 day be enough? We're basicaly going for him. If it were up to me, I'd be at WDW every day!!
We also want to spend a little time at SeaWorld. He loves dolphins and getting wet. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by new mom11
I haven't been to US in about 4 years. Any suggestions for our 2 1/2 yr old DS. Not sure exactly what it is, but I know Barney is at US so that's a definite. Would a 1/2 day be enough? We're basicaly going for him. If it were up to me, I'd be at WDW every day!!
We also want to spend a little time at SeaWorld. He loves dolphins and getting wet. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance

My DD is only 4 and we won't go to Universal until she is a thrill ride Junkie. Since you are doing it for your son, my advise is to save your money and do to Seaworld twice. Your second day will be free and Seaworld is more interesting for a 2 year old.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I agree with the other poster. US is a park kids would enjoy when they're older. We just returned from a trip with a 4 and 3 year old and there wasn't much for them to do. Most of the attractions are too scary or intense for the little ones.

If you REALLY want to go, I would suggest Fievel's Playground with ball pits, slides, moonwalk type bouncing things, etc...

Curious George splash park (bring swimsuit or change of clothes)

Barney area

That's about it for a 2 year old. Going to Seaworld for two days sounds like a better option or skip US/IOA until your son is older. Dh and I are going back without the kids so we can ride everything we missed having the kids along.

 

[Cindy B]

My then four year old loved her first trip to US/IOA. She rode everything but Hulk, Dueling Dragons, and Dr. Doom.

She did everything at USO--including (at the time) Kong, Jaws, Terminator, Make Up show, Wild WEst show, and loved MIB!

Loved Spiderman, Jurassic Park, and other "scarier" stuff.

AT 2 1/2 there are things to do. Depending on height, (I've had really tall kids--48 inches at 3 1/2 years old), they can do mostly everything. There is the Woody coaster, Playland, Barney show, Animal Planet, Shrek, Jimmy Neutron, ET. At IOA, there is all of Dr. Suess area, the Jurassic playland, Storm Force, Talking Fountain, Posiedons Fury, and possibly Flying Unicorn.

I have had such tall kids, I don't remember how tall 2 1/2 is. There is more to do at USO than IOA, but it can be done.

4 was the perfect age for my daughter, she was tall enough for everything then. She is now 7 and still can ride all the (4 year old rides).. she's not quite 52 inches for Dr. Doom just yet!

 

[TiffJ]

We took my 2 1/2 DS last year and he loved it. At US he loved Shrek, Woody coaster we did several times, Jimmy Neutron he could sit in stationary seats, Jaws, ET (just barely tall enough). But he just loves being there with the atmosphere too. At IOA he loved Suess landing, the Flying Unicorn we rode 3 times in a row. And there was some ride by the Hulk that was their version of the Tea Cups but much wilder. He loved those too. I wouldnt spend the money if you were going for just him, but if you wanted to go he would definately have a good time.

 

[Mainebound]

Originally posted by TiffJ
I wouldnt spend the money if you were going for just him, but if you wanted to go he would definately have a good time.

I totally agree with this advice. Only bring him if YOU want to go.

We wanted to spend a day at US in March and of course we brought our 2 year old. He LOVED the Barney show (twice!), and also the playground where it exits ("Barney's Backyard), and the Barney greeting area. That stuff alone took about 90 minutes. He loved meeting the characters all over the park. All the other stuff around Barney that are which others have mentioned he also enjoyed. We took him into Shrek which he was ok with, but it was definitely more intense than the regular films. He loved Animal Planet, too. I think there is a casual 3/4 of a day there for a 2 year old, including lunch.