USO with teens

[MARY-IN-OH]

Hi,

We will be at WDW/USO Dec 10-20. WDW parks first and then US parks (wanted to stay at RPR, maybe next time)

Since we have not been to Universal, my question is which park first for my DS17 and DD15?

I think they'll be psyched to go to IOA (right?). So, should we do that right away or "save" it for last? We have a few open days for them to choose which park they want to go to - WDW or US/IOA park so does it even matter?

my plan is that if they don't enjoy WDW as much as I do, I can redeem myself with US/IOA - you see, we're from Ohio so these are Cedar Point/Geauga Lake thrill ride park kids, so I'm not sure how well disney will go over with them since they were only there once when they were little!

One more question, what is a good (preferably easy/quick read) guide for USO? I do not want to be one of those people who come back from the park and say, "huh, what ride? didn't see that one"

thanks everyone! (24 days, I am so excited and will post my thoughts when I get back, and 'sall good - I am totally open minded about this adventure to USO ) - mary

 

[Rabbitlover]

Hi,

Since we have not been to Universal, my question is which park first for my DS17 and DD15?

you see, we're from Ohio so these are Cedar Point/Geauga Lake thrill ride park kids, so I'm not sure how well disney will go over with them since they were only there once when they were little!

Disney & Universal are nothing like Cedar point so if you think they are looking strictly for stuff like CP then you definatly want to do IOA, its the closest thing( although very far from in comparison terms) to Cedar Point. Just my opinion anyhow

Have a great time no matter what you choose and bring some of that warm weather back with you!!!

 

[Eclpz314]

We went to US/IOA 3 yrs. in a row with 2 teen boys (17, and 21 now) The first year was supposed to be the last splurge big vacation because I just knew they wouldn't want to go anymore. They had a blast! IOA is good for the coaster type stuff, but US has Men In Black that the boys (and parents couldn't get enough of..... and Mummy on this last trip. It would be a toss up as to which park to do first, but as long as both parks are on your agenda, they should find something in either one! Don't rule out City Walk as a really neat shopping/browsing place for them either.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Thanks! I am really excited about USO, we plan to do a margaritaville meal too, that place sounds cool for us.
mary

 

[Eclpz314]

Thanks! I am really excited about USO, we plan to do a margaritaville meal too, that place sounds cool for us.
mary

Make sure you can stay an hour so you'll get to see the volcano in action!!

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Make sure you can stay an hour so you'll get to see the volcano in action!!

okee-doe-kee, thanks!

 

[robvia]

The teens will enjoy Disney, but there are only 2-3 thrill rides in each park. They're spread out between 4 parks, which is why people have to spend an entire week there. Your teens will probably want to run off on their own, staying in touch by cell phone. They'll do the thrill ride tour, hitting the 2-3 rides in each park, then be done with it. People are brainwashed into thinking they need a day in each Disney park, but this isn't the case. You could visit IOA in the morning, then a Disney park at night.

IOA will be their choice when you drive over the first day.
If you're not staying onsite, arrive the parking garage at 8am so you're first to the gate. Run to Hulk, get a front seat ride, and go from there.

Your kids would also enjoy riding Kracken at Sea World. And if you really wanted too, you could drive over to Busch Gardens Tampa.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Thanks! I will try to be flexible and let them off on their own when they feel comfortable. I tried to give our itinerary several days where they can choose what they want to do, or even if they need down time too. (trying hard to not have crabby teenagers on vacation with me! yuk!) if they need a nap, then nighty-night!

 

[macraven]

there are so many kewl things to do at ioa and the studios.
i think teens would like both parks.

at ioa, i always hit:
hulk, dr. doom (i know, i stand alone on this one) spiderman, dueling dragons, sinbad's show, the mystic fountain (very good for entertainment when kids are there harassing the fountain) poisiden's fury, seuss trolley ride, cat in the hat..........i could go on with this list.


at the studios:
T2, ET, animal planet show, horror make up show (i see this twice on each visit), MIB, shrek, jimmy neutron, blues brothers show, mummy.......and that list goes on also. didn't mention all the things but just the ones we never miss. twister is good for one viewing. then, i only do that one once every 3 years. kind of like seeing carousel of progress at disney type of attraction. see it once and it stays with you for a few years.

don't over look the street entertainment in both parks. at the studios, the lucy show is a hoot, many celebs walking around also.

the super heroes at ioa has a grand entrance when they start to come to the spidey area for a meet and greet with pics.

city walk will be fun for the teens. if they are into sports, there is a great sports store where you can find items we could not find in chicago.

go and enjoy your trip!
let us know how it went when you return.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Thanks! I will jot down some notes from here, and I will be sure to report how it went when we get back!
mary

 

[kohlby]

I would do both in one day with teens. I went before I had kids with my husband a few times. We would start at IOA and do the rides over and over until our bellies felt ill - like do dueling dragon 12 times in a row, hulk 6 times in a row, etc. Then we would book it over to Universal for some tamer rides. After that break, we would go back to IOA to finish our day. We weren't teens, but perhaps were similar with theme parks - with lots of energy and fast feet. We love Cedar Point too. This time we're headed with an 8 month old and 3 year old. I can't wait to go when they're teens!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

They will really like both! I recommend US first because they may not like it as much once they've been to IOA! IOA was my absolute favorite 5 years ago before I had children. We're still going to IOA but it's definately more fun with older kids!

 

[catsy57]

Hi Mary,

We are also from NE Ohio (Geauga County) and are planning on a stop at Universal from Dec 19 - 22. We have two girls, ages 16 and 11, and will be staying at the Royal Pacific. Like you, our kids have grown up at amusement parks. We have season passes to Geauga Lake, which, granted, is not nearly as thrilling as Cedar Point! Hope you all have fun, and maybe we'll run into you and your gang (we'll be the ones with the pale Ohio skin!!)

 

[goofy!]

We just got back from 9 days at Universal. We had a large family reunion, (most of whom were staying at WDW. As the rebels in the family we stayed at the Portofino.)

They came over to Universal to check it out. These teens live a stone's throw from Hershey Park and 6 Flags, so were used to a bit more of a thrill ride.

We did IOA first, which I believe they preferred. Then we headed over to the Universal side to do MIB, Mummy, Jaws and Horror Make-Up show. They younger kids also did Jimmy Neutron. We had spent so much time in IOA, we didn't leave a whole lot of time for Universal. But it worked out, because the teens all preferred IOA.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Hi Mary,

We are also from NE Ohio (Geauga County) and are planning on a stop at Universal from Dec 19 - 22. We have two girls, ages 16 and 11, and will be staying at the Royal Pacific. Like you, our kids have grown up at amusement parks. We have season passes to Geauga Lake, which, granted, is not nearly as thrilling as Cedar Point! Hope you all have fun, and maybe we'll run into you and your gang (we'll be the ones with the pale Ohio skin!!)

Welcome to the boards!!
That is cool that we'll be there at the same time. Some of our days are tentative depending on what we feel like doing that day. We have Dec 16-19 as Universal days, probably first half of the day. The 19th, when you are there is a "for sure" day, maybe we will see you! My son, Jesse, usually wears Ohio sports stuff, so maybe you'll notice us. He usually wears something Ohio State or Cavs, that would be cool to run into you! Have a wonderful trip!

Glad you posted! (oh, we're in Parma, not too far from you!)
-mary

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

We just got back from 9 days at Universal. We had a large family reunion, (most of whom were staying at WDW. As the rebels in the family we stayed at the Portofino.)

They came over to Universal to check it out. These teens live a stone's throw from Hershey Park and 6 Flags, so were used to a bit more of a thrill ride.

We did IOA first, which I believe they preferred. Then we headed over to the Universal side to do MIB, Mummy, Jaws and Horror Make-Up show. They younger kids also did Jimmy Neutron. We had spent so much time in IOA, we didn't leave a whole lot of time for Universal. But it worked out, because the teens all preferred IOA.

I'm really hoping my family loves US/IOA, and I'm hoping that we can plan another trip someday and stay on site! Thanks for your input, and wish me luck!