WDW vs Universal

[Zipitydooda]

I hope this is not sacreligious but we are going for a short trip in March and we are considering branching out to Universal. Since it is such a short stay, 2 days, I thought we would ease into Universal. The kids are 1 and 4 yrs old. What do you think?
Thanks,
Zip

 

[cleo]

Universal is a terrific park with some timeless attractions. Your children will probably be less enthralled by it than they will be with the Magic Kingdom (or Disney in general), but the adults will probably love it. Back to the Future is (IMO) the best simulator attraction (other than Mission:Space, which almost qualifies as a simulator), Shrek is a great 4-D show with a pre-show area that will have you rolling, and Men in Black is just plain addictive.

Universal always has a more 'scattered' feel to it for me.......less structured and less easy to navigate than Disney parks, but it also has a more earthy, grown up feel to it.

For a REAL adventure, try Islands of Adventure.

 

[spiceycat]

Hi!!!

Cleo is right IOA has the Dr Suezz land - that most kids like

there is another board on this site for Universal - that could probably help more -

 

[Robinrs]

Zip,

Please join us over at the Universal Board! You'll get all of your questions answered there and maybe get a chuckle or two!

BTW, it's HARDLY sacreligious to mention Universal in MY world!

 

[Crissy7682]

I much rather US over WDW but I have only been to MK. We are going to Epcot in June. Your children would probably rater WDW because they would relate more with the characters although the new universal park has the comic characters and Dr. Suess area. Unless you get a mutli park pass you will only be able to go to one park in a day. IOA would have stuff for both, kick butt rollercoasters for u but also areas for your kids.

Like everyone else said, try the US area of this board.

 

[zaxmom]

We took our boys at the same ages and had a great time. Stay onsite at one of their hotels. You get front of the line privileges. It is so worth it. Last time we stayed at the Hard Rock and it was so nice to be able to walk to the parks and CityWalk. My kids loved Universal. They are 5 and 3 now and we were at Disney last week. My oldest son said next time let's go to Universal again. They have lots of little things to do. Water areas to play in and such. I hate to be sexist, but I think young boys would like Universal better than young girls. Mainly because of the dinosaurs, aliens, superheros, flying cars. They also do the babyswap so that you can take turns riding the rollercoasters.

 

[snoopy]

My boys are 8 and 5, and much prefer Universal to WDW. They tolerate WDW because they know Mom likes it, but they would be very happy spending most of their time in the Universal resorts.

Even with kids as young as yours, you will still be able to find things to do. Probably not as much as MK, but I think they will enjoy Universal (IOA is geared toward kids a bit older, but as mentioned, there is Seuss Landing).

 

[Kevs mom]

We decided to give US a try this past January and my DH, DS 11, DD 8, and DS 5 all loved it! We are headed back next month and will be doing Disney this trip and they have already asked if we could PLEASE do US and IOA again. My kids did love Dr. Seuss land, they couldn't ride the "Cat in the Hat" enough times.

SNOOPY - I see you are in Washington DC, we are just outside DC and are headed back to Florida the same time as you (hopefully it will snow a lot that week while we are gone )maybe we'll see you on the highway if you are driving like we are!

 

[Robinrs]

[ I hate to be sexist, but I think young boys would like Universal better than young girls.

I can't disagree with you there. Universal does play up to the "little boy" in all of us which is why my testosteronically charged son prefers it to Disney. Disney, or the Magic Kingdom mostly, plays up the "little Princess" thing very well, which frankly, turns him and ME off. I was told by my best friend that I was a "13 year old boy in disguise" so I guess that means I like what USF has to offer!

 

[djm99]

I am a huge disney fan and so is my DD3. We've been once to US/IOA and once to disney (I went to Disneyworld/Land 5 times as a child- and wasn't too impressed!!) I love it as an adult. Because I wasn't originally a disney fan, I only wanted to do US/IOA, but now Disney is both her and my favorite.

I'm not too crazy at all with US because I've been and love US in LA and its (IMO) much better than Orlandos. But IOA - is the best theme park I've been to in years (because of the rides). To me that's the only thing disney lacks. Disney definately has a magic about it. And yeah they have rides spread out over all 4 parks, but US/IOA has both parks so close (you simple walk around the "pond" and your in IOA. Disney's focus appears to be on there shows, many characters, exhibits, etc. - rides weren't there main focus (and that's okay, because I love disney for all those reasons). In all 4 parks there might only be 3 good rides at each park.

If your children are Nick fans they'll have a great time in Nick Town, and especially in the Nick Studio. This studio was a big deal to me because I remember watching, as a child, one of what is now Nick's trade mark "slime" show (The original show that used the slime was, "You can't do that on TV"). I just simply loved it, but the rest of US was too familiar to me because I went to US in LA several times. I haven't been to the Shrek ride,but I will this summer.

But IOA, is a whole different story. IOA seems to be geared toward both children (especially teens) and adults. It has roller coasters for days (My husband and I love rides). IOA is like a new Six Flags (St. Louis Six Flags is really nice, but the rides give me a headache). My DH and I rode all day long, without DD, in IOA and not once needed an aspirin (I had several in the fanny pack).

Also if you DS in a Superhero fan (Spiderman, the Hulk, and a few others) they'll have a ball in IOA. I heard they will soon add Wonderwomen to their characters (I grew up a HUGE wonder women fan - I thought and still see Linda Carter as being the prettiest women in the world!!!!)

So to make a long story short if you want themed roller coaster rides, like Suess town, Superheros, Jurassic Park,The Lost Continent (they have a ride called Fire or Ice that is a must ride) go to IOA. If you want Blast off on Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast, see SpongeBob SquarePants™, The Fairly OddParents, Hey Arnold!, and Rugrats™in Nick town go to US's Nicktown.


Whichever park your family chooses trust me you'll have a ball!!!!!