what age for kids first trip to Universal

[mickeymousefan]

Hi.... wondering what age to start taking kids to Universal/IOA. Our DD's will be 5 and 6 on our next trip. We have shyed away from these parks because our last trip to Universal was 1999 and I don't recall there being lots for kids to do. Any opinions???

 

[Pooh Fan]

I think there is quite a bit for your kids to do. There is Seuss Landing which is fun for everyone. In the Jurassic Park area there is a kids discovery area and a play area. There is also the Curios George Play area, Woody Woodpeckers Kid Zone, Barney, etc. We have found that there is something for our youngest to do (who would love to ride the big coasters if he met the height requirement) while DH, DD, or I ride the coasters. I do not know your DD's thrill level, but my two kids both love to ride as much as they can. I would say go ahead and go there is so much to do for the entire family at Universal.

 

[Metro West]

I think that's perfect age for kids to start enjoying the parks. If you missed IOA last time, they have Seuss Landing which is a great place for the kids.
Plus, the Studios has E.T., Jimmy Neutron, Curious George and Woody Woodpecker coaster. Here are a few pix for you:

 

[katybugsmom]

Hello! We took our DD when she was almost 3 because she loved Barney so much! She had a ball riding all the Dr. Suess rides, the Barney show, and she even rode the Flying Unicorn roller coaster 4 times!!! I think your children will have a great time! We are going back in December. DD is now almost 8 and is ready to ride everything!!!! Have a great time!!!

 

[mickeymousefan]

Wow, the pictures look great. Thanks for the encouragement. We have had season passes to our local Six Flags for several years, so my DD's are used too, and love, rides of all kinds. The Nick themed area and Suess landing are soooo colorful, I think they would have a blast.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

We're taking our kids for the first time next year. My dd2 is going to love the Barney show , I know there are some good characters there for pics too, like Barney , Dora , the Rugrats, Curious George, Spongebob, Shrek and donkey, and that's all i can think of right know, and that's just from Universal Studios.

 

[PattiPB]

Everybody highlighted great young kid things to do.

Think about the cost of all that fun: $109 for 5 consecutive days per adult, with KIDS FREE!!!!

Your kids are great ages, IMO! Especially when you won't be worried about "getting your money's worth", KWIM!

 

[G&J's Mom]

My 4 yo DS and 6 yo DD LOVE US / IOA. DS's favorite ride is ET while DD's is Rip Saw Falls. I think your DD's will really enjoy it. We found so much for them to do.

Denise

 

[dancegrl1093]

i am looking through my old universal guidebook, and here are all the rides that your kids should most likely be fine on:

universal studios:

A Day in the Park with Barney
Animal Actors on Location!
Back to the Future for children 7 and up (only if your kids are adventurous)
Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue (the guidebook says for all, but i'd be cautious)
Earthquake (for children 5 and up)
E.T. Adventure
Fievel's Playland
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Men in Black (the guidebook says 7 and up, but i know a timid 4 year old who went on it and was fine)
The Horror Make-up Show (I'd be cautious, because i've never seen it, and it is supposedly pretty frightening)
Jaws (7 and up, but not too scary)
Fear Factor Live
Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster (4 and up)

at Islands of Adventure:

Spiderman (6 and up, but be cautious!)
Camp Jurassic
all Seuss Landing attractions
Jurrasic Park Discovery Center
Dr. Doom's Fearfall (6 and up, but it's like the tower of terror, so i don't advise it)
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls (6 and up, but it's like splash mountain)
dueling dragons (6 and up, but i would NEVER let a child younger than 7 ride)
eighth voyage of sinbad (6 and up, but it's just a show, and there's not much too be frightened of)
Flying Unicorn (5 and up, but it's like woody Woodpecker)
If i ran the zoo
Me Ship, the Olive
Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges (4 and up)
Poseidon's Fury (6 and up)
Pteranodon Flyers (4 and up, the children you are riding with must be between 36 and 56 in. tall)
River Adventure (6 and up, it's a dinosaur version of splash mountain)
storm force accelatron (4 and up, like the mad hatter)
triceratops encounter

hope this helps!

 

[mommiepoppins]

my dd's 1-14 had a blast something for all ages

 

[ReallyFunMom]

I think IOA/US is great for young kids. It almost a shame not to take them when they are toddlers for all the fun Barney stuff, Fievels playground and curious george play area. There are things a 5 & 6 year old has already outgrown! The one thing I noticed is sometimes its loud, too loud. We were by the speaker on Jaws and thought it was uncomfortably loud even as adults but depends on the boat and the operator. The motercycles come into Marvel land with lots of sirens and T-2 has some loud shooting scenes. We solved this by purchasing ear muffs. Found them in youth size in Bass pro shop hunting section (I suppose they are for target practice). We tossed them in the backpack and the kids put them on when needed. It only took the edge off, they still heard everything. For Jaws it helps to explain there will be a big FAKE shark like the one hanging out front that will pop out of the water. I'd have them sit on the inside seats and try to laugh at it 'haha you can't get us' when it pops up. Twister is also loud. Just depends on your kids sensitivity. It seems to be something they outgrow, mine are much better with it now but I didn't mind carrying them around to make them more comfortable and protect their ears. My kids won't stick anything in their ears but if you have kids that are use to putting in the orange ear plugs for swimming, those would work and be easier to carry.

 

[ReallyFunMom]

If you come to FL once a year, consider the 2 year premium annual pass for 179.99. (Bealls code BEALLS06) Free parking, discounts on food and hotel stays.......

http://www.universalorlando.com/annualpass/index.php.html

 

[HollyHolly]

Our DDs were 7 & 6 on our first Universal trip ... and they've been dying to get back there ever since. Have fun!

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I took my kids for the first time when they were 3 and 6. They love Universal/IOA and always want to go there over Disney.

 

[schoolmarm]

We just got back....our kids are a little older...8 and 9, but they had a blast!!!! There are soooo many fun things for little kids that I had no idea about. In the Woody Woodpeckers kid zone there are super fun water things...take your bathing suits and a towel with you....they wont let your kids where them all day without shorts over them, but there are bathrooms they can change into and out of them right there...trust me....they will be soaked, this isn't just a little water area. My kids stayed there for 4 hours straight and even then we had to drag them out. If they can handle big drops then they will love RIp Saw falls and jurasic park. PTeranadon Flyer is for young children (adults can't even do it without a child) and is really fun....a word of wisdom though...there is no Express Pass for this so go first thing or the line gets unbearable. Also, the Flying Unicorn is a little roller coaster that is super fun. There's plenty to do with them....they will love it!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

My kids have gone there from 2 to ten and always found something to do