What are Universal and IA like?

[luckytso]

Are they similar to Great Adventures, a six flag amusement park?

I assume they are much much better. We are going in May and am wondering how many days we should spend at HRH. I have 2 kids, 5 and 2, will 4 days be enough? Will be be bored? We are not the roller coaster type, is there enough to keep the little ones entertained?

We are going to WDW afterwards, after having fron of the line, will WDW be a let down?

Thanks!!!

 

[sha_lyn]

Well they are not like a Six Flags park, that is certain. The are more like Disney. In fact I always say that IOA out Disney's Disney (by surounding you with the theming). IOA had different lands, much the way MK is set up.
Hopefully Pete's new Universal site will be up soon. Until then check out

Themeparks.com/Universal Floridia

I would suggest staying 4 days. The universal hotels offer a free bus to sea world. The Pool at HRH is great too. The 0 entry is wonderful for kids. I would allow a day each for US/IOA and sea World and using the other day for the pool and City walk, or perhaps another day at one of the parks (IOA would be my kids choice)

 

[GSLand]

We were at HRH 4 night at Christmas. Good Choice!
The Universal Studios is different from other amusement parks such as 6 Flags. You really do "ride the movies". Each attraction is themed on a movie. I think some may be too intense for young children (depends on the child) - but the good news is with your front-of-the-line access, either your or another adult in the party can try it out and then decide if it is appropriate for the children.
Our 15 yo daughter was bored with USF - but we adults enjoyed it.

Islands of Adventure is more "rides" - again very well themed. We do like the roller coasters, and spent most of our time on the thrill rides ... so I cannot say anything about ride that may be appropriate for the younger ones.

And yes - WDW was a little harder with the Fast Pass instead of the wonderful FOTL access at Universal. The parks were very crowded becasue of the holidays - and FP were issued for hours later, if available at all. You probably will not have it quite so bad - unless your plans are for a crowded holiday time too.

Have a good trip! Enjoy that HRH (our new favorite).

 

[Robinrs]

Boy, is this one of my pet peeves...

I HATE amusement parks! My job gives us tickets to Six Flags every year and I still hate to go!

On the other hand I LOVE themeparks, and these are theme parks, not amusement parks.

Like Sha_lyn said, IOA is made up of many islands, like the Magic Kingdom. Each Island is it's own entity, and the identity is constant in each land. The theming is high tech and very today, and was built for the highly technical XBox generation.

Universal Studios IS a working studio. The term "Ride the Movies" is consistent throughout.

Four days is great. No, I don't think you will be bored, especially at the Hard Rock! As for the little ones, just get the camera ready for USF's Barney Show and Fieval's playland and the wonderfully wet Curious George area. They will love you for it!

At IOA they will enjoy Toon Lagoon and Seuss Landing. Your 5yo and you will love Spiderman. The Universal Express access will come in right on time for the long lines there. There is really no better way to tour a park.

I know you will enjoy your stay!

 

[Notatourist]

Originally posted by Robinrs
The Universal Express access will come in right on time for the long lines there. There is really no better way to tour a park.

I know you will enjoy your stay!

Uh Robin? :::Sniff:::what about VIP tours?

 

[BarryHom]

I did the VIP tour during Halloween Horror Nights and it was one of the best times I had at the park!

 

[GSLand]

so ... is the VIP a guided tour thru the parks? more?

 

[BarryHom]

Read this trip report:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=292303

 

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by Notatourist
Uh Robin? :::Sniff:::what about VIP tours?

OOOPs!! AND that AWESOME tour!!

I agree, the tour I took was, hands down, the BEST time I had in Islands of Adventure. You are treated like a true VIP! I loved how people would stare at our little group of line jumpers and ask "WHO are THEY????" teehee....

 

[luckytso]

Thanks for all your responses. I just changed my reservation to stay at WDW first and then go to HRH.

 

[JenniferW]

When we have gone to US/IOA with people who haven't ever been before they have been very pleasantly surprised. The theming is amazing and very detailed. It is much newer than Dsiney so I find it is to be more technologically advanced. Food selection is better, transportation between parks and to Citiwalk is more conveneient. The resorts IMOH are much better than Disney's for the price. The units are newer and well planned. I would spend one day at the pools and at Citiwalk, give your feet a day to rest and the pool is out of this world. 4 days is a perfect amount of time.

I always combine Disney parks with Universal parks and find it to be a good balance. I like both of them too much to skip either!

Have a fun trip.

Jenn

 

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by luckytso
Thanks for all your responses. I just changed my reservation to stay at WDW first and then go to HRH.

Wow! I know you won't regret it!