Which 2 Combo of Parks would you choose??

[haircrazee]

Would you rather
Universal and Islands of Adventure
or
SeaWorld and Aquatica

If it's your first time and you HAD to choose between these which would you recommend for a family with a 10 and 14 yr old (2 girls).
Thanks

 

[DisneyFreak06]

I have not been to any of these parks, so I cannot make a suggestion. Do the girls like water parks? Aquatica is a water park, isn't it? I am asking this because I took my DN then 12, and he said he loved water parks, and I took him to Typhoon Lagoon and he did maybe 4 rides. He loves the beach and pools, bigtime, but does not like water slides. I think Universal and IoA are both ride-oriented too, while Sea World has some rides and tons of Aquatic Animals. I would say that it depends on what the girls are interested in.

 

[mtmbyck]

First, I will qualify by saying I have not been to Aquatica but drove by last uear and it was amazing.

Do DD's like thrill rides? will you be there at a time of year when it will be hot.

We did US/IOA last year and while I was dissappointed the kids loved the thrill rides - there are lots. We walked on everything and it was March break. Kids did miss the Disney theme though. It was a nice park but easily done in 2 days.

We did Sea World about 3 years ago and the DD's were little so this was great as they loved looking at the sharks and shamu show....but other than that, I don't recall anything that wowed me!!

Can you combine Aquatica and US - this is what I would choose IF I could not choose MK with Blizzard Beach.

Aquatica looks very cool. But for a 1st timer, I think I'd say US/IOA. More to do and see.

 

[michelle1]

Since your kids have never been to Universal then I would recommend to go there and yours are a good age for all of the rides. You didn't say when you were going but if it's during the cooler season then a water park might not work out. Universal is having a deal on similar to WDW where you pay for a few nights and get some for free...we stayed onsite during the busy summer season and it was totally worth it for the front of the line passes. Have fun!

 

[LSmith]

I would say it depends if the girls like rides. If so, then I would say Universal/IOA. While I don't think the parks compare to Disney the rest of my family really enjoy Universal/IOA since they love thrill rides (kids are 8 and 10).

I even talked/begged hubby into humiliating his old self for the Fear Factor show for my own amusement Anyway I, personally, walked around with my nose in the air thinking "Disney would have done this much better".

If they aren't into rides, specifically thrill rides, then I would chose SeaWorld/Aquatica. I don't know when you are planning to go but we found that last March Break when we went to Aquatica that it was a bit cool for us. It is more opened than Typhoon Lagoon and we all felt a bit chilled that day. It was also overcast and that didn't help.

I'm glad we went to Aquatica but personally, I feel that Typhoon Lagoon beats it with its more tropical feel. And if you think you are going to see dolphins when you go down that slide, well I hope your brain processes images very quickly.

Aquatica seemed more opened, almost like a big parking lot. A few things that Aquatica has that are excellent are the rapid river instead of the typical lazy river. Loved that. Also, since it was the last day we were in Florida and we had already checked out of our villa, I was able to have a real shower in the bathroom (hair issues) before heading to the airport. They have big, private shower stalls, complete with shampoo and soap. Very clean bathrooms which I hope they have kept up.

Again, I have to say my hubby liked Aquatica more than TL so there you go (he probably thinks it is cheaper).

Anyway, these are my random thoughts on the subject.

 

[haircrazee]

Hi sorry I'm horrible at not giving enough info..
We are going first week of March, and my girls LOVE thrill rides.
Also we will be going to MK for 1 day.
We had hoped on selling our tour tickets and go alone, but couldn't so now we have an itinerary..1 day at each MK,Univ,IOA,Sea,and Aquatica...or we can go to Clearwater beach one day, etc...
I was trying to save money by not doing one of the combos and going to beach one day and stay at hotel one day and do some site seeing on our own.
Personally I would love to go to Seaworld, but there is nothing saying we won't be back to Florida after this initial trip, so would like to keep it as cheap yet fun as possible.
Thanks

 

[petbren]

Again, I have to say my hubby liked Aquatica more than TL so there you go (he probably thinks it is cheaper).

Man, I have one of those too.

We are going in October, and will probably do one day at SW, but probably not Aquatica........we love the Disney Waterparks too much.
We are DS13, and DD11, but not real thrill seekers.
BF went last year to Universal, with a 2 day pass, and like you, spent the whole time comparing how Disney just does things better (kind a like when I am forced to go to Canada's Wonderland )
Her kids are thrill riders though, and did enjoy Universal.