Which park is best for little kids

[kayleesmom2]

My kids will be ages 3 and 6 when we travel (thinking about June 2012). I know very little, well nothing really, about either park as we have always done Disney. Are either of these parks better suited for kids of this age or are they geared more for older kids? I have looked on Universal's website, and I saw a few things at each place that looked like the kids woulf be able to enjoy, but if you were choosing only 1 for this age which would it be, or should I get a 2-park ticket and hit the highlightes of both parks in 1 day??? Thanks

 

[proud_canadian]

My kids are going to be 4 and 7, and my oldest will be 48 inches so that will make a different, and my younger one 43-44 inches.

Universal things they are looking forward to:
- ET
- Barney show
- Curious George playground
- Woody Woodpecker coaster
- Shrek 4D
- Character greetings
- Disaster and the tornado one
- Terminator 3D
- Simpsons

At IOA they are looking forward to:
- Spiderman (my 4 year old is spiderman's biggest fan) + greeting
- Seussville
- Jurassic Park and Pterdon Flyers
- Hippograf roller coaster
- Maybe HP ride, we'll see, and only for the oldest
- Olivanders
- water rides

As you can see, both have many perks. If I had to pick one, I would pick Universal (which is also less busy), but with my daughters love of spiderman I think that would have to be our top pick as a family.

What do your children like of the above themes?

 

[kayleesmom2]

Thanks for the list, that's what I need. I do see more at Universal they would like, but I really think they would like the Suessville at IoA. Is it too hard to hit kid rides and shows of both parks in one day? Are the parks as big as Disney parks?
Thanks

 

[mesaboy2]

My kids are going to be 4 and 7, and my oldest will be 48 inches so that will make a different, and my younger one 43-44 inches.

Universal things they are looking forward to:
- ET
- Barney show
- Curious George playground
- Woody Woodpecker coaster
- Shrek 4D
- Character greetings
- Disaster and the tornado one
- Terminator 3D
- Simpsons

At IOA they are looking forward to:
- Spiderman (my 4 year old is spiderman's biggest fan) + greeting
- Seussville
- Jurassic Park and Pterdon Flyers
- Hippograf roller coaster
- Maybe HP ride, we'll see, and only for the oldest
- Olivanders
- water rides

As you can see, both have many perks. If I had to pick one, I would pick Universal (which is also less busy), but with my daughters love of spiderman I think that would have to be our top pick as a family.

What do your children like of the above themes?

That a great list to go by.

Only thing I would add is the "Seussville" has 4 main attractions, all of which would be great for the kiddos in question: One Fish Two Fish, Caro-Seuss-el, Cat in the Hat, and High in the Sky Trolley Train Ride. Also Storm Force Acceletron (in Marvel Super Hero Island) is very much like Mad Tea Party over at Magic Kingdom.

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks for the list, that's what I need. I do see more at Universal they would like, but I really think they would like the Suessville at IoA. Is it too hard to hit kid rides and shows of both parks in one day? Are the parks as big as Disney parks?
Thanks

The front gates of the parks are a 5-minute walk apart, so no, I would say it's easy to go between them. Each park is roughly the size of Magic Kingdom.

 

[Metro West]

It sounds like your kids would really enjoy Suess Landing...heck...I enjoy myself when I go and I'm in my 40s.

 

[carmiedog]

My vote would be Universal. My 6yo fell in love with ET, rode Woodpecker several times, and both her and my older kids spent hours in the ball factory. She's never liked Barney, but the inside play area was very nice and held her attention for quite a while. Animal Actors show was also a big hit for all the kids.

At Islands she wasn't nearly as impressed with Seuss as I thought she would be. But she enjoyed Jurassic play area and loved Pteranadon Flyers.

 

[musicmagic]

My kids are 4 and 6.My kids loved ET and curious George.I myself had plenty of fun at curious with water.