Which Universal park is best for a 7year old boy??

[jacksmom]

We are going to Disney for 9 days in March and would like to spend one day at Universal! We can't decide between US or IOA though?? Please help, which would my ds like best? Why??? Also, where is the best place to buy a 1-day ticket? And, how much is the fotl pass? Thanks!

 

[JMD]

Both parks are good, but I think a 7 year old would prefer IOA.

 

[phamton]

I would read these two articles and make your decision from there:

Universal Orlando for Kids

Islands of Adventure for Kids

The express pass booklets cost different prices depending on the date you are there and the expected crowd level.

 

[sha_lyn]

There really isn't a reason to purchase the book of express passes unless you are going at a very high peak time or will arrive late in the day. Universal has Universal express machines that are are like disney's fast pass.

With 9 days in Orlando I really suggest giving both parks a try.

 

[JessicaR]

With 9 days in Orlando I really suggest giving both parks a try.

If possible I think so too!

Universal for a 7 year old would be great because of curious george area alone but also MIB, shrek and jimmy nuetron.

Islands of Adventure would be great for me ship olive and JP area as well as all the water rides and...and...and... Well I think both for a 7 year old!

 

[Immelman]

how tall is he? that makes a difference.

 

[bjakmom]

Just took just-turned 7 yo DNeph in Dec. - in USF he loved Shrek, MIB, Jaws & ET & the animal show - he tried Mummy because last August he was about 1/4 inch too short and was determined to get on - he said he kept his eyes closed the whole time and wouldn't go again - we talked him onto Earthquake and into Terminator - both a little too intense for him - we didn't do Jimmy Neutron because sis and I get dizzy in it - didn't do the water area because of the weather.
At IOA he LOVED LOVED LOVED Spiderman - we did it 3 times - he loved the Unicorn roller coaster - did that one 5 times - we talked him onto Jurassic park and he survived it but didn't want to do it again - talked him in to Poseidon's fury and he got scared until the wonderful "Taylor" saw that he was scared and went out of his way to help him 'brave' his way through it (wouldn't do that one again, either,though) - he loved the Sinbad show and meeting the Sinbad characters for pictures. The big surprise for us was how much he loved Seuss landing - wanted to go on Cat in the Hat several times and rode One fish/Two fish repeatedly - also had a lot of fun in the interactive garden area near Green eggs and ham (forget the name ) - again we didn't do any of the water rides because of the weather.
Hope it helps to know what another 7 yo boy enjoyed - you can probably gauge best by which characters he enjoys the most - if I had to choose (and I think they're both great) I would choose IOA for Seuss landing and the Superheros, but you really can't go wrong either way, IMHO!

 

[sha_lyn]

we didn't do Jimmy Neutron because sis and I get dizzy in it - didn't do the water area because of the weather.

I believe they still have the stationary seating.

My now 7 yr old has been 3 times. 3 1/2, 4 1/2, and right before her 7 birthday.
She has ridden everything that she has been tall enough for. The only thing that ever bohtered her was Jaws when she was 3 1/2. She made it through BTTF, and so many other "scary" things just fine. however I think it was the suprise factor of Jaws that got to her. On the other rides she knew to expect something because of the atsmophere.

Now that she is big enough for some of the other things, she love MIB, Spiderman, Jurassic Park River adventure (she is really hoping for warm weather nest weekend so she can get her Granny on it for the first time). She still love all of Seuss Landing. Which has always been her favorite. For our first 2 trips, while she could do more at US, she enjoyed IOA more. Besides Seuss Landing, she has always loved Flying Unicorn and Camp Jurrasic. IN US she has always loved ET.

 

[scarboroughmom]

I have just conducted an opinion poll in my house. My 7 year old twin boys and 10 year old son agree that you have to go to both parks. Solomon himself couldn't pick one. My kids have been to both parks 3 times in the last 2 years.

 

[jacksmom]

Thanks for all your help! Right now I'm leaning towards US! My ds is still a little hesitant toward the thrill rides! He loves Nick and Jimmy Neutron though! We have an AP for Disney, so 1 day is all I really want to do at Universal! Maybe next year we can plan to spend more time!! Thanks again for all your help!

 

[scarboroughmom]

Actually, you can squeeze in both parks in the same day if you plan it right and your legs hold out. We have done it before. I am a "ride weenie". I get nervous on Pirates of the Caribbean. So most of the stuff I like is at US. If you spend most of the day at US, you can go over to IoA and go through Seusseville and do Cat in the Hat and a few of the other rides there. Then walk around the rest of the park to kind of check it out. At the end of that walk, spend some time in the Superhero area. They have various Marvel comic heroes acting out in the street. My kids love that part.

 

[the kabuki]

You could do both parks in a day if you arrive when they open, have your tixs already purchased , a map of the park with a detailed plan of attack.

Asked DD7 his favs and they were in order: Spiderman, Mummy, Curious George play area, , Jurassic Park Ride, Bilge rat barges, ripsaw falls, Men in Black, Shrek4D, Jimmy Nuetron

No way could he decide between the two!