Would anyone go to Universal or IOA with a 2 year old ?

[alexandra uk]

Has anyone been to these parks and enjoyed them with a 2 year old ?
I really want to go, but I've read that theres not a great deal there for toddlers. Its not going to be much fun for ds if wev'e got to be doing the baby swap all day, so if this is the case, I'd rather leave it until he is older

 

[floridalol]

IMO (but opposed by many) children need to be at least 5 or 6 before they can enjoy any theme park experience. Remember if they are not enjoying it you are not either!

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I agree that older is better. If you know that you will be visiting Orlando when your kids are older I'd say wait a few years. Everyone will enjoy the visit more, and there will be many more attractions that you will be able to do as a family.

Regards

Rob

 

[The Lost Boy]

I think it has a lot to do with the child rather than their age.
My 2 year old DS has been to DLP twice and has very much enjoyed the experience because he has always been able to adapt to his suroundings and is much more "accomodating" than his older brother who we would have never taken at such a young age as he was not able to cope very well outside of his normal routine when he was 1-2yrs old.
Best bet is to go with the flow and the needs of the child (ie sleep/eat/drink etc). It may mean not being able to do the parks commando style but having children with you, no matter what age, adds to the experience (IMHO). The parks, and Disney in particular, has an awful lot more to offer than just the rides, and to small children (and their parents ) it can be a truly magical experience.

 

[vernon]

I would pick IOA over Universal, as there are a number of things a small child will enjoy. The Seuss Landing area is VERY colourful and I'm sure they would enjoy the carseussell, cat in the hat and one fish two fish rides. There is also a really fun "water playground" that the young ones seem to love (try to get em out is the problem LOL ). There is also a play area in the Jurrassic Park area of the park plus the life size dinos in the "discovery centre" in that part of the park. IOA is a very colourful park and there is quite a lot of things for him to look at. IMHO as long as you space out the baby swaps he shouldn't get too bored with things.

I don't agree that kids HAVE to be 5 or 6 to enjoy the parks, but it does require the parents to put due consideration into what their kids are likely to enjoy and tailor the families day around what the smallest will enjoy. That may mean that you take turns watching him in the play areas while the other goes off to do a ride but if you REALLY want to visit yourself I think it's a workable plan.

 

[BevS97]

I totally disagree that a child has to be 5 or 6 to enjoy ANYtheme park - I think the Disney parks have a lot to offer a younger child, but I don't think that IOA or Universal have very much.

I have to issue a warning on the cat in the hat ride- this is not a tame ride if you are a little one, it spins quite fast, it has strobe lights on it, in fact I think it has a warning for bad backs and pregnant ladies not to ride. If you are a toddler who is new to theme parks, this is not a pleasant experience. Trust me....

I do agree the water park in Suess Landing was superb - take a swim suit and a towel.

The play area in Jurassic Park is not suitable for timid little ones, as the dinosaurs roar when you step in the wrong place - again this might not seem a big deal to you or me, but to a timid 3 year old it was absolutely terrifying.

Bev

 

[Martin S]

We're having the same dilemma as well, DS will be 2 next time we go, I love the rides at both US and IOA and have to do them if we're in Orlando.

So what we've decided to do is spend most of the holiday in the Poly with MK and the monorail in mind and then move over to the HRH for a couple of nights at the end of the trip. That way we can take advantage of the queue jumping privileges at these parks and just blitz our favourite rides. OK you cant really enjoy the parks fully but at least you get the ride fix satisfied.

 

[uksaint]

We're doing both US and IOA with our 2 year old DS next month. We weren't going to bother with US, but he loves Barney so it will be worth it for that alone.

I'd look at it this way - you wouldn't think twice about taking your DS shopping for the day - that probably isn't much fun for him. I'm sure he'll find a lot more to enjoy at both these theme parks, even if you do spend a fair amount of time with baby swap. Just make sure you don't skimp on the time spent at Seuss Landing, Barney, Curious George playground etc. We were at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg in June when DS was 18m - he seemed to really enjoy watching DW or myself take turns to go on some of the coasters.

Andy

 

[Sue F UK]

Just to add my experience into the mixed opinions on this thread.

We took DD and DNiece to DLP when they were both 2. They both had a great time on the tamer rides (teacups, its a small world etc. and they thought that the parades were fantastic) But they were absolutely terrified the first time they encountered the characters - a 6' Tigger is definately a shock for a 2 year old!

The following year we took DD to Orlando and her favourite park was US (IOA wasn't open then) She loved Barney and went mad for the ET ride and Curious Georges play area.

We do not regret taking her on either trip although we did have to put her needs first and forego alot of the things we like to do so that she had a good time. It wasn't really a sacrifice though, just seeing her little face was wonderful.

We have since returned with DD 4 times and every time has gotten better, she can now go on the majority of the rides and at 7 years of age is something of a veteran!!

On our trip in February we are again taking DNeice who, unfortunately doesn't remember a thing about her previous trip so it will all seem new to her!!

The only thing that I would say is that, if this is to be a 'once in a lifetime' trip then you may be better waiting a few years so that your DS will be better able to remember the experience when he is older.

 

[Kev Harrison]

I'm taking mine over to Orlando, and as this is my third time, we'll just do things differently. As far as i'm concerned there's a lot for toddlers to look at and enjoy. Don't let your son's age put you off.

Live for now.

 

[Kim Styles]

We took our DS to both Disney and IOA when he was just 2. He really enjoyed the whole trip and still talks about it now. We are all looking forward to our upcoming trip in April. DS is now four and possibly harder work this time as he does not need his buggy. However we did plan for him to enjoy it as much as us and made allowances for a small child's staying power. We came back to our hotel every afternoon for his sleep and then went out into the parks again for late afternoon/ evening. We did baby swaps and also had a couple of evenings inroom babysitting, so we could blitz those fast rides. It was amazing to see his reaction to everything and I feel we had a more enjoyable time by pacing ourselves.

 

[Elle]

Alex,
An interesting post, we took #1 son now 3 1/2 to Fl for the first time when he was 4 mths, then 15mths then nearly 3 and he goes again soon. #2 son went first time last year when he was 15 mths. I absolutley disagree that they have to be older to enjoy the experience, each time there is something else that they can do, see, touch, hug, eat, interact with or experience.
Of course all children are different but no one knows their own child like mum does, take it at his pace, do not rush him into doing things he does not want, take him to everything that you do and let him enjoy it all. It is a very "old fashioned" view that children should be older to enjoy these things, sure there will be things they cannot remember after a few weeks but "mum and dad" will sure as hell remember the look on the childs face the first time he sees pooh or tigger or bugs etc.
Enjoy IOA there is loads of stuff for toddlers.
Elle

 

[alexandra uk]

Thankyou all for your help
I've decided that we will do both Universal and IOA. Even if theres not as much there for him as there is at Disney, I'm sure he'll still love it.
He has'nt got much of a routine for eating or sleeping, its just when it suits him really, and he's more than happy to sleep in his stroller (he does most of the time when we go into town)
Does anyone know a good website with a list of rides and ride descriptions please ?