Would we like it?

[Fargoman2]

We have been to Orlando the last three summers and have only done the Disney Parks. While I recognize that Universal Studios/IOA is a bit more "hip" than Disney, we are more connected to the Disney "brand."

We have kids 15, 12 and 5. Would there be enough to amuse the 5-year-old at Universal/IOA? Also, my wife has back issues and it seems to me most of the attractions there would be too jarring for her.

But having done everything Disney, we are intrigued by the notion of "testing" the other park(s). What's your wisdom?

Thanks!

 

[robvia]

Go to IOA.

Let the wife take the 5 year old to Suess landing, and the JP play area. That will keep them busy all morning. The 5 year old will get wet, so bring a change of cloths, and a good book to read for the wife.
You go on the fun rides with the teenagers.
Set a meeting place and time for lunch. Here's a good spot to meet. Near the front of the park is Confiscos Grill. There is a bar next to it (Backwater Bar). You go in there, buy a beer, start slamming, get the teens a coke. Across from the bar on the other side of a bridge is a play area (If I Ran The Zoo). It's next to the Caro-Suess-el. Tell the wife to meet here at a certain time, say noon. If she's not there, you sit in the bar while the kids go back and forth looking in the play area. When she's there, you go have lunch at Confiscos or Mythos.

If the wife and 5 year old go on The Cat in the Hat, ask them to turn off the spinning.

After that, you can do Posidens Fury, and the Sinbad show together. The 5 year old will probaby zonk out by this time. Rent a stroller. Set up a new meeting place and time or go back to your room and crash. If the kid is still awake, have them go to the talking fountain located between Posidens Fury and the Sinbad Show. They'll stay there for an hour while you go on more fun rides.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

However, Universal Studios is also great. If your wife would enjoy watching some shows (none of which will be mentioned if I can keep from blurtting any out). Universal has some excellent shows. Plus, Jimmy Neutron and Shrek 4-D have stationary seating. Though it's not the same, if the others go on the ride, at least she can come along. ET would be a great ride for the 5-year old...and it's not rough at all. The Kidzone is excellent. From the Barney Show to Curious George play area...I checked the area out and the place is a lot larger than I thought. Looked like a lot of kids were enjoying themselves.

The older kids may prefer IOA through, for the thrill rides.

 

[RescueRanger]

I can't answer whether YOU will like it or not, but I can tell you that my family loved it. We took our first trip in 2002. My DDs were 4 and 7 and they had plenty to do at both US and IOA. We have always been Disney addicts, but if you ask my daughters what parks they like best, they will tell you Universal. In fact, we have a WDW trip next month to get a little more use out of our AP's, but we will be getting Universal AP's when we go this summer. We will be staying onsite at Universal for the first time to get FOTL(front of the line) access. So, I would say to you definitely try Universal, and if you can do it, stay onsite for FOTL. However, be warned that Universal can be very addictive.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I think you will enjoy yourselves. We love Disney, and now love Universal as well. Just don't compare the two. Their different, but great in their own way.

 

[DisneyBabe04]

Hi
I would say the IOA would be best for the whole family..including the 5 year old. There is a lot more for kids there than at Universal. Im 13 and i love the excitement at IOA.... there is so much to do and so much fun! There are some rides there that could be bad for your wife's back but there is also rides that arent that jerky...like the Jarassic Park water ride (not jerky at all...just a fun drop!)

Also, at IOA it is character themed (DR. Suess, Betty Boop) so the 5 year old will find it fun there!

I hope you enjoy the park and have w wonderful time!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I just got back last night from WDW and Universal. My 4yo son did everything that he was tall enough for at IoA (couldn't do the big coasters and Dr Doom. Ripsaw was closed and he isn't tall enough, anyway, but he would have loved it otherwise).

He liked everything at IoA and everything except Shrek at USO (3D type shows scare him, but he will probably like it when we go back in April). He loved Popeye's Bilge Barge Raft ride and we rode it 7 times without getting out of the raft. Ugh, I was freezing!

There is a lot for your whole family to do. There are plenty of things that you can all do together and you can then child swap the other rides or one of you can take you 5yo to some kiddy rides while the other one brings the older kids to the big coasters. Your wife might not be able to do the big coasters, either, even though I think that Dueling Dragons is pretty smooth. I get migraines due to the jarring on rides and didn't ride the big coasters much this trip. I still had a great time, however.

T&B

 

[highlander447]

You will love what Universal has to offer and may be suprised a bit too

 

[4greatboys]

I think your family should give Universal a try. We always hit Universal on every trip we take to Orlando. I couldnt imagine going and missing Universal or Disney. My boys are 16, 13, 4 and 21 months and they love to go to both places. Lots of fun stuff for teens at IOA/US and for smaller kids also.