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- Thread starter pop lover
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disney fan 13
Well-Known Member
I would say legoland, Mainly because it is geared towards that age group.
I would say you should wait to take him to Universal until he is 10-12
I would say you should wait to take him to Universal until he is 10-12
I disagree and say Universal Orlando. You guys should be allowed to have fun and he will definitely have fun.
The height requirement concern should not be of any concern unless your child is under 44 inches.
Revenge of the Mummy - 48 inches
Dragon Challenge - 54 inches
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - 48 inches
Dr. Dooms Fearfall - 52 inches
Incredible Hulk Coaster - 54 inches
Literally everything else in the parks you could name he will be able to ride or see(there are also lots of attractions and shows with zero height requirements). The only rides the little guy would have to miss out on would be the major thrill rides that he and most that age would not be ready for anyway.
Only five rides between two parks that he is not able to do if he does not meet the requirements above. That is not a good reason to avoid Universal.
The height requirement concern should not be of any concern unless your child is under 44 inches.
Revenge of the Mummy - 48 inches
Dragon Challenge - 54 inches
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - 48 inches
Dr. Dooms Fearfall - 52 inches
Incredible Hulk Coaster - 54 inches
Literally everything else in the parks you could name he will be able to ride or see(there are also lots of attractions and shows with zero height requirements). The only rides the little guy would have to miss out on would be the major thrill rides that he and most that age would not be ready for anyway.
Only five rides between two parks that he is not able to do if he does not meet the requirements above. That is not a good reason to avoid Universal.
dave&di
Well-Known Member
Although a 5 year old may physically be able to ride doesn't mean the rides are appropriate, Revenge of the Mummy, Dr Doom for a 5 year old! I'm still trying to pluck up the courage to ride the Mummy! As for Dr Doom! no chance! :hurl:
What five year old child is 4 and a half foot tall? That would be rare.
Again, those are very few attractions. 6 total between the two parks.
Cat In the Hat
Camp Jurassic
Petertydon Flyers
Discovery Center
If I ran The Zoo
Seuss Trolly Ride
Oh The Stories You'll Hear
Amazing Adventures of Spiderman
Storm Force Acceleration
Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Bardges
Me Ship, The Olive
Flying Hippogriff
Olivander's Wand shop Experience
Poseidon's Fury
The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad
Questionable rides that if they don't mind Splash water drops on water rides add Dudley Doright's Ripsaw Falls and Jurassic Park River Adventure to that long list.
The best part is, you will not be asked to step aside for these attractions and they are high caliber theme park experiences.
At legoland adults are not allowed on most rides and unless your child really enjoys legos a lot of it might be less than an exciting day.
Also. The attractions above are just from Islands of Adventure. At Universal Studios everyone would be able to do...
Shrek 4-D
Twister: Ride It Out
Blues Brothers Street Party
Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue
Disaster: A Major Motion Picture Ride: Starring you!
Fear Factor Live(although it is a less than impressive seasonal show)
Men In Black: Alien Attack
The Simpsons Ride
Animal Actors on Stage
E.T. Adventure
WoodyWoodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster
A Day in the Park with Barney
Fivel's Playland
Curious George Goes to Town(I even love the area's foam ball cannons)
The new parade should also be running by then in addition to everything else on the Studios list. It features a roaming dance party with Spongebob, Despicable Me characters as well as EB from Hop and Dora/Diego from Nick Jr.
And if you stay until dusk there is the new Universal Nighttime Spectacular which will have showings by then as well.
That is a full day for sure and once again, everyone is going to experience it to see the look on your kid's face personally instead of only from taping them on a kiddie ride.
I even left out the questionable ones that they would be able to do but might startle them.
Terminator 2 3D (A fantastic live action stunt show with cool 3D elements but has loud blanks and action violence with robots)
Horror Make Up Show- A comedy show that talks about Universal's history with horror movies but there are some gory props on the stage and in the foyer waiting area that you can keep them away from at their own pace, but may startle them so I put it as questionable. I see kids as young as 3 in there all the time.
Also things to consider. Legoland has very few indoor attractions. 9 out of ten of their rides are outside and most of the day consist of walking the gardens looking at Lego models as well as the two shows that are outside. There is only one indoor ride, a 4D theater and shopping exhibits for shelter. So if the day is full of rain and lightning, there will not be much to do.
crazydaveh
Active Member
This is not 100% accurate. I was down there a few weeks ago with my three year old little girl (who loves LegoLand more than Universal) and I rode everything she did. There were a few things I didn't really "fit" into but I rode them anyways.
The only thing adults weren't allowed to ride that I can remember is the cars. I was more than happy to let her drive solo. I feel for the very nice gentleman working the area who was run over a few times, but overall, LegoLand is a very family friendly park where the entire family can enjoy it together.
I honestly think the five year old would like LegoLand more than Universal. I know my little one does and we have passes to both parks. She loves LegoLand and likes Universal. There's honestly more for her liking at LegoLand.
Whatever you decide, have fun!
Bairstow
Well-Known Member
I'd join the chorus and say to wait on Universal.
It's one of the world's great theme parks, but only if you're tall enough to enjoy it, and trying to child-swap so that the two of you can ride things is a drag.
I'd tell you to consider Sea World, but as I understand it the place is a bit of a mess right now with construction all over the place.
Maybe someone knows for sure.
It's one of the world's great theme parks, but only if you're tall enough to enjoy it, and trying to child-swap so that the two of you can ride things is a drag.
I'd tell you to consider Sea World, but as I understand it the place is a bit of a mess right now with construction all over the place.
Maybe someone knows for sure.
I just don't see the height restrictions as a valid argument. That would be like telling someone to wait on Animal Kingdom because of Dinosaur and Everest.
The only thing the child would not be able to do if we are presuming average height would be Forbidden Journey and the coasters.
All the other dark rides are world class and there are plenty of attractions to fill a great vacation. This includes Spiderman, Men in Black, Cat In The Hat etc..etc..
Bairstow
Well-Known Member
...are the 4 reasons I consider Universal to be a great park.
I've never ridden Hulk or Dragons and IOA is still my favorite park. There's plenty of other things to see. Certainly better themed experiences than the coasters.
As for Forbidden Journey, its queue is more interesting than many rides. No height requirement on that.
Captain Chaos
Well-Known Member
Actually, I'd venture to say Hulk and Dragons actually are the worst rides in IOA.. Hulk to way too rough and Dragons, there is nothing special (in my opinion anyway)... Take those two off and IOA is still a great park and plenty for the family to do...
El-Fuego
Member
Sorry,what? Hulk is a fantastic coaster and so was Duelling Dragons (I haven't ridden since the Potter invasion). What are you basing your judgements on? Do you like coasters? Hulk is not rough but if coasters aren't your thing so be it? I know it's a bit of Disney bash on a Disney loving site (and im a big fan) but i must say the worst coaster is Space Mountain. It felt old and dangerous and I was rattled to the point of thinking the car was gonna fly right off the tracks, that's scary and rough, I felt in need of a chiropractor when it finished.
IOA great park but I would query the value for a five year old. Universal, much better for that age but perhaps still a little too grown up. Legoland sounds much more fun.
Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
A similar question was raised in another thread. This was my reply:
Regarding the OP, it depends on the individual kids. Are they the kind of kids that would be okay with having to bypass incredible rides (many of which can be seen from outside) without getting upset because they fall just short of the height requirement? That experience can be quite patronizing, in which case I would simply wait until the group can enjoy the park as a whole. But if you have the time and money and kids with a passive attitude about restrictions, then there are other things to enjoy at IOA, as was pointed out above.
Regarding the OP, it depends on the individual kids. Are they the kind of kids that would be okay with having to bypass incredible rides (many of which can be seen from outside) without getting upset because they fall just short of the height requirement? That experience can be quite patronizing, in which case I would simply wait until the group can enjoy the park as a whole. But if you have the time and money and kids with a passive attitude about restrictions, then there are other things to enjoy at IOA, as was pointed out above.
Captain Chaos
Well-Known Member
What am I basing it on??? The fact I was there in October, rode Hulk, and my head was tossed around throughout the whole ride... Hulk is the only ride that gave me a headache... That is rough... Dueling Dragons was just an OK coaster even before the change over to Dragon Challenge... In my opinion, those coasters aren't great, not as great as they are made out to be...
And yes, I love coasters... I'm a huge coaster fan, and been on plenty so I can use my experiences to judge Hulk and Dragon Challenge... Coasters are my thing... And in case you are wondering, yes, I felt Space Mountain was very rough too, but we aren't talking about WDW here... We are discussing Universal and the rides in their two theme parks...