Busch Gardens vs, Universal
 

My family and I are planning a trip in early April to Orlando and Tampa area. My kids are ages 3 and 6, and my 6 year old is a thrill seeker who loves all of the rides he can get on and can't get enough of the water rides. He just passes the 48" requirement, which gets him on a lot of the better rides, but I need to keep my 3 year old happy too. If you had to choose one park, which would it be? Is it silly to do both parks? Thanks

I'm really partial to Busch Gardens. They change out the flowers all the time and so it's constantly in bloom. I love the animals, they have a veldt there replicating the ones in Africa, lots of animals. And they have a small theatre with unusual entertainment (this is always a good break for tired feet). Busch Gardens also has an area of the park that is for younger kids, with a tree house.

Busch Gardens has a sister water park called Adventure Island. I don't know when it opens and the web site isn't very helpful. It's a lot of fun and there's a great kids part that the 3 y.o. will love.

I've been to Universal but I don't recall any parts of it that were for the younger kids. I don't think it would be silly to do both parks. And I'll bet your kids would agree with me ((h))

Universal has a very large area devoted to young patrons built around a Dr. Zeus theme. Also has many, many attractions throughout its parks, e.g., Jimmy Neutron, Nickelodian dedicated to their pleasures. Also has several rides such as the Hulk, Fire & Ice and Revenge of the Mummies, that will rapidly age your little thrill seeker. My 6-9 year old girls loved the parks. Stay at a park hotel for immediate access, bypassing long lines, to virtually all attractions.

I have to disagree with Lex1. The Dr. Seuss area of Universal, while wonderful, only has 3 rides. Many of the larger coasters have a 54" height requirement such as the Hulk - I believe the Universal website lists these for each ride. Also, Universal is 2 parks - Nickelodeon(no ride) & Jimmy Neutron at Universal Studios, Dr. Seuss at Islands of Adventure. I would skip Universal with kids who are your kids age. Busch Gardens is a better choice, although I can't comment on the area for younger kids there.

Are you planning to do Disney? Magic Kingdom is PERFECT for 3 and 6 year olds. Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain should be great for your 6yo.

While it is true that the Seuss area has only 3 rides that hardly exhausts the attractions for young children at Universal's 2 parks (excluding City Walk-adults). Seuss itself has 2 other features. Islands has 2 great water rides in Toon Lagoon, Popeye's and Dudley Do-Right's. There's more in Jurassic Park. Spiderman will thrill your six year old, if he's brave enough to ride. Studio has Back to the Future, Men in Black (You're inside a video game), Jaws and more, including Revenge of the Mummy, a great indoor coaster my six year old girls rode (don't know if the 6 year olds, also 48", were height barred from coasters. They had no interest). We spent five (5) full days using express access and my children were never bored. They rode some attractions, including 2 at Seuss and Spiderman 30+ times, each.
Interestingly, we never took our children to any Disney park (not one of YGG's announced choices) before they were 6-not enough to do. We're going to So. Cal. in a few months and none of our children wants to visit Disneyland again; they all want to revisit Universal. To each her own.

In response to your original question : No, it is not silly to do both parks. Enjoy!!

If you ARE going to WDW, check their website to see if all the attractions are operating during your visit. This can sometimes be disappointing when they remodel something.

Go to www.disboards.com and scroll down to the Universal discussion forums. They have a thread devoted to what children can do at US and IOA.

Both places are so much fun! The water park at Busch Gardens is not my favorite, but my niece and nephew loved it (I am just not too fond of water parsk...also long lines!). The amusement park is fun and it is nicely decorated. Good food vendors too! However, if I had to choose only one, Universal would be my choice all the way. And DEFINITELY stay in the Hard Rock Hotel (or somewhere in Downtown Disney). They have great rates and your room key gives you a fast pass to ride all the cool rides without waiting in line. This can significantly affect your experience there; I cannot emphasize this enough. Universal is a fabulous park and I think there is plenty for both kids to enjoy. Also, if you stay in Downtown Disney there is much to do in the area outside the parks as well...restaurants, fun stores and themed activities. It's just a great time for everyone.

Just had to comment on the "big tree" in the Children's area in Busch Gardens that someone mentioned earlier. Years ago my 3 year old wanted to go into the tree (where you get wet). I waited outside the tree while he went inside and I waited and waited for him to come out. I finally went in after him and found that there was another exit out the back of the tree and he was nowhere to be found. I freaked and got help and ran around trying to find him - thinking that he must be so scared to be lost. A worker finally came up to me holding his hand - he had been getting on and off all the kiddie rides by himself!! Scared - ha!! So beware of the back exit in the "big tree"!!