I am planning a trip to Universal Studios and Island of Adventure. My two kids (ages 9 and 12) do NOT like scarey rides. Please advise about very loud or otherwise very scarey rides so that we know to avoid these. thanks
Wendy

Wendy, There is much to stay away from if your kids are easily frightened. Island of Adventure has a wonderful cartoon area, I think themed after Dudley Do Right, and the Dr. Seuss area will blow you away, it's so magical. I don't know if the 12 yr old will think it too mild, but any rides I think of are definately intense. It seems your money and time may be better spent in the Magic Kingdom, or Animal Kingdom, or Sea World. Email me if I can help further.

Trust me on this, "Take your kids to Sea World." If you've never been it has a lot more to offer than one would expect (raft rides, climbling areas, etc. I like Universal but I also like scary rides. Universal is full of so-called scary rides and would be pretty pricey for the very few rides (geared towards smaller kids 5-7) your kids might enjoy.

Do you or kids have friends or acquaintances who have been there? Maybe talking to friends their own age will give your kids better idea of what is "too scary" vs. what is just cool. On most rides any scary parts last for only a few moments. JAWS is kinda scary with fire, shark. T2 is kinda scary with fake gunfire. The movie ride ends with subway train, earthquake, fire, flood - but you have already seen how they "fake it" for the camera. Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat Ride is wonderful, we always ride it about 3 or 4 times. Spider Man ride is kinda scary with illusions of falling, fire, etc but is a FANTASTIC not-to=be missed ride. Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls is fun, but long & loud and you DO get wet, and there are several times you zoom down. All the coasters are terrific - but once again loud, REALLY FAST! I usually try to ride the Hulk coaster 3 or 4 times too, what a rush! If this sounds too intense for your kids, really do consider Sea World and, for a unique experience, Discovery Cove - check out their web site at www.discoverycove.com It seems pricy but is all-inclusive & believe me, it is WORTH the money - plus if you go to Discovery Cove, the price INCLUDES 7 days admission to Sea World. It is really a bargain.

In the Magic Kingdom, there was only one ride that my 6 yo could get into that was really scary for her. It was something about an alien. She even enjoyed Space Mountain.

Unfortunately she got almost hysterical at the thought of having to go on the Tower of Terror (don't blame her in retrospect). She met us at the end instead.

When my youngest was 5, she was TERRIFIED even to go near the Tower of Terror (AT WDW MGM park). She was even scared to wait in then gift shop for her dad & big sister. Fortunately, a cast member noticed and entertained us with magic tricks. The next year - she couldn't WAIT to ride it, she had decided she was a big girl now and not scared. Go figure!