Better for First Timer- Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure About This Page:

[lissybri]

DH and I were both at US when we were kids and honestly I was there for about 3 hours with my Grandpa and don't think I did much of anything except maybe King Kong, Back to the Future, and E.T. (do any of these even exist still?) We are playing with the idea of visiting one of the parks during our WDW stay in Aug. Which would you recommend for us? It would me be, DH, DS10 who loves thrill rides, and DS5 who is dying to go on thrill rides, but Mommy won't let him. Thanks.

[cdnmousegirls]

IOA has the hulk, which is a great coaster, and harry potter, ds 10 should love both

[Colexis Mom]

If you want thrill rides, I'd go to IoA!

[Griffin]

I'd vote for IOA. You have thrill rides, but also Jurassic Park, Dr Seuss, and Harry Potter. Universal seems to have an overload of motion rides and a couple of old ones like ET and Jaws, etc.

[bwheat2004]

If I had to chose it would be Island of Adventure.

[chezp]

If you want thrill rides, I'd head to Islands of Adventure as well. The theming there is also much better.

[Shell_of_the_South]

That would be tough choice for us because we love both parks. Islands of Adventure does have the classic thrill rides: The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Dr Doom's Freefall, Spiderman, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Dragon's Challenge, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Dudley Do Rights Ripsaw Falls. And there is the Suess Landing which has several fun rides for the younger ones.

But, Universal has some pretty fun thrill rides too and more for your younger son. The Mummy Coaster is one of my favorites! My all time favorite Universal attraction is in the Studios: Men in Black. I could ride it for hours. The Simpsons is a motion simulator ride that is pretty popular. And there is the new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster at Universal Studios. Some of our favorite shows are there: Shrek 4D, Terminator 2:3D, the Horror MakeUp Show, Animal Actors on Parade. There's also the Woody Woodpecker kiddie coaster and Curious George play area. ET is still there, it's my DH's favorite dark ride. The others you mentioned have went to that great big theme park in the sky!

So it would be tough to decide, but I think I would choose US, unless your 5 year old is tall enough to ride the bigger coasters at IOA.

[nladams]

Hmmm this is a tough one...i'd be torn too...

Universal has a lot of great attractions now (while im still heartbroken that Back to the Future Ride is gone) but rides like Men in Black, The Mummy, Rip Ride Rockt, T2 3D and the Simpsons are some of my favorites not to mention Shrek 3D BUT if your DS's are big thrill fans I would have to say that IOA is the place to be...you've got Jurrasic Park, the Hulk, Spiderman, Dr Doom Fear Fall etc. PLUS the Harry Potter attraction among many others...if thrills is what your after my vote would be for IOA....

[TwinDaddy59]

Great feedback, everyone. Thanks. We'll be taking our twins (just turned 10, one of each) to Universal for a 3 night stay at the end of the month. They've been to WDW a couple of times, but our first visit to US/IOA. We'll be getting into Orlando around 11am so we'll only have a half day at a park. I was contemplating where we should start. Sounds like it's Studios that first day and IOA for the full day. And of course we have one full day for the Magic Kingdom. Thanks again for the perspectives!

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[Huntermom]

Warning, if your boys love thrill rides, you may find they prefer Universal parks to Disney. Mine did-they lost interest in "theming" but could ride coasters forever.

I like both parks but on our first trip to Universal (before IOA) both my ex and I -then ride wimps -enjoyed Universal Studios more than any of the Disney parks. We felt we could so just about any ride there.

[jimmymac]

If you guys really like thril rides, do both US & IOA. The rides are much better than most of the WDW rides (which tend to be quite tame).

[thumper8524]

I love the input everyone has given (even though it wasn't my question). I am taking my thrill seekers there this Christmas and it looks like they should have fun.

[shydonna1]

My (then) 11 year old preferred IOA to US because of the thrill rides. Enjoy your trip!