Tips for Legoland and Universal FL?

[Wines Not Whines]

We're rethinking our Spring Break plans and thinking about going to Legoland and Universal instead of Disney. We're going on a Disney Cruise in July, and possibly going to DL in August, so I think we already have plenty of Disney trips on our calendar for 2017. 

I've been to Legoland in CA, but not to the one in FL. Has anyone been to the one in FL, and did you/your kids enjoy it?

I haven't been to Universal in many years (probably 10 years), before HP World existed. Any tips or advice for these parks? I've heard you can get fast passes at Universal if you stay in their hotels... has anyone does that, and did it work out well for you? Do you have any other tips or advice? We have a 6-year old who doesn't enjoy thrill rides, so we'd mostly be going to see the HP stuff. Thanks! 

[ilikedonuts]

My kids loved Legoland. DH and I thought it was overpriced and dirty. We used bogo coupons for admission at least so we saved some money.

I think a big part was that we are used to high standards with things like shows, characters and rides at Disney so anything less bothers us. We love by Cedar Point in Ohio and have taken the kids a couple times and feel the same.

Legoland has a lot of fun coasters for the 4-5+ range. DD2 was 37 inches and couldn't go on much other then baby rides and 1-2 other rides.

[jeaniebueller]

We liked Legoland. My DS loved the corny water ski show and the 4D movie. Lines for food were super long but that was really our only issue. There were characters to meet all over so that was cool too.

[nsl]

My kids (8 and 5 during our last trip) enjoyed the Harry Potter areas of Universal since we'd read the first two books and seen the movies together, but they hated the rest of the park. Like, HATED. It was tons of coasters and rough simulators, and aside from the Minion ride nothing was appropriate for the under-10 set. I probably wouldn't do it again with very young kids.

[jeaniebueller]

Jan 9, 2017 19:52:18 GMT -5 nsl said:

My kids (8 and 5 during our last trip) enjoyed the Harry Potter areas of Universal since we'd read the first two books and seen the movies together, but they hated the rest of the park. Like, HATED. It was tons of coasters and rough simulators, and aside from the Minion ride nothing was appropriate for the under-10 set. I probably wouldn't do it again with very young kids.

What about Shrek 3D and ET and the Seuss area? My DS was 5 and liked it enough but yeah there are a lot of coasters.

[nsl]

Jan 9, 2017 20:31:29 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Jan 9, 2017 19:52:18 GMT -5 nsl said:

My kids (8 and 5 during our last trip) enjoyed the Harry Potter areas of Universal since we'd read the first two books and seen the movies together, but they hated the rest of the park. Like, HATED. It was tons of coasters and rough simulators, and aside from the Minion ride nothing was appropriate for the under-10 set. I probably wouldn't do it again with very young kids.

What about Shrek 3D and ET and the Seuss area? My DS was 5 and liked it enough but yeah there are a lot of coasters.

They thought the Shrek 3D was pretty lame after a couple of days at Disney, ET was down, and they weren't interested in the Seuss area even though it looked really cool to me. 
Save

[VacayVaca]

We've done Universal with and without the express pass and it was a difficult experience without it. At some point in every line, they merge the queue for the express pass holders and regular admission, and the ratio is probably 10:1 (express pass:regular line admission). We waited in some long lines and would get so infuriated to be held up over and over for preferred guests. We then stayed in a Universal hotel and got the express passes included with our room reservation and it made the biggest difference in our attitudes and enjoyment. Honestly, I wouldn't go again without the express pass.

The express passes don't apply for the two main Harry Potter rides, however, you get early park admission by staying in the park hotels. The two main HP rides are pretty intense, so while they're fabulous for HP fans, if your 10-year old doesn't like thrill rides then he won't get the full effect. The HP sections are amazing though and detailed enough to take up half a day just by themselves. You also need to buy park hopper passes to ride the Hogwarts Express between the two HP parks, so factor that into your costs.

[Wines Not Whines]

Thanks, everyone. This is making me second guess going to Universal. A one-day pass for both parks would cost us almost $500, and we'd really just be going to see the HP stuff. Sigh.

[livinitup]

I've gone to a Universal a few times in the past 3 years with DD, now 9 - and I adore it! The 2 hotels (there may be more now) are an easy walk to the 2 parks (very much 'on grounds') with gorgeous pools, nice rooms, and beautiful grounds - or you can take a cute water ferry back and forth. We absolutely prefer it over Disney for a 1-2 day visit. There is SO MUCH to do and see without any of the transportation issues typical of Disney, even on-grounds. I LOVE how close the hotels are to the park and the pools are great.

The fast passes did spoil us and I highly recommend staying on-grounds to get them.

I also love HP and the HP sections are amazing. We didn't do park hoppers to save money and just did 1 park per day (2 days total), so I missed the train ride (Hogwarts Express) which connects the park. I was glad for cost savings. Next time, I'll get it.

And buy the wand at Ovilanders! I don't usually invest in "soveniers' but you can use it throughout HP (both sides) to do magic!!!!!So fun for all ages (even me!). Great way for LOs to enjoy the park without the big rides. And my DD had a TON of rides to enjoy. And they had non-shake seats for my H.

I highly recommend it.

ETA: I have to put a good word in for the little kid crowd. We did the park when DD was 6, 7, 8 and she had a ball. No problem with age-appropriate rides - lots were simulators that weren't "big" plus afternoon parades and a light show at night.