Anything we should do OUTSIDE WDW? Sea World? Universal?

[sewarsh]

I think my kids would LOVE Sea World (will be 4.5 & 2.5) as they love the local aquariums. Would you guys recommend? What about Universal Studios? Are they too young? Anything elsE?

[Momof3Labs]

I would say that they are much too young for US/IOA. Lots of roller coasters and scarier rides. We've been to Sea World but not with kids, so can't comment on that.

[SnuggleBuggles]

We did Sea World with a 1yo and a 6yo- it was fun! They had a play area for when the kiddos just need a little break. Ds1 really enjoyed a lot of the shows. The sea lion and otter one was his favorite and he liked the dolphin one too; the Shamu show could easily be skipped. My big kid fed the dolphins. It was an easy day. Worth a visit, I think.

Beth

[WatchingThemGrow]

We're in the same boat, and I'm considering a visit to Sea World. OTOH, there is a great ticket deal for SW/Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, which I also love. However, I feel like doing MK, SW, BG plus visiting with family, doing the zoo in Tampa, etc. is just too much for us.

[Indianamom2]

Sea World would be fun with young kids.

Universal Studios is definitely too mature/scary. It is much more comic books and scary/thrill rides.

[kbud]

We live in the area. We had SW passes one year instead of Disney. My oldest was about 4-5 at the time. She loved it, not as much as Disney but still a lot of fun. SW now bans all outside food in the park which I don't like. There is a pretty good promotion for $5 kid's ticket now.

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/04/27/seaworld-sells-kids-tickets-for-5-until-dec-31/

[sewarsh]

We live in the area. We had SW passes one year instead of Disney. My oldest was about 4-5 at the time. She loved it, not as much as Disney but still a lot of fun. SW now bans all outside food in the park which I don't like. There is a pretty good promotion for $5 kid's ticket now.

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/04/27/seaworld-sells-kids-tickets-for-5-until-dec-31/

Thanks for the link, but holy crap...$79 for an adult ticket!!!?? Are you freaking kidding me?!!?! That's INSANE! I guess that's great kids are only $5! Plus you can't bring your own food in...that probably started when kids only had to pay $5 admission! :)

I was all about Sea World - assumed like $50ish for ticket. But $80ish...ouch! When you compare that to an extra day at DW (when you're buying the 6 vs 7 day pass), that's a gigantic price differential.

[WatchingThemGrow]

Yes, it's a difference, but TOTALLY different stuff, IMO. The animals at Sea World are amazingly beautiful. They aren't fuzzy and in costumes like at WDW, lol.

[kbud]

Yep, it's the same price as Disney. Since Disney raised prices today I suspect SW and Universal to follow. They always do. I've never thought SW was in the same category as Disney and can't believe they charge the same, it's nice but it's not Disney.

As a FL resident it's a good deal. We can pay a day, actually less than a day and come back all year. Of course now that I can't bring food w/me Disney seems like a better deal. It's about $200-$300 (depending on pass type( more for the year but I get all 4 parks and can bring my own food in. It doesn't take long for a family of 4 to spend $200-$300 on food at the park. And SW has no more free beer!

[BabyMine]

Seaworld and Busch Gardens have followed Disney and now have the "All-Day Dining Deal".

http://www.seaworld.com/sitepage.aspx?PageID=750

http://www.buschgardens.com/Bgt/CP/?page=Play%20and%20Dine