Child swap using young teen instead of an adult?

[kohlby]

I will be at Universal without my husband and my 7 year old can't handle several of the rides. (Several rides - can't even do Spider-Man or Gringotts). Do you think TM's would question me using child swap and have my eldest child swap off with me? He's 13 but can easily pass for 15. (I have read they have to be 14 to be in the parks without an adult so hoping he looks old enough that they will let us use child swap without question).

 

[macraven]

Should be no problem at all

 

[Pinkgurlshubby]

Not even an issue. Everyone walks to the ride and and you tell them child swap or he/she os not riding. They escort them the the family room and you pick them up after the ride is over. On whatever ride either out 11 year old or 14 year old didn't want to go, either that or didn't want to go again LOL. It's not an issue. If anything it's convenient to have

 

[kohlby]

Great! The 13 year old will miss getting to ride twice but at least I won't have to miss riding once as long as the 7 year old isn't in a mood. (Also, the 13 year old doesn't like Mummy but the 10 year loves it. She'll be happy to know she won't have to ride it by herself).

 

[bumbershoot]

Kids can ride alone at Universal as long as they meet the ride height AND are 48", so it's not an issue for the teen to go into the line via swap.

 

[kohlby]

Kids can ride alone at Universal as long as they meet the ride height AND are 48", so it's not an issue for the teen to go into the line via swap.

I knew the line wouldn't be an issue, but being in child swap without an adult could be. my 7 year old is well over 48" but I'm certain they would not let him wait in child swap without someone responsible for him. I had read posts from TM's that Universal's policy is 14 to be in the parks alone so I was hoping my 13 year old - who very easily looks at least 14 - would be considered old enough to wait in child swap with the 7 year old while I get to ride.

 

[damo]

I knew the line wouldn't be an issue, but being in child swap without an adult could be. my 7 year old is well over 48" but I'm certain they would not let him wait in child swap without someone responsible for him. I had read posts from TM's that Universal's policy is 14 to be in the parks alone so I was hoping my 13 year old - who very easily looks at least 14 - would be considered old enough to wait in child swap with the 7 year old while I get to ride.

Honestly, nobody is paying any attention to the ages of people in the child swap room. There isn't an attendant.

 

[sandy77d]

My 10 year old waited in a child swap by herself. We waited in line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and at the last minute, she said she did not want to ride. I asked which way to get out and the employee said she could wait for me to ride in the child swap room. She was comfortable with that, so I rode by myself.

 

[bumbershoot]

Since they allow 48" kids to be in ride lines alone that means the rule isn't 14 to be alone. It's likely like WDW, where its 14 to *enter* the parks alone.

The swap area is a room inside the line. A part of the line.

 

[kohlby]

Since they allow 48" kids to be in ride lines alone that means the rule isn't 14 to be alone. It's likely like WDW, where its 14 to *enter* the parks alone.

The swap area is a room inside the line. A part of the line.

It was in two different Universal Facebook groups where two different Universal TM's said 14 for being in the child swap room without a parent/responsible person. The line is directed and there are TM's at the start and end of the line. So, it makes sense that younger kids can be in line alone but not other places. No one watches over the child swap room.

But - it sounds like I shouldn't have an issue with my eldest watching the youngest in the child swap room based on other's experiences.

 

[gotomu212]

It was in two different Universal Facebook groups where two different Universal TM's said 14 for being in the child swap room without a parent/responsible person. The line is directed and there are TM's at the start and end of the line. So, it makes sense that younger kids can be in line alone but not other places. No one watches over the child swap room.

But - it sounds like I shouldn't have an issue with my eldest watching the youngest in the child swap room based on other's experiences.

I think you were given incorrect information about that. Universal has no age restrictions. Disney has the 14 year-old enforcementpolicy. In June my 8-year went to the child swap alone several times on multiple rides (after 5 days in the park he gets bored of some of the rides). Universal will officially say they recommend kids under 16 not be LEFT in the parks but even that is a recommendation and up to parents. Remember universal has middle school field trips all the time where a pack of 11, 12, and 13 year olds are allowed to freely wander.

 

[damo]

I think you were given incorrect information about that. Universal has no age restrictions. Disney has the 14 year-old enforcementpolicy. In June my 8-year went to the child swap alone several times on multiple rides (after 5 days in the park he gets bored of some of the rides). Universal will officially say they recommend kids under 16 not be LEFT in the parks but even that is a recommendation and up to parents. Remember universal has middle school field trips all the time where a pack of 11, 12, and 13 year olds are allowed to freely wander.

I agree. I don't think there are any age restrictions at Universal. In the rider's guide it states this ... Any child who meets the minimum height requirement of the attraction but does not meet the 48-inch ride-alone height requirement must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion. A Supervising Companion is defined as someone who is 14 years of age or older and meets all other attraction ridership requirements. So it is more a height restriction than an age restriction.