Child Swap?

[Shleedogg]

Does Universal have a child swap system like WDW? We're considering adding a couple days there on our fall trip to Disney because I am an extreme HP nut. We will have our 2 yr old daughter with us, but would still like to ride all the thrill rides.

Our options are:

Stay off-site for our Universal days with a "getaway" condo rate through my parents' time share. About $350 for a 1 bedroom for a week. Then just take it slow at Universal, dealing with lines, etc. Then only spend a couple days in Disney with our DVC. This option would only work if Universal has child swap.

Do 5 days at WDW with DVC, then 1-2 nights at a Universal hotel, enabling us to get FOTL.

....so, please tell me there's no child swap Even if there is, I don't want to wait in lines with no fastpass option. I'd love having FOTL, DH doesn't think it's necessary.

one more question, what are the crowds like mid-Sept? Pretty low? First week in Dec? Those are the 2 times we're considering.

TIA!

 

[Metro West]

Does Universal have a child swap system like WDW? We're considering adding a couple days there on our fall trip to Disney because I am an extreme HP nut. We will have our 2 yr old daughter with us, but would still like to ride all the thrill rides.

Yes...Universal has a child swap so you should be good.

As far as the crowds go...historically it's been slow both of the times you're considering but no one really knows how WWoHP will affect the crowds this year. Staying onsite wouldn't be bad a idea if you can swing it.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Yes...Universal has a child swap so you should be good.

Can you use child swap at Universal if your child is tall enough but not brave enough? I know Disney is kind of funny about that. No way will DD7 ride HP and the FJ, but she will go through the queue. I'm hoping we can swap so DH and I can both ride without doing the queue twice. We will be onsite, but I'm not counting on express for FJ being available when we go.

 

[Metro West]

Can you use child swap at Universal if your child is tall enough but not brave enough? I know Disney is kind of funny about that. No way will DD7 ride HP and the FJ, but she will go through the queue. I'm hoping we can swap so DH and I can both ride without doing the queue twice. We will be onsite, but I'm not counting on express for FJ being available when we go.

I doubt you would be given a hard time if that situation arose.

 

[Shleedogg]

Yes...Universal has a child swap so you should be good.

As far as the crowds go...historically it's been slow both of the times you're considering but no one really knows how WWoHP will affect the crowds this year. Staying onsite wouldn't be bad a idea if you can swing it.

That's exactly what I'm worried about! DH and I each get "fun" money with every paycheck. I told him that since I want to stay on-site, I'll pay for it, but he's still freaking out about it. I just feel like it'll make the whole trip less stressful, especially since we're only planning 3 days for Universal.

How does the childswap work there? Do you get a ticket like Disney or do you bring the kid with you through the queue? Just worried about getting our DD to go through the HP queue if it's 45 min-1 hr long. But neither DH or I want to miss it!

I am ridiculously excited about the WWOHP. Seriously, it's all I can think about, lol.

 

[Metro West]

How does the childswap work there? Do you get a ticket like Disney or do you bring the kid with you through the queue? Just worried about getting our DD to go through the HP queue if it's 45 min-1 hr long. But neither DH or I want to miss it!

I've never actually used Child Swap since I have no children. I understand you would all wait in the queue together and when you get up to the loading area, the child and an adult would wait and then once the ride is over and you want to switch, you wouldn't have to wait in the line again. The other person would get to ride and the first person would get to wait...At least that's how I think it works.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I doubt you would be given a hard time if that situation arose.

Thanks! That's what I am hoping!

I've never actually used Child Swap since I have no children. I understand you would all wait in the queue together and when you get up to the loading area, the child and an adult would wait and then once the ride is over and you want to switch, you wouldn't have to wait in the line again. The other person would get to ride and the first person would get to wait...At least that's how I think it works.

That's how it works at Universal - everyone waits in the queue and the too-short child and an adult peel off near the loading area. Sometimes there is a separate room for the people waiting - at least there was the last time we used it. At Disney, too short kids can't enter the queue at all.

 

[macraven]

Can you use child swap at Universal if your child is tall enough but not brave enough? I know Disney is kind of funny about that. No way will DD7 ride HP and the FJ, but she will go through the queue. I'm hoping we can swap so DH and I can both ride without doing the queue twice. We will be onsite, but I'm not counting on express for FJ being available when we go.

yes it is possible.

when one of my brats was 8, he chickened out on the ride.
ended up to the child swap section

I've never actually used Child Swap since I have no children. I understand you would all wait in the queue together and when you get up to the loading area, the child and an adult would wait and then once the ride is over and you want to switch, you wouldn't have to wait in the line again. The other person would get to ride and the first person would get to wait...At least that's how I think it works.

that is so correct.

most of the child swap rooms are a/c.

 

[momblanch]

Can you use child swap at Universal if your child is tall enough but not brave enough? I know Disney is kind of funny about that. No way will DD7 ride HP and the FJ, but she will go through the queue. I'm hoping we can swap so DH and I can both ride without doing the queue twice. We will be onsite, but I'm not counting on express for FJ being available when we go.

Originally Posted by Metro West
I doubt you would be given a hard time if that situation arose.

I sure hope that you are right. DH will not be traveling w/us this trip, so I may need to take advantage of this as well. I have a "tall-enough" DD11 who is unsure of a few of the larger coasters (HP and the FJ not an issue). DS17 and I want to ride it all, but will not leave her behind unattended. Hopefully, no one will object to us using the "Chicken-Swap"!

 

[macraven]

....

one more question, what are the crowds like mid-Sept? Pretty low? First week in Dec? Those are the 2 times we're considering.

TIA!

based on past years, i would say that mid september is ideal.
i have gone three times to the darkside in that time period before.
i stay onsite.

it is value/low season for hotel rates.
the parks have no crowds.

first week in december was a slow time also in the past.
little to no crowds.


now, with parry hotter isle opening up, no one really knows how the crowds will be.

what used to be the ideal time to go to UO, might not be the same this year during those two time periods.

i am thinking that sept will still stay pretty tame as most kids are back in school after labor day.
that might help keep crowds down for the weekdays.

i would think the weekends would increase with guests as those doing disney and spending a day at UO would pick a weekend day to do so.
just my thought.

my trip is early october to the darkside this fall.
i'll keep track of crowds levels for future reference.