Does Anyone Actively use the Parent Swap At Parks

[angel659]

Hi

Has anyone used the parent swap facility? If so hoe does it work? Does all parks offer this facility. Is it easy? Can you parent swap using fast pass?

We are taking a 5 yr old and twin boys of 23 months. We would like to go to all parks inc Universal, but my dh is worried about the rides and queueing twice etc. I have mentioned the parent swap, but my dh still has concerns.

 

[Miffy2003]

We used it - once - with no problems.

The reason we only used it once is because we felt it was unfair on the children to have to sit around twice while me & DH rode. We tend to just do the odd ride now - spaced out over the holiday - alone as it's no fun for the others waiting. We now prefer to do stuff we can all enjoy together!

But it worked fine the one time we did it, yes! I just wanted to clarify why we'd only used it once!

 

[kev kendall]

Hi - we used it a couple of years ago when ds was only 18 months old. It worked out fine. The second riders gets on almost immediately so there wasn't alot of waiting, although its not as much fun riding on your own (and sometimes you get a funny look going up the exit!!) Not sure if they do the same thing at Universal - probably do tho!

 

[mark&sue]

We always used it when my daughter was small. She can't remember and it was our holiday too. I would definately recommend it. They grow up quick and it will soon be you waiting while they go on Hulk and you don't want to!!!!!

Have a great time.



Susan

 

[Cyrano]

DLP offer a similar facility, but have not tried it yet since have always felt it unfair for others to hang around.

DD will be going on BTM for the first time this year so a good reason to go back

Reid

 

[AlisonB]

We've used it with no problems at all, although after a while we found it was better to leave one adult with the kids in an area they liked (eg Fantasyland) while the other went off to do a couple of rides and then swapped over later. This however may not work for your family looking at the age of your children!

 

[momtoce&j]

We used the Parent Swap a few times last week. Worked great. We used it for Mission Space and Star Tours. The kids get to ride twice, once with the first parent then again with the 'swapping' parent. My girls loved that part even more...getting to ride twice. For Star Tours, we all waited in line together, line wasn't long at all it was fairly early in the morning...when we got up to the front, DH took the girls on the ride while DS and I waited at the loading area, when the ride was over, DS and I entered in the same row as the rest of the family. DH took DS and continued off the ride, while I sat down in DH's seat and got to ride with the girls.

Mission Space was a little different. DH took DS and waited for us by the exit. When the girls and I were done, we met them, then DH took only one the the girls back on the ride through the fast pass entrance.

I can't remeber where else we used the parent swap, but it did work out great for us.

 

[angel659]

Hi

Thanks for all the info and tips it has really helped. We were not sure how it worked or if it was easy. I think we are using it for a few rides we have not been on like Mission Space, Aerosmith Roller Coaster and a few rides at Universal.

Thanks again I just cant wait to go.

 

[DisneyBB]

Big thunder mountain did it differently, the parent staying got a fast pass which he could take with him 2 other guests. So there was no waiting around as the parent waiting went off with the non riders to look at something else. This is also true of Space mountain. It worked out great and as long as you time these rides so the non riders are not just hanging around it will work out great. For instance when doing space mountain we found that the non riders went on the old medway people mover (called something else now). with parent.

 

[alanda]

Absolutely no problems using this - it is great - no need to queue twice and you can use fast pass so you don't even have to wait long for the first rider to have a go. As for being unfair on the kids waiting - well it is your holiday too! And anyway, as you ususally wait by the exit for the swap, they can look round the gift shop that usually exists by these big rides!

Our boys (10 and 7) will get on most of the rides at Disney this year, so we are hoping for a similar arrangement at Universal so we can go on the Hulk and Duelling Dragons - can anyone comment on this?

 

[fizz13]

I have to say at Universal, we just got express passes for most of the rides, but I strongly recommend you combine express passes with baby swap for Duelling Dragons. It is the slowest moving line I have ever seen and with express, it took 40 minutes each. There is a waiting area right next to where the ride loads for baby swap so please use it, because I for one would never take turns just using express again. The Hulk is a much better organised area, but baby swap is available everywhere, so use it and have fun,

Much pixie dust,
Claire