Stroller parking and a couple of other qs

[pandv_2000]

Hi it will be our first time to US/IOA this year and we will have a 16 week old with us and a 7 year old. Is there stroller parking before you enter the lines like at Disney? I'm assuming I can then carry DS2 through the queue in his sling and then I can wait in a holding area whilst DS1 and DH ride then DH and I can switch places. Are the holding areas busy? If DS2 needs a feed would I be ok to nurse him there? Is there a babycare centre I can nurse him in?

 

[henry72]

We were just there but without the kids so I wasn't necessarily paying attention to stroller parking. I did not see designated places for it in front of every ride but do recall a spot before one of the shows (Sinbad).

As for the child swap areas, I thought they were much better than at disney. Many of them are actual rooms with benches and there was video playing at the FJ child swap area. I think the child swap areas would give you enough privacy to nurse.

 

[pandv_2000]

Thanks for the quick response

 

[damo]

Yes, there is usually a designated marked spot.

For example, here is the sign in front of Forbidden Journey:

In front of the Mummy:

Simpsons:

 

[G'day Disney]

Damo,the last stroller photo above-the yellow stroller looks great, if it is a hire one, can I ask where you hired it from and what it is called please? We are taking DS18mths in December and will need a stroller! Thanks heaps

 

[pandv_2000]

Thanks damo

 

[damo]

Damo,the last stroller photo above-the yellow stroller looks great, if it is a hire one, can I ask where you hired it from and what it is called please? We are taking DS18mths in December and will need a stroller! Thanks heaps

That isn't us but you can just rent it at the front of the park.

 

[disnewbie108]

Hi, trying to do the right thing by using an old thread instead of starting a new one.

We plan to hit Olivanders first thing. We are staying onsite and hope to take advantage of early entry.

We have been to WWOHP 1x, in August of last year when it was standing room only everywhere in every section of WWOHP. Because of this I do not recall where the stroller parking was near Olivanders. Is there a stroller parking area or do I need to park it in front of the castle? I hate to be such a planning freak, but we did not do Olivanders on our last trip and DS (7) was highly disappointed. My other DS (stroller aged child) may enjoy it as well. We would like to park the stroller right away and get Olivanders over with first thing.

TIA

 

[damo]

Here's a picture for you that might help.

http://erniebufflo.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/dsc07107.jpg

Looks like parking is just right in front of Ollivanders/Owl Post.

 

[disnewbie108]

Here's a picture for you that might help.

http://erniebufflo.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/dsc07107.jpg

Looks like parking is just right in front of Ollivanders/Owl Post.

Thanks Damo! That was just the info I was looking for and the picture was very helpful!

Thanks so much!

H.

 

[Love Tink]

It's been a few years since I had one little enough to nurse, but as I recall, the set up at Universal was pretty convenient for that. Each ride with a ride switch has a little seating area near the loading area. These areas are not very crowded (in the less busy times of year I was often the only one there), and are occupied only by children and other parents/grandparents waiting to switch. I'm not sure what your threshold is for nursing in public - I was generally very reticent to do so, but found I was okay in these areas. I just brought a blanket with me and found a corner.

Both Universal parks also have dedicated nursing rooms at their first aid stations. These are located at the front of each park, near the exits.

 

[HawaiiDiscount]

I took a double stroller for my 9 month old and 4 year old. The employees were very helpful when I didn't know where to park. They do not want the stroller in the queue so it may be helpful to take a Baby Bjorn or similar carrier for waiting in line. For Ollivanders they had me park it right in front of the store. For FJ they had a little parking area. Be sure to take advantage of the baby swap. We did it for Forbidden Journey, Flight of Hippogriff and Spiderman. For Forbidden Journey you wait in a room with a Harry Potter movie playing. Also if the adults are going to be riding separately be sure to ask about the single rider line - it is much faster.

We went to Disney and Universal and rented a stroller from Magic Stroller Rentals for the duration of our trip. It was an awesome stroller at a good price.

 

[Metro West]

Here's another picture of the rental strollers:

 

[Love Tink]

One other thing I thought I would mention, since you said it is your first time to Universal.

Universal is significantly more restricted than WDW as to what rides babies can ride. At WDW, babies can ride almost everything that isn't a thrill ride - like all the dark rides, Pirates, Dumbo, etc. At Universal, they won't let babies on a lot of the rides.

A lot of rides (even kid rides like Cat in the Hat) require the child to be able to walk, and to be wearing shoes.

Anyway, this was a surprise to me the first time, and slowed us down quite a bit, so I thought I'd mention it.

 

[damo]

One other thing I thought I would mention, since you said it is your first time to Universal.

Universal is significantly more restricted than WDW as to what rides babies can ride. At WDW, babies can ride almost everything that isn't a thrill ride - like all the dark rides, Pirates, Dumbo, etc. At Universal, they won't let babies on a lot of the rides.

A lot of rides (even kid rides like Cat in the Hat) require the child to be able to walk, and to be wearing shoes.

Anyway, this was a surprise to me the first time, and slowed us down quite a bit, so I thought I'd mention it.

Cat in the Hat is a bit too spinny for a baby...that is probably why there are mobility restrictions. The shoes for everything is a weird one though. I am sure it is an insurance enforced rule however.