taking an infant to US/IOA

[WendyLovesPeter]

WDW with infants is pretty manageable because on many rides you can hold the baby... no big deal

We will have an infant with us this next time. Just reading through the attractions at US and IOA it appears there are not a lot of "gentle rides" that baby can sleepily be held. Do they have a parent ride swap option? If they do does it move faster than the FITL pass if you stay onsite?

I really want to visit these parks with my teens, but I am concerned about my young daughter and the infant as well. Is there much a preschooler can do? I know there is the Dr Seuss world, but that is not a big draw for her.

I am wondering if it would be worth it for us.... May be we should stay at disney and let my husband take the older kids over to US/IOA while we hang at the WDW parks....

 

[brocklesnar69]

Universal has "Seusses Landing" & "Kidzone" which are all for little kids. It could be comparable to "ToonTown USA" and such. Overall though, Universal doesnt have as many kid/child rides as WDW. But there are still a lot of good areas to take little ones.

I dont think you would end up dissapointed if you did decide to take the youngster over to UV.

As far as "rider swap" I have no idea.

 

[Metro West]

I am wondering if it would be worth it for us.... May be we should stay at disney and let my husband take the older kids over to US/IOA while we hang at the WDW parks....

That may be the best thing for this trip. Universal does offer child swap at most of the attractions but travelling with an infant is always difficult. Most of the attractions at Universal do not allow lap sitting so you would need to do child swap. As you stated...I think the best thing to do is let the older kids go to Universal while you stay around WDW.

 

[3mmm]

I just bumped up a thread about rides with no height reqs. It basically answers your question. In my opinion, I would not go for an infant or toddler, but we do have older children also and it is so worth it for them. Consider changing hotels to get the FOTL access - that made it do-able with little ones, even though it is a major pain in the butt to change hotels with five children. I personally do not like their child swap as much as Disney because you must wait in line - no walking a sleeping child around in the stroller and then entering through the exit. Staying on site though basically eliminates your need to do the swap - just take turns.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you have

Mary

 

[3mmm]

oopps...sorry...at Cedar Point you do the child swap through the exit. Disney usually uses the fast pass line...didn't want to mislead anyone

 

[dr&momto2boys]

We went with a 15 month old and a barely 3 yr old and had a great time! We used ride swap and even our 15 month old had a lot to keep him interested especially at US and several areas of IOA too. We'd go with a child of any age. But then again we go everywhere with our kids--they've been to 15 states and 3 countries in three years.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

I just bumped up a thread about rides with no height reqs. It basically answers your question. In my opinion, I would not go for an infant or toddler, but we do have older children also and it is so worth it for them. Consider changing hotels to get the FOTL access - that made it do-able with little ones, even though it is a major pain in the butt to change hotels with five children. I personally do not like their child swap as much as Disney because you must wait in line - no walking a sleeping child around in the stroller and then entering through the exit. Staying on site though basically eliminates your need to do the swap - just take turns.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you have

Mary

thank you, Mary, for pulling up that thread for me!

this is helpful, but I am talking real real infant.... a 3 month old - complete lap/arms rider

it may sound nuts to take this trip now but our family is large - there are enough people that will benefit from taking this vacation that it will definitely be worth it. plus a young baby gives us reason to "have to go back" - LOL

and I find travel with infants very simple... seriously their demands are easily taken care of to me at least

If it doesn't make sense for 2 of the kids to do these parks, I would happily stay back at WDW content to meet princesses and ride Fantasyland while the older kids explore Universal. the only problem is my hubby is not one to lead the pack through a park - he relies heavily on what I've read and where I think we should go. I worry that they would wander around and not get much accomplished. Of course I've read with the FOTL bonus there is not a need to go at it commando like disney on busy days...

 

[3mmm]

We too have a large family and I agree the young infant stage is a great time to travel - we took all 5 kids to Italy when my youngest was 6 months old - he was great. Universal with a 3 month old would be easy - you'd just have to use the child swap, and the baby is young enough that you could carry them through things like Jaws and Disaster.

I guess my big question for you is how old is your other young daughter and what would she enjoy - that will probably be the deciding factor for you.

And sometimes the little ones have to put up with what the older ones want just as I'm sure the older ones do things they'd rather not for the sake of the younger ones. I know it's a hard balance. We'll often split up for part of the day - my older kids would die if I made them sit through Barney. And Barney and Fievels play area are great for little ones - bring a bathing suit and be prepared to have to drag them away.

 

[phamton]

The child swap is near where each ride loads. It is usually an air conditioned room inside with seats and much more comfortable than waiting outside like many of the child swap at Disney require. When you enter the ride, just ask for the child swap. You can go sit down with the baby while your family waits in line. Once they exit the ride, they will be right by the child swap area and you can switch and you can ride with the kids while daddy sits with baby. You and the kids will not have to wait in line again and your kids will get to ride twice (once with dad and once with you). The only time anyone will wait in line will be dad and the kids when they first go through the line.

ETA: I was looking for pictures of the child swap but couldn't find one but did find a better explanation:

The beauty of a child swap is that the second half of the party does not have to wait in line a second time – they simply proceed to the front of the line to ensure that the remainder of the party doesn’t have to wait outside for too long. And, if you have three or more in your group, that means that at least one person can go on the ride a second consecutive time!

Universal Orlando is also a little different from Disney in that they actually have waiting areas designated at all of the attractions for this child swap policy. To access these areas, simply ask the attendant at each attraction and they will guide you to the specific location for that attraction.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

my 9 year old girl is a real trooper. I can't see her being brave enough for Hulk or Dragons (not sure about the Mummy) but most other things I think she would be game for. She loves all the WDW mountains, but I think they look milder than these attractions I mentioned above

 

[3mmm]

The child swap is near where each ride loads. it is usually an ari conditioned room inside with seats and much more comfortable than waiting outside like many of the child swap at disney require. When you enter the ride, just ask for the child swap. You can go sit down with the baby while your family waits in line. Once they exit the ride, they will be right by the child swap area and you can switch and you can ride with the kids while daddy sits with baby. You and the kids will not have to wait in line again and your kids will get to ride twice (once with dad and once with you). The only time anyone will wait in line will be dad and the kids when they first go through the line.

No one ever told us I could go directly to the child swap room - we were told to wait in line and then go to swap area at front of line. Knowing this may make a difference. The thought of keeping a toddler in line for a ride they can't do was crazy - that's why we always skipped it and just traded off on the FOTL.

How many kids can re-ride with the second parent. I typically have three rider kids and two non-riders? If they can't all three re-ride, we will probably continue to use the FOTL access and skip the child swap - the lines are usually not bad with FOTL

 

[3mmm]

my 9 year old girl is a real trooper. I can't see her being brave enough for Hulk or Dragons (not sure about the Mummy) but most other things I think she would be game for. She loves all the WDW mountains, but I think they look milder than these attractions I mentioned above

My kids loved Universal at ages 6 through 9 even without the big roller coasters and child swapping an infant is easier than a toddler. I would still think about staying on-site for the FOTL access.

Next week will be the first time my two oldest can do Hulk and DD (at least I hope both can - my 9 year old is barely 54 inches), but they have always enjoyed Universal - they beg to go back. I bet your 9 year old will like it.

Let us know what you decide and how it turns out.

 

[phamton]

All three kids can re-ride. If you have FOTL, it might be easier just to go to through the line and then just head to child swap once you get to the ride. Without FOTL, let the attendant know that you need to wait in the family room for child swap while your family waits in line. Only one adult is allowed to accompany the child swap baby. They usually send you up through the exit unless they have someone who can escort you there.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

we took our 9month old last year and we were in Orlando for over three weeks - Universal and IOA were our favourite places and the child swap areas were great. I wouldnt' think twice about taking a baby there again!!