Universal with a 13 month old

[cleverclovers]

OK. So I agreed to go back to WDW after a less than steller visit in 2013. But, only if we could spend a day or two at Universal. I've never been there and would love to see Hogwarts. But this time we (daughter, son-in-law, and myself) will have a 13 month old with us. I am looking for suggestions about what can we see & ride there with a 13 mo old. What is the best way to get over to Universal? We are flying in to Orlando and won't have a car seat. Suggestions/tips anyone? Thank you in advance.

 

[schumigirl]

Have a look at the website www.universalorlando.com

You can see everything there is and the park layout. There are all the height restrictions laid out there too.......will tell you how much there is that the little one can do.

Can't help with the car seat issue.

 

[mamattorney]

Universal has a nice child swap policy, too. Everyone waits together and then one person with the child moves to a room/area to the side (for example, in Hogwarts there's a room with benches showing Harry Potter movies), everyone else rides, then you do the switch and the person waiting with the baby rides. Suess Landing is a lot of fun for little guys, too.

 

[JOCAmom]

On our trip in October 2015, we had our 8 month old grandson with us. There wasn't very much he could actually ride. We did take him in Twister and some shows. He also rode the Caro-Seuss-el and totally loved it. He was quite happy just taking in the sights. Baby swap at Universal is easy and wonderful. You all enter the line together after you tell them that you are using baby swap. Eventually you will be directed to the rider swap area. One person will wait with the child while the others ride. Once they are done, they will be directed to the rider swap room. Our experience was only one person who already rode had to wait with the child while everyone else went back on the ride. For us, my husband would wait with our grandson while the other 5 of us went on the ride. When we were done, I would take my husband's place and I would wait with our grandson while the other 5 went back on the ride (and my husband for the first time) 4 of our party always got to ride twice if they wanted. And with young teens, they loved it.

I can't help with the car seat issue. Sorry.

 

[RMulieri]

There isn't a whole lot an infant can ride but there are a few things and there are play areas

 

[kohlby]

I'd bring a car seat. I take it you are not buying a seat on the airplane for your baby. However, you can still bring your carseat with you. You can check it for free. I'd suggest gate checking it instead of checking it with your luggage. That way, if an empty seat opens up, they'll let you use it for baby and the carseat.

As for rides, child swap is very easy. There are lots of shows and really, a 13 month old likes taking in all the sights and toddling along. We've taken young kids before - we had different trips with babies aged 2months, 8months, and 11 months.

 

[Jujumama]

I agree to bring a car eat. Some car rental places and cabs will have one but many times its not an Infant cars seat, more of a toddler or booster. You never know what you are going to get. I was there with my 2 year old and found him entertained even though he couldn't go on rides as many require a height of 36". We were able to go on the one fish two fish one and carousel. Child swap was very helpful although keep in mind that you can't go into any ride with the stroller (I hadn't been to an amusement park with kids so that surprised me) so you will likely have to unstrap your child from the stroller and carry them while you wait in line. If they nap in the stroller you may have to wait outside under a nice tree to avoid getting them up. In Universal there is the kids area that has a water splash area which is nice for the kids too. Visually there is so much going they won't miss not going on rides.

 

[kohlby]

About the stroller, a carrier of some sort is very helpful. I'd bring the stroller too, just in case baby needs it for napping. My kids hung out in the sling at that age. Having a carrier makes it really easy to hold baby while in the lines.