universal with babies

[kgoulash]

i have been to universal/ioa many times and love the parks but i have never been with an infant. next year we will be travelling with a 7month old. we will be staying on property, but i was wondering mostly what rides can you take a young child on, any? should i plan on baby swaps for everything? do they have child care centers/rooms like disney? anyone having experience with a little one i would love your input!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Personally I don't think ANY ride (at US or Disney) is suitable for a young baby, there are attractions at US/IOA that are great for children, but for me 7 months is way too young.

 

[robvia]

I'd leave the baby with grandparents at home if they live near you. Little kids at that age don't remember anything. You'll spend the entire trip taking care of a crying baby, it won't be fun. 3 or 4 is the age I'd bring them, but for now it should be a break for you and the spouse.

 

[phamton]

They have baby care centers in the First Aid/Health Services. It is a special room with rocking chairs, etc. There are two Health Services in each park. At the Studios one is next to Vacation Services and the other is next to Beetlejuice. At Islands, Health Services is inside Guest Services and the other is by Poisidens. In addition, almost all of the bathrooms in the park have changing areas.

 

[kgoulash]

thank you phamton,
i know there are many rides esp in magic kingdom i can take an infant on and intend to but i'm thinking universal will be much different. do they have baby swap?
though i appreciate all input i have to say i would never leave one of my children home even if they won't remember, we took my son at age 2 and he had a great time, granted an infant will be able to do even less but it's a family vacation!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

thank you phamton,
i know there are many rides esp in magic kingdom i can take an infant on and intend to but i'm thinking universal will be much different. do they have baby swap?
though i appreciate all input i have to say i would never leave one of my children home even if they won't remember, we took my son at age 2 and he had a great time, granted an infant will be able to do even less but it's a family vacation!

I don't disagree - but whilst there are many rides at MK for little one's I think 7 months is way toooooo little personally, you CAN have a good time around the parks - we took our son when he was 10 months old, but he didn't go on any of the rides with us, we just enjoyed the atmosphere etc

 

[MamaKate]

They do have baby swap. I'm not sure if it's on all the rides, but I know they had a baby swap room at the Hulk coaster & Dueling Dragons. Also saw some parents using baby swap on the Mummy and Men In Black, but I don't remember if they had special waiting rooms.

I plan on taking a 4 month old with me next year. Like you, I'm not going to leave him/her at home. I don't plan on doing too much & we've been several times so I'll only do my favorites at both USO & WDW and I'll be happy. It's mostly a trip for the 2 older kids anyway.

I don't think there are any rides at USO a baby can ride. They have the Barney show. And you can ride on the bench seat on Carasuessel (sp?) and maybe 1 Fish 2 Fish and the Sky Trolley. But that's about it.

Have fun and just be flexible.

,
Katie

 

[damo]

There are stationary seats at Shrek and Jimmy Neutron but it might be too loud.

 

[pixiemomma]

There is stationary seating at Shrek, Jimmy Neutron, and Terminator. My son is used to noise so he doesn't startle easily. There are baby swap areas in almost every ride. (They have a much better system and infant friendly area for this than the WDW parks) I have two older children and a two-month old and had no problems at the parks or the Disney parks. In fact the child swap was kind of nice. It gave me the chance to nurse the baby in a cool shaded area and we didn't have to stop progress for feedings/diaper changes.

 

[kgoulash]

thanks!
i'm not a big daredevil so there will only be a few rides i really want to go on, the baby swap areas sound great
at the time we go my little one will have lived with his loud brother and louder extended family so i think we'll be good

 

[dr&momto2boys]

thank you phamton,
i know there are many rides esp in magic kingdom i can take an infant on and intend to but i'm thinking universal will be much different. do they have baby swap?
though i appreciate all input i have to say i would never leave one of my children home even if they won't remember, we took my son at age 2 and he had a great time, granted an infant will be able to do even less but it's a family vacation!

Good for you! I can't believe how many people do vacation without their infants. The baby will have fun simply being with Mom and Dad. My sons have travelled everywhere with us since birth--business or pleasure. We will be bringing our 7 month old and 2 year old with us to US/IOA in February.

 

[yaytezIOA]

thanks!
i'm not a big daredevil so there will only be a few rides i really want to go on,

There are only two coasters at IOA, and one at USF....and plenty of stuff for kids to do, and especially explore. But definately take advantage of child swap...its great.

 

[detroitmama]

We took our 4 kids last year, including a 9 month old, who I was nursing. Universal has a rule about no "babes in arms" on most rides: they have to be able to sit by themselves and walk. THe rides that people already listed are good bets to include the baby. SO, my husband I took advantage of some baby swaps, and the rest of the time we tended to split up, one of us staying with the baby and the other taking the older kids for rides. It was a little disappointing to be separated this way, but we still had a wonderful time, and we are heading back this year. One suggestion is for both of you to make sure you bring a good book or mp3 player or something, so you don't feel so 'left behind' when the other group goes off to play. Also, make sure to check out the ball pit room behind curious george at US. I couldn't get my kids to leave the place, and it's a great place to be all together. Also, in Shrek, just cover the baby with a blanket so they don't get sprayed with water, even in the stationary seats. Have fun!

 

[macraven]

don't forget the sunscreen for the baby.....
and some type of hat for baby.


one thing that will destroy a family vacation is a severe sunburn.

babies especially need more protection from the sun at any season when in florida.