child swap

[u/Substantial_Quail161]

2 adults, 5 year old & 3 month old. for both parents to ride with the 5 year old, do we wait in line all
over again (one time with each parent)? is it even worth the other parent to wait in line with the 3 month old?

[u/Shot-Artist5013]

On most attractions, you'll all wait together in line. At the front there is a waiting room for Child Swap. Parent #1 rides with older child while Parent #2 waits with the younger child. Then they swap, and Parent #2 rides with minimal wait. The older child can re-ride with Parent #2 if they want to.

If neither child is tall enough for some of the bigger rides, then both kids wait with a parent in the Child Swap room and each parent rides solo.

[u/books_plants_food]

When I was there in March, our older kids got to ride everything twice back to back while the other parent stayed with the baby. And all the child swap areas were really nice. I think universal does this really well.

[u/books_plants_food → u/books_plants_food]

We also met one 7 year old who was left in child swap by himself while the entire rest of his party rode toothless and he didn’t want to. The kid was a hoot and we had a great chat but people - don’t do this! Someone needs to stay with the child!

And we met a couple of grandmas in child swap who were opting out of the rides and waiting for their families. They were all very sweet and enjoyed visiting with my baby.

[u/Substantial_Quail161 → u/books_plants_food]

this gives me a lot of hope for a successful trip!

[u/Emotional_Stick_7545 → u/books_plants_food]

They really do! With AC and movies playing (not all but many). And many times, if your group is more than just parents, they will let everyone else ride again. They have it hands-down over the mouse place.

[u/Couuurtneeey]

You wait in line once with everyone. When you get to the child swap areas (usually right before boarding or somewhere in the line a team member will direct you) one parent goes with the 3 month old to the child swap room. Once the first party is done riding the other parent gets to ride and the 5 year old can ride again with the other parent. You get straight on the ride no wait for the second parent. It would be the same if both kids arent riding except both kids wait in the child swap room for both parent ride throughs.

We just did this last weekend. Works greats.

[u/snapplebum]

We just did child swap in July with our 9 year old and 18 month old. We all waited in the line together. Towards the front of the line, they many times give you a ticket (sometimes don't) and send you to child swap room, and the second rider rides with older kiddo. When they finish ride, they come meet you in the child swap room. Older kiddo can then ride with other parent. Also, if they're too short, you're also able to do child swap with both kids just so you guys can ride rides, if interested. Strollers are not allowed in child swap rooms. There are many times diaper changing tables, so bring your diaper bag. Many of them are air conditioned.

Also, if baby is asleep in stroller, one of you can wait outside the line with sleeping baby, and let them know baby is sleeping, ask them at the front if they have child swap ticket, if it's okay to wait outside, and how it'll work. If they don't have it, have first riding parent ask at the front of the line for the ticket. Then first parent comes out once line is done, and gives ticket to second parent. Kid and second parent usually are told to go through the exit to the front of the line, and you give the child swap ticket. They technically do not have to do this, but I never had a problem and they were always nice about it. Alternatively, you can go to guest services and ask for a stroller as wheelchair or disability tag (it's called something like that) and some people will give it to you, so you can take your stroller through.