Child Swap at Universal Orlando: How It Works

Child Swap at Universal Orlando lets parents take turns on a ride without waiting in line twice. Your whole group waits in line together, one adult waits with the child in a Family Room near the ride, and then you swap.

It’s free, you don’t sign up ahead of time, and it’s available on most of the big rides at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe. Despite the name, you do not take your kids and swap them for other kids, although I still joke about it with my teens. They don’t appreciate the humor.

If you’re heading to Universal with little ones who are too small for the big rides (or just don’t want to ride), Child Swap is going to be your best friend.

Before we get started, let me introduce myself. My name is Amy, and I’m a Universal Travel Agent, a long-time Universal Annual Passholder, and a mom.

Universal Travel Agent

I have years of firsthand experience with the parks, hotels, rides, dining options, and more, so I can give you tailored recommendations and insider tips for your Universal vacation. Contact me if you’d like help booking your Universal vacation.

Recommendations

If you need a car for your Universal Orlando trip, we recommend renting a car from Discount USA Car Rental. They offer the best rates and free cancellation.

Do you need to rent a stroller in Orlando? We recommend Orlando Stroller Rentals! Bringing your own? If you want to leave your pricey stroller at home, we use (and love) the BabyTrend Expedition Jogger, which has everything you need at a lower price point.

What is Child Swap at Universal?

Child Swap is Universal’s free program for groups with someone who can’t or doesn’t want to ride. Usually that’s a baby, a toddler, or a kid who isn’t tall enough yet. It’s also good for an older kid who doesn’t like thrill rides. We have one of those!

Instead of one parent missing out, or your family waiting in the same line twice, everyone waits once, and the adults take turns riding.

At Disney World, the same idea is called Rider Switch. Universal’s version works a little differently: you wait in line together, and the non-rider waits in a Family Room right by the ride.

Child Swap at Universal Orlando

How does Child Swap work at Universal?

Here’s how Child Swap at Universal Orlando, step by step:

Tell the team member at the ride entrance. Before you get in line, let them know you want to use Child Swap. If they are busy, you don’t have to do this. However, a Team Member can tell you where to go. Otherwise, another Team Member can help once you’re closer to the front of the line.
Wait in line together. Your whole group, including the child who isn’t riding, goes through the queue together.
Split up near the loading area. One adult and the non-riding child head into the Family Room (the child swap room). Everyone else rides.
Swap. When the first group finishes, they come back to the Family Room, and the adult who waited goes to ride.
Meet back up. Everyone exits together when the second rider is done.

That’s it. The adult who waited doesn’t have to go back through the line. It’s up to each team member, but other kids in your group can often ride again with the second adult too.

What are the Family Rooms like?

Each ride handles it a little differently. Some have a separate Family Room, and others have a designated waiting area. Most are air-conditioned with seating, and some have TVs playing ride-themed videos, changing tables, or water fountains. A few are lightly themed to the ride, so keep an eye out for fun details.

The Velocicoaster is a favorite for us, and it plays the show “Camp Cretaceous”.

They’re not fancy, but they’re a nice cool break, especially if you have a baby. Oh, and if you’re pregnant, they can be a nice, air-conditioned place to sit while you wait!

Child Swap at Universal Orlando

Which rides have Child Swap at Universal?

Most of the big rides at Universal offer Child Swap. Rides change, so always ask the team member at the entrance. Here’s the current list.

Universal Studios Florida

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
E.T. Adventure
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Kang and Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
Revenge of the Mummy
The Simpsons Ride
TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3D
Trolls Trollercoaster

Universal Islands of Adventure

Caro-Seuss-el
Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
Flight of the Hippogriff
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Jurassic World VelociCoaster
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Storm Force Accelatron
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
The Cat in the Hat
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride
The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Universal Epic Universe

Constellation Carousel
Curse of the Werewolf
Dragon Racer’s Rally
Fyre Drill
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
Mine-Cart Madness
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
Stardust Racers
Yoshi’s Adventure

Want to see every ride first? Here’s our complete list of rides at Epic Universe and our complete list of rides at Universal Orlando.

Child Swap at Universal Orlando

Universal Volcano Bay

Volcano Bay slides also offer Child Swap. Ask the team member at the ride entrance how it works with the virtual line there. For more on the water park, check out our 15 genius Volcano Bay tips.

Does Child Swap work with Express Pass?

Yes. You can use Child Swap in the Express line. Everyone who goes through the Express line still needs their own Express Pass. The swap happens near the loading area, after Express passes are scanned, so the adult who waited doesn’t need to use Express again to ride.

Generally, the Team Member scanning Express Passes will let you know where to go for Child Swap.

Trying to decide if Express is worth it? Read Express Passes at Universal Orlando (what you need to know) and which Universal hotels include Express Passes. Heading to Epic Universe? Here’s whether Express Passes at Epic Universe are worth it.

Express Passes at Epic Universe Worth it

Child Swap at Universal Orlando tips for parents

Use it on the longest lines. Child Swap saves the most time on the big headliners, where waiting twice would eat half your day.
Know the height requirements before you go. It helps to know which rides your kids can do so nobody gets their heart set on a ride they can’t do yet.
Pack a little entertainment. A small toy, a snack, or a book makes the Family Room wait easier for little ones. They don’t all have TVs and even those that do might not entertain smaller kids.
Let the waiting adult hold the bags. No need to use the lockers, which saves time! The adult waiting can watch all the bags and loose items.
Any adult can wait. It doesn’t have to be a parent. Grandparents, aunts, and friends traveling with you can be the one who waits. Teens can generally wait with younger kids too.
Don’t forget the rides everyone can do together. Save some time for rides the whole family can enjoy. Our 22 things to do at Universal Orlando has plenty.

Child Swap at Universal Orlando

Child Swap at Universal Orlando FAQ

Is Child Swap free at Universal?

Yes. Child Swap is free and included with your park ticket.

Do you need to reserve Child Swap ahead of time?

No. Just tell the team member at the ride entrance before you get in line.

Does Epic Universe have Child Swap?

Yes. Most of the major rides at Epic Universe offer Child Swap, including Stardust Racers, Mine-Cart Madness, and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.

Does Child Swap work with Express Pass?

Yes. Everyone going through the Express line needs their own Express Pass, but the adult who waits doesn’t need to use it again for the swap.

How many people can ride during the swap?

It depends on the team member, but sometimes older kids can ride with each adult.

Is Child Swap the same as Disney’s Rider Switch?

It’s the same idea with a different process. At Universal, your whole group waits in line together, and the non-rider waits in a Family Room by the ride.

The biggest difference is that Disney has a LOT of family-friendly rides (where babies and toddlers can ride) and Universal does not. If you’re traveling with a baby, you’ll likely use Child Swap a lot more often because there aren’t many rides a baby can go on.

Child Swap at Universal Orlando

Child Swap is one of the easiest ways to make Universal work for the whole family, even when your kids are different ages and heights. No one misses out, and no one waits twice.

Want help planning your Universal vacation? Contact me, and I’ll help you pick the right hotel, tickets, and Express options for your family.

We have lots more Universal travel tips on the blog. Check them out!

About Florida Travel With Kids

Florida Travel with Kids was started by a family who loves to travel the state of Florida with kids! This site will help you explore the fun state of Florida and all of the kid-friendly activities you’ll find here.

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Child Swap at Universal Orlando

Child Swap at Universal Orlando: How It Works