Child swap question

[shafke]

When doing child swap, does the whole party need to be present to get the return pass or whatever it is they giveout?

For example at MGM... get a fastpass for RnR. DW and DS then head to ToT and do child swap. While they are doing this, I go with DD to HISTK playground. They then go on RnR and call on cell phone when complete. I then return and go on rides with DS. Also is there any time limit on when the child swap is used?

 

[Planecrazy4dis]

We were there last Sept. We had no problem getting child swap pass. Only one of us went up to CM to get it, and it had no time limit on it.

 

[HopperFan]

I'm not quite following you, but maybe someone else has gone your route We have always waited for a ride either in FP or standby, then the swap was done then. There was no leaving and coming back later.

We went to SM. Entire family goes in the FP line (or stand by). Once inside DH DS & DD get on the ride while a CM escort me and DS (non-rider) to the disembark room. Once they get off then I take DS & DD with me back where I came from while DH sits with DS.

We went to Star Tours. Entire family goes in the line (either one). We enter the pod. An adult and non rider exit the pod and wait on other side. When ride is done we swap.

Each ride is different. You should approach a CM outside the ride and ask how to do the child swap at that particular ride.

 

[triplefigs]

We went to SM. Entire family goes in the FP line (or stand by). Once inside DH DS & DD get on the ride while a CM escort me and DS (non-rider) to the disembark room. Once they get off then I take DS & DD with me back where I came from while DH sits with DS.

We went to Star Tours. Entire family goes in the line (either one). We enter the pod. An adult and non rider exit the pod and wait on other side. When ride is done we swap.

Each ride is different. You should approach a CM outside the ride and ask how to do the child swap at that particular ride.

Thanks for the info. We are going in December with our BBG triplets who will be 5.5. We will probably do child swap on several rides that can't accommodate 5 at a time (ie at least 3 in a row). Now I know what to ask the CM's when we get in line.

 

[tjmw2727]

Most rides now give you a child swap pass rather than routing you back through the exit. When you get in line, either the FP or Standby lines, alert the CM that you want to use child swap. They will give you a "child swap" pass, looks like a FP but has child swap and you can return with three people total. In my experience the non riding child did have to be present to get the pass. Then one parent can take the non riding child to do something else while the rest of the party rides. At some point, that same day, there is no time restriction, the parent who didn't ride the first time can return and ride with 2 others.

TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks for the info. We are going in December with our BBG triplets who will be 5.5. We will probably do child swap on several rides that can't accommodate 5 at a time (ie at least 3 in a row). Now I know what to ask the CM's when we get in line.

I don't think you will need to use child swap, I can't think of any ride where one parent can't take two kids with the other parent taking one. Child swap is for children who don't meet the height requirement or won't ride due to a scare factor. Its used as I described above.

TJ

 

[triplefigs]

I don't think you will need to use child swap, I can't think of any ride where one parent can't take two kids with the other parent taking one. Child swap is for children who don't meet the height requirement or won't ride due to a scare factor. Its used as I described above.

TJ

Thanks for the clarification. I could see the scare factor being an issue at the haunted mansion and possibly Snow White. I appreciate the info!

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Thanks for the info.

 

[SamanthaL]

The way did the swap was this. We got a fast pass and when I time came I would go through with DD while DH stayed with DS. When I gave the woman my fast pass I asked her for a baby swap. She did ask to see the baby which I pointed out in the stroller. DH would wave to her. She gave us another ticket that looked like a fast pass without a time on it. When I was done riding DH would take DD back on for a second ride. Luke never had to get into any lines. He could nap in his stroller in the fresh air or run around.

 

[sk!mom]

An unexpected benefit for us last trip was that our two daredevil children got to ride many things twice with no wait. My sister's DS5 was afraid to ride many rides so we would get the swap pass and one adult would stay with him. Then whoever stayed off would ride and my DD8 and my neice 10 would get to ride again with no wait since the pass allows for three riders. The pass also worked better than the rides that had a waiting area for swapping since the pass allows you to take the nonriding child to do something rather than them having to wait around. I hope that Disney is switching to passes on all "swap" rides.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Everyone on this thread who is "Child Swap"ing, do you get a better kid everytime you do this?

The "Rider Switch" pass is good for the entire day and can be used at anytime. When we plan our days at the park, we always consider the "Rider Switch". For example, I have three sons 7,5 and 2. DS2 is obviously too short to ride some rides. Here is what we do. Arrive at MGM and go straight to RnRC. Get a rider switch. I ride with DS's 7 and 5. Meanwhile, DH goes to ToT and gets a FP. When I am done riding RnRC, DH rides with sons. I take DS2 and get in line for Playhouse Disney. DH and DS's ride RnRC and ToT and then meets up with us after Playhouse. The "rider switch" pass is GREAT for families.

I hope you all have a magical trip and the next time you "child swap", I hope you get one that is potty trained. I know that is what I am looking for.

 

[becky7953]

When we have used the swap, we got a ticket that looks like the fast pass. We would use the fast pass line. One CM did ask to see the child.

 

[SamanthaL]

Everyone on this thread who is "Child Swap"ing, do you get a better kid everytime you do this?

:

LOL!! I didn't know that I could trade up!!! No one told me that! I thought I had to leave with the one I came with!!!

 

[Asil65]

Thanks for all of this info. I still am a little confused about this child swap thing. If my DH and DS go on Space mountain and ask for a child swap pass for my DD and myself who are not riding can my son and I come back later and get in the fast pass line and show the family swap ticket? That sounds too good to be true.I think we will ask for these passes whenever we can.

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks for all of this info. I still am a little confused about this child swap thing. If my DH and DS go on Space mountain and ask for a child swap pass for my DD and myself who are not riding can my son and I come back later and get in the fast pass line and show the family swap ticket? That sounds too good to be true.I think we will ask for these passes whenever we can.

Yes, except in my experience the non-riding child must be present when you first get the child swap pass. You don't all have to wait in line, but just before you enter the line, either fp or sb, tell the CM. The cm will give you the pass and then you and dd go on your way and do something together while DH and DS ride. Meet up and at some point you take DS back and use the CS pass by entering in the FP line. And yes, once, dd and I tried to get the CS pass while dh and non-riding dd were getting ice cream and I was asked, nicely, to bring the non-rider back before getting the FP. Since the non-riding child dosen't enter the line, a baby or toddler can stay right in the stroller if necessary.

The child swap pass is good for up to 3 people total and can be used anytime that day. FWIW, in December 04and February 05 we got the CS pass at every attraction we swaped, no more waiting at the exit!

TJ

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Ceratinly didn't mean to offend, but on my trip in November the little ticket given to me by the CM did indeed say "Rider Switch Pass". On some attractions, we were just given three FP's b/c the CM's said they didn't have any rider switch passes left.

Using this feature is a must for our family and I hope everyone takes advantage of it.

 

[becobscot]

Haven't gone since Nov.2003 but they didn't give out passes. Is this something new?

 

[SamanthaL]

Don't know if this is new but they were doing it in Oct 04.