Any recent accounts of using kid swap?

[Mrs~Incredible]

A too short child can't enter the line at all.

That’s weird- must have changed. In 2011-2015 we took our little all the way through- Everest, Space, big thunder, soarin. Must have changed, or been that good ole fashioned Disney variability

 

[DisneyWLLover]

We have never used RS, but I would like to use it in April. We’re doing a girls trip with my 9 yo son added. He will not get on HM. Can two of us ride while the 3rd stays with him, then switch out who sits with him so all 3 of us can ride? He will ride most, but he’s terrified of HM.

 

[KrazeeK120]

That’s weird- must have changed. In 2011-2015 we took our little all the way through- Everest, Space, big thunder, soarin. Must have changed, or been that good ole fashioned Disney variability

I’ve been going to Disney as an adult since 2007 and I know RS existed then. You must have had some CMs who weren’t paying very close attention because your child shouldn’t have been allowed in the line if she was too short.

 

[AngiTN]

That’s weird- must have changed. In 2011-2015 we took our little all the way through- Everest, Space, big thunder, soarin. Must have changed, or been that good ole fashioned Disney variability

I’ve been going to Disney as an adult since 2007 and I know RS existed then. You must have had some CMs who weren’t paying very close attention because your child shouldn’t have been allowed in the line if she was too short.

Yes, it's against insurance rules for them to be in the ride areas. So rules didn't change but you got CM who didn't follow rules. Which is no surprise.

 

[Speri337]

We have never used RS, but I would like to use it in April. We’re doing a girls trip with my 9 yo son added. He will not get on HM. Can two of us ride while the 3rd stays with him, then switch out who sits with him so all 3 of us can ride? He will ride most, but he’s terrified of HM.

No RS on HM. I feel there there should be because my kids would be scared on it too, but in terms of physical safety, there isn't any danger for a young child to ride it.

 

[ArielSRL]

Strange. So even the too short child has to have one?

No..I meant everyone wanting to ride. Sorry that was confusing.

 

[ArielSRL]

And I mean I've learned that there are quite a few RS situations where you can't even bring the whole family to get that RS. Like for example Soarin.

In June, the CM at Soarin required we showed the too short child. We were all in the building so no big deal but I guess they expect you to carry in a baby to show them to the CM.

 

[Crystal824]

That has always been our experience at Soarin' too, which is a pain. We have to park the stroller bring everyone in, go down to Soarin', show the too short kid, and then one of us usually takes the too short kid to Nemo or Figment. Depending on the time of day....sometimes said too short kid and the adult get a snack at Sunshine Seasons because that is easier.

I understand why some people complain about RS, but I think most of the people complaining have never used it. I suppose you can use the extra FP to book two bigger rides or try to get around the tiers (most of the time there are headliners than everyone can do). For instance, we typically book our tier 1 for everyone - ie Frozen Ever After and TSMM. We use FP as much as possible for attractions everyone can experience ie. Frozen Ever After, Peter Pan, etc. We aren't using it to hoard all the FP for 7DMT and FOP. Honestly, in many ways I can't wait for the days when everyone can ride everything together. While it seems like the young families are getting something extra with RS, it takes a lot of time to split up and go through the FP line twice. On those attractions where you may not have FP (you can still get a RS if you go through the regular que), it takes even longer.

I would venture to guess that most people who are not using RS are actually getting more FPs than the young families. My family rarely uses a fourth because we don't last that long in the park. Once we use our 3 FPs and the RS (if we have any) as well as a few character greeting that typically don't have FP, we are usually finished for the day.

 

[10CJ]

I understand why some people complain about RS, but I think most of the people complaining have never used it. I suppose you can use the extra FP to book two bigger rides or try to get around the tiers (most of the time there are headliners than everyone can do). For instance, we typically book our tier 1 for everyone - ie Frozen Ever After and TSMM. We use FP as much as possible for attractions everyone can experience ie. Frozen Ever After, Peter Pan, etc. We aren't using it to hoard all the FP for 7DMT and FOP. Honestly, in many ways I can't wait for the days when everyone can ride everything together. While it seems like the young families are getting something extra with RS, it takes a lot of time to split up and go through the FP line twice. On those attractions where you may not have FP (you can still get a RS if you go through the regular que), it takes even longer.

I would venture to guess that most people who are not using RS are actually getting more FPs than the young families. My family rarely uses a fourth because we don't last that long in the park. Once we use our 3 FPs and the RS (if we have any) as well as a few character greeting that typically don't have FP, we are usually finished for the day.

Yes, exactly!

RS takes time! Planning things out can be complicated. I often wonder if those complaining have ever used it. I have a three year old who is not tall enough for many of the bigger rides. I want him to be able to use his FPs as well, so booking a FP for everyone else does not make sense.

 

[Speri337]

In June, the CM at Soarin required we showed the too short child. We were all in the building so no big deal but I guess they expect you to carry in a baby to show them to the CM.

I guess I've gotten lucky every time I've been? Especially since I have baby twins, so something like this would be impossible for my husband on his own. .. which would honestly make the situation infuriating.
But the 1st time we did RS on Soarin we actually tried to bring them in and CM at the steps explicitly told us it wasn't necessary and not to try.

I have to agree with the sentiments about those complaining about RS never having used it. It takes a really long time for both me and my husband to ride a single ride. We are operating at a pretty good disadvantage. At my kids age, I doubt we would even attempt to Disney if it didn't exist.
And rides like FoP aren't exactly easy to abuse. It took a reeeeaaally long time for my husband and I to do FoP with RS.

 

[shan981]

I guess I've gotten lucky every time I've been? Especially since I have baby twins, so something like this would be impossible for my husband on his own. .. which would honestly make the situation infuriating.
But the 1st time we did RS on Soarin we actually tried to bring them in and CM at the steps explicitly told us it wasn't necessary and not to try.

I have to agree with the sentiments about those complaining about RS never having used it. It takes a really long time for both me and my husband to ride a single ride. We are operating at a pretty good disadvantage. At my kids age, I doubt we would even attempt to Disney if it didn't exist.
And rides like FoP aren't exactly easy to abuse. It took a reeeeaaally long time for my husband and I to do FoP with RS.

I have 14 month old twins, too, and I was very surprised to read this. I guess I've just been picturing using RS with rides where you can walk right up to the entrance with a stroller. Although by the time we go in November, they will be 22 months and maybe better at walking on their own, but otherwise I will probably just skip doing RS at a ride that requires me to take them both out of the stroller and drag them to a ride that they can't even go on, just to turn around and drag them back.

 

[Claudia1]

We used RS for FoP, 7DMR, Everest, and more last week. We were never asked to check magic bands on the adult staying out with the child. In most cases, we waved at the CM about 5-6 feet away but we did walk up to Everest and FoP.

 

[robinb]

That’s weird- must have changed. In 2011-2015 we took our little all the way through- Everest, Space, big thunder, soarin. Must have changed, or been that good ole fashioned Disney variability

My DD was too short in the late 1990's and early 2000's. I remember doing it that way a few times until FP was firmly in place and then we were given a RS "baby swap" pass to use the FP line and swapped outside the attraction.

 

[Minniemoo15]

That has always been our experience at Soarin' too, which is a pain. We have to park the stroller bring everyone in, go down to Soarin', show the too short kid, and then one of us usually takes the too short kid to Nemo or Figment. Depending on the time of day....sometimes said too short kid and the adult get a snack at Sunshine Seasons because that is easier.

I understand why some people complain about RS, but I think most of the people complaining have never used it. I suppose you can use the extra FP to book two bigger rides or try to get around the tiers (most of the time there are headliners than everyone can do). For instance, we typically book our tier 1 for everyone - ie Frozen Ever After and TSMM. We use FP as much as possible for attractions everyone can experience ie. Frozen Ever After, Peter Pan, etc. We aren't using it to hoard all the FP for 7DMT and FOP. Honestly, in many ways I can't wait for the days when everyone can ride everything together. While it seems like the young families are getting something extra with RS, it takes a lot of time to split up and go through the FP line twice. On those attractions where you may not have FP (you can still get a RS if you go through the regular que), it takes even longer.

I would venture to guess that most people who are not using RS are actually getting more FPs than the young families. My family rarely uses a fourth because we don't last that long in the park. Once we use our 3 FPs and the RS (if we have any) as well as a few character greeting that typically don't have FP, we are usually finished for the day.

FWIW This year at Soarin the CM outside told us we didn’t need to bring the toddler all the way in - she said it was the only ride at Disney that’s didn’t need to see the child for RS. So it was awesome, my Dh took my daughter to the nearby playground while my older daughter and I rode - rather than have to stroller park and bring her all the way in. The CM inside gave us a RS no problem.

 

[Speri337]

I have 14 month old twins, too, and I was very surprised to read this. I guess I've just been picturing using RS with rides where you can walk right up to the entrance with a stroller. Although by the time we go in November, they will be 22 months and maybe better at walking on their own, but otherwise I will probably just skip doing RS at a ride that requires me to take them both out of the stroller and drag them to a ride that they can't even go on, just to turn around and drag them back.

The only ride like this is Soarin. They won't make you bring them in.
I wouldn't worry about it at all. I've taken my twins to Disney 3 times since they were born and I've never once had a problem. Like I said before, the only time anyone has ever said anything to me, was telling me not to bring them up to the line.

 

[ArielSRL]

Honestly, in many ways I can't wait for the days when everyone can ride everything together. While it seems like the young families are getting something extra with RS, it takes a lot of time to split up and go through the FP line twice. On those attractions where you may not have FP (you can still get a RS if you go through the regular que), it takes even longer.

I so agree with this!

FWIW This year at Soarin the CM outside told us we didn’t need to bring the toddler all the way in - she said it was the only ride at Disney that’s didn’t need to see the child for RS. So it was awesome, my Dh took my daughter to the nearby playground while my older daughter and I rode - rather than have to stroller park and bring her all the way in. The CM inside gave us a RS no problem.

I'm glad to read this. Wonder why they required it the day we were there...unless this is a new procedure?

And the other thing I wanted to say is even if parents are splitting their FPs, they aren't getting any more than 3 initially, so it isn't like they are keeping someone from getting their allotment of 3 either. If all of the riding party were required to get FOP FPs, then that's less FOP FPs available for everyone else.

 

[michbaron]

Not sure if this was mentioned but we have a 5 and 1 year old so our little one doesn’t get fast passes or anything with no ticket so I just make mine, my husband and our older sons FP+ the same but when we go up to get the rider switch pass we make sure to scan all 3 magic bands to clear the fastpasses and be able to modify or add additional ones without having to wait the whole hour for it to cancel off (this applies to tiered fast passes)

 

[pd1138]

That’s weird- must have changed. In 2011-2015 we took our little all the way through- Everest, Space, big thunder, soarin. Must have changed, or been that good ole fashioned Disney variability

Must have been variability or something since our family has gone on multiple Disney world park trips from 2009-2016 with all combos of infants and toddlers since we currently have 4 under 10 now and we have never been allowed to take a too small kid through any line. We have used RS on every one of those trips and always had to show the kid or kids and we would get the pass. But, DH and I always either did the stand by line to begin with or we both had the fast pass to the same attraction, but got the RS since by the time you even wait for FP and do the ride and then meet up to switch the other other would have missed the fast pass window. This especially for splash mountain since the queue to walk is long and the ride is long! I also liked having the RS for a different day since many times one of us would head back to the room with baby and or toddler and the other would stay to ride. We would use the RS the next day for the other parent to ride. This trip in August I’m so excited NOT to have to use RS as much as our youngest will be 40”! That means as a family of six we will fill a test track car! Woo hoo! We will all ride splash and TOT and Star tours and dinosaur together!! It always took so long to use the RS so not using it will be nice for us!!

 

[10CJ]

So we just got back. We used RS on FOP, Splash, Space, Big Thunder, Soarin and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. We were never asked for the waiting party to scan a Magic Band but they did want to see the child. I just assumed we needed to bring the child to Soarin so we did. Soarin and Splash was good until the end of the month. FOP, Mine Train and Big Thunder were for day of. I don't remember how long Space was good for but used it day of.

 

[jo-jo]

So we just got back. We used RS on FOP, Splash, Space, Big Thunder, Soarin and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. We were never asked for the waiting party to scan a Magic Band but they did want to see the child. I just assumed we needed to bring the child to Soarin so we did. Soarin and Splash was good until the end of the month. FOP, Mine Train and Big Thunder were for day of. I don't remember how long Space was good for but used it day of.

Did everyone have FP for the rides mentioned?