Anyone experineced with rider swap?

[mrsmcnoggin]

My husband and I and our 3 kids are planning on using rider swap when we are in disneyland the last week of April. Our youngest cannot go on a couple of rides that the older 2 do. Can anyone tell me how exactly rider swap works. Do we all have to go up to the ride together or can just 2 of us go? Do you have to use the rider swap passes immediately or can you use them later? How does this work with Fastpasses? Is it still useful to get fastpasses? How long does the line take for the people using the rider swap passes? I'm trying to figure out the best way to work this so that we don't just have us sitting around wasting time waiting to change places. I'd like to be able to do something with the other kids while we are waiting. We are hoping to use rider swap on Space mt, splash, Star tours, soarin, BMTRR and autotopia. any thoughts, tips or advice would be so helpful to me as I try to put together a rough itinerary for us.

 

[BayAreaMom]

Rider switch passes are basically good for 2 people (1 adult, 1 child) to go to the fastpass line.
We have 2 adults, a 5yo and 2 yo. The 2yo can't go on the FP rides. We only get rider switch on the FP rides, and we only use FP for those, no regular lines ever.

Here is how we use it:
We get 2 FPs for a ride. (we could get 3, but then one is wasted- Sometimes we end up getting 2 sets of 3, and then use those for 3 ride times).

We go to the FP line and I say that my husband is with our baby and wants to come back later with our 5 yo. I show my FPs, turn them in, and get the rider switch card. It is good anytime during the rest of the day.
We go on the ride.
DH comes back with our 5yo and turns in the rider switch card and takes our daughter on it.

The only issue I see with your plan is that you have 2 kids who sound eligible for the FP rides. What you might be able to do is get an extra FP and use that for the second child.
So you do this:
You get 4 FPs for space mtn (example).
You use 3 of the FPs for 1 adult and 2 children. The second adult and 3rd child stay behind (thus saving 1 FP). They get the rider switch pass.
THEN the second adult goes with 2 kids, and uses the rider switch and remaining FP.
Basically, this means both adults get to ride once, but both kids get to go twice. Make sense?

 

[PigletSeeker]

We also have 3 kids with the younger not able to ride big rides. We only sometimes use Rider Swap. For Space Mtn we would only get 4 FP. I would go with DD1, then DH would ride with DD2. Neither of my DD's will sit alone, so we only do 1 adult with 1 child. But on Soarin' and Star Tours we do use it. We get 4 FP's then me and both DD's get in FP line, get RS, ride and then DH comes back with both DD's and they use 1 FP and 1 RS (good for 2 ppl). Sometimes they ask to see the baby and other person, so I just have DH stand somewhere where I can wave and he waves back.

 

[PigletSeeker]

Also, on Autopia, toddlers can ride as long as they are over 12 months.

 

[BayAreaMom]

Sometimes they ask to see the baby and other person, so I just have DH stand somewhere where I can wave and he waves back.

I haven't personally experienced this, but I believe it is the official DL policy. So that's good to know too.

 

[mrsmcnoggin]

Thank you all for the info!! So if I wanted to ride with my DD and then send my husband and DS the second time, we would only need 2 fastpasses correct? So, then could we get 2 fastpasses for say star tours and then get 2 fastpasses for Space at the same time and then use rider swap passes for the other 2 people? Would this work?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Thank you all for the info!! So if I wanted to ride with my DD and then send my husband and DS the second time, we would only need 2 fastpasses correct? So, then could we get 2 fastpasses for say star tours and then get 2 fastpasses for Space at the same time and then use rider swap passes for the other 2 people? Would this work?

Yes!

 

[mrsmcnoggin]

Yes!

awesome! Thank you!

 

[Liat]

The last time we went, every single time we used the baby swap we had to have the baby with us as proof. Once they actually made me go and bring my son over instead of just leaving him with my husband because they weren't sure we were actually together (this was for star tours, and it was busy).

The time before, not so much. I'm guessing that they are getting stricter on making sure that there is actually a small person now.

 

[Malcon10t]

Also, on Autopia, toddlers can ride as long as they are over 12 months.

Actually, they also have to be 32".

"Disneyland Park

32" (82 cm) or taller and accompanied by another rider 54" or taller

Autopia, presented by Chevron"

 

[watkinsme]

so at WDW the child swap ticket is good for 3 people. But at DL it's only good
for 2?