Baby in forward facing carrier only?

[hurleysweety]

Question about taking a baby on rides in Disneyland:

1. Does baby have to be in a forward facing carrier in order to go on the rides (like Peter Pan or POTC)? We have a ergobaby that we LOVE and it is not forward facing. Would my 6 mo have to be taken out of the carrier on every ride, then? If my husband was carrying her in the ergo and had to take her out and handed her to me to hold for the ride, would be allowed to keep the carrier strapped on?

2. With the rider switch pass, would all three of us wait in line together the first time through, and then the second time through, whoever didn't ride waits by themselves? Or do each of us go through the line alone while the other waits outside the ride with the baby?

 

[DahliaRW]

IME, they allow you to leave baby in the carrier on most rides as long as the lap bar fits that way. But policy can always change. We loved our ergo, so much better for the baby's hips and spine than facing outwards!

With rider switch you tell the cm a the entrance you wan to do rider swap. They give you a pass and part of your group can get in line, the other can do whatever they want. Then later go back and use the pass. The pass is good for 2 people if I remember right (it's been a few years). My oldest loved this because on rides where his siblings weren't tall enough he got to ride once with mom and once with dad. If it's just you, your dh, and the baby, you may not even need rider swap. The single rider line might be just as fast (or do rider swap and the single rider line).

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

We just went in September with our then 7 month old and had no problem with him in the ergo for rides like Small World, PoC, Dumbo, etc. For rides with lap bars I usually skipped if he was sleeping because its best if they face forward so the lap bar can go down. If he was awake, I would just unhook the top buckle and switch him to sit on my lap. After the ride I would flip him around and buckle him back up! He loved the rides!

The rider switch pass allows 3 people to go. My husband would take our two older boys while I had the baby. We would meet up, switch and I would go with the boys. The pass is good all day, so you don't have to immediately return to the ride. I never had to be present with the baby to get the pass, my husband just asked and got one, except for RSR. If they didn't see the baby, you didn't get a pass.

 

[Epek]

I've been able to take dd on all rides, including those with lap bars, in our Ergo. On the lap bar rides, I would sit a little sideways. The only ride I was asked to take her out of was Roger Rabbit. On that ride, everyone must be seated on the seat. They did not mention the last part until I was loading into the ride, and I had a 6 week old I had to try to keep steady and seated! Do not attempt this ride until you have a sitter! Also, we've been with dd 4 more times since then- she's now 5 months. I have never encountered any changes in the rules.

ETA: you can totally keep the carrier on if you decide to lap the baby, too

 

[hurleysweety]

Thanks all! We are so excited to go! She is our first baby, so it'll just be the three of us on this trip. We haven't been since last December, and usually go every year on Disney trip so we are just itching to get away on vacation. We'll be there for a full week - first time ever going that long. We are looking forward to the relaxed pace and completely different experience having kids as opposed to going as a young married couple! Our friends think we are CRAZY - but we know we're in good company of others who love to take their little one's to Disney! After all, isn't that what Disney is for?