Baby Swap Disappointment

[tinkerbell313]

Even during our recent visit during President's week with an 8/9 crowd we didn't wait more than 15 minutes in a FP line. If you waited over an hour than I am guessing you got in a really long line to begin with. I definitely recommend combining Baby Swap with Fast Pass for the best overall use of time.

It was a 30 minute wait for the regular line and then due to the flow...it would end up being a 30 minute for the FP line...it happen to be like that for all the rides so yes...we did pick a long line.

The point was that it took time away from being together as a family...in your case...a half hour...15 minutes for you to ride and 15 minutes for your DH to ride...that's a 1/2 hour per ride. In our case, because it was so hectic...it was 30 minutes er person...so an hour...multiply that by the number of rides...and it gets to be a very lonely vacation...kwim?

 

[Suellen]

The swapped "baby" just needs to not be tall enough to ride.

 

[tzolkin]

I guess this just boils down to one of those one size doesn't fit all situations. I love the way Disney does the Baby Swap/ Rider Switch tickets. I think it allows for everyone to have more fun that way. This way while one person is on the ride, the little one can be having fun nearby. Also, the Swap ticket allows you to re-enter through the FP line. Even during our recent visit during President's week with an 8/9 crowd we didn't wait more than 15 minutes in a FP line. If you waited over an hour than I am guessing you got in a really long line to begin with. I definitely recommend combining Baby Swap with Fast Pass for the best overall use of time. Also, for those of us who had little ones who were adventurous and wanted to ride, it would have been mean to take them in line and then deny them a ride. This is not a problem with babies of course, but can be a big problem for those in the 3-5 age range. OP, I'm sorry your experience wasn't great. But, I for one think it's great that Disney provides this service.

We used baby swap a few times when younger dd was too small for some rides. Older dd liked it because she got to ride the ride twice - once with me and then once with dh. I don't think it would have been fair to younger dd to have to wait in line for a ride she couldn't ride, she was already disappointed enough.

Emily

I agree with both these posts.

We were very glad that Disney offers Rider Switch. If they didn't, both DH and I would not have the opportunity to experience some of the ride with our older DD.

We always use FP, so except in rare circumstances (Splash Mtn broke down for 45 mins once) we usually only wait for a few minutes for each parent to ride with the older child(ren).

Our little one(s) never minded waiting elsewhere while big sister(s) and mom or dad were riding. We usually just sit nearby the ride, watch, and have a snack. Occasionally we will find somewhere to play (like the playground near the exit of Mission Space) or ride another attraction (like the "Blue Line" or Buzz while older DD is riding Space Mtn).

We did wind up doing a swap at the boarding area of Test Track. (The CM at the entrance said DS was tall enough, but the CM at the boarding area decided that he didn't meet the height requirement.) That was frustrating because DS waited through the whole line and then couldn't understand why daddy and both his sisters got on the ride and he couldn't.

This is interesting. I didn't know you could do it for older children, I thought it was just for babies. Not sure what I thought the cut off was though.


ETA: Just so I am clear, I am confused with myself! I don't know why I never thought of using it with older kids!

Rider Swich can be used for any child that does not meet the height requirement. It is not just for infants.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I think it did use to be like the OP said. I actually like it the way it is now. I can't imagine waiting in line with two 2 yr olds and then making them wait--twice. DS also likes being able to ride once with me and once with dad.

 

[SmallWorld71]

We had the same experience last June with almost every ride that DS was too short to get on...and it wasn't worth it because every ride took at least an hour...and it wasn't a family vacation...it was a DH/DD vacation and a myself/DS vacation.

We went June 2nd through the 9th and it was very busy...9s on the UG scale. On every ride that DS was too short, DH and DD would get in line and wait at least 30 minutes and the CMswould give me a FP for the ride. I would then take DS elsewhere. Then I would meet back up with DD and DH. Sometimes I would get on the ride if the FP line was short...but lots of time the FP line was also 30 minutes (by the time they got off the ride, the regular line grew to an hour minimum...we noticed that lines came and went...and you really needed to pay attention) . It was frustrating...but for us...I think because we went at a busy time of year.

I am sorry.

Summers can be so frustrating as WDW! Being a teacher, I can only go on school vacations. IMO, a crowded day in the cooler weather can be less stressful than a quiet day in the 90+ heat. Put the crowd and the heat together and it can take a toll on everyone. I was the one who had a bit of a tantrum during our last summer trip....

 

[MamaJessie]

I think splash mountain was the only time we used it and it worked great for us. I took the two littles to the little play area there and the big kids got to ride twice, once with me and once with DH. They LOVED that

 

[bwilcox]

They don't let anyone in line who doesn't meet the height requirement. I agree it would be nice to wait all together, but that's just Disney's policy.

 

[CheshireSmile]

I was there just a month ago and had always thought the policy was no one too short to ride was allowed in line. However, in the loading area for Soarin' there was a family complaining VERY loudly about how their daughter was sooo close but too short, and she was right there with them. She was really quite small, I don't think she was as close to the height as they were claiming. But anyhow, the parents were conferring between themselves about how best they could hopefully sneak their DD past the loading CM so that she could ride. I'll totally admit to eavesdropping on them, because I was curious what was going to happen. Well anyhow, loading CM came out, explained to them that one person would walk all the way through and out the exit with the little girl, and the other parent and child would ride, and then they'd swap just outside the exit doors. So apparently there must be some variation in how Baby Swap is done because this little girl had waited in the whole line with her family and was being swapped at the exit, not out in the waiting area by the Fastpass machines where it usually seems people hang out to do Baby Swap.

 

[Hannathy]

Probably because they had got her past the first CM and this was the easiest way to keep a sharp eye on them. And make sure they didn't sneak on. See why I said what I said earlier? This isn't the way it is done now that there are fast passes.

At TT before it had FP you waited at the exit of the ride and switched there, you didn't go thru the line then either. The only line you ever went thru was Star Tours (as far as I remember)

 

[Suellen]

I was there just a month ago and had always thought the policy was no one too short to ride was allowed in line. However, in the loading area for Soarin' there was a family complaining VERY loudly about how their daughter was sooo close but too short, and she was right there with them. She was really quite small, I don't think she was as close to the height as they were claiming. But anyhow, the parents were conferring between themselves about how best they could hopefully sneak their DD past the loading CM so that she could ride. I'll totally admit to eavesdropping on them, because I was curious what was going to happen. Well anyhow, loading CM came out, explained to them that one person would walk all the way through and out the exit with the little girl, and the other parent and child would ride, and then they'd swap just outside the exit doors. So apparently there must be some variation in how Baby Swap is done because this little girl had waited in the whole line with her family and was being swapped at the exit, not out in the waiting area by the Fastpass machines where it usually seems people hang out to do Baby Swap.

Funny how the rules never seem to be the rules for everyone. I didn't even want to sneak her on Soarin' (okay I would love to but wouldn't) I wanted her to get to play the bubble popping and other games with her sister.

I am starting to think that my girls might be a little too attached to each other as they don't like to be apart and luckily their school is very understanding and lets them drift to each others room throughout the day for hugs.

Because really she is MORE upset by having her sissy missing than missing a ride. I love how close they are though!

 

[livndisney]

This is interesting. I didn't know you could do it for older children, I thought it was just for babies. Not sure what I thought the cut off was though.

We used it once at US when DS was not quite a year old and I really enjoyed the way it worked. I never used it at disney since I didn't care for the way they had it set up. We too like to stay together as a family, but I also never thought of using it once DS was a bit older but just not tall enough.

I would NOT want to haul a kid through the line though if they were sleeping and I can see the issue for not quite tall enough kids too.

ETA: Just so I am clear, I am confused with myself! I don't know why I never thought of using it with older kids!

Jessica, I'll swap you kids anytime. You and hubby can go ride and I will take the kids

 

[CheshireSmile]

Funny how the rules never seem to be the rules for everyone. I didn't even want to sneak her on Soarin' (okay I would love to but wouldn't) I wanted her to get to play the bubble popping and other games with her sister.

I am starting to think that my girls might be a little too attached to each other as they don't like to be apart and luckily their school is very understanding and lets them drift to each others room throughout the day for hugs.

Because really she is MORE upset by having her sissy missing than missing a ride. I love how close they are though!

Sorry the Baby Swap didn't work out as you would have liked
I always thought the rule was no one under height requirement in line, but I didn't know the official policy because I asked to be placed on an attraction that didn't have a height requirement. I didn't want the job of disappointing kids and making parents angry. Hopefully in years and trips to come, your whole family will get to ride whatever you so choose, all together!

 

[Suellen]

Jessica, I'll swap you kids anytime. You and hubby can go ride and I will take the kids

My DH initially thought that we would literally swap babies ~ that some couple would watch our girls while we rode and then we would watch theirs while they rode. It took me a few trips to get this out of him as to why he didn't want to try Baby Swap *this was in our Universal days*

I couldn't stop laughing ~ now it is a big joke between us.

 

[kstinw19]

I do agree that it is a pain. Back in the 90's it was the way you said. The families with the non-rider would wait at the exit of the ride and when the first riders got off they let the second riders on.

And now it's much more inconvenient. I think that they started to do it this way when FP was introduced, with Disney thinking that a FP qualifies for a baby swap and that way they don't have a pile-up at the exits.

We have to use it every time b/c we have little ones and a scaredy cat and dh and I spend LOTS of time waiting around. It usually ends up costing us lots of drinks and snacks!

 

[iheartdisney]

I loved using the swap, it was pretty much allowed us to double up on fastpasses!
Say, in your case, you have 4 ticketed guests, but only 3 big enough to ride.
Use tickets 1 and 2 on attraction A for fastpasses,
Use tickets 3 and 4 on attraction B for fastpasses,
Then before entering ride A, get your swap ticket and persons 1 and 2 go on the ride, and after persons 2 and 3 can ride. or not, depending on if all the adults care for a particular attraction.
My mom and i would always swap, and take the smaller ones to a nearby attarction or one of the playgrounds. get my kids into the boneyard, they don't even care for the rest of the park!

 

[Suellen]

I loved using the swap, it was pretty much allowed us to double up on fastpasses!
Say, in your case, you have 4 ticketed guests, but only 3 big enough to ride.
Use tickets 1 and 2 on attraction A for fastpasses,
Use tickets 3 and 4 on attraction B for fastpasses,
Then before entering ride A, get your swap ticket and persons 1 and 2 go on the ride, and after persons 2 and 3 can ride. or not, depending on if all the adults care for a particular attraction.
My mom and i would always swap, and take the smaller ones to a nearby attarction or one of the playgrounds. get my kids into the boneyard, they don't even care for the rest of the park!

I thought to use FP you had to give up the other adults FP as well? We were asked to present FP for everyone who would be riding if we had then asked to have the child too short to ride brought over and measured to make sure she couldn't ride. FWIW she is STILL too short by 3 inches 6 months later.

I thought the whole process was rather odd. But I guess I can see how it could be abused.

Plus ~ no ticket for the non rider in our case since she won't be three until June.

I suppose in our case we could say:

Use DH ticket to get a FP for Mission:Space
Use MY ticket to get a FP for TT
Use DD ticket to get a FP for Soarin

Go do some other rides ~ then have DH go first alone through FP lines and get the Return FP for the rest of us?

 

[cmaee]

We have used the rider swap on our trips and we are so thankful that Disney offers it. I love that both DH and I get to experience the ride with our kids and we really don't add that much time onto our wait time. We will get Fastpasses for a ride. When it is time to use our fastpass, we will go to that line and they will give us a rider switch pass good for up to 3 people. DH and the boys will go on the ride, while DD and I go find something else to do. (We love the playground near SM and BTMRR.) After DH and the boys ride the ride, I may go right back on with the boys or we wait and do it later in the day. The rider switch pass doesn't have a return time, so as long as you come back that day, you can use it whenever you want. I know our boys are going to be disappointed when they learn they might not be able to go on the ride back-to-back if DD hits 40" by August.

I can see why the op was dissapointed. But, I agree with pp that it is a liability to let people who are under the height requirements wait in the line. I know for us, my DD would be beyond upset if she waited in a line with us and then didn't get to get on a ride. She won't miss what she doesn't know exists. I would rather take her and do something with her, than have her wait around while her brothers get to do all the fun.

 

[Zeebs]

As much as my 2 year old loves his 4 year old brother, he would not be at all impressed if he had waited in line for a ride and Cullen left to ride leaving Seth just waiting...... Some lines have cool stuff to do some do NOT.

He is happier if you can say wow look at this play area and he can play or ride something else while the other rides.

With regards to swapping babies comment funny story I heard recently.

"A little girl was being taken into the hospital to meet her little sister, who happened to be in the "E Bay" with 3 other babies. She walked in and said I'll have that one. She apparently wasn't at all impressed when Daddy told her which one was actually theirs."

Kirsten

 

[auralia]

disneys way worked great for us one would take our daughter on rides she could go on (usually dad i hate things that spin in circles) and then we would switch and i would take her to a playground or store while he rode.

 

[puffkin]

OP, sorry it didn't work out for you. I do agree that your DD's might be a little too attached to each other though...that can be a good and bad problem

I really like the way Disney does the rider switch. Because trust me, you would not want to be anywhere near the ride if we had to wait in a line with DS and then he couldn't go on the ride. That would be a total nuclear meltdown . The way Disney does Rider Switch is more convenient for us because then one of us can take DS to do something else nearby while the others ride. We also don't always use the riders switch pass right away...sometimes we will come back later in the day.

We had my niece with us on our last trip and she loved the rider switch because she got to ride everything twice