Baby Swap....how does this work exactly?

[mickeysgirl17]

I've heard some different things about how the baby swap works. This is the 1st time I'm gonna have to use it. Do you all go on the line and then take turns while the ride loads and unloads inside or do you stay outside (1 adult with the child and then wait for the others to come out and switch)? What is this I keep hearing about a pass from the CM?

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

It works essentially like a Fast Pass. You need to ask the CM at the beginning of the queue(line) that you need a Swap. One parent(#1) will then proceed through the line with the older (height eligible) child, while the other parent(#2) and baby wait anywhere they'd like. (I usually hang out in the gift store area). After the bigger kid and parent #1 have ridden the ride, the 2nd parent and the child who has just ridden can use the "swap" and enter the FastPass line for the ride -while Parent #1 and baby wait for you to exit. Basically, the "baby" will never enter the queue or be in line for a ride he/she is too short for and each parent gets to ride (bigger kid rides twice)! Hope this helps, we always use this servie and really love it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good explanation here.......

http://allears.net/pl/infant.htm#toosmall

 

[ajjollie23]

I've heard some different things about how the baby swap works. This is the 1st time I'm gonna have to use it. Do you all go on the line and then take turns while the ride loads and unloads inside or do you stay outside (1 adult with the child and then wait for the others to come out and switch)? What is this I keep hearing about a pass from the CM?

What happens is part of your group goes on the regular line (or fast pass line if you have one), meanwhile the 1 person who is staying with the "baby or child who is not able to go on the ride" takes the child and walks up to the Disney rep who is at the head of the fast pass line taking the tickets and asks for a child swap. Usually one of those reps have them.
Then you wait with the chlid whereever you want (we usually hang out in the gift shops where it is cool) once the rest of your party comes off the ride you can then switch off. The person who has the child swap goes to the fast pass line with the card and up to 3 other people (i can't remember if it is 2 or 3 people + the card holder). That party goes on thru the fast pass line and the person who is now with the child can wait in the gift shop or walk around until that group gets off.
It is pretty easy and works well especially if the first group has fast passes that they can use.

 

[ajjollie23]

It works essentially like a Fast Pass. You need to ask the CM at the beginning of the queue(line) that you need a Swap. One parent(#1) will then proceed through the line with the older (height eligible) child, while the other parent(#2) and baby wait anywhere they'd like. (I usually hang out in the gift store area). After the bigger kid and parent #1 have ridden the ride, the 2nd parent and the child who has just ridden can use the "swap" and enter the FastPass line for the ride -while Parent #1 and baby wait for you to exit. Basically, the "baby" will never enter the queue or be in line for a ride he/she is too short for and each parent gets to ride (bigger kid rides twice)! Hope this helps, we always use this servie and really love it.

we must have been writing at the same time

 

[NikitaZee]

What happens is part of your group goes on the regular line (or fast pass line if you have one), meanwhile the 1 person who is staying with the "baby or child who is not able to go on the ride" takes the child and walks up to the Disney rep who is at the head of the fast pass line taking the tickets and asks for a child swap. Usually one of those reps have them.
Then you wait with the chlid whereever you want (we usually hang out in the gift shops where it is cool) once the rest of your party comes off the ride you can then switch off. The person who has the child swap goes to the fast pass line with the card and up to 3 other people (i can't remember if it is 2 or 3 people + the card holder). That party goes on thru the fast pass line and the person who is now with the child can wait in the gift shop or walk around until that group gets off.
It is pretty easy and works well especially if the first group has fast passes that they can use.

Wow - I wish I knew this part last week! I knew there was a baby-swap, but I always thought that the entire party had to wait in the line and the parent who swaps had to ride alone. We would have done this for Soarin' - the line was an hour long and we didn't want the youngest to have to wait on a line for a ride he wouldn't get to ride.

 

[DisneyMim]

Never used it as they did not have this when my babies were young, but just wanted to add that I think it's a great idea. We were at Epcot the other night at a late night riding Soarin and we were walking off into the waiting area (where all the seats are) and CMS were going around asking people who were holding babies if they were waiting to go on the ride. It was midnight and the last ride was coming fast. I thought is was so nice of them to do that. Just a shout out to the awesome CMS!! I think ride swap is working out very nicely. You won't have any problems, enjoy your trip!!

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Thanks so much for your responses. I will use this for sure. Sounds easy.

 

[doconeill]

Here's my complete description of Rider Switch.

However:

Just to avoid any confusion, there are TWO different things that some people refer to as "child swap", "baby swap", etc.

First, there is a formal system in place at most all Fastpass attractions that have a height requirement, called Rider Switch. Follow the link for complete details (and exceptions), but this is what most people will respond with for answers.

Second, at all other attractions, or at the Rider Switch attractions where a child simply chooses not to ride, there MAY be a way to accommodate the situation. However it is different at each attraction because of the different ways loading and unloading are handled which are often in different locations. Ask the greeting CM for what the possibilities are.

 

[AshGr]

Everyone above is correct and there's lots of helpful information.

I just wanted to add that you should ask the greeter (CM in front of the attraction) at each location with your whole party together before anyone goes in line if and how rider switch works at that attraction.

First, because it is technically only used for swapping when there's a guest that isn't tall enough to ride, the CM may want to see that the child is truly not tall enough and that there truly is going to be someone waiting in the standby line first before before handing over a pass.

Second, while it's pretty much always been the case in the past the waiting party and under-height party wait elsewhere, some attractions (Space Mtn specifically) allow the group (short child and all) to enter the queue and do the switch inside (since the refurb last year - this is the only exception I know of).

Bottom line, always ask before you enter the line and you'll be directed the procedure for that attraction.

 

[flipflopmom]

It worked fantastically for us last year. DD9 got to ride everything twice! I felt bad that DD2 had so much down time, though. We tried to work it in when she was napping in the stroller, but EVERY CM did look for her before giving us the rider swap pass.