Baby swap on expedition everest

[drewc]

How's the baby swap on EE? Is it efficient, or convoluted (ala Space Mountain)? Would you suggest using BS or just going through the lines twice (once with each parent)?

I was really hoping our youngest would make the 44" limit, but unless he grows an inch in the next month, its not going to happen.

Thanks!

 

[mrp4352]

When we went in May, we already had fastpasses for EE. When our time came, we went up to the fastpass line and said we were doing a babyswap.
They gave us a fast-pass looking form, then one went through the fastpass line, like normal. Then, when she came out, I gave her the child, then went back in through the fast-pass line, but was directed to the singles line inside. It worked very well!

 

[tjmw2727]

We found it easy!

Simply enter the standby line or if you have a fast pass enter the FP line. All approach together so the CM can verify you have a child who is not eligible and they will give you a babyswap pass (Rider Switch pass). This pass can be used anytime that day on that attraction via the FP line and is good for up to three people.

The first parent rides while the other parent takes the child (children) elsewhere to do another attration, wait or grab an ice cream etc. Then anytime that day the second parent returns to ride via the FP line with minimal wait.

FWIW - this is also the way the Space Mt babyswap works as well as 99% of the other height restricted rides.

My advice with babyswap is to ask the CM before entering any line how they want to handle babyswap and have the child present to verify you are eligible for the swap.

TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

Here is my child swap 101, very unofficial but based on my many years of using the various evolutions of babyswap/childswap most recently in April 2006.

My first advice on baby swap is to tell the CM at the attraction before you enter the line that you want to use swap and find out how they handle it. Do not wait until you are boarding!

The baby/child unable to ride must be with you to do a swap so everyone must approach the line together. Some CM's have you all wait the line together, then the first parent and older child(ren) ride and other parent and younger child wait at the exit and then switch via the exit allowing the older child(ren) to ride with both parents. Off hand I think only Star Tours and Primevil Whirl still do it this way.

Most rides now give you a rider swap pass. The rider swap pass works like a fast pass and allows up to 3 people total to return to that attraction anytime that day so the second parent can ride. You still all enter the standby line or use a FP in the FP line and ask to use parent swap. The CM will give you the swap pass and the parent riding second and the baby (or young child) can then leave to do something else while the first party rides. The second parent then returns to ride via the FP line with the rider swap pass and can bring 2 others along if they like. I prefer the rider swap pass because the baby or child that dosen't meet the height requirement dosen't have to wait the line for something he/she can't ride.

Just to clarify, the purpose of parent swap is to allow a family with a child who dosen't meet the height restriction to enjoy the attraction with only "1 wait", rather than "2 waits" not to expeidate the wait.

Hope this helps!
TJ

 

[drewc]

Cool, great info. Thanks!

 

[scouthawkk]

So, if I want to FP for EE, and need to use child swap (my DS and friend's DS are both too small) does she and I each have to have a FP when we approach the CM to request the swap, or only the first person to ride? Neither of us want to stand in long rides while we are there, and are willing to FP at a later time if need be, just curious if we each need the FP or only one.

 

[NDAMomX2]

So, if I want to FP for EE, and need to use child swap (my DS and friend's DS are both too small) does she and I each have to have a FP when we approach the CM to request the swap, or only the first person to ride? Neither of us want to stand in long rides while we are there, and are willing to FP at a later time if need be, just curious if we each need the FP or only one.

When we went the cast member at the front made a big deal about fast passes. (Wich we all had) And tried to not let us do the baby swap (with a terrified 4 year old, poor kid). We eventually got the babyswap...but it was VERY chaotic! Yes you all need fast passes.

 

[scouthawkk]

When we went the cast member at the front made a big deal about fast passes. (Wich we all had) And tried to not let us do the baby swap (with a terrified 4 year old, poor kid). We eventually got the babyswap...but it was VERY chaotic! Yes you all need fast passes.

Thanks. That's all I needed to know. That's what I figured, I just wanted to do what was needed/right. My friend stresses out easy, and I want to make this as painless as possible.

 

[Lisa0503]

When we went the cast member at the front made a big deal about fast passes. (Wich we all had) And tried to not let us do the baby swap (with a terrified 4 year old, poor kid). We eventually got the babyswap...but it was VERY chaotic! Yes you all need fast passes.

See, this is where it is confusing for me... I have read other posts/threads where people said that everyone did NOT need to have a FP...just the parent riding first... I am so confused... We have two small children and hopeing to maximize FP & Babyswap since we want to be out of the parks by 1 or 2pm for naps each day and the parks close at 8 or 9pm (not that it matters since the kids bedtime is 7pm and we want to get them to bed early so we can get them up early to be at rope drop) so we don't have much time in the parks. Hopefully it will not even matter since we will be there early and it is supposed to be low crowds in mid Sept.