Baby Swap? PLease explain

[joym70]

Could someone please explain the baby swap procedure to me in detail? I have a few questions regarding it and I hope to figure it out before we get there to make it easier on everyone. We have 4 boys...1 tall enough to go on everything...1 tall enough to go on most things ...1 2 yr old and an 11mth old baby. So say on a ride like Splash mountian where both parents and 2 oldest want to ride can we all wait in line together and then DH plus 1DS go on the ride while I wait with the rest then me and other DS go while DH waits with the rest??? When do we discuss our intentions with a CM?
Thanks for any help

 

[beattyfamily]

Each ride handles it differently. What you do is go to the CM stationed at the ride and ask how they handle it.

Most rides will give you a special Fastpass type of ticket good for the day for up to 4 people.

What we do is get fastpass for everyone who has a ticket, even those who won't ride it. Meanwhile, we go and ask about baby swap and get the special fastpass. There are 4 of us and 3 going on it. Two of us Mother/DD go on the ride while DH/DD waits at the play area. Then when we're done, DH/DD (she gets to ride again with younger DD's fastpass ticket!) go on it and then yet again one parent goes with older DD (yet again) with the baby swap fastpass.

RnR is also like that.

It depends on the ride. At ToT they told me that since my younger DD is tall enough (also at Splash mountain last time) we'd all go in line together and trade off at the ride itself.

At Test Track, I believe you get a voucher from the CM and then meet at the exit and switch there.

My advice don't worry about it. Just ask the CM at the entrance to each ride.

 

[adisneymama]

I think what you may be referring to is the "Rider Switch Pass". You simply go to a CM before getting in line. Let them know you need to participate in the rider switch. They are very accomodating. We did this on our trips in the past as we have a now almost 3yr old. The CM will give you a "ticket" much like the fast pass for the riders that will go second. So if your husband and 1 child ride first then you will get 2 rider switch passes. One for you and your other child. You can wait anywhere. You don't need to stand in line. Your husband and DS1 will need to if they go first. When your husband and DS1 come off the ride you will take the rider switch pass and go to the fast pass line. You will be placed on the ride along with other fast pass holders. Your husband and DS1 can wait anywhere they like. You can also do this with fast passes. So if there is a ride that you like but has a long line, get the fast pass and come back at your scheduled time and let the CM know that you need the rider switch. Works the same way. It was really helpful for us and I'm so glad Disney thought of this.

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[Maureenmouse]

Is ther a play area near most of the rides where we would use the Baby Swap? I want to try Misssion Space, Fast track and Soarin' in Epcot. these are all new attractions since my DH and I last went in 1996. I have 5 and 2 YO DDs. Some of the rides my 5YO may be able to ride as she is just 40 inches. My 2 YO is too short. We also want to ride Splash Mtn, and Thunder Mtn. in MK. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[adisneymama]

I can't remember everything that is there, not really any play areas. However, some of the attractions like Fast track have a gift store and exhibits that you can do while you wait for your other half to get off the ride. You can get maps of the parks off the disney website and that should help to see if you can be doing something else with the younger one while you wait. HTH

 

[tjmw2727]

We used child swap quite a bit in December 04 and agin this February 05, we always were given the child swap pass rather than having everyone wait in line and routing the second riders back through the exit.

When you get in line, either the FP or Standby lines, alert the CM that you want to use child swap. They will give you a "child swap" pass, looks like a FP but has child swap (or non rider pass) on it. You can return at your convenience that day with up to three people total. You only get one CS pass per party unlike with FP.

In my experience the non riding child did have to be present to get the pass. Since your not entering the line the non-riding child can stay in the stroller but all the CM's asked which was the non-rider.

Then one parent can take the non-riding child to do something else while the rest of the party rides. At some point, that same day, there is no time restriction, the parent who didn't ride the first time can return and ride with 2 others. Its nice as the big brother/sister can ride with each parent and neither parent has to ride alone.

Things we do while waiting, Space Mountain, non rider does TTA, Buzz or teacups. BTMR, Splmt, non rider does the nice play area under Splash, or rides the railroad. RnRC, TOT, non rider does BnTB or yummy ice cream right at the exit. Test Track, or MS, MS has a great toddler play area or head over to Mexico for the boat ride.

Cellphones or walkie talkies are ideal for meeting up after the ride, even with FP sometimes it takes a while.

TJ

 

[beattyfamily]

We used child swap quite a bit in December 04 and agin this February 05, we always were given the child swap pass rather than having everyone wait in line and routing the second riders back through the exit.

When you get in line, either the FP or Standby lines, alert the CM that you want to use child swap. They will give you a "child swap" pass, looks like a FP but has child swap (or non rider pass) on it. You can return at your convenience that day with up to three people total. You only get one CS pass per party unlike with FP.

In my experience the non riding child did have to be present to get the pass. Since your not entering the line the non-riding child can stay in the stroller but all the CM's asked which was the non-rider.

Then one parent can take the non-riding child to do something else while the rest of the party rides. At some point, that same day, there is no time restriction, the parent who didn't ride the first time can return and ride with 2 others. Its nice as the big brother/sister can ride with each parent and neither parent has to ride alone.

Things we do while waiting, Space Mountain, non rider does TTA, Buzz or teacups. BTMR, Splmt, non rider does the nice play area under Splash, or rides the railroad. RnRC, TOT, non rider does BnTB or yummy ice cream right at the exit. Test Track, or MS, MS has a great toddler play area or head over to Mexico for the boat ride.

Cellphones or walkie talkies are ideal for meeting up after the ride, even with FP sometimes it takes a while.

TJ

For the most part that is true but because my 5 year old was tall enough for ToT and Splash Mountain both CMs at both rides told me we'd have to enter the ride all together and switch at the ride. I guess it can also depend on the CM working that day but that was my experience this past November. They actually made my DD get out of the stroller and measured her and told me we all had to get in line and switch at the end because she was tall enough to ride it.

 

[aidansmom]

Mission Space has a great play area inside, and people coming off of the ride walk right by it so its perfect for swapping. Not sure about Soarin' and Test Track.

 

[Sister Spooky]

My sons are 10 and 11 but sometimes they get afraid of rollercoasters, etc. Can my husband and I do the switch with them? For instance, can he ride and I stay with the kids, then I ride and he stays with the kids?

 

[tjmw2727]

For the most part that is true but because my 5 year old was tall enough for ToT and Splash Mountain both CMs at both rides told me we'd have to enter the ride all together and switch at the ride. I guess it can also depend on the CM working that day but that was my experience this past November. They actually made my DD get out of the stroller and measured her and told me we all had to get in line and switch at the end because she was tall enough to ride it.

Wow, we had my neice and nephew ages 3 and 1 so obviously we wouldn't have run into that. My dd would not have wanted to walk through TOT so that would have been out for us.

Hummm, I guess they are trying to "save" child swap or rider swap for those with children who can't ride rather than those who don't want to - just a thought.

TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

My sons are 10 and 11 but sometimes they get afraid of rollercoasters, etc. Can my husband and I do the switch with them? For instance, can he ride and I stay with the kids, then I ride and he stays with the kids?

At ages 11 and 10 you probably won't be able to use child swap but you can still do this with fast pass. Just get a fast pass for each of the adults that want to ride and then ride 1 at a time while the other does something with the kids.

TJ

 

[wdwpjs]

My family and i have done disney numerous times and have had to do the parent swap. It is a wonderful service for families with young children. I have a dd 9, dd13, and a ds 2, so we use this alot!!!!!!! I have never been asked to show the cm a child that wasnt able to ride. All we do is when we go to the fast pass line to ride , that parent asks for a parent swap ticket. The only time this didnt work is when another older family member(dsil) , walked in with my dh. They questioned him and he replied that i was waiting with the 2 yr old.I hope this makes sense!!!! Just go and have fun!!! you will have a great trip!!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

I have never been asked to show the cm a child that wasnt able to ride. All we do is when we go to the fast pass line to ride , that parent asks for a parent swap ticket.

Well, for us, at most of the rides, they wanted to see my DD and measure her to see if she was tall enough to ride it.

I think at least some CMs are trying to crack down on those who really don't have a child and are abusing the babyswap system.

 

[tjmw2727]

Well, for us, at most of the rides, they wanted to see my DD and measure her to see if she was tall enough to ride it.

I think at least some CMs are trying to crack down on those who really don't have a child and are abusing the babyswap system.

Yes - we have always had to have the non-riding child with us. Once at RnRc my dh was taking my younger dd for an ice cream when older dd and I went to ride and get the switch pass. I had to go get my dh and dd quick and return to get the pass, then they went for the ice cream! The cm was very nice but would not give out a pass without my youngest dd present. After that we just make sure we are all together to get the pass and then separate afte that.

It's not a big deal and as I said a sleeping baby or happy toddler dosen't have to get out of the stroller so its not that inconvenient. (Unless of course like in beattyfamilyies case where they non rider may be tall enough. (Which btw I think they should make an exception for esp with a yonger child, JMHO).

TJ

 

[beattyfamily]

It's not a big deal and as I said a sleeping baby or happy toddler dosen't have to get out of the stroller so its not that inconvenient. (Unless of course like in beattyfamilyies case where they non rider may be tall enough. (Which btw I think they should make an exception for esp with a yonger child, JMHO).

TJ

Yes, if the baby appears to be too small for the ride, they won't make them get out and measure them. But my DD was 5 on our last trip so they made her get out of the stroller and measured her at Splash and at ToT. I was very bummed at ToT when they told me she'd have to go through the ride. So we just took turns watching her outside and used our Fastpasses we had. She'd be scared to death! I do remember though when my older DD was 2 years old on our first trip in 1998, they made her go through the whole ride at ToT before we did the swap but she did alright...didn't like the room though with the tv/movie. They shouldn't make little ones go through the line when it's scary like that and instead meet at the exit and swap there like at Test Track, IMHO.

 

[shafke]

so technically, could something like this be done... we have DS 6 and DD 2. Get 2 fastpasses for SM for DW and DS. Get FP for Buzz for me(DD does not need ticket). While DW and DS do SM and get swap pass, I take DD on Buzz.

When the swap is done, I do not need the FP for SM because we already have the Swap pass.

 

[beattyfamily]

so technically, could something like this be done... we have DS 6 and DD 2. Get 2 fastpasses for SM for DW and DS. Get FP for Buzz for me(DD does not need ticket). While DW and DS do SM and get swap pass, I take DD on Buzz.

When the swap is done, I do not need the FP for SM because we already have the Swap pass.

Yes, it's possible to do this but they are clear across the park from each other so you'd have to go to both rides for their Fastpasses. Maybe you can all go to Splash and get the 2 Fastpasses and Babyswap pass and then you go and take your 2 year old to get the Fastpass for Buzz, if even necessary. Then when you return, you can ride Splash with the baby swap one...which can be used all day...not in a specific time.

 

[shafke]

Yes, it's possible to do this but they are clear across the park from each other so you'd have to go to both rides for their Fastpasses. Maybe you can all go to Splash and get the 2 Fastpasses and Babyswap pass and then you go and take your 2 year old to get the Fastpass for Buzz, if even necessary. Then when you return, you can ride Splash with the baby swap one...which can be used all day...not in a specific time.

Too many abbreviations... I meant Space Mountain.

 

[beattyfamily]

Too many abbreviations... I meant Space Mountain.

Then it's probably doable. But I'm not certain on how Space Mountain handles their babyswap...some rides do not give that special pass but have you swap at the exit. I can't say for certain how Space Mountain handles babyswap.

 

[tjmw2727]

Then it's probably doable. But I'm not certain on how Space Mountain handles their babyswap...some rides do not give that special pass but have you swap at the exit. I can't say for certain how Space Mountain handles babyswap.

Yes, we have done exactly this as Space Mt uses the paper babyswap pass. Ok - or at least they did in Dec 04 and Feb 05! Again, its always wise to check each attraction before you make any plan as the procedures can vary from day to day and even from CM to CM.

TJ

eta - make sure that your 2yo is with your dd and dh when they ask for the baby swap pass. In every case we had to have the non with us to get the pass. I am not sure if you mentioned that in your first question.