baby swap question

[jkstewart1800]

I have never participated in the 'baby swap' option at disney. This trip will be my first with my own kids, although I have been a bagillion times

I have a quick question about how exactly the whole 'swap' works.

Me DH DS and toddler DS wait in line to ride space mountain. We tell a CM that we want to swap.

While DH and DS(5) ride Me and the toddler wait....

Then I get to ride.... and here is my question... Can my DS(5) ride with ME when it is my turn? Or do I have to ride alone while the rest of the family waits?

 

[ColleenG]

We haven't used the baby swap, but from what I have read your DS who is 5 would get to ride again with you. The kids make out great on the deal!

 

[Wendy*Darling]

At Space Mountain all 3 of you should go up to the CM when the first person wants to ride and ask for a Baby Swap pass. This works even if they are going in the Fast Pass line. That person, and any other people tall enough to ride, go in and ride the ride. You don't have to go with them, you can go walk around and shop or take the little one on a different ride. When they are done, you meet up with them afterward. When you are ready to ride it, you, and up to 2 or 3 other people (I forget which it is!) take the baby swap ticket to the fast pass line to do the ride. You can bring others in with you even if they are the ones who just got off the ride. You don't have to do it back to back. If you want to come back a few hours later for your turn, that is fine too. The new tickets say specifically that it must be used that same day but no specific time (the old ones often expired a few days later).

My kids LOVE baby swap. They view their 20 month old brother as the "get to ride it again free" card!

 

[jkstewart1800]

Now I am even more confused than ever!

The plan IS to do the rides back to back! Not to wait and then have to get in line to do it all over again.

What I do understand so far is that I need a special ticket?

In all the years I have been to disney I have NEVER needed to use the FASTPASS option.... I think in August we will... I have been reading up on it... but the baby swap thing combined with the FP has completely confused me

 

[tjmw2727]

Since a child who isn't tall enough to ride can't even enter the line you will have to return to ride.

To avoid a double wait the CM will give you a rider switch pass for the second parent to use via the FP line. The rider swap pass is good for up to 3 people to ride that attraction anytime that day via the FP line.

So - the entire family approaches the line (FP or Standby) and tells the CM you want to baby swap. The CM will give the parent riding second a rider switch pass and then the first parent and anyone else riding enters the line and rides. The child who doesn't meet the height has to be present to verify to the CM your eligible for rider switch.

The second parent can either wait by the ride and ride immediately after the first parent is done or take the non-riding child to do something else fun while the first party rides and return later.

The only exception is Star Tours where the first party rides while the other parent waits outside with the toddler/baby and then switches.

It is very easy to use but not always easy to explain

TJ

 

[moredisneyplease]

OK here's how it goes.....but please first note that each ride is different and for the most part you get the baby swap pass at the front of the line.

You and your entire party need to go to the start of the line and show the CM that you have a child/baby not riding the ride. They will give you a pass and you (or whomeve is waiting w/ the little one) wait while the rest of the party waits in line and rides the ride. When they're done, then you (or whomever was waiting) get to go through the fastpass line along w/ two others while someone else waits w/ little one. If there is no fastpass line they'll get you to the front either through the exit or handicapped line.

If your party has a Fastpass for the ride the same kind of thing applies....you all pick up the FP and return at the designated time. Tell the CM at the front of the line you're doing the child swap and you'll get the swap pass. You wait while the rest of the party goes through the quick FP line and then you swap. Same as above just a shorter line

 

[jkstewart1800]

I think I am getting it now LOL!

I didn;t understand that the person with the baby wasn't even allowed to enter the ride line (like space mountain)...I thought we all waited in line together and then one of us waited at the boaring area and switched once the ride was done.. it didn't occur to me that the person holding the baby couldn't even enter....

Its the FP line that makes all the difference... you can use the line with a baby swap card regarless of whether or not we have a FP or not! I can then enter with myself (no baby) and my big kid to ride again....

Am I getting it?

 

[tjmw2727]

I think I am getting it now LOL!

I didn;t understand that the person with the baby wasn't even allowed to enter the ride line (like space mountain)...I thought we all waited in line together and then one of us waited at the boaring area and switched once the ride was done.. it didn't occur to me that the person holding the baby couldn't even enter....

Its the FP line that makes all the difference... you can use the line with a baby swap card regarless of whether or not we have a FP or not! I can then enter with myself (no baby) and my big kid to ride again....

Am I getting it?

The bold is mine, and unfortunately no, not quite

You can't just use the FP line for the first parent and whoever is riding with them unless you have a valid fast pass for each person for that ride.

But the second parent can then use the rider swap pass like a fast pass via the FP line and can ride with up to 2 other people (3 total) any time that day. The CM in the FP line will collect your rider swap pass at each ride just like they will your FP. Then when the first party rides the next height restricted ride the 2nd parent will be given another RS pass for that attraction. It's not a card that you can carry around and re-use all day.

So again, at each ride when you approach the line of the ride, say Space Mountain. If you have a FP go to the FP line if not go to the standby line. Tell the CM you want to use rider swap and the CM will give the parent riding 2nd a rider swap pass for that ride.

The purpose of the rider swap pass is to try and eliminate a double wait for families who can't ride together because of a height restriction. Its not meant to be a head of the line pass so the first party does have to wait the standby line or use a fast pass like everyone else.

FWIW the way you described is how it used to work before FP, and still works at Star Tours. Every other height restricted ride now uses the rider swap pass.

HTH
TJ

 

[jkstewart1800]

right right... I understood what you were saying the first time, I didn't mean for it to sound like I though you used the FP lane first... I understand that you use the regular line first (unless you have a FP) then the CM gives you a baby swap card which you can use either in the regular line or the FP line later in the day (or right after DH and DS ride) depending....

By jove I think I've got it!

 

[tjmw2727]

right right... I understood what you were saying the first time, I didn't mean for it to sound like I though you used the FP lane first... I understand that you use the regular line first (unless you have a FP) then the CM gives you a baby swap card which you can use either in the regular line or the FP line later in the day (or right after DH and DS ride) depending....

By jove I think I've got it!

Yes, sorry to repeat myself because yes you got it -

One additional note - look at the bottom of the rider swap pass as all of them are good for the day and some are good for more than one day. So if things get busy and the second parent dosen't get back to the ride that day the can often ride another day with the rider swap pass.

TJ

 

[KEVD]

" Who's on first? "

 

[disneyloverforchrist]

Wow...I am so glad that I found this thread. We are going to be traveling with a six month old in December and I was really wondering how we were going to swing that!!! There will be four adults total and the baby, but it sucks to have to wait twice in a line when the rest of the family has already waited. Does this work on EVERY ride? Also, are there any rides we can take the six month old on??? I figured maybe a few in fantasyland...

Thanks so much!!!! You just made our vacation so much less confusing

 

[Malela9]

Here is the other important information!
You must show the CM your child. Some folks here at Disneyland ask for a Child Swap and have no child. Bring your baby up the the cast member when you ask for the card. So, here is what you will do in an easy 1,2,3.

1. Go to CM and show child , ask for Baby swap card. Partner will ride ride.
2. Wait with child at exit of ride , shop or go on another ride.
3. Pass child to partner, give CM Baby Swap card at Fast Pass entrance ,
ride the ride!

I hope this made things easier for you . I have 3 kids and have been doing this for years. Good luck and have fun!
Ps . I will be doing this at WDW again next month!

 

[ColleenG]

Wow...I am so glad that I found this thread. We are going to be traveling with a six month old in December and I was really wondering how we were going to swing that!!! There will be four adults total and the baby, but it sucks to have to wait twice in a line when the rest of the family has already waited. Does this work on EVERY ride? Also, are there any rides we can take the six month old on??? I figured maybe a few in fantasyland...

Thanks so much!!!! You just made our vacation so much less confusing

We have gone with an infant too. He rode every ride in Fantasy Land except for the Teacups. Jungle cruise was great for him too. Any thing that is a car/boat that goes slow on a track or is a show should be fine (as long as it doesn't scare him). The baby was fine in it was Tough to be a Bug at AK but my 2 year old DS and 6 year old neice did not like it. Have a great time on your trip!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Wow...I am so glad that I found this thread. We are going to be traveling with a six month old in December and I was really wondering how we were going to swing that!!! There will be four adults total and the baby, but it sucks to have to wait twice in a line when the rest of the family has already waited. Does this work on EVERY ride? Also, are there any rides we can take the six month old on??? I figured maybe a few in fantasyland...

Thanks so much!!!! You just made our vacation so much less confusing

It is my understanding that baby swap is only for those rides with height requirements. (If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know!) I think you will be surprised at how many rides the baby can do.

 

[jkstewart1800]

I think I know why I was so confused at first.

I have been reading the unofficial guide to WDW and they describe the baby swap differently.

they make it sound like you just stand aside and wait.... up at the loading zone.... they don't mention any of the swap pass and all that....

I am glad I got the straight dope from my peeps here

 

[tjmw2727]

I think I know why I was so confused at first.

I have been reading the unofficial guide to WDW and they describe the baby swap differently.

they make it sound like you just stand aside and wait.... up at the loading zone.... they don't mention any of the swap pass and all that....

I am glad I got the straight dope from my peeps here

That is how it was done prior to FP - the new system has been in place for several years.

TJ

 

[jkstewart1800]

jeeze, then the people at UG to WDW should update their info...that is a HUGE piece of wrong information that they still have in their book!

 

[Tosha]

I think the way they do this is pretty sad. I want to share every second of this experience with my family...NOT wait at least an hour for them to return from the ride until they get to me. I want to be in line with them, talking, laughing and just enjoying each other. I'm disappointed.

 

[jkstewart1800]

I know right?!

Sometimes there isn't a CM at the front of the ride... in that case you would HAVE to wait in line with the family until you got up to the ride....

Since I have never been with a baby before I really don't know what to expect.

Maybe there is a way to 'cheat' the system!