Baby swap

[Jkpark]

We haven't done this in a few years but have an upcoming trip with extended family and wanted to see if the procedures have changed at all. I'm also planning a WDW trip and don't want to confuse the two.

Last time we did this at DL, it was on Space Mtn. We brought baby to beginning of queue. They verified who was waiting and who was riding. They gave the rider a lanyard and when they boarded, they traded it in for a colorful swap pass. It could be used anytime that day for 2 people total. Is this still how it works? I think I saw photos of tickets that look like FP and read it is for 3 people. I think that is WDW but confused on why this process would be different at each.

Thanks!

 

[Canadiantinkerfairy]

We used the rider swap for virtually every ride with height restrictions. It was easier at some rides then others.
At space they didn't need to see me and my ydd, but at RSR they did.
They gave my DH a lanyard, them, he traded t hat in for a stroller swap pass that was filled-out by hand with that days date. It was good for anytime that day for three max people.
It was no better than having a fast pass. We were always in the FP lines.

 

[Jkpark]

Thanks! It has changed a bit then. Good to know.

 

[ClaraOswald]

When you say "beginning" of the queue, does that mean where you enter the line? Or where you get on the actual ride?

I've never done the swap before so this is all new to me.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

When you say "beginning" of the queue, does that mean where you enter the line? Or where you get on the actual ride? I've never done the swap before so this is all new to me.

Where you first enter the line. There should be a CM standing there and you would ask them. Like others have said, some rides require seeing the too small child, while others don't. And it may even very from CM to CM.

 

[ClaraOswald]

So then does the one parent wait alone in the line, ride. And then the 2nd parent skips the line or something?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

So then does the one parent wait alone in the line, ride. And then the 2nd parent skips the line or something?

If there are only two adults, then yes. The first parent would wait in line, go on the ride, bring the swap back to the other parent/adult who would then use the FP line (or exit in some cases?) to enter.

We've always had older kids, so one of us takes the kids on (usually using FP as well) and then the other parents uses the swap to take some of the kids back on.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Thanks for the info. It will just be me, my husband, and our toddler.

 

[BayGirl22]

The above sounds right.

Keep in mind - there is an advantage to using child swap on FastPass rides. If you have 2 adults you'll only need 1 FP, for the first person to ride. The rider swap ticket will then act as a FP for the second adult. This means you can hold a FP for 2 different rides at the same time. This is totally legit, its all within the rules and a nice benefit to offset the extra time spent swapping.

If you have an older child you'd get 2 FP's and the child would go with the first parent. When the 2nd parent goes they can bring back 2 people (I think, it was 3 at one point so check the pass) so the older child can ride again. My DS was lucky enough to take advantage of this last trip since he's 42" and his sister is only 2.

 

[seacruise]

Does the ride swap apply at all if you have two kids that are tall enough to ride, but not old enough to sit by themselves? Thinking specifically about rides that don't accommodate 3 people sitting together. Space for example where both kids are tall enough to ride, but wouldn't do it sitting by themselves. There are several rides my wife won't do so I end up taking the kids myself. Will I need to wait in line twice if I need to ride separately with each kid or can one of them wait with my wife and then I ride with each kid individually?

 

[wenrob]

Does the ride swap apply at all if you have two kids that are tall enough to ride, but not old enough to sit by themselves? Thinking specifically about rides that don't accommodate 3 people sitting together. Space for example where both kids are tall enough to ride, but wouldn't do it sitting by themselves. There are several rides my wife won't do so I end up taking the kids myself. Will I need to wait in line twice if I need to ride separately with each kid or can one of them wait with my wife and then I ride with each kid individually?

Yes, my son is not a fan of the coaster rides but he is clearly tall enough. We just took him up and said he was afraid to ride and they gave us the pass. Myself, my teen and younger daughter would go while my DH and son waited or did something else then we'd swap with DH taking the two girls (or saved it for later). I don't see why it wouldn't work in your situation if both are too young to ride alone or are afraid to ride alone. Rider Swap isn't just for height restrictions (they even give them for Haunted Mansion), I think your situation would fit the criteria for receiving one. I'd just ask the CM and see what they say. Most are usually more than accommodating.

eta:If for some reason they won't you can get you wife's FP and use it to take the second child. Just get them all at the same time.

 

[seacruise]

Yes, my son is not a fan of the coaster rides but he is clearly tall enough. We just took him up and said he was afraid to ride and they gave us the pass. Myself, my teen and younger daughter would go while my DH and son waited or did something else then we'd swap with DH taking the two girls (or saved it for later). I don't see why it wouldn't work in your situation if both are too young to ride alone or are afraid to ride alone. Rider Swap isn't just for height restrictions (they even give them for Haunted Mansion), I think your situation would fit the criteria for receiving one. I'd just ask the CM and see what they say. Most are usually more than accommodating.

eta:If for some reason they won't you can get you wife's FP and use it to take the second child. Just get them all at the same time.

Thanks, good advice. That's what I was planning to do with the FP's if we do have to go through the line twice.

 

[mummabear]

Yes, my son is not a fan of the coaster rides but he is clearly tall enough. We just took him up and said he was afraid to ride and they gave us the pass. Myself, my teen and younger daughter would go while my DH and son waited or did something else then we'd swap with DH taking the two girls (or saved it for later). I don't see why it wouldn't work in your situation if both are too young to ride alone or are afraid to ride alone. Rider Swap isn't just for height restrictions (they even give them for Haunted Mansion), I think your situation would fit the criteria for receiving one. I'd just ask the CM and see what they say. Most are usually more than accommodating.

eta:If for some reason they won't you can get you wife's FP and use it to take the second child. Just get them all at the same time.

Have you done this recently? We have been told that there is no rider swap for HM (last trip 2011) because there is no height restriction.

 

[wenrob]

Have you done this recently? We have been told that there is no rider swap for HM (last trip 2011) because there is no height restriction.

Yes, we got one in June. I do think it's relatively new because when we asked in Aug 2012 they looked at us like we were crazy, lol.