Child ride swap with a kid who could technically ride

[jake1year]

I know in this day and age websites have a lot of cred. Disney's is generally good, but there are holes in it--and this is one of them. If you have an issue and it is important enough to you, I recommend going to Guest Relations to resolve it. I would not debate supposed policy with the CM that is most likely trying to do their best to both follow the policy they were trained with and to make guests happy.

The assumption that most here are making is that what the site says agrees with what they are trained to do. I agree they should, I just don't agree that they necessarily do.

Gotcha! Might have trouble with this!
I did put a lot of cred in their site that's how I assume most people plan their vacation. Intill this thread I wasn't thinking I would have any problem with rider swap. I have a 13 year old and a 6year old ride chicken!
If we did go to guest services do you think they will follow their own website and make it right?

 

[jake1year]

That's exactly what I suggest you do and it's what I would do as well. If a CM tells you something you think is wrong- arguing with them will do no good most likely. They think they're right- and honestly, I don't want them just giving me what I want because I'm being a pain. Go to guest services or ask for a supervisor. I prefer guest services because I think it causes less of an issue. I don't want to be standing in the park discussing a problem.

When you read a policy on their website, then you get confirmation thru chat- that is easily tracked by Disney- not anonymous at all- then one would reasonably expect that they've gone above and beyond what is necessary in order to know the correct procedure.

Yes, I expect they would make it right.

Thanks that's what I think ill do if I come across this!

 

[mesaboy2]

Gotcha! Might have trouble with this!
I did put a lot of cred in their site that's how I assume most people plan their vacation. Intill this thread I wasn't thinking I would have any problem with rider swap. I have a 13 year old and a 6year old ride chicken!
If we did go to guest services do you think they will follow their own website and make it right?

I have no doubt they will make it right, but I hope it doesn't come to that (so you're not out any time or trouble). I hope you have a great trip!

By the way, MermaidMommy above points out a great example of another piece of info where the website--even the very same webpage--reports the "policy" incorrectly.

 

[maxiesmom]

Except, isn't "policy" as stated on the WDW website that only 2 people are allowed per rider swap? But in actuality, it's for three people. So, clearly Disney ignores their own policy in that regard, and the CM's allow three people based on their training. Why wouldn't the same be true on the flip side? If the CM's are trained that rider swap is only for riders who don't meet the height requirement, then they aren't going to care about what the website says. Really, the website isn't consistent at all.

Of course, I doubt than anybody is going to whip out a copy of the website's verbiage to protest when they're allowed to ride with more people than "official policy" permits, though.

Disney doesn't even call it Rider Swap. They call it Rider Switch. And I would be careful before someone goes and tries to hold them to what the web site states. It clearly states that the person who waits, and ONE other guest, gets to then ride. And it is only offered and specific attractions.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/rider-switch/

 

[mesaboy2]

Just adding that poster doconeill has a great link in his signature that points out the actual and operational realities of rider-switch:

http://wdwuntangled.com/rider-switch/

One of the FAQs near the bottom of the page addresses this exact issue. It specifically mentions also the potential for abuse, and I know that no one here wishes to enable abuse of any kind.

 

[jake1year]

Disney doesn't even call it Rider Swap. They call it Rider Switch. And I would be careful before someone goes and tries to hold them to what the web site states. It clearly states that the person who waits, and ONE other guest, gets to then ride. And it is only offered and specific attractions.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/rider-switch/

What it says on website is exactly what we want. One parent rides with my oldest while the other waits with the youngest. When they get back they switch. So I will be sure to call it rider switch then

 

[jake1year]

Just adding that poster doconeill has a great link in his signature that points out the actual and operational realities of rider-switch:

http://wdwuntangled.com/rider-switch/

One of the FAQs near the bottom of the page addresses this exact issue. It specifically mentions also the potential for abuse, and I know that no one here wishes to enable abuse of any kind.

It kinda seems your putting a lot of cred into that website. I think I would have better luck at guest services with their own website. Thanks for the heads up on the trouble I might have though!

 

[maxiesmom]

What it says on website is exactly what we want. One parent rides with my oldest while the other waits with the youngest. When they get back they switch. So I will be sure to call it rider switch then

 

[mesaboy2]

It kinda seems your putting a lot of cred into that website. I think I would have better luck at guest services with their own website. Thanks for the heads up on the trouble I might have though!

It's a question of who I trust more.

You came here asking a question, and I'm giving you the best advice I know. You are of course welcome to pursue whatever path you like. I am not going to tell you that quoting policy off the Disney website will get you what you want because that is, in my experience, not correct.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Disney doesn't even call it Rider Swap. They call it Rider Switch. And I would be careful before someone goes and tries to hold them to what the web site states. It clearly states that the person who waits, and ONE other guest, gets to then ride. And it is only offered and specific attractions. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/rider-switch/

Yes, I know. That's the point I was making -- that what's on the website isn't necessarily the way the CM's have been trained and they might not allow something just because the website says so. The website isn't always correct, as evidenced by the fact that the number of people allowed is different in practice than "policy."

 

[cakebaker]

It kinda seems your putting a lot of cred into that website. I think I would have better luck at guest services with their own website. Thanks for the heads up on the trouble I might have though!

That's the problem- you're not going to get anywhere with WDW quoting information from a website they have no control over. If it's important to me, and this one was- I had read the same stories about problems- then I try and get confirmation from WDW in multiple ways. In this case, their website and a trackable chat. I'm comfortable with that as being sufficient. Not that I think I need it , but prepared is good.

 

[maxiesmom]

Yes, I know. That's the point I was making -- that what's on the website isn't necessarily the way the CM's have been trained and they might not allow something just because the website says so. The website isn't always correct, as evidenced by the fact that the number of people allowed is different in practice than "policy."

I guess what I was trying to say is what my dad would say: "Don't try and be cute". Don't try and hold Disney to the letter of a policy that is not as great the way it is written as it is in reality. If someone wants to quote the web site and go all the way to Guest Services, then they are free to do just that. But they need to be aware of what they will then be telling Disney they want.

 

[MermaidMommy]

That's the problem- you're not going to get anywhere with WDW quoting information from a website they have no control over. If it's important to me, and this one was- I had read the same stories about problems- then I try and get confirmation from WDW in multiple ways. In this case, their website and a trackable chat. I'm comfortable with that as being sufficient. Not that I think I need it , but prepared is good.

Then, as I mentioned earlier, how do you account for the fact that the website says number of people allowed is two when they actually allow three? Obviously, the website is wrong. Is Disney ignoring their own policy by letting three people ride on a pass?

 

[jake1year]

It's a question of who I trust more.

You came here asking a question, and I'm giving you the best advice I know. You are of course welcome to pursue whatever path you like. I am not going to tell you that quoting policy off the Disney website will get you what you want because that is, in my experience, not correct.

Ok, I didn't mean it in a bad way. I was just saying if I have to go to guest services their site is the one I should follow.
Thanks so much for your advice!! Sometimes written word comes across wrong. My apologies!

 

[cakebaker]

Then, as I mentioned earlier, how do you account for the fact that the website says number of people allowed is two when they actually allow three? Obviously, the website is wrong. Is Disney ignoring their own policy by letting three people ride on a pass?

I don't explain it. If they want to tell me in the park I can only have 2 people on the switch, that's fine. I wouldn't argue at all. They will need to change those swap passes though.

Obviously the two don't agree. That's Disney's call to correct if they choose. What I think they shouldn't do and won't do- is state a policy then refuse to follow it.

 

[MermaidMommy]

I guess what I was trying to say is what my dad would say: "Don't try and be cute". Don't try and hold Disney to the letter of a policy that is not as great the way it is written as it is in reality. If someone wants to quote the web site and go all the way to Guealst Services, then they are free to do just that. But they need to be aware of what they will then be telling Disney they want.

It has nothing to do with "being cute." I think you're missing the point. Some people are advocating that because there's a policy on the website, it must be absolutely true and will be adhered to. I'm pointing out that, on the very same page, there's a discrepancy between the policy and how it works in practice (although one that works in guests' favor). It just proves that there are errors in this particular part of the website, and shows that Disney isn't necessarily bound by what's written on it.

 

[Hopefully]

Force the employees to follow Disney rules.

NASTY attitude. I don't force anyone to do anything.

Thanks for all your feedback... I didn't even know single rider lines existed.
Out of curiosity what makes a single rider line different then child swap? Wouldn't they be essentially the same thing?

Maybe the net effect is the same. But the single rider line is not dependent on the rider having anyone else with them (a child). There are only a few attractions that have the single rider option.

 

[mesaboy2]

Ok, I didn't mean it in a bad way. I was just saying if I have to go to guest services their site is the one I should follow. Thanks so much for your advice!! Sometimes written word comes across wrong. My apologies!

I agree that if you find yourself opting for the website-as-policy route you should reference Disney's own and not a third party's (which I provided only as a reality check). I'm just pointing out that Disney's is not infallible.

And no worries.

 

[cakebaker]

It has nothing to do with "being cute." I think you're missing the point. Some people are advocating that because there's a policy on the website, it must be absolutely true and will be adhered to. I'm pointing out that, on the very same page, there's a discrepancy between the policy and how it works in practice (although one that works in guests' favor). It just proves that there are errors in this particular part of the website, and shows that Disney isn't necessarily bound by what's written on it.

They are bound by what they state as their official policy. In the case of the number of return riders, it's not something they're going to be asked to be held to. If tomorrow they change their swap passes to match their website, I'll be happy to comply with those changes. If their website says 3 and their passes in park say 2, then they might be asked to honor what they advertise as policy. I wouldn't because I wouldn't care, but someone else might.

I don't "know" that their stated policy on rider swap (it's just what I always called it- used to be called baby swap by a lot of people) is right. That's impossible for me to know. But it's what they say, it's what they say when I engage in a chat with them. They should do what they say they'll do.

 

[cigar95]

They are bound by what they state as their official policy.

I think you've hit the key point here - by publishing information on their web site, this acts as an agent of the company, and they're effectively committed to permitting what they've stated. They are free to implement a less restrictive procedure, but not to one more restrictive.

This is a separate question from what to do when a CM attempts to apply the more restrictive approach. Were it to happen to me, I'd ask to speak with a supervisor rather than go all the way to Guest Relations - same approach, less time wasted.