Child Swap: Can toddler still wait in line with us?

[Renae De Liz]

We're going with my 2.5 year old and my 9 year old. One of our favorite parts of enjoying Disney is definitely the first time waiting in the lines that are well themed, and some important ones ( like Space Mountain, BTMRR, and Indy specifically) we'd really like to be together for. Disney is a rare occurrence for us so it's pretty important for my husband and I to both be able to see my oldest's face as his anticipation builds in line for these rides. I'd hate for one of us to miss it

I know about the Child swap, and I see that one person waits out of the line entirely with the baby, but can my toddler wait in line with us then we can switch off in the actual ride area, or closer to the ride area? And yes I know that it would be easier to keep the toddler out of a line, but he also has fun in lines.

Thanks!

 

[Liat]

I think you would have to exit the ride with the toddler and then re-enter through the fast pass line for example in Space. I'm pretty sure that they wouldn't let you hang around and then switch, especially since most rides exit somewhere different than where people get on the ride. You can wait in line with everyone though, I know most rides have a last chance exit at the ride for people who decide they don't want to ride.

 

[Renae De Liz]

Thank you! If we can wait in the majority of the line together that would be good enough, though I'd REALLY want my toddler to see that loading area at both Indy & Space! He would love it so much!

 

[pinktink83]

I'm pretty sure they aren't allowed to go through the line...but I distinctly remember that my daughter wasn't even allowed to go past the first height measurement thing for Thunder Mountain. My husband had to wait off to the side with her her while my son and I rode, then we switched kids and he went back up the exit with the child swap pass.

 

[Jennifer2983]

Okay I have not tried this b4 but from what I have heard you can all wait in line together then tell them your switching....and from what I believe they let you wait till your spouse or whoever your with gets off then you hop on! BUT not quite sure about this... I DO no for sure if you go to a disney person by the line and tell them, they give you a baby switch pass paper so you can just hop into the fast pass lane once your other half is done riding, that is what I have done in the past. The other way I agree would be so much better, cause then your group doesn't really have to separate. GOOD LUCK!!


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[mooglegirl]

No. The toddler is not supposed to wait in line with you. No one who is under the height limit is allowed in line.
That said, the first time we tried to do the switch, the cast member at Indy must have been new, because he told us to take our kids (4 & 7) through the line, then one person would wait at loading while the other one rode. I protested, but was told, "Lady, If you want to ride, that's how it works." needless to say, when we got to the loading dock, the cast members were really pissed at the mix up, issued me a switch pass and escorted my husband and the kds out. He told me he saw the CM we'd talked to at the entrance getting reprimanded while they waited.
That said, the line for Indy is dark and creepy and really upset my kds. I'd think twice before trying to bring a toddler through.

 

[Jacie]

We were never allowed to take the baby through the line, always had to go sit to the side and wait for the others to go through the line.

 

[Malcon10t]

Children who do not meet the height requirement are not allowed in the line. They will offer you a rider swap pass at the entrance.

 

[Babybears]

In our experience, it depended on the ride as all seemed to have a different way to handle it.

When my youngest was under 40 inches, we went to the CM at the entrance of Big Thunder and asked for a rider swap ticket. They told me to all line up together and then they would let us switch at the ride. What happened was my husband rode with my two older kids and I waited on the platform with my youngest who couldn't ride. When they were done riding, the two older kids were invited to stay on for a 2nd ride, while my husband took the youngest and I rode with them. This was the case for our entire trip......for that particular ride.

At Indy, Space, Splash they gave us a ride swap or fastpass ticket when inquiring at front of line. I even think one trip, they had us go back in through the exit for Space as the rider swap.

Now this was a few years back, so things may have changes since then.
I would just ask at the front CM and see what the procedure is for that ride. There may still be different ways they handle it for different rides.

 

[tinkermomma]

I have been wondering this too. Seems like some lines are so dark and tight it could get frustrating and scary or worst yet boring for a little one, especially if it took a while.

Hate to threadjack but I have a related question that might be useful to the OP as well.

What are some of the best rider swap rides in terms of a nice place for the toddler and person waiting to hang out?

 

[Babybears]

What are some of the best rider swap rides in terms of a nice place for the toddler and person waiting to hang out?

We enjoyed Splash because it was next to Winnie the Pooh. We would take the younger one for several rides in a row on Pooh while waiting for the others on Splash. My little one loved the repetition...."again Mommy, again!" LOL. At DCA Screaming is good, as it is next to the carousel and TSMM. Again, fun rides for little ones to pass the time.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

For Indy, you can go through Tarzan's tree house or on Jungle cruise.
For Splash, we go to Winnie the Pooh.
For BTMRR, we watch the boats/ducks on ROA
For Space/Star Tours, we go on Buzz.
For Tower of Terrow, we go on Monsters Inc or in the Animation Building (or into Bugs Life area, the walkway wasn't open the last time we were there)
For Screamin, we do the Triton's carousel
Fro GRR, we watch the rafts come through the geyser area

 

[Disco]

Yeah, they didn't allow my youngest through the Indy line. Had to wait outside for wife to come back out. She was a bit peeved because I couldn't show her where the pole that causes the cave in was.

 

[bumbershoot]

We've been going since '06 and DS was 1, and we have NEVER been able to take him in ANY line with a height req that he didn't meet.

I have read some reports of those who have brought underheight kids in, but I really do not think that's the way Disney's swap is supposed to work.


(universal's swap, yes, but not Disney)

 

[Renae De Liz]

Thanks everyone so much for the input!!

I really hope they'll let us go through the line together, at least the for our first times on the rides, but we really don't want to be separated at all if we can help it. Guess we'll keep out fingers crossed and try to talk to the CM's when we get there, but good to know at least a few years ago they allowed smaller ones through the lines! Gives me a little hope

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Thanks everyone so much for the input!!

I really hope they'll let us go through the line together, at least the for our first times on the rides, but we really don't want to be separated at all if we can help it. Guess we'll keep out fingers crossed and try to talk to the CM's when we get there, but good to know at least a few years ago they allowed smaller ones through the lines! Gives me a little hope

If they do let you through, they are going against the policies/rules Disney has set up so please don't expect it.

 

[bakerudall]

For Indy, you can go through Tarzan's tree house or on Jungle cruise.
For Splash, we go to Winnie the Pooh.
For BTMRR, we watch the boats/ducks on ROA
For Space/Star Tours, we go on Buzz.
For Tower of Terrow, we go on Monsters Inc or in the Animation Building (or into Bugs Life area, the walkway wasn't open the last time we were there)
For Screamin, we do the Triton's carousel
Fro GRR, we watch the rafts come through the geyser area

Shannon, this looks like the framework for a Rider Swap sticky guide.