Child swap? I think...stupid search not working

[masterslacker]

Okay, so I heard from a friend there is this option to have 1 parent watch your children while the other one does a ride like Splash Mtn and then after the ride the parent's switch or something like that. Can anyone elaborate if this is an option for various "big kid" rides at WDW or point me to a thread?

Thanks..

 

[Tam1067]

Yes, you can do this at those rides, generally any ride with a height restriction. The specific policy varies depending on the ride, but when you get to the CM attendant, tell him or her you'll be switching off. Sometimes, you go right to the loading area of the ride and wait for your other half, but most of the time, you'll get a pass which allows the rest of your party to return through the Fastpass line (but it's not a Fastpass).

We used it a lot on our last trip because DD was too young to go on any of the thrill rides, and we'll be using it again this time. It's a great deal. Plus, here's a cool thing, too: generally, the child swap gets you 2 or sometimes 3 return passes, so if you have a few people in your party, they'll get to ride twice in a row. (So my DS got to ride Space Mountain twice last time, first with his dad and then with me!).

 

[revelstoke]

Yes Tam1067 is bang on....

You ask the first CM you see for a child swap ticket / pass, we never had to go inside on any ride and wait at the loading area...they will give you the pass right at the enterance...but make sure you have your little one with you or they won't give you a pass.

The passes are good for up to 3 individual to ride and they are usually dated (like an expiry date) for a few days down the road so the best part is you don't necessarily have to ride again right then...you can come back later or the next day!

It works great! So first get a FP then head over to your ride sometime after you FP time starts, ask the first CM for a child swap ticket...one adult waits outside with the child, the other rides with the older/ bigger kids (using the FP tickets you got earlier)...once they are finished you either ride again by showing the FP CM your child swap ticket or come back later and enter through the FP line (you hand in your child swap ticket nearer to the ride loading area)...Does that make sense? when I read it over it sounds so confusing but it's really not!

good luck - child swap rocks!! (especially when you combine it with the regular FP's!!)

 

[masterslacker]

So you use the swap ticket in conjunction with a FP or normal wait in line thing? Do both adults need an FP? Is it even necessary with an FP because 1 person could use their FP and the other could wait with the child and then use theirs since the FP window would still be open? I guess I'm still confused as it makes sense with a normal line but the FP thing is confusing me...

Overall I appreciated all the info...thanks.

 

[flynnibus]

So you use the swap ticket in conjunction with a FP or normal wait in line thing?

The swap ticket gives you the ability to use the fastpass line with up to 2 others.

Do both adults need an FP? Is it even necessary with an FP because 1 person could use their FP and the other could wait with the child and then use theirs since the FP window would still be open? I guess I'm still confused as it makes sense with a normal line but the FP thing is confusing me...

Overall I appreciated all the info...thanks.

Only one person needs the swap ticket to use the line.

So what happens is.. you get to the front of the line with your group however you please (waiting or FPs.. if using FPs.. everyone who's riding needs one). Tell the CM you are doing a swap.. they will take the one parent with the child to the side and give them a swap pass. The rest of your party rides the ride. When your party gets off the ride.. you swap parents with the waiting kid.. and take your child swap ticket into the fastpass line to ride the ride.

So on the 'swap' ride.. all you need is the swap ticket and up to 3 people can ride (no extra passes needed).

If you have multiple children who ride.. you can do even more fun.

I have three children.. 1 of whom is too small to ride. So we get in line and get to the front.. one stays with my youngest, the other rides with the 2 children. Then you get off, swap parents, and now both children ride again with the other adult! Because the pass is good for up to 3 people.

Also, if you have children in your group.. or people who don't want to ride.. still get fastpasses for them! That way you can ride back to back..

OR.. if you have enough people not riding.. use fastpasses from the non-riders to get the fastpass for your next ride without having to wait for your first fastpass to be used or the 2hr wait.