Child Swap on ToT

[CapnJacksGirl]

Can anyone tell me how the child swap works specifically at ToT? Do we need to get FPs first? Does the non-riding adult stop before the queue area?

I could go to WDW and miss every other not-small-child-friendly attraction, but I must, must, must ride ToT. Knowing in advance how best to attack it and how it works will help. Thanks!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Most rides with Fastpass will give the parents a rider switch pass which is the same as a Fastpass but is good for up to 3 guests.

So you would approach the CM at the entrance to the ride and ask about child swap. Then they'll give you the rider switch pass for the parent who waits with the child. The first parent can ride however they want; standby or Fastpass and the second parent then rides with the rider switch pass.

You do not enter the ride line together to swap UNLESS the child is tall enough to ride. Then you would swap at the ride itself. You would still need to tell the CM at the entrance of the ride that you'd like to swap.

They measured my DD and told me that since she was tall enough to ride we'd all have to enter the line together and then swap at the ride itself but when she wasn't tall enough to ride, we got the rider switch pass.

 

[doconeill]

Minor correction - the first parent can only enter the Fastpass line IF they have a Fastpass...otherwise they need to use the Standby line. The second parent uses the Fastpass line with the Rider Switch pass.

There have been many debates about whether ALL riders in the group need to have a Fastpass for the first set of riders to use it, without a firm resolution.

More details under the Fastpass page via the link in my signature - it even includes a picture of the Rider Switch pass itself.

 

[beattyfamily]

Minor correction - the first parent can only enter the Fastpass line IF they have a Fastpass...otherwise they need to use the Standby line. The second parent uses the Fastpass line with the Rider Switch pass.

There have been many debates about whether ALL riders in the group need to have a Fastpass for the first set of riders to use it, without a firm resolution.

More details under the Fastpass page via the link in my signature - it even includes a picture of the Rider Switch pass itself.

Not sure where I said either parent could enter the Fastpass line without a Fastpass? The parent with the "Rider Switch" pass enters the Fastpass line to ride the ride since it IS a special Fastpass. The other parent rides however they decided to; either in the standby line or getting a Fastpass to ride the ride.

 

[doconeill]

Not sure where I said either parent could enter the Fastpass line without a Fastpass? The parent with the "Rider Switch" pass enters the Fastpass line to ride the ride since it IS a special Fastpass. The other parent rides however they decided to; either in the standby line or getting a Fastpass to ride the ride.

Here is your original phrase, which didn't mention needing to have a Fastpass for the first rider. It can be read as meaning they don't need one to use the Fastpass line:

The first parent can ride however they want; standby or Fastpass and the second parent then rides with the rider switch pass.

I was just clarifying it to avoid confusion. Many people have assumed that a Rider Switch allowed everyone to use the Fastpass line, as if having a young child was a magic Fastpass...

 

[DisneyCatMom]

The process it self is the same at every ride I found, but the meeting place can be different. For instance, test track makes you walk what seems like all around the building, up stairs, down stairs. Everywhere to meet back up with your other adult and child. Other words, the exit of the ride is no where close to the entrance it seemed. But well worth it. My son could ride twice in a row. So even though technically I won't need to do child swap this time, because the grandparents will be with my little one, we may still do it because then my son can ride twice.
I know, don't flame me for taking advantage!

 

[doconeill]

The process it self is the same at every ride I found, but the meeting place can be different. For instance, test track makes you walk what seems like all around the building, up stairs, down stairs. Everywhere to meet back up with your other adult and child. Other words, the exit of the ride is no where close to the entrance it seemed. But well worth it. My son could ride twice in a row. So even though technically I won't need to do child swap this time, because the grandparents will be with my little one, we may still do it because then my son can ride twice.
I know, don't flame me for taking advantage!

The meeting place, in general, is "outside"

A lot of the rides have exits relatively far from the entrance, usually through a gift shop. You should work out the meeting place before riding. Typically we meet in the shop, or near the entrance but out of the way. Then the person with the RS pass can enter the Fastpass line, with up to two other people, so they don't have to ride alone (assuming there are more than two riders total).

I understand that they are doing switches for Star Tours right at the ride instead of using Rider Switch passes now for some reason, even though it is a Fastpass attraction.

 

[shocker]

You didn't say how the child is but here's what we like to do (if they are 3 or over they will have a ticket to enter). We enter when the park opens and everyone tall enough goes straight to Rock-n-roller coaster. The adult and shortie head to the fastpass machines for ToT and gets a FP for every ticket including shortie. When the others arrive back from coaster the FP's are divided, the first group minus 1 adult and shortie ride ToT in FP line. When they exit the waiting adult and 1 other person get to go thru FP line again. Since you're the one REALLY interested in ToT I would vote that you get to ride it twice in exchange for not riding coaster! Also there are a couple of cool places to wait while others ride ToT, One: is just as riders exit it's inside and air conditioned, there is a long bench, you can watch picture souveniers come up of people screaming, and CM's will give the kiddo coloring sheets and crayons. Two: The gift shop everyone exits through, again air conditioned and plenty to keep you occupied. Three: The long sidewalk/courtyard area just outside the giftshop if weather is pleasant it's quite and a beautiful respite amongst a busy park. Fourth: Walk the sidewalk up to the coaster, the kiddo will enjoy the giant guitar and upside down car over the walkway! Have a good trip.

 

[littlelaura]

i may wrong but, i thought i read that for TOT, the entire group enter the queue together, then at the loading area, the child and an adult take the lift (a real one not the ride ones) to a holding area, where they swap over after the others have ridden. i am sure ive seen pics of little children being dressed as bellhops while they are waiting....

 

[doconeill]

i may wrong but, i thought i read that for TOT, the entire group enter the queue together, then at the loading area, the child and an adult take the lift (a real one not the ride ones) to a holding area, where they swap over after the others have ridden. i am sure ive seen pics of little children being dressed as bellhops while they are waiting....

That's the infamous "chicken exit", used for those who go through the queue but don't wish to ride.

In general, you are not permitted to enter either the standby or fastpass lines if you don't meet the height requirements.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

You didn't say how the child is but here's what we like to do (if they are 3 or over they will have a ticket to enter). We enter when the park opens and everyone tall enough goes straight to Rock-n-roller coaster. The adult and shortie head to the fastpass machines for ToT and gets a FP for every ticket including shortie. When the others arrive back from coaster the FP's are divided, the first group minus 1 adult and shortie ride ToT in FP line. When they exit the waiting adult and 1 other person get to go thru FP line again. Since you're the one REALLY interested in ToT I would vote that you get to ride it twice in exchange for not riding coaster! Also there are a couple of cool places to wait while others ride ToT, One: is just as riders exit it's inside and air conditioned, there is a long bench, you can watch picture souveniers come up of people screaming, and CM's will give the kiddo coloring sheets and crayons. Two: The gift shop everyone exits through, again air conditioned and plenty to keep you occupied. Three: The long sidewalk/courtyard area just outside the giftshop if weather is pleasant it's quite and a beautiful respite amongst a busy park. Fourth: Walk the sidewalk up to the coaster, the kiddo will enjoy the giant guitar and upside down car over the walkway! Have a good trip.

Great advice! RnR gives me a massive headache, so I won't be riding that anyway. For this trip, it'll be me, DH, DBIL, DS2, and DS1. Both the shorties will be in the stroller, so the guys can go ride the headache maker (I swear that thing should be sponsored by Advil or neck braces) and I'll do the FP run. Then I'll get to ride - as many times as possible!! Thanks for the suggestions on waiting places too. I'm scary in that gift shop though My DH already thinks I'm nuts because we have Hollywood Tower Hotel glasses, ashtrays (even though we don't smoke!), and bath towels. I told you I love that place!!

 

[littlelaura]

That's the infamous "chicken exit", used for those who go through the queue but don't wish to ride.

In general, you are not permitted to enter either the standby or fastpass lines if you don't meet the height requirements.

oh ok,thanks for clearing that up. it was obviously pics of 'tall enough chicken kids' as oppose to little shorties.....