Child swap vs Fastpasses

[tjknitz]

Quick question about child swap vs fastpasses...

If I go to an attraction and get a child swap pass (but choose to use it later on in the day) am I still eligible to get a fastpass right away or do I have to wait an hour or two like the fastpasses work?

 

[Clupaczyk]

I've never been to Disney, am going for the first time in less than 4 wks......but I've done TONS of research on the Dis. I don't believe you get a pass for the child swap like you do w/ FP. You just stand in line w/ the other adult(that wants to ride, too) and the child(ren) that won't be riding and when you get to the CM you tell them you want to do the child swap. The non riding adult and child will stand aside while you ride. When you're done you stand w/ the child and the other adult can now ride...w/o standing in the long line again.

Again, never been, so someone please correct me if I'm wrong. but I hope I've learned a thing or two in my 100+hrs of !!!

 

[Connorsmom0]

I'm not sure how it is SUPPOSED to go but I can tell you how it worked for me 2 weeks ago at every park. DH would either get in line or be turning in his fast passes with DS. DD (too small to ride) would come with me up to the CM who was at the fastpass gate. I would ask for a child swap pass. In every instance but 1 the person didn't even look to see if I had a child (much less one too small) dug out the ticket and away I went. Dh would ride with DS while I took DD on something she could do and then they would come find us and I would take DS back on the ride. This worked like this for me on Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest, Test Track, Mission Space, Sorin, Big Thunder RR, and Splash Mtn.

To answer the first posters ?.... I only asked for the ticket when we were in line to use our fast passes. I never asked for it when we were getting them.

 

[dormouse72]

There is no "child swap pass" - like PP said...generally you all stand on line together, you tell the CM before you board the ride that you want to do child swap and then one of you rides while the other waits, switching off when the first one is done.

Depending on when you visit, you may want to get a Fast Pass for these rides so your little one doesn't need to both wait on a LONG line and then not get on the ride anyway. Also, since you can use your Fast Pass any time after the time stamped, you can alternate a full-family ride with a child swap ride.

OR if you're going at a slower time of year, you can take advantage of the little kid play areas which they put up near some of the big rides (I know there is one near Splash Mountain). One of you sits with baby while the other rides and gets off, then you switch. I go during slower times (not summer or school breaks) and found this worked better - my older kids love riding things two or three times in a row and baby had fun playing in the play area, not realizing other people were doing something else.

 

[1girl1boy]

We get fast passes and save them for later. We then do the child swap. You have to stand in line all together then DH and DD goes on ride and at least on EE at AK you do get child swap pass. Only one for the party who is going on

 

[Metsoskil]

The rider switch pass you receive is not in any way connected to the fastpass machines. You may still get a fastpass as you normally would if you didn't have the rider switch pass.

 

[dormouse72]

That's interesting...we've never made it onto EE yet (it opened between our visits) but I KNOW DD #3 will never get on it. We're going as part of a Grand Gathering so I have enough people to watch her while other (i.e. - Me) go on the ride but it's a good tid-bit for when we split up into smaller groups.

 

[KristiMc]

There is no "child swap pass" - like PP said...generally you all stand on line together, you tell the CM before you board the ride that you want to do child swap and then one of you rides while the other waits, switching off when the first one is done.

Depending on when you visit, you may want to get a Fast Pass for these rides so your little one doesn't need to both wait on a LONG line and then not get on the ride anyway. Also, since you can use your Fast Pass any time after the time stamped, you can alternate a full-family ride with a child swap ride.

OR if you're going at a slower time of year, you can take advantage of the little kid play areas which they put up near some of the big rides (I know there is one near Splash Mountain). One of you sits with baby while the other rides and gets off, then you switch. I go during slower times (not summer or school breaks) and found this worked better - my older kids love riding things two or three times in a row and baby had fun playing in the play area, not realizing other people were doing something else.

This is incorrect. There is a rider switch pass. When you have a child that does not meet the height requirement you go to the beginning of the ride and show that you have a smaller child and ask for a rider switch pass. They will give you a pass that is good for up to 3 people. Then the parent and older child can go on the ride either standby or fastpass lane if you have a fastpass. At this time the other parent/child can go do something else. When you get off the ride, meet up and the other parent can now go on the ride with the older child using the rider switch pass. You will show the pass and go through the fastpass lane.

The only ride that I have heard of that your whole family has to go through the line is Star Tours.

Hope this helps. We have used this our past two trips and it works great.

 

[J3nn78]

Actually, Star Tours you no longer stand in line together. I was upset a couple weeks ago when we were there. My youngest is too short, but loves Star Wars and was sad he could not stand in line like last year.

 

[Metsoskil]

Actually, Star Tours you no longer stand in line together. I was upset a couple weeks ago when we were there. My youngest is too short, but loves Star Wars and was sad he could not stand in line like last year.

When I was there in late August my DS3 stood in line w/ us, then swapped at the ride loading area just as we used to.

 

[doconeill]

So much misinformation in a single thread...

Yes, there is a special type of Fastpass, called a Rider Switch pass. It is only available at attractions with a Fastpass queue and a height restriction. Complete details here.

In brief, you get them from the greeting CM at the entrance. You need to show the child who is too small to ride, and they may be measured to be sure. Having a child who is tall enough but simply does not want to ride does not make you eligible for a Rider Switch pass.

The first group of riders enter through the Standby line (or the FP line if they have FPs), while at least one adult waits with the child outside (or goes to another attraction, etc. - no need to wait (*). Anytime after the first group returns until park close, you can use the Rider Switch pass for up to three guests (so the adult who waited doesn't need to ride alone) to enter the Fastpass line.

At attractions that do not have a Fastpass queue or a height requirement, or with an taller child, as the CM what can be done. Most attractions have what is called a "chicken exit" and swapping in or near the load area may be possible.

As for Star Tours, yes, it appears that they have brought back the RS passes, although not necessarily every day. Again, ask the greeting CM to find out.

* Sometimes at Mission: SPACE, the Rider Switch passes are given at the exit to the game area/gift shop, which means you must be waiting by the doors there to get the RS pass.