"Child" Swap ?

[CAMPHEEL]

I've read about the child swap option for babies and small children that don't meet ride requirements. My question is, What if your "child" is fourteen and just doesn't want to ride coasters, etc.? We're not really comfortable leaving her alone so can the other three of us ride using the child swap?
Anybody know or have the same situation??

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

I would write a letter to disney on their official website asking this question to get the most straight answer.

 

[beattyfamily]

I've read about the child swap option for babies and small children that don't meet ride requirements. My question is, What if your "child" is fourteen and just doesn't want to ride coasters, etc.? We're not really comfortable leaving her alone so can the other three of us ride using the child swap?
Anybody know or have the same situation??

Child swap is really for children who do not meet the height requirement. If the child meets the height requirement (they do measure if there is any doubt) then you all must go in the line together and swap at the ride itself.

Just ask the CM at the entrance to the ride and she/he will confirm this. Then tell the CM you see at the ride what you are doing and there should be no problem.

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

Child swap is really for children who do not meet the height requirement. If the child meets the height requirement (they do measure if there is any doubt) then you all must go in the line together and swap at the ride itself.

Just ask the CM at the entrance to the ride and she/he will confirm this. Then tell the CM you see at the ride what you are doing and there should be no problem.

See, I have read that if a kid is afraid but meet the height requirements you can still use child swap. I have a 6 yr old coming with us who is scared of a lot and we plan to use this. but since 14 isnt really a 'child' Im not sure. so really you should ask disney directly. I think everyone will disagree here about this...

 

[CAMPHEEL]

So-o-o-o, as long as she is willing to wait in line with us, when we get to loading area, two(DH & DD) can ride while DW waits with her. Then DW can ride with DD(her second time), while DH waits.

Is that how it works?

 

[beattyfamily]

See, I have read that if a kid is afraid but meet the height requirements you can still use child swap. I have a 6 yr old coming with us who is scared of a lot and we plan to use this. but since 14 isnt really a 'child' Im not sure. so really you should ask disney directly. I think everyone will disagree here about this...

I only posted my experience with my 6 year old who is terrified of ToT and Splash.

They measured her and then told me that because she is tall enough we must all enter the line together and swap at the ride.

Best advice to all is to ask the CM at the entrance to the ride and get your answer from him/her. No biggie.

 

[tjmw2727]

No, you won't be able to use "babyswap or childswap". The CM's are very strict about having the child who dosen't meet the restriction present prior to giving out the rider switch pass.

Babyswap is offered as a convenience when families can't ride together due to a restriction, its not offered when its a choice.

In your case I would just use Fast Pass, get a FP those who want to ride and take turns riding and staying with the 14yo. Or separate to ride the rides your 14yo dosen't want to ride.

Also, most of the thrill rides have a "chicken exit". You could have everyone go through the lines and then if the 14yo dosen't want to ride he/she can take the chicken exit and meet those who do ride at the exit.

TJ

 

[beattyfamily]

So-o-o-o, as long as she is willing to wait in line with us, when we get to loading area, two(DH & DD) can ride while DW waits with her. Then DW can ride with DD(her second time), while DH waits.

Is that how it works?

Yes that is how most rides work. Just ask the CM at the entrance to the ride. Some might have you wait at the exit to the ride and swap that way (like Test Track I think).

For us, we don't even bother with child swap for the rides my DD doesn't want to ride but is tall enough for. We just get 4 Fastpasses and I ride with older DD while DH stays with younger DD and then DH rides with older DD while I wait with younger DD. We make our own child swap with our Fastpasses.

 

[Stacy_C]

I've had the same experience as BeattyFamily and the CMs do enforce it pretty strictly like tjmw2727 said.

 

[tjmw2727]

I only posted my experience with my 6 year old who is terrified of ToT and Splash.

They measured her and then told me that because she is tall enough we must all enter the line together and swap at the ride.

Best advice to all is to ask the CM at the entrance to the ride and get your answer from him/her. No biggie.

I second this as it has been my experience as well during our visits in October, December and April. My nephew is over 40 but chooses not to ride Splash Mountain, we were not given the baby swap pass even though he is only 4.

OTOH, when my neice is along since she is only two and not tall enough to ride we are given the baby swap pass but only if she is with us when we enter the line. If she is elsewhere with my bil they will not give out the pass.

While they may make an exception now and then, perhaps for a 4 or 5yo I can pretty much guarantee that your not going to get a babyswap pass when a 14o dosen't want to ride.

Again your best bet is to use the chicken exit and or fast pass.

TJ

 

[myprinceandprincess]

I am going with our 4yo DD and our 20 mo DS and I would like to try and get this straight. If the child is of the height requirement then you all wait on line and switch at the ride? But if the child (or children in my case) are not of the height requirement you get a child switch pass from the CM? Is this before you actually wait on line? And it really won't be a problem for us because my two will be with us at all times...so the CM's will be able to see them without a problem.

 

[beattyfamily]

I am going with our 4yo DD and our 20 mo DS and I would like to try and get this straight. If the child is of the height requirement then you all wait on line and switch at the ride? But if the child (or children in my case) are not of the height requirement you get a child switch pass from the CM? Is this before you actually wait on line? And it really won't be a problem for us because my two will be with us at all times...so the CM's will be able to see them without a problem.

Yes, that's right and yes, there's a CM at the entrance to the ride line well before you get to the ride itself.

Just ask them how they handle baby swap. They will instruct you on what to do.

 

[tjmw2727]

So-o-o-o, as long as she is willing to wait in line with us, when we get to loading area, two(DH & DD) can ride while DW waits with her. Then DW can ride with DD(her second time), while DH waits.

Is that how it works?

Yes, this is another form of babyswap, but I seriously doubt you will be offered even this form of babyswap with a 14yo.

From my MK guidemap: "
"Parent/Guardian Switch: Guests with young children may take turns experiencing attractions. See a Cast Member for additional information."

I have both a MK and AK guidemap here and they both state the same thing. I would consult the CM but I wouldn't count on them considering a 14yo a "young child".

TJ

 

[ch1103]

Has child swap changed recently? The last time I was there, in 2003, we all waited in line together, then told the CM as we were approaching the ride that we wanted to do the child swap. He/she directed the parent and the children not riding to a little waiting area. The other parent rode with the children riding, then met the waiting parent, who went back to the ride with whatever children were riding with him, while that parent exited the ride with the children not riding.

I hope it hasn't changed. I have a mentally challenged 11 yr old that will not want to ride many rides that the rest of us want to experience, but is not capable of waiting by herself.

 

[Pocohantasfan]

No, you won't be able to use "babyswap or childswap". The CM's are very strict about having the child who dosen't meet the restriction present prior to giving out the rider switch pass.

So the CM at the front of the line will give you a baby swap pass? We'll be vacationing with DN and her family and there will a 1 y/o who won't be riding many rides. Does everyone go to the end of the line at the ride and then the person(s) staying with the child wait until the others ride and get off and then they switch and get on the ride? We've never had to use this benefit and I had never paid any attention to anyone else using it.

 

[beattyfamily]

Has child swap changed recently? The last time I was there, in 2003, we all waited in line together, then told the CM as we were approaching the ride that we wanted to do the child swap. He/she directed the parent and the children not riding to a little waiting area. The other parent rode with the children riding, then met the waiting parent, who went back to the ride with whatever children were riding with him, while that parent exited the ride with the children not riding.

I hope it hasn't changed. I have a mentally challenged 11 yr old that will not want to ride many rides that the rest of us want to experience, but is not capable of waiting by herself.

It has changed in that since they started Fastpass, most rides now issue a special child swap Fastpass for the parent that is waiting with the child under the height requirement.

If your child is OVER the height requirement then you all go in the line together and swap at the ride or swap at the exit. The CM working the entrance will tell you how they handle it.

 

[beattyfamily]

So the CM at the front of the line will give you a baby swap pass? We'll be vacationing with DN and her family and there will a 1 y/o who won't be riding many rides. Does everyone go to the end of the line at the ride and then the person(s) staying with the child wait until the others ride and get off and then they switch and get on the ride? We've never had to use this benefit and I had never paid any attention to anyone else using it.

Ask the CM at the entrance to the ride about baby swap. They will probably then give you a special baby swap Fastpass for the parent who waits to use.

The first parent goes in the regular line (or the Fastpass line if you got a Fastpass) and rides and the other parent waits outside or at the exit and then when the first parent comes out, the other parent can ride with the special baby swap Fastpass.

Just ask the CM at the entrance to the ride how they handle baby swap and they will help you.

 

[tjmw2727]

Has child swap changed recently? The last time I was there, in 2003, we all waited in line together, then told the CM as we were approaching the ride that we wanted to do the child swap. He/she directed the parent and the children not riding to a little waiting area. The other parent rode with the children riding, then met the waiting parent, who went back to the ride with whatever children were riding with him, while that parent exited the ride with the children not riding.

I hope it hasn't changed. I have a mentally challenged 11 yr old that will not want to ride many rides that the rest of us want to experience, but is not capable of waiting by herself.

Yes, most of the rides now offer a rider switch pass instead of switching at the exit. From what I understand for two reasons. First, to keep those not tall enough out of the queues and buidlings so as not to inadvertantly put someone on the ride who is two shrt. Second as babyswap got more popular to keep the numbers of people waiting at the exits to a minimum.

Don't worry though, in your case your best bet is to stop at Guest Relations and talk to them about a Guest Assistance Card. GAC - it isn't a head of the line pass but by explaining to the CM what your childs needs are they can issue you a pass that meets his needs. Each GAC is different so be sure and be clear with the CM what you need.

Here is some great information here on the dis that may help you with planning your trip:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20
The second or third post is FAQ's ~ these folks are great and can certainly answer any other questions you have.

Even if you can't use babyswap using FP wisely can accomplish the same thing. Just ride in two groups, taking turns with those who don't want to ride.

TJ

 

[Stacy_C]

Ask the CM at the entrance to the ride about baby swap. They will probably then give you a special baby swap Fastpass for the parent who waits to use.

The first parent goes in the regular line (or the Fastpass line if you got a Fastpass) and rides and the other parent waits outside or at the exit and then when the first parent comes out, the other parent can ride with the special baby swap Fastpass.

Just ask the CM at the entrance to the ride how they handle baby swap and they will help you.

Also, the Rider Switch (baby swap) pass is good for up to 3 people. So, the person who waited with the baby can take 2 more people with them on the ride. So some people in your party might get to ride twice.

 

[orljustin]

It is unlikely that CMs will entertain "baby swapping" with a 14 year old. This is because there really isn't any reason that a 14 year old can't sit by themselves. What is more likely, is that the group would all go through the queue, and then the teen would either step through the ride or go through a chicken exit, and wait by the exit as the group rides.

This is assuming the teen does not have a special needs disability.