Child Swap

[SPAM]

Last fall was our first time using rider swap without 2 adults and a 1 year old. Even though we took advantage of more fp it still took longer cause the fp lines were so long by the time the first adult returned with a swap ticket most of the time we didn't have to time to use it and had to try to find time later to come back. Would much rather have just been able to ride everything together, but got to wait until little guy grows.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Thanks everyone for all your feedback. I really appreciate it!!!!!!

 

[Spork24]

I'm just going to say it so it's said -- this is not what the system is intended to do. It's intended so you and your husband both have FPs for a ride, and because one of you has to stay with the baby, they get to have the experience of riding with their kids while the other parent watched the baby. It's not designed for anyone to turn one FP into four, which is what it sounds like you're planning, nor is it designed to allow people with young children to be able to book two Tier 1 FPs at those parks that unfortunately have tiering.

I'm also doubtful that the two daughters will be able to ride without any FP on either ride, and have everything hinge on the FPs. My guess is that they'll have to have FPs to get into the line in the first place, but having not used Rider Swap, I can't say for sure. If it does allow that you and others are suggesting, expect that loophole to be closed at some point.

I'm not trying to criticize you, and I know lots of people do it and lots of people are perfectly fine with it, but I wanted to point out that what you're talking about is not what the Rider Swap system was designed to do, and as the parks get more crowded and more and more people look for ways to maximize their own experience, this is the kind of thing WDW could very easily take away.

This "loophole" only really works in a very specific set of circumstances with the right size party, and IMO doesn't make up for the inconvenience of trying to ride height requirement rides with someone too short. It still takes a significant amount of time to go back through with the other party even through the fastpass line. If you don't use riderswap often then I wouldn't expect you to understand. But people are unlikely to start bringing extra kids so they can get more FP's.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Really? I am a newbie so maybe I don't understand. Why is there child swap on a ride where there is no height restriction? Can I not take my baby on the ride?

You can take your baby. I have no idea why there is a swap on this ride, but there have been multiple reports that there is (and it's listed on the Disney website as a swap ride).

 

[Jenny Sanders]

You can take your baby. I have no idea why there is a swap on this ride, but there have been multiple reports that there is (and it's listed on the Disney website as a swap ride).

Yep, I saw this too. I think we are just going to book a FP for FEA, and then 2 from the second tier and be done with it. We will do stand by for Soarin' and Test Track and get child swap for those.

 

[whiporee]

This "loophole" only really works in a very specific set of circumstances with the right size party, and IMO doesn't make up for the inconvenience of trying to ride height requirement rides with someone too short. It still takes a significant amount of time to go back through with the other party even through the fastpass line. If you don't use riderswap often then I wouldn't expect you to understand. But people are unlikely to start bringing extra kids so they can get more FP's.

I've actually been to WDW with kids a lot. I have three, and when the the youngers were too young to go, then one of us missed on the ride while the other rode with the one who was old/big enough. I didn't know about Rider Swap, so i didn't use it. And it's not a matter of bringing extra kids.

But let's be clear about what's being discussed. The steps that I see the OP is talking about are as follows: 1) Go through the line with the 1 adult having a FP for a T1 ride. Getting to the RS area and saying that the 20-month-old can't ride, so can we get a RS pass? Riding, then getting the RS pass so the other adult who did not have a FP for the ride rides without one. 2) Repeat the procedure on the other T1 ride they are interested in, so everyone has access to FP rides for both T1 attractions. I'm guessing that the daughters either split up or have one FP booked for each ride, otherwise I don't see how the plan works, but that's not the point. What it looks like to me is that the OP gets 10 rides out of four FPs, and their party gets access to Fps for 2 T1 attractions instead of one

All I'm saying is that this service wasn't designed to let people get around certain rules. FP rules are distributed -- everyone gets a certain number, and everyone gets a certain number of T1 rides. The way the OP is discussing it, each member of her party gets 2 T1 rides and an extra FP. Not a big deal in the scheme of things, but you'd have to see the inherent unfairness in that, don't you? I know WDW with kids is a pain and frought with inconvenience, but so is everything there.

 

[Spork24]

I've actually been to WDW with kids a lot. I have three, and when the the youngers were too young to go, then one of us missed on the ride while the other rode with the one who was old/big enough. I didn't know about Rider Swap, so i didn't use it. And it's not a matter of bringing extra kids.

But let's be clear about what's being discussed. The steps that I see the OP is talking about are as follows: 1) Go through the line with the 1 adult having a FP for a T1 ride. Getting to the RS area and saying that the 20-month-old can't ride, so can we get a RS pass? Riding, then getting the RS pass so the other adult who did not have a FP for the ride rides without one. 2) Repeat the procedure on the other T1 ride they are interested in, so everyone has access to FP rides for both T1 attractions. I'm guessing that the daughters either split up or have one FP booked for each ride, otherwise I don't see how the plan works, but that's not the point. What it looks like to me is that the OP gets 10 rides out of four FPs, and their party gets access to Fps for 2 T1 attractions instead of one

All I'm saying is that this service wasn't designed to let people get around certain rules. FP rules are distributed -- everyone gets a certain number, and everyone gets a certain number of T1 rides. The way the OP is discussing it, each member of her party gets 2 T1 rides and an extra FP. Not a big deal in the scheme of things, but you'd have to see the inherent unfairness in that, don't you? I know WDW with kids is a pain and frought with inconvenience, but so is everything there.

Right but that still has a time component to it. In the same amount of time without kids you could have all used the same fastpass for one teir one ride and done standby on the other. Maybe 10-12 days a year it would actually save you measurable time. It's not as if you are actually getting extra rides, you are just making the most of what is offered to help make up your time lost.

This does not have near the potential to be abused as the GAP did.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

I've actually been to WDW with kids a lot. I have three, and when the the youngers were too young to go, then one of us missed on the ride while the other rode with the one who was old/big enough. I didn't know about Rider Swap, so i didn't use it. And it's not a matter of bringing extra kids.

But let's be clear about what's being discussed. The steps that I see the OP is talking about are as follows: 1) Go through the line with the 1 adult having a FP for a T1 ride. Getting to the RS area and saying that the 20-month-old can't ride, so can we get a RS pass? Riding, then getting the RS pass so the other adult who did not have a FP for the ride rides without one. 2) Repeat the procedure on the other T1 ride they are interested in, so everyone has access to FP rides for both T1 attractions. I'm guessing that the daughters either split up or have one FP booked for each ride, otherwise I don't see how the plan works, but that's not the point. What it looks like to me is that the OP gets 10 rides out of four FPs, and their party gets access to Fps for 2 T1 attractions instead of one

All I'm saying is that this service wasn't designed to let people get around certain rules. FP rules are distributed -- everyone gets a certain number, and everyone gets a certain number of T1 rides. The way the OP is discussing it, each member of her party gets 2 T1 rides and an extra FP. Not a big deal in the scheme of things, but you'd have to see the inherent unfairness in that, don't you? I know WDW with kids is a pain and frought with inconvenience, but so is everything there.

If you read my post right before yours, I specifically say that I'm NOT going to do that after all. I will get a FP for FEA and then 2 from the second tier, then wait stand by for the rest...It's really no big deal. Guests do what I had suggested all the time. Traveling with children can be difficult (I have 4). If there's something that can make things easier, I say go for it...In the grand scheme of things is getting 1 extra FP that big of a deal? Probably not...

 

[KrazeeK120]

I've actually been to WDW with kids a lot. I have three, and when the the youngers were too young to go, then one of us missed on the ride while the other rode with the one who was old/big enough. I didn't know about Rider Swap, so i didn't use it. And it's not a matter of bringing extra kids.

But let's be clear about what's being discussed. The steps that I see the OP is talking about are as follows: 1) Go through the line with the 1 adult having a FP for a T1 ride. Getting to the RS area and saying that the 20-month-old can't ride, so can we get a RS pass? Riding, then getting the RS pass so the other adult who did not have a FP for the ride rides without one. 2) Repeat the procedure on the other T1 ride they are interested in, so everyone has access to FP rides for both T1 attractions. I'm guessing that the daughters either split up or have one FP booked for each ride, otherwise I don't see how the plan works, but that's not the point. What it looks like to me is that the OP gets 10 rides out of four FPs, and their party gets access to Fps for 2 T1 attractions instead of one

All I'm saying is that this service wasn't designed to let people get around certain rules. FP rules are distributed -- everyone gets a certain number, and everyone gets a certain number of T1 rides. The way the OP is discussing it, each member of her party gets 2 T1 rides and an extra FP. Not a big deal in the scheme of things, but you'd have to see the inherent unfairness in that, don't you? I know WDW with kids is a pain and frought with inconvenience, but so is everything there.

I've never seen any kind of official documentation from Disney indicating how the service is or isn't to be used.

You say it's unfair that people are getting extra rides/Tier 1s, etc. But...they're paying for that by having to split the party to ride and taking twice as long to do each ride (you'd eat up close to an hour of your day swapping Soarin, even without using the standby line!). Honestly, I'd prefer getting to ride all the rides with my family over the ability to get extra Fastpasses.

This "loophole" is very widely known. In fact, there are some who don't even realize it's a loophole. If it were causing huge issues, Disney would have done something about it by now.

 

[whiporee]

This "loophole" is very widely known. In fact, there are some who don't even realize it's a loophole. If it were causing huge issues, Disney would have done something about it by now

I imagine they will, and then there will be a large outcry about how WDW doesn't care about guests anymore. They'll tie it to bands and require both parents have FP for the ride, which is how it should be.

And for everyone saying it's no big deal, it never is until it is.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I imagine they will, and then there will be a large outcry about how WDW doesn't care about guests anymore. They'll tie it to bands and require both parents have FP for the ride, which is how it should be.

And for everyone saying it's no big deal, it never is until it is.

That's how it should be...according to who? Again, I've not seen an official stance from Disney on the subject.

And what leads you to imagine that they'll close it?

 

[ArielSRL]

Honestly, I'd prefer getting to ride all the rides with my family over the ability to get extra Fastpasses.

Totally agree with you here. Its a PITA to have to go through the attraction twice to get everyone on the ride. And to find things to do close by with the too short child.

 

[Jules76126]

I imagine they will, and then there will be a large outcry about how WDW doesn't care about guests anymore. They'll tie it to bands and require both parents have FP for the ride, which is how it should be.

And for everyone saying it's no big deal, it never is until it is.

I doubt that will happen. Most parents don't abuse the system the way you are describing. Most of the rider swaps are people who wait in the standby line. The amount of people who know that you can get child swap in FP line is small. Most average guests are not on the disboards and know about this trick. Personally, if Disney allows it, I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

Totally agree with you here. Its a PITA to have to go through the attraction twice to get everyone on the ride. And to find things to do close by with the too short child.

ME TOO!!

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

I've actually been to WDW with kids a lot. I have three, and when the the youngers were too young to go, then one of us missed on the ride while the other rode with the one who was old/big enough. I didn't know about Rider Swap, so i didn't use it. And it's not a matter of bringing extra kids.

But let's be clear about what's being discussed. The steps that I see the OP is talking about are as follows: 1) Go through the line with the 1 adult having a FP for a T1 ride. Getting to the RS area and saying that the 20-month-old can't ride, so can we get a RS pass? Riding, then getting the RS pass so the other adult who did not have a FP for the ride rides without one. 2) Repeat the procedure on the other T1 ride they are interested in, so everyone has access to FP rides for both T1 attractions. I'm guessing that the daughters either split up or have one FP booked for each ride, otherwise I don't see how the plan works, but that's not the point. What it looks like to me is that the OP gets 10 rides out of four FPs, and their party gets access to Fps for 2 T1 attractions instead of one

All I'm saying is that this service wasn't designed to let people get around certain rules. FP rules are distributed -- everyone gets a certain number, and everyone gets a certain number of T1 rides. The way the OP is discussing it, each member of her party gets 2 T1 rides and an extra FP. Not a big deal in the scheme of things, but you'd have to see the inherent unfairness in that, don't you? I know WDW with kids is a pain and frought with inconvenience, but so is everything there.

I see it as actually really fair, considering its not breaking any rules, and even more so that Disney allows 3 people to ride with a Rider Swap pass. They picked the number 3. If they were concerned about it, they would have the RS pass good for only one person -- the one watching the baby. But, because Disney is considerate of families, they allow 3 so families can split up but nobody has to ride alone. They could EASILY change the rules to, if you have FP and doing rider swap, you get a pass that's only good for ONE person to offset the "extra" FP issue you see. But, if Disney doesn't see it as an issue, I don't know why you're making people feel bad about using something that is convenient, fair, and allowed by the rules set by Disney.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

I see it as actually really fair, considering its not breaking any rules, and even more so that Disney allows 3 people to ride with a Rider Swap pass. They picked the number 3. If they were concerned about it, they would have the RS pass good for only one person -- the one watching the baby. But, because Disney is considerate of families, they allow 3 so families can split up but nobody has to ride alone. They could EASILY change the rules to, if you have FP and doing rider swap, you get a pass that's only good for ONE person to offset the "extra" FP issue you see. But, if Disney doesn't see it as an issue, I don't know why you're making people feel bad about using something that is convenient, fair, and allowed by the rules set by Disney.

That makes A LOT of sense!!! I may not feel that bad about using a system that was put in place for families like mine...We are voluntarily taking my 20 month old niece, because we selfishly want more time with her before her parents meet us 2 days later. This system allows for my older daughters to not miss out, even tho they will be traveling with a baby, who we all know can be unpredictable...

 

[Atilley]

I doubt that will happen. Most parents don't abuse the system the way you are describing. Most of the rider swaps are people who wait in the standby line. The amount of people who know that you can get child swap in FP line is small. Most average guests are not on the disboards and know about this trick. Personally, if Disney allows it, I see nothing wrong with it.

The Disboard is where I learned about it. Our first trip I had no idea we could use child swap with our fast passes. We now use it and I see nothing wrong either. I look at this way. If Disney changes the policy and closes the loophole, it was nice while it lasted.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

The Disboard is where I learned about it. Our first trip I had no idea we could use child swap with our fast passes. We now use it and I see nothing wrong either. I look at this way. If Disney changes the policy and closes the loophole, it was nice while it lasted.

So, my husband and I could get separate FP and still be able to use rider swap for those attractions. For instance, if he got Test Track and I didn't, we would still be given 3 rider swap passes. But he would only be able to ride the first time by himself, or can he still take our daughters?

 

[Atilley]

So, my husband and I could get separate FP and still be able to use rider swap for those attractions. For instance, if he got Test Track and I didn't, we would still be given 3 rider swap passes. But he would only be able to ride the first time by himself, or can he still take our daughters?

If the daughters had a fast pass for the same time as dad's they would ride with dad then ride a second time with you on the child swap. If they don't have fast passes the will not be able to ride with dad on the first ride.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

If the daughters had a fast pass for the same time as dad's they would ride with dad then ride a second time with you on the child swap. If they don't have fast passes the will not be able to ride with dad on the first ride.

Thank you!