Combining FP and Child swap

[KateDrake]

So the other post today about FP return times got me thinking about whether or not a strategy my family and I have been using is against the rules or not. I never thought it was, but now I'm not so sure. So I wanted to get a discussion going. It has worked great for us, so if it is clear and above board, you should all try it!
What we do is combine our FPs and child swap so that we can have multiple FPs at one time. This works best when traveling with a group of adults. So, for example, we rush to Tomorrowland at rope drop and the dads go get FPs for Space Mountain and the moms grab them for Star Tours. Then when it's time to ride, the dads take their FPs and get child swap tickets while the moms take the kids on Buzz or something. And then the moms go on Star Tours and get a child swap ticket for the dads. Or we'll all get FPs to Indiana Jones, and then also get child swap tickets so we can each ride twice, etc.
I've never had a cast member tell me this wasn't OK, the most they've ever done is asked to see the kids to prove that we aren't a bunch of single adults just trying to get child swap tickets. So usually we go up as a group, get the child swaps and then split up to do the rides.
So, what do you guys think? Is that breaking any rules? I don't think it is, but all this talk about whether its OK to come back after your FP return time has started to make me wonder. We've always just used FPs any time later in the day, because Disney allows it, and I've always felt the same way about this. What do you guys think?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We do the same thing. I can't see where it would be against the rules.....unless you are on the WDW forum where they have a lot more "rules"....

 

[NiceOneSimba]

I think as long as you are getting the child swap passes because you have kids who are too short to ride the rides, it's totally fine. We've done this before, too.

I think it's a fair tradeoff for not being able to ride a ride together with everyone in your party. Would I rather ride a ride with my husband? You bet! But combining the child swap with a fastpass helps keep the time spent apart to a minimum!

 

[MerryJ]

I sure hope it was okay, because that is what we did when we were there. It was a little different, because we were only two adults, with two kids who could ride and one baby who couldn't. Often we would get 4 FPs for one ride, but as we figured out the system, we did just as you describe.

Interestingly, I was only asked to prove I had an infant once, and that time she wan't to know if the others already had FPs for the ride. The implication was if they had FPs for it, we couldn't have the rider swap. That doesn't make sense to me, because I thought the point was in part so that nobody had to ride alone just because you have a baby with you.

 

[smiley_face2]

We will be in DL in mid July with our daughter and her under 3 and underheight for many rides son. We have never been to the park with any children that small so have no experience with the child swap tickets. I had just assumed all 3 of us adults would go and get a fast pass for a ride, then when we tell the cast member we need a child swap ticket when we are entering the ride so we could take turns waiting with him. Can you explain in a "ride swap tickets for dummies" way how we could go about executing this plan where we could have 2 sets of fast pass tickets, say for space mountain and star tours, or splash mountain and big thunder? thanks in advance, and remember please make the explanation truly simple

 

[ValpoCory]

I think as long as you are getting the child swap passes because you have kids who are too short to ride the rides, it's totally fine. We've done this before, too.

Also, I think it's fine to do if your child is tall enough but scared to ride. For instance, my 49" tall daughter likely won't ride Screamin', so one of us has to wait with her outside the ride.

 

[Started With a Mouse]

Also, I think it's fine to do if your child is tall enough but scared to ride. For instance, my 49" tall daughter likely won't ride Screamin', so one of us has to wait with her outside the ride.

Ditto. Kids aren't all cut from the same mold. Some are very tall for their age, and won't get on the ride.

 

[KateDrake]

We will be in DL in mid July with our daughter and her under 3 and underheight for many rides son. We have never been to the park with any children that small so have no experience with the child swap tickets. I had just assumed all 3 of us adults would go and get a fast pass for a ride, then when we tell the cast member we need a child swap ticket when we are entering the ride so we could take turns waiting with him. Can you explain in a "ride swap tickets for dummies" way how we could go about executing this plan where we could have 2 sets of fast pass tickets, say for space mountain and star tours, or splash mountain and big thunder? thanks in advance, and remember please make the explanation truly simple

Sure Smiley! I'll do my best for a (hopefully soon) fellow BCer! My husband is up for a job in Burnaby, just outside of Vancouver, so I'd love to hear your take on that!
So it sounds like you only have three adults going, is that right? That makes things a little harder, but it just means that someone will get to ride an extra time! Let's use Space Mountain and Star Tours as an example:
Step 1: Decide who will get the FPs. Once you get in the gate, give two to the person going to Space, and two to the person going to Star Tours (even though your grandson won't ride, you can use his ticket to get a Fastpass!)
Step 2: Arrive in Tomorrowland, and send the two individuals to get the FPs.
Step 3: Meet up again. (set the meeting point first). You should now have a total of 4 FPs, two for each ride.
Step 4: Note the FP return time for each ride. Then go do something else until your window opens.
Step 5: It's time! At least one ride window has opened. For our purpose, we'll assume it's Star Tours. Use those tickets to get FPs for your next attraction, and then head to Tomorrowland.
Step 6: Approach the FP line to Star Tours as a group, and ask for a child swap ticket. The child swap is good for two people to return.
Step 7: Divide and ride. The two with FPs for Star Tours go on that, while the remaining adult takes the child on Buzz Lightyear or Astro Orbiter, whichever line is shorter.
Step 8: You should all be done riding at this point, and meet up again.
Step 9: Make the child swap. One of the adults who rode Star Tours will now take your grandson on either Buzz or Astro Orbiter, while the other two adults go ride Star Tours. That means one person gets to ride Star Tours twice!
Step 10: Meet up again. Repeat the process for Space Mountain when your window opens.

I hope that helps! You don't HAVE to all go get the child swap ticket as a group, but sometimes they ask to see the child, so going together helps, since otherwise you have to go find your family again. You can also mix up who rides with who, so all the adults have a chance to ride Buzz, etc. I think my DD3 rode Buzz at least 12 times on our last trip while we were doing this, and she loved it! But if he's tired of riding, you can always buy him a treat or let him browse in a shop. If you need some more ideas for kid friendly rides near major attractions, here are some ideas:

Splash Mountain: Winnie the Pooh ride and character M&G
BTMRR: Character greeting at Big Thunder Ranch, Sailing Ship Columbia, Mark Twain Riverboat
Indiana Jones: Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, Tarzan Treehouse
Matterhorn: Small World, really just about anything in Fantasyland

In DCA:
California Screamin': Toy Story Mania(though this line may be too long...) King Triton's Carousel, Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Tower of Terror: Anything in A bug's land, Monster's Inc.
Grizzly River Run: Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

I hope that helps!

 

[BayGirl22]

Thanks! I've been wondering about this. We'll be 2 adults with a 3 year old and a one year old. So some rides the 3 year old will go on with us, some just us adults with a full child swap, and some the whole family can do. We'll try to do the adult only child swaps while the kids are napping in the stroller.

The list of kid rides near the child swap rides will be really useful - need to add that to my touring plan!

 

[smiley_face2]

Sure Smiley! I'll do my best for a (hopefully soon) fellow BCer! My husband is up for a job in Burnaby, just outside of Vancouver, so I'd love to hear your take on that!
So it sounds like you only have three adults going, is that right? That makes things a little harder, but it just means that someone will get to ride an extra time! Let's use Space Mountain and Star Tours as an example:
Step 1: Decide who will get the FPs. Once you get in the gate, give two to the person going to Space, and two to the person going to Star Tours (even though your grandson won't ride, you can use his ticket to get a Fastpass!)
Step 2: Arrive in Tomorrowland, and send the two individuals to get the FPs.
Step 3: Meet up again. (set the meeting point first). You should now have a total of 4 FPs, two for each ride.
Step 4: Note the FP return time for each ride. Then go do something else until your window opens.
Step 5: It's time! At least one ride window has opened. For our purpose, we'll assume it's Star Tours. Use those tickets to get FPs for your next attraction, and then head to Tomorrowland.
Step 6: Approach the FP line to Star Tours as a group, and ask for a child swap ticket. The child swap is good for two people to return.
Step 7: Divide and ride. The two with FPs for Star Tours go on that, while the remaining adult takes the child on Buzz Lightyear or Astro Orbiter, whichever line is shorter.
Step 8: You should all be done riding at this point, and meet up again.
Step 9: Make the child swap. One of the adults who rode Star Tours will now take your grandson on either Buzz or Astro Orbiter, while the other two adults go ride Star Tours. That means one person gets to ride Star Tours twice!
Step 10: Meet up again. Repeat the process for Space Mountain when your window opens.

I hope that helps! You don't HAVE to all go get the child swap ticket as a group, but sometimes they ask to see the child, so going together helps, since otherwise you have to go find your family again. You can also mix up who rides with who, so all the adults have a chance to ride Buzz, etc. I think my DD3 rode Buzz at least 12 times on our last trip while we were doing this, and she loved it! But if he's tired of riding, you can always buy him a treat or let him browse in a shop. If you need some more ideas for kid friendly rides near major attractions, here are some ideas:

Splash Mountain: Winnie the Pooh ride and character M&G
BTMRR: Character greeting at Big Thunder Ranch, Sailing Ship Columbia, Mark Twain Riverboat
Indiana Jones: Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, Tarzan Treehouse
Matterhorn: Small World, really just about anything in Fantasyland

In DCA:
California Screamin': Toy Story Mania(though this line may be too long...) King Triton's Carousel, Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Tower of Terror: Anything in A bug's land, Monster's Inc.
Grizzly River Run: Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

I hope that helps!

this is awesome!! you are officially an honorary helpful Canuk!!
Burnaby is a very nice city!! While we have no family there now, we did at one time have aunts and uncles living there, that we spent a lot of time with. I am sure you will be very happy there. It is a very short drive into the city of Vancouver from there. Burnaby is very clean and because both the University of British Columbia and British Columbia Institure of Technology are located there, it is lively and family oriented. In general the vibe is very safe, and friendly, and very green. The only Disney Store in BC is located there in BC's biggest nicest mall, Metrotown! So that is a real plus!! It's a very short drive from there to the US border and into Bellingham to the BellisFair Mall too if you want to do some serious shopping! If you don't mind me asking, what type of industry or vocation is your husband employed in?

 

[KateDrake]

Aw, thanks Smiley! I've heard that Utah is almost as friendly as Canada, so we try!
My husband is a civil engineer specializing in transport. He was laid off a while ago here in Salt Lake, so we'd like to stay here if we can, but if we have to move, we want to be in BC! We absolutely love it there, and it feels like somewhere we could really put down roots. Plus still close enough to home to visit often!
Hope you guys have a great trip with your grandson! He will remember it forever!

 

[NiceOneSimba]

If your grandson is under 3, he won't have a ticket. That means you can't get a fastpass for him. This was the situation we were in. We had three adults and one under-3 child. That doesn't mean you can't still combine the child swap and FP. It just means you won't get as much "bang" out of it.

Here's what we did.

1. We collected FPs all day. We were pretty aggressive about this, and tried to always have at least one set of 3 FPs for each of the available rides. (I'll admit, we didn't ride Splash, because it was cold while we were there. That made this easier.)
2. When we wanted to ride a ride we had FPs for, the first pair of us would get a child swap pass, then use our FPs to ride the ride.
3. We'd come out, then the second pair of us would use the child swap to ride the ride. Someone (usually my DH or I) got to be the lucky person to ride twice!
4. This left us with one "extra" FP for the ride to use later in the day. (Because we had 3FPs for the ride, but only had to use 2 of them because of the child swap pass.)

When we were very aggressive about collecting FPs, we found that it was relatively easy to get two sets of FPs for each of the rides. (We went in October, so that wasn't impossible, like it might be in a busier time.) When we had 2 sets for the same ride, that gave us 6 total FPs for that one ride. Once we had 6 FPs for the same ride, we found we could combine with childswap and ride three times, instead of two. (Use 2 FPs to ride, then use the childswap. Repeat. Repeat.) And if we switched who rode the second time, it actually worked out to 4 rides per person out of only 2 FPs each!!!

Several times, we would just ride the ride once, using 2 FPs and a child swap. That would leave 4 FPs left over. My DH and I would go back to the park after my DD went to bed (thanks, grandma!), and we'd have 2 sets of FPs to use ourselves! Awesome!

So, if you know how to work the FP and child swap to your advantage, you can get a benefit, even if you can only get 3 FPs at a time.

Hope this isn't too confusing! Have a great trip!

 

[KateDrake]

Nice catch Simba! I misread Smiley's first post and was thinking her grandson would have a ticket. Thanks for the correction!

 

[smiley_face2]

If your grandson is under 3, he won't have a ticket. That means you can't get a fastpass for him. This was the situation we were in. We had three adults and one under-3 child. That doesn't mean you can't still combine the child swap and FP. It just means you won't get as much "bang" out of it.

Here's what we did.

1. We collected FPs all day. We were pretty aggressive about this, and tried to always have at least one set of 3 FPs for each of the available rides. (I'll admit, we didn't ride Splash, because it was cold while we were there. That made this easier.)
2. When we wanted to ride a ride we had FPs for, the first pair of us would get a child swap pass, then use our FPs to ride the ride.
3. We'd come out, then the second pair of us would use the child swap to ride the ride. Someone (usually my DH or I) got to be the lucky person to ride twice!
4. This left us with one "extra" FP for the ride to use later in the day. (Because we had 3FPs for the ride, but only had to use 2 of them because of the child swap pass.)

When we were very aggressive about collecting FPs, we found that it was relatively easy to get two sets of FPs for each of the rides. (We went in October, so that wasn't impossible, like it might be in a busier time.) When we had 2 sets for the same ride, that gave us 6 total FPs for that one ride. Once we had 6 FPs for the same ride, we found we could combine with childswap and ride three times, instead of two. (Use 2 FPs to ride, then use the childswap. Repeat. Repeat.) And if we switched who rode the second time, it actually worked out to 4 rides per person out of only 2 FPs each!!!

Several times, we would just ride the ride once, using 2 FPs and a child swap. That would leave 4 FPs left over. My DH and I would go back to the park after my DD went to bed (thanks, grandma!), and we'd have 2 sets of FPs to use ourselves! Awesome!

So, if you know how to work the FP and child swap to your advantage, you can get a benefit, even if you can only get 3 FPs at a time.

Hope this isn't too confusing! Have a great trip!

Thanks Susan!! that's my middle name by the way! this will be great when grandson goes to bed earlier, 2 of us can go back to the park and ride some more rides!! thankfully we are staying at both parkvue inn which is right at the crosswalk into the park, and the disneyland hotel so can easily go back and forth into the park. I especially like the idea of being in the disneyland hotel, and after a bit of a rest, hopping on the monorail which is practically right outside the door of the Adventure tower (old name dream tower) and going for one last spin on space mountain and or star tours! I wish we could stay all 12 nights at the disneyland hotel, but with the price increase there, even with an annual pass it's just way too much! I guess though the park vue inn is closer to DCA, so that's ok. Thanks for the very clear explanation!

 

[bumbershoot]

We'll try to do the adult only child swaps while the kids are napping in the stroller.

Just remember the CMs want to see the children.



Combining FP with rider switch, where the whole group of riders does not have a FP, is *allowed* at Disneyland.

It is *not* generally allowed at WDW; they usually need every rider to have a FP.

 

[2boysmom1998]

So the other post today about FP return times got me thinking about whether or not a strategy my family and I have been using is against the rules or not. I never thought it was, but now I'm not so sure. So I wanted to get a discussion going. It has worked great for us, so if it is clear and above board, you should all try it!
What we do is combine our FPs and child swap so that we can have multiple FPs at one time. This works best when traveling with a group of adults. So, for example, we rush to Tomorrowland at rope drop and the dads go get FPs for Space Mountain and the moms grab them for Star Tours. Then when it's time to ride, the dads take their FPs and get child swap tickets while the moms take the kids on Buzz or something. And then the moms go on Star Tours and get a child swap ticket for the dads. Or we'll all get FPs to Indiana Jones, and then also get child swap tickets so we can each ride twice, etc.
I've never had a cast member tell me this wasn't OK, the most they've ever done is asked to see the kids to prove that we aren't a bunch of single adults just trying to get child swap tickets. So usually we go up as a group, get the child swaps and then split up to do the rides.
So, what do you guys think? Is that breaking any rules? I don't think it is, but all this talk about whether its OK to come back after your FP return time has started to make me wonder. We've always just used FPs any time later in the day, because Disney allows it, and I've always felt the same way about this. What do you guys think?

Thank you - I didn't realize that you could do that. I will try that next week. My five year old isn't tall enough for some of the rides so, I think that will work for us. Now, he is tall enough for Space Mountain but I think it's too scary for him. Will they let us do child swap for that too?

 

[KateDrake]

Thank you - I didn't realize that you could do that. I will try that next week. My five year old isn't tall enough for some of the rides so, I think that will work for us. Now, he is tall enough for Space Mountain but I think it's too scary for him. Will they let us do child swap for that too?

I think that should be fine! My daughter still isn't tall enough for most of the E ticket rides, but I think the CMs understand that just because you are tall enough doesn't mean you want to ride! Especially on things like ToT or Indiana Jones, where the theming can be scary. Again, approach the CM as a group, so they can see that you have a child who doesn't want to ride, it will save you time if the CM wants you to prove that you have a kid. Hope you have a great trip and it works well for you!