Could someone help me with rider switch, FP+ rules, and the math?

[starjazz]

So, we're a group of ten. Three kids ages 6, 8 and 9. One infant (<2 yo). And six adults. I'm trying to calculate how to do FPs the best way and utilize rider switch on big rides like Space and BTMRR and 7DMT, etc. And I may just end up talking (typing) out loud, here, but when we have FPs for one of those rides, how can I maximize the number of times that the three kids (6, 8 and 9 yos) get to go? Having a 6 yo in the bunch, means and adult will have to go each time, which is fine, because an adult will want to go, but they won't all want nor have to do the thrill rides.

Does this question make sense? Can someone help me to do the math and figure out how to best use the FPs and rider switch in this instance?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

The child swap will allow a total of three. So I think you need to decide how many people want to ride each thrill ride, then book that number minus three (assuming one ride per person). So if six altogether want to ride space, book three FPs , get a kid swap pass, three people ride with FP then other three ride with kid swap. Do that for each ride. But you can't really do the math without knowing who wants to ride each of the attractions. Just make sure an adult is one of the three using the child swap. Alternatively just book FP for everyone and get a child swap and let some people ride twice.

 

[hodad]

Some people will say that you should only use child swap once, since you only have one child who can not ride. Others say that because you have several adults, you shouldn't use the child swap.

Option 1)
Don't use it.

Option 2)
Get 6 FPs for an attraction. One adult, two kids, and the infant stay behind. The adult and the 2 kids use the child swap to ride later.

Option 3)
Something something hide in a garbage can.

 

[DopeyDame]

We had a similar situation and I feel like I got a PhD in FP/babyswap

So I understand the question, but the answer to "best" really depends on your group.

Because you only have one baby, you only get one babyswap pass, so for each ride, it's 3 people who can ride using the babyswap. [ETA: I was assuming you wouldn't want to do the "hide in the trashcan" route ] So basically, the babyswap buys you one adult and two kids (since the 8 and 9 year old aren't old enough to escort the 6 year old). Keep in mind, also, that there's nothing against swapping magic bands, so if one of the adults is willing to skip a ride, you could have one adult get a later fastpass time, and then have the third kid ride with the fastpass at the same time as the other two kids and an adult ride with the babyswap.

Also, keep in mind you can spread out fastpasses. For example, 3 adults and 1 kid can get a fastpass for Space Mountain, while 3 adults and 2 kids get a fastpass for Big Thunder Mountain. Then those who didn't get the fastpass can ride the other ride with the babyswap. (This is especially useful at parks with Tiers - break up TT and Soarin fastpasses and RnR and ToT fastpasses)

Have fun!

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

Some people will say that you should only use rider swap once, since you only have one child who can not ride. Others say that because you have several adults, you shouldn't use the rider swap.

Option 1)
Don't use it.

Option 2)
Get 6 FPs for an attraction. One adult, two kids, and the infant stay behind. The adult and the 2 kids use the swap to ride later.

Option 3)
Three fast passes, and each kid rides twice:
Adult1 rides, while Adult4 and infant get rider swap and all other adults hide in a garbage can.
Adult2 rides, while Adult5 and infant get rider swap and all other adults hide in a garbage can.
Adult3 rides, while Adult6 and infant get rider swap and all other adults hide in a garbage can.
Adult4, Kid1 and Kid2 use rider swap.
Adult5, Kid2 and Kid3 use rider swap.
Adult6, Kid1 and Kid3 use rider swap.

And just hope the cast member doesn't recognize the baby I guess? Seems like that's not the way rider swap is designed to be used....

 

[hiroMYhero]

@hodad ~ Can you please Edit your post and remove Option #3? It doesn't fall within the Guidelines for using Rider Swap/Switch and Guests who follow #3 will end up with a mess at each attraction. Thanks!

 

[starjazz]

Yeah, I'll forgo the "hide in a garbage can" trick, but that was very entertaining to read, so thank you for that!

So, I tried to write it out, and what I come with for our group is that we essentially have 12 rides available - 9 FPs, and 3 with rider swap. I just have to figure out how to most effectively use those.

OR, I split them like DopeyDame said, which I think makes a lot of sense for our Epcot day.

Question: does the adult who is using the rider swap (going second) need an FP for the ride?

 

[hodad]

Question: does the adult who is using the rider swap (going second) need an FP for the ride?

In my experience, no. The child swap is a fast pass ticket, like they use at Disneyland or when rides break at WDW.

 

[hiroMYhero]

No; only the initial riders need the FPs. The 3 on the Swap use the Swap Pass.

 

[starjazz]

Conceivably, the three kids could go three times, if only one adult went with them each time? Am I figuring that right?

ETA: we'd have to do some magic band swapping to make this happen, I presume.

 

[hodad]

If only the kids want to go, and adults are only accompanying the 6yo, I'd do this:
Adults 3-6 give their magic bands to the 8 and 9 year olds, then go to Skipper Canteen to get drinks.
Adult1 and children use fast passes to ride attraction, while Adult2 and infant get child swap.
Adult2, 6yo, and 9yo use the Child Swap. 8yo uses Adult2's magic band.
8yo rides again using Adult3 FP. 9yo rides again using Adult4 FP.
8yo rides again using Adult5 FP. 9yo rides again using Adult6 FP.

Adult1: one ride
Adult2: one ride
6yo: 2 rides
8yo: 4 rides
9yo: 4 rides

 

[starjazz]

Or, another thought - tell me if you think this'd work:

Hypothetically speaking, I get 5 FPs for Space Mountain. 3 kids + 1 adult go using 4 of the FPs. Then, the three kids and a different adult go again using the three rider swap passes plus the fifth FP. Then, the 3 kids + 1 adult could go on a totally different ride (using the 4 remaining FPs).

AND, I could do all of that three different times on FP+, meaning essentially 9 FP rides for the kids without even figuring SDFP, correct?

(Not that I'd spoil the kids THAT much, but maybe a couple times during our three park days I could see doing that if it'd work.)

Thoughts?

 

[starjazz]

If only the kids want to go, and adults are only accompanying the 6yo, I'd do this:
Adults 3-6 give their magic bands to the 8 and 9 year olds, then go to Skipper Canteen to get drinks.
Adult1 and children use fast passes to ride attraction, while Adult2 and infant get child swap.
Adult2, 6yo, and 9yo use the Child Swap. 8yo uses Adult2's magic band.
8yo rides again using Adult3 FP. 9yo rides again using Adult4 FP.
8yo rides again using Adult5 FP. 9yo rides again using Adult6 FP.

Adult1: one ride
Adult2: one ride
6yo: 2 rides
8yo: 4 rides
9yo: 4 rides

Now THAT is creative thinking. You should start a website with some sort of automated ride calculator thingy for folks to enter in their details and get a report of the possibilities. Plus, you're funny - I like the Skipper Canteen for drinks idea......a lot!

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

Or, another thought - tell me if you think this'd work:

Hypothetically speaking, I get 5 FPs for Space Mountain. 3 kids + 1 adult go using 4 of the FPs. Then, the three kids and a different adult go again using the three rider swap passes plus the fifth FP. Then, the 3 kids + 1 adult could go on a totally different ride (using the 4 remaining FPs).

AND, I could do all of that three different times on FP+, meaning essentially 9 FP rides for the kids without even figuring SDFP, correct?

(Not that I'd spoil the kids THAT much, but maybe a couple times during our three park days I could see doing that if it'd work.)

Thoughts?

Will you adopt me???

 

[starjazz]

Will you adopt me???

 

[hiroMYhero]

AND, I could do all of that three different times on FP+, meaning essentially 9 FP rides for the kids without even figuring SDFP, correct?

And, Rider Swap will also apply to the SDFPs you'll book that day. You're going to need a TI calculator!

 

[JohnneeO]

If only the kids want to go, and adults are only accompanying the 6yo, I'd do this:
Adults 3-6 give their magic bands to the 8 and 9 year olds, then go to Skipper Canteen to get drinks.
Adult1 and children use fast passes to ride attraction, while Adult2 and infant get child swap.
Adult2, 6yo, and 9yo use the Child Swap. 8yo uses Adult2's magic band.
8yo rides again using Adult3 FP. 9yo rides again using Adult4 FP.
8yo rides again using Adult5 FP. 9yo rides again using Adult6 FP.

Adult1: one ride
Adult2: one ride
6yo: 2 rides
8yo: 4 rides
9yo: 4 rides

For the last two rides, you could apply a variation of the something something garbage can hypothetical to bring Adult 1 and 2 into the mix, giving each of them one additional ride that temporarily reduces the 8yo and 9yo down to three rides, but could magically produce two non-existent additional child swaps passes (or not).

In any case, keep in my mind two things regarding MB swaps, child switch passes.

1) Those who are giving their MB's to a family member for FP+ purposes can plan to ride stand-by on another nearby ride with a short wait time. We used the TTA for this purpose when switching off MB's near Space Mountain.

2) Child Swap passes tend to have wide return time windows, and sometimes can even be used on different days. That flexibility is something to consider when planning to use the pass.

 

[hodad]

Or, another thought - tell me if you think this'd work:

Hypothetically speaking, I get 5 FPs for Space Mountain. 3 kids + 1 adult go using 4 of the FPs. Then, the three kids and a different adult go again using the three rider swap passes plus the fifth FP. Then, the 3 kids + 1 adult could go on a totally different ride (using the 4 remaining FPs).

AND, I could do all of that three different times on FP+, meaning essentially 9 FP rides for the kids without even figuring SDFP, correct?

(Not that I'd spoil the kids THAT much, but maybe a couple times during our three park days I could see doing that if it'd work.)

Thoughts?

Group your fastpasses like this:
FP1 (9-10am):
7DMT: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, K1, K2, K3
FP2 (10-11am):
Space: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, K1, K2, K3
FP3 (11-12pm):
BTMRR: A1, A2, K1, K2, K3
Splash: A3, A4, A5, A6

This results in the following:
6yo: 7DMTx2, Space x2, BTMRRx2, Splash x2
Other kids, total: 7DMTx8, Space x8, BTMRRx4, Splash x3
Adults, total: 7DMTx2, Space x2, BTMRRx2, Splash x2

 

[starjazz]

2) Child Swap passes tend to have wide return time windows, and sometimes can even be used on different days. That flexibility is something to consider when planning to use the pass.

Thanks for the help. You may need to message me details on that first part regarding the magic. But on this last part, do the rider swap passes say right on them what the return window is? How does one know?

 

[starjazz]

Group your fastpasses like this:
FP1 (9-10am):
7DMT: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, K1, K2, K3
FP2 (10-11am):
Space: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, K1, K2, K3
FP3 (11-12pm):
BTMRR: A1, A2, K1, K2, K3
Splash: A3, A4, A5, A6

This results in the following:
6yo: 7DMTx2, Space x2, BTMRR, Splash
Other kids, total: 7DMTx7, Space x7, BTMRRx4, Splash x3
Adults, total: 7DMTx2, Space x2, BTMRR, Splash

Thank you so much, but I'm not following this 100%. I mean, I see how you group them, but I'm struggling to see how it results in 7 times on 7DMR and 7 on Space and the adults all still getting to ride. I'm clearly a padawan dealing with Jedis. Can you message me how this is done?