DAS and non-infant rider swap

[scooffer]

I was reading a post on the theme park thread that some CM's are not allowing rider swaps (1 adult goes through regular line while other adult waits outside with nonrider, then 2nd adult goes through fast pass line while adult 1 waits outside with nonrider) for kids who are just too afraid to ride the ride. Will having the DAS card make a difference? My DS does not like the dark rides, but does not want us to miss out on them either. He wants to do the rider swap... from the website it sounds like it can be used for non infants who are afraid, but not all CMs are honoring that.

What has been your experience?

 

[lanejudy]

I must have been responding while you were moving your message! So I've copied my answer here:

The person who owns the DAS must ride, so your DS would have to ride for the DAS to be used. If he is the one who is scared, you will not be able to use the DAS.

It does sometimes seem to depend on the CM at any given ride whether they'll allow Rider Swap for a child who is tall enough to ride yet chooses not to ride. If it's an important ride to the rest of your family, my suggestion is to use FP+; schedule one for each person in your party (including the non-rider), 1 child can get an extra ride by using the FP+ from the child who chooses not to ride.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[ckergald]

in my experience they treat the rider-swap completely different and weather or not you have a DAS has no effect. For example I have 2 sons ages 6 and 3. My oldest will ride everything, my youngest will not get out of his stroller and will not ride anything (even small world).

We find we can get a rider swap for attractions that my youngest would not be able to ride such as rockin rollercoaster, but were unable to get them at attractions he is physically capable of ridding such as Toy Story Mania.

 

[WantToGoNow]

The person that was issued the DAS must ride the ride in order to use the card. Each time we used it, they checked the photo just before boarding.

 

[SMD]

I have a feeling that if you walk up and ask for a rider swap and explain that you'd like one because a DAS holder in your party isn't riding that you'll end up confusing the CM. The response will probably be that the DAS holder has to ride. If you're willing to split up, you could always switch kids and have the kids do the rides that they like twice.

 

[scooffer]

I have a feeling that if you walk up and ask for a rider swap and explain that you'd like one because a DAS holder in your party isn't riding that you'll end up confusing the CM. The response will probably be that the DAS holder has to ride. If you're willing to split up, you could always switch kids and have the kids do the rides that they like twice.

That makes sense. I am certainly not trying to use the DAS as a rider swap, I was just curious if they would make an exception to the "he's tall enough so no rider swap for you" rule because he has sensory issues and will not ride.

My son is very sensititve that know one misses something because he does not want to do it, its very sweet. But often leads to meltdowns. For example, he knows that its "Haunted Masion or die" for my DH, but he will not ride it. I was hoping to let DH and DS5 go through the regular line, then rider swap myself and DH5 through the fast pass line.

We will not count on it and use fastpass+ for the must do rides. Thanks for your help!

 

[SueM in MN]

One of the issues you may be running into is not every attraction offers Rider Switch. The ones that offer it are generally those with height requirements.
Other attractions are not set up for it and don't have the paper slips they use for it.
This is information and these are attractions that offer Rider Switch:

This handy feature allows adult Guests to take turns waiting with youngsters or Guests unable to ride.

What Is Rider Switch and How Does It Work?

If Guests in your party don’t want to board an attraction, you don’t have to miss out. One adult can wait with the non-rider while the rest of the party experiences the attraction. The waiting adult can then board the attraction without having to wait in the regular line again when another adult in the party returns to supervise the child or children who do not ride—either because they do not meet the height requirement or simply do not wish to ride.

Rider Switch is available at select attractions at all 4 Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. See a Cast Member at the attraction for more information.

To Use Rider Switch:

1. Check that Rider Switch is offered at the attraction in question by asking a Cast Member.

2. Enter the normal queue with your entire party. At least one adult member of your party and the Guest who will not be riding will then be issued a Rider Switch Pass and asked to wait in a designated area. This group is “Party 2.”

3. The remaining party members, “Party 1,” ride the attraction.

4. After riding the attraction, Party 1 locates Party 2. The non-rider is then “switched” to Party 1.

5. Party 2 enters without having to wait in the regular queue a second time and boards the attraction. The Rider Switch Pass must be presented to a Cast Member at this time.

If the person in Party 2 waited alone with the child, he or she may bring one Guest back to ride the attraction with him or her. Please note: Only 2 Guests are allowed per Rider Switch Pass.

Attractions Offering Rider Switch

Get a complete list of attractions at Walt Disney World Resort where you can use Rider Switch.

Magic Kingdom Park
Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Splash Mountain

Storybook Circus
The Barnstormer

Tomorrowland
Space Mountain
Stitch’s Great Escape
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway

Epcot
Future World
Mission: SPACE
Soarin'
Test Track

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Star Tours® - The Adventures Continue
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park
DINOSAUR
Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain®
Kali River Rapids
Primeval Whirl

For those, you could use Rider Swap. For others, Fastpass.

Disney's summary says "kids too small to ride" but the more complete write up say "too small or don't want to ride".