Does this Ride Swap Strategy Make Sense and will it Work?

[Kathryn777]

Yup, I totally get what the OP was proposing...booking 6 FPs rather than 3 using RS to their maximum advantage.

Another poster was suggesting getting multiple RS passes to once again "maximize" the system. With 3 Fps they found a way to get 7 total rides, all with little to no waiting.

I think there is a big difference between using something the way it was intended, and maximizing the benefits of a program just because you can. Again, just my opinion. If too many people try to take advantage, the program will eventually go away.

I don't think if you used it you would feel this way. We use it to get 6 rides with 2 adults. BUT, as the rides themselves and the process of going through the fp line takes a while, we often take a loooong time to get through a ride. We have 2 kids, 2 adults and a toddler. Getting both kids and both adults through splash mountain is close to an hour WITH a fast pass. And you have to entertain the baby the whole time. It isn't taking advantage, that's how the process is meant to work. A single rider swap pass is good for up to 3 people to come back.

To the original poster, this would work except for Buzz. Your daughter only needs a fast pass if she is riding with the first rider, otherwise she can wait and use the rider swap.

We did it in a very similar fashion, and other than it taking a loooong time, it worked just as you said

 

[JenQ]

I don't think if you used it you would feel this way. We use it to get 6 rides with 2 adults. BUT, as the rides themselves and the process of going through the fp line takes a while, we often take a loooong time to get through a ride. We have 2 kids, 2 adults and a toddler. Getting both kids and both adults through splash mountain is close to an hour WITH a fast pass. And you have to entertain the baby the whole time. It isn't taking advantage, that's how the process is meant to work. A single rider swap pass is good for up to 3 people to come back.

To the original poster, this would work except for Buzz. Your daughter only needs a fast pass if she is riding with the first rider, otherwise she can wait and use the rider swap.

We did it in a very similar fashion, and other than it taking a loooong time, it worked just as you said

Thanks for posting this. I thought it sounded correct. I can see how someone without 3 young kids could see it as unfair without realizing the reality of how tough it is. It's not like we will be breezing through lines with our 4 month old and two other kiddos!

When booking FP's , how do you do it? Book 3 for yourself and 3 different for your husband?

 

[CT Disney]

...If I have a FP and so does my husband and we are eligible for rider swap with an infant, why shouldn't we use it twice?

...As to the bolded part of your question above, I guess I would answer this way...If both you and your husband have a FP, then why do you need a rider swap pass?

Because I have two kids and an infant for some rides that would mean one of my older kids would have to sit on the ride alone while one of us sits with the infant. I personally don't care about riding but I care about giving my kids a chance to ride with a parent. Also, I have 3 people (hubby or two kids) I could ride with so I would love to do that rather then riding alone. I guess I don't understand what Disney's intent is here if all possible scenarios are being deemed unfair to those not able to use rider swap.

That makes more sense then...from your first post it sounded like it was just you, your husband, and an infant. I didn't understand the need for RS in that case if you both had a FP. I totally understand that the 2 additional kids makes things more confusing.

But, I still believe that one RS should be enough. That way mom can ride once with the two older kids. And then dad can ride once with the two older kids. Maximizing the system by having BOTH adults pull a RS pass is just too much in my opinion.

I totally get that 2-person seating configurations are tough when you have 2 kids and one parent. One kiddo always has to sit "alone". But, there are lots of families with an odd number of people.

Again, I'm definitely not saying that the use of RS is "unfair". To the contrary...I think it's a great bonus that Disney gives to people with kids too small to ride. It gives both adults a chance to experience the ride with their kids.

 

[Kathryn777]

Here is a sample for MK. We qualify for RS because we have a 2 year old.

7dmt - fp for husband and son. Rider swap for me, daughter and son

Splash - fp for me and daughter - rider swap for husband son and daughter

Btmrr- fp for husband and son - rider swap for me daughter and son

Space - fp for me and daughter, rider swap for husband, daughter and son.


At which point we are exhausted and used the last fp for all of us to do enchanted tales with belle

 

[gtpoohbear]

This is something they could get fired for? Really? For honoring wording on a website?

If their direct supervisor has told them specifically to do it differently, then yes. At least that would have been the case at any job I have worked.

I am going in September and I plan to print out a copy of the Rider swap policy that is published online to take with me to show the CM. If they give me grief about it then I will ask to speak to a supervisor because I believe if they post that as the policy then they should honor it!!! Just my two cents.

The problem is that there IS another rider swap option that they can offer you, and still technically be honoring what is on the website. They will let all of you go through the line together, and switch at the loading area. That is how most theme parks handle all rider swaps. Disney came up with the pass system because they don't allow anyone in the line who isn't tall enough. For everyone else, they can switch without the pass, so there's no need to give you one.

 

[CT Disney]

I don't think if you used it you would feel this way. We use it to get 6 rides with 2 adults. BUT, as the rides themselves and the process of going through the fp line takes a while, we often take a loooong time to get through a ride. We have 2 kids, 2 adults and a toddler. Getting both kids and both adults through splash mountain is close to an hour WITH a fast pass. And you have to entertain the baby the whole time. It isn't taking advantage, that's how the process is meant to work. A single rider swap pass is good for up to 3 people to come back.

To the original poster, this would work except for Buzz. Your daughter only needs a fast pass if she is riding with the first rider, otherwise she can wait and use the rider swap.

We did it in a very similar fashion, and other than it taking a loooong time, it worked just as you said

My kids are older now...but I remember what it was like to do WDW with two toddlers. You're right, it's not easy! But, let me just throw this out there: There are lots of situations that slow families down. Take my family for example. My DS refuses to ride Expedition Everest. He's a pre-teen and more than tall enough to ride, but for some reason just the look of that drop freaks him out. My DD, on the other hand, loves the ride. So, it takes us extra time to ride it. I'll ride it once with DD and then my DH will ride separately. My DS doesn't feel comfortable being left alone while the 3 of us ride together, so someone always sits out with him. It's not just families with little kids that get slowed down for some reason or other.

I just don't want what I'm saying to get misinterpreted. RS for families with young kids is great! I have absolutely no problem with families using it. It's simply the pulling of extra RS passes (one for each parent) that has me bothered.

Edited to add: I know that my whole family could wait in line for EE and then switch off at the boarding point. But, I don't see the need to make my DS wait in line for a ride he's not going to ride. So, we sit out with him and let him pin-trade while the other members of the family ride. The whole process takes more time, but it's ultimately more enjoyable for both kids that way.

 

[JenQ]

If their direct supervisor has told them specifically to do it differently, then yes. At least that would have been the case at any job I have worked.

I get it. Although lots of companies empower their employees to do what is right so I don't think we can speculate on whether someone would get fired for such a thing. Unless you have worked there, you have no idea what their polices are. And there have been tons of stories of people saying "it just depends on the cast member." If they were so strict then it would't just depend on the cast member because they would all be afraid for their jobs. I just don't understand why there is so much defense of their inaccurate website. It's not unreasonable to rely on the website.

Edited to add that I have no reason to even need to quote the website since I will have an infant who qualifies us for rider swap. I just really feel strongly that it's not ok for us to just accept that there are apparent numerous inaccuracies on the website.

 

[thr33boys]

My kids are older now...but I remember what it was like to do WDW with two toddlers. You're right, it's not easy! But, let me just throw this out there: There are lots of situations that slow families down. Take my family for example. My DS refuses to ride Expedition Everest. He's a pre-teen and more than tall enough to ride, but for some reason just the look of that drop freaks him out. My DD, on the other hand, loves the ride. So, it takes us extra time to ride it. I'll ride it once with DD and then my DH will ride separately. My DS doesn't feel comfortable being left alone while the 3 of us ride together, so someone always sits out with him. It's not just families with little kids that get slowed down for some reason or other.

I just don't want what I'm saying to get misinterpreted. RS for families with young kids is great! I have absolutely no problem with families using it. It's simply the pulling of extra RS passes (one for each parent) that has me bothered.

Edited to add: I know that my whole family could wait in line for EE and then switch off at the boarding point. But, I don't see the need to make my DS wait in line for a ride he's not going to ride. So, we sit out with him and let him pin-trade while the other members of the family ride. The whole process takes more time, but it's ultimately more enjoyable for both kids that way.

Just a side note - would it be quicker in your EE example for you, your husband and daughter to take advantage of the single rider line to save time? I've never used it but we might take advantage of it on our next trip. We'll see how our age eligible kids feel at the time.

 

[Alesia]

I get it. Although lots of companies empower their employees to do what is right so I don't think we can speculate on whether someone would get fired for such a thing. Unless you have worked there, you have no idea what their polices are. And there have been tons of stories of people saying "it just depends on the cast member." If they were so strict then it would't just depend on the cast member because they would all be afraid for their jobs. I just don't understand why there is so much defense of their inaccurate website. It's not unreasonable to rely on the website.

Edited to add that I have no reason to even need to quote the website since I will have an infant who qualifies us for rider swap. I just really feel strongly that it's not ok for us to just accept that there are apparent numerous inaccuracies on the website.

Here's the thing: Disney doesn't have to offer rider switch. I don't know of a single other park that does. And if it starts causing too many complaints, they'll just stop doing it.

Do I wish that the Disney website was accurate? Yes. Do I think that's ever going to happen? Nope. No one is defending the website and no one is saying that it's unreasonable to expect it to be accurate. We're simply stating that how it is and how it should be are two different things. Do you honestly think it would be better to just lie and say that their interpretation of what they read on the website is entirely correct?

 

[Kathryn777]

Here's the thing: Disney doesn't have to offer rider switch. I don't know of a single other park that does. And if it starts causing too many complaints, they'll just stop doing it.

Sea world, Busch gardens and our local park Carowinds (cedar fair parks) all do. I think most places have some version of it. None of those required me to bring my too short child through the line either.

 

[JenQ]

Here's the thing: Disney doesn't have to offer rider switch. I don't know of a single other park that does. And if it starts causing too many complaints, they'll just stop doing it.

Do I wish that the Disney website was accurate? Yes. Do I think that's ever going to happen? Nope. No one is defending the website and no one is saying that it's unreasonable to expect it to be accurate. We're simply stating that how it is and how it should be are two different things. Do you honestly think it would be better to just lie and say that their interpretation of what they read on the website is entirely correct?

I don't understand your question. Nor do I think pointing out a discrepancy on their website would cause them to discontinue offering rider swap. And plenty of parks offer this same thing. I don't know of any that don't actually.

 

[Alesia]

I don't understand your question. Nor do I think pointing out a discrepancy on their website would cause them to discontinue offering rider swap.

Harassing the CMs about it might. If you want to point out the discrepancies on the website, by all means send an email. Confronting CMs about it is not going to give you good results (although neither will sending an email.) The CMs don't have the ability to change the wording on the website.

My point is this: I try to give accurate information based on what actually happens in the parks. Not how things should happen, but what people should actually expect to happen. I'm not sure why you think that I shouldn't do that.

And I'm not sure why you seem to have a problem with this because you are not going to have a problem at the parks. You are not trying to game the system. You are not going to be denied a rider switch pass. The way you are intending to use rider switch is perfectly fine.

ETA: And I probably am extra irritable about this because I have personally witnessed a guest throw a fit and give a CM absolute hell over this very thing. It didn't work, by the way. This subject comes up at least once a month and there is always someone who says that they're going to show the CM the website and insist that they give them a rider switch pass. It always makes me cringe.

 

[JenQ]

Harassing the CMs about it might. If you want to point out the discrepancies on the website, by all means send an email. Confronting CMs about it is not going to give you good results (although neither will sending an email.) The CMs don't have the ability to change the wording on the website.

My point is this: I try to give accurate information based on what actually happens in the parks. Not how things should happen, but what people should actually expect to happen. I'm not sure why you think that I shouldn't do that.

And I'm not sure why you seem to have a problem with this because you are not going to have a problem at the parks. You are not trying to game the system. You are not going to be denied a rider switch pass. The way you are intending to use rider switch is perfectly fine.

I actually never said you shouldn't do anything. I don't believe I ever even addressed you. Im sorry, it's just that this whole thread was very hard to read because it seemed like most people think using the rider swap system is somehow unfair to others. I dont understand that especially with other posts I have seen with people truly scheming and taking advantage of things.

 

[Alesia]

I actually never said you shouldn't do anything. I don't believe I ever even addressed you. Im sorry, it's just that this whole thread was very hard to read because it seemed like most people think using the rider swap system is somehow unfair to others. I dont understand that especially with other posts I have seen with people truly scheming and taking advantage of things.

The way that you want to use it is fine.

The way the OP wants to use it is not going to work. There is a second family that they are traveling with that will not qualify for a rider switch pass.

The statements directed at the OP about why his plan won't work do not apply to your situation at all.

Nobody thinks that using rider switch as it's intended is unfair.

 

[bumbershoot]

But the website specifically states a ride swap will be issued if the child just chooses to not go on the ride for whatever reason. Am I wrong in this?

The site went wrong a couple years back. It was never like that and still isn't. Some web person plopped that out there and the CMs aren't trained to the website. The site put that wrong info up at some point as they started changing it over to later become MDE.

It's basically saying like a child has a FP, the adult doesn't, so both should be allowed to go through FP anyways. So I really don't see it working out

I don't even think the kid needs a FP (unless she wants to ride with dad first), if she's just going to ride with mom later. Dad rides (alone or with daughter) with the FP while mom watches the infant. Then mom rides with the RS pass and the daughter could ride again. It's going to work out, and it could even be better than they think. As long as this is on a height restricted ride that keeps the infant off.

Iam going to basically say Me and My wife want to go on the ride but she's staying with the two kids (whom don't want to go on the ride) and then later we will return and the other parent will then take the child on the ride? Yes its "cheating the system" but the ride swap is for adults just as much as children No?

I think it's fine; it's not cheating at all. Rider switch IS for the adults.

Iam also going on based what is on the Disneyworld.com Website Here is the quote. "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."

Have fun! It's not going to work.

I can easily show them this from their website if they have an issue.

Go for it. Have fun.

Probably a BETTER thing to do would be to write in to the website people, to talk with the Tech Support people (who might have some connection to the people who can change the site), and to city hall. Ride operators cannot change anything.

Rider Swap is meant to eliminate a situation in which one parent has to ride alone.

Nah. It's so the family doesn't have to wait for two entire lines for the parents to ride. They don't care if you're alone; otherwise they would have rent-a-kid for us families of 3.

the CM can't deny it when their policy is in front of them.

Of course they can.

Riding alone frequently happens if you dont have any children tall enough for the ride

Absolutely.

Disney really should have their website and training in line with each other.

Absolutely.

The website is wrong. The CMs are right.

but when you've got one child riding three times with one fast pass

Can you tell me where that is happening?

Either way they need to be aligned.

Would be great! Let's all write in and get through to Tech Support to try to get the wording changed.

This is something they could get fired for? Really? For honoring wording on a website?

For doing something against their training because some dingbat website person put up something wrong? Sure.

I am going in September and I plan to print out a copy of the Rider swap policy that is published online to take with me to show the CM. If they give me grief about it then I will ask to speak to a supervisor because I believe if they post that as the policy then they should honor it!!! Just my two cents.

Have fun spending your day with that.

This is the way it works with just about any other company out there

If a company honors something wrong on their website they are being nice. Small companies actually have contact with the people put things up on the site. Doesn't seem to work that way with Disney's site.

But, there are lots of families with an odd number of people.

Yep.

They will let all of you go through the line together, and switch at the loading area.

Most Disney rides don't load and unload at the same spot. That's why they don't have us leave things there, that's why they don't do swaps there.

I just really feel strongly that it's not ok for us to just accept that there are apparent numerous inaccuracies on the website.

Then contact Disney *ahead of time* to show them the wrong info.

I recently contacted Royal Caribbean about two issues where their site was wrong. It took months, but both got changed. I didn't try to do what their site said and complain to some poor dude working. I took it closer to the people who could change it!

I actually never said you shouldn't do anything. I don't believe I ever even addressed you. Im sorry, it's just that this whole thread was very hard to read because it seemed like most people think using the rider swap system is somehow unfair to others. I dont understand that especially with other posts I have seen with people truly scheming and taking advantage of things.

The first page had answers by people who missed that there was an infant. It has nothing to do with you. Ignore it.

 

[SirDuff]

when you've got one child riding three times with one fast pass then I don't think that's fair. I don't think Disney really intended to have both the Mom and the Dad collect separate rider swaps. Just my opinion.

Can you tell me where that is happening?

Here. Child who has one FP will ride three times. However, everyone riding will have a FP.

Your infant will get you a rider swap. You do not need to worry about your daughter, in fact, she can ride twice if tall enough. I am not going to address the second family, as I don't know the height of the 4 year old. Book FP for you, your wife, and daughter. Show up at FP queue WITH the infant and ask for a RS (at height restricted rides). You go on with your 5 year old, your wife waits with baby. Then, you return to FP queue, again with the infant. Your wife will be riding alone. Ask for a RS. You have now used all your FP, but have 2 RS tickets. Each admits 3 riders. This is how you maximize. You may find, though, that with the baby, maximizing rides just isn't going to happen. We may maximize one or two rides this way, but often, we end up skipping the adult riding alone, wasting a FP, and just riding once with FP, once with RS.

 

[JenQ]

I just have to say that I really hope those who think a child getting an extra ride due to maximizing a rider swap strategy is unfair also think the huge thread about a magic band loophole is just as wrong. Clearly Disney didn't intend for that either but.

I do not intend to use the child swap the way that poster suggests but I do plan to book one FP for me and a different one for my husband as another poster mentioned and I have also read people say that is unfair unless I am completely misunderstanding.

I hate the thought that people think I am taking advantage of something but I do not see it that way. We are clearly at a disadvantage taking a newborn to Disney by choice and need all the help we can get!!

 

[SirDuff]

I just have to say that I really hope those who think a child getting an extra ride due to maximizing a rider swap strategy is unfair also think the huge thread about a magic band loophole is just as wrong. Clearly Disney didn't intend for that either but.

I do not intend to use the child swap the way that poster suggests but I do plan to book one FP for me and a different one for my husband as another poster mentioned and I have also read people say that is unfair unless I am completely misunderstanding.

I hate the thought that people think I am taking advantage of something but I do not see it that way. We are clearly at a disadvantage taking a newborn to Disney by choice and need all the help we can get!!

The MB loophole. Throw-away rooms. The list of perceived "unfairnesses" is huge. Anytime you (general you) can do something I (general I) cannot, it is unfair. It sounds like you plan to use the system as it was intended (it seems, to me, that FP and RS were created as stand-alone systems, so combining them (as one should) brings unintended, though not necessarily unfair, consequences). The fact that half (or whatever) of the party has to wait around while the other group rides, seems to even things up (i.e. it is not like you can go ride a headliner while sitting around waiting for your husband to use the RS).

 

[JenQ]

The MB loophole. Throw-away rooms. The list of perceived "unfairnesses" is huge. Anytime you (general you) can do something I (general I) cannot, it is unfair. It sounds like you plan to use the system as it was intended (it seems, to me, that FP and RS were created as stand-alone systems, so combining them (as one should) brings unintended, though not necessarily unfair, consequences). The fact that half (or whatever) of the party has to wait around while the other group rides, seems to even things up (i.e. it is not like you can go ride a headliner while sitting around waiting for your husband to use the RS).

Yes, either way we do it there will be a lot of waiting around with our little one! I have no idea what is in store for me any day now when number 3 arrives but my oldest is not getting any younger and it was time for this trip!!!

And throwaway rooms -- no idea what that is!! I guess where there is hole of an kind, someone will find it!

 

[CT Disney]

As for my bolded quote below...I already clarified what I meant by it in a prior post....see below...

I'm not sure I'm following the fairness of this method. With one FP+ each (for the mom, the dad, and the 5-year-old) the dad rides twice, the mom rides twice, and the 5-year-old rides THREE times. I can see getting one RS. But 2 seems a bit excessive and taking advantage of what rider swap is meant to do. Rider Swap is meant to eliminate a situation in which one parent has to ride alone. But, in the example you give above, one parent rides alone for the express purpose of getting a second RS. Doesn't seem quite right. Unless I'm misunderstanding...

Nah. It's so the family doesn't have to wait for two entire lines for the parents to ride. They don't care if you're alone; otherwise they would have rent-a-kid for us families of 3.

Yes, you are correct. The primary purpose of rider swap is to eliminate having to wait in line twice. But, I think Disney also tried to create a scenario in which a parent does not have to ride alone if they have a second, or third kiddo who is tall enough to ride. That is why the rider swap pass permits 3 riders. That's all I was trying to say. If the only purpose of rider swap was to eliminate the need to wait twice, then they would have made the rider swap pass good for only one rider.

I understand that if there is a family with 2 parents and one small child then both of the parents will need to ride alone out of necessity when using rider swap.

I think it's quite fair to use the rider swap passes the way Disney intended, but when you've got one child riding three times with one fast pass then I don't think that's fair. I don't think Disney really intended to have both the Mom and the Dad collect separate rider swaps. Just my opinion.