Explain Child Swapping to me

[FishNette]

We used this strategy back in 2001 and we all waited in the same line, then 3 of us rode while the other adult stood off to the side until we returned. Then the other adult IMMEDIATELY hopped on the ride (no extra waiting in line) and joined us after they were finished.

Now, I understand you can obtain a Child Swap pass from the CM outside the queue and then the adult who is swapping can enter the Fastpass line with 2 (or 3 others) and wait their turn.

If this is true, then...... Can I get 3 Fastpasses, allowing me and DD to ride while DH waits with DS. Then DH enters Fastpass line with a Child Swap pass & takes my parents along with him? This would be great because it would allow 5 of us to ride via Fastpass with only 3 Fastpasses used.

True????

 

[gigi1313]

to the best of my knowledge the child swap policy at wdw has not changed... we were there last aug/sept and we did just what you described adult A waited w/child D while Adult B and Child C went on space mountain, then Adult B waited w/child D while A&C went on again... i have not heard of a pass for this and do not think it has anything to do with fastpass (although you could use fastpass to follow the previous instructions but all parties would need a fastpass 'cept for the child (or chicken) not riding...

 

[disneyaggie]

I heard that child swapping is if you are tired of your child and so is another parent, you can swap kids till the end of the day or the end of the vacation . . . whichever best pleases both sets of parents.

 

[FishNette]

Maybe I didn't explain this correctly......

I've heard that you can enter the FastPass line and request a Child Swap pass that allows the other adult (B) to wait somewhere OTHER than in the line (take "chicken child" to the restroom, grab a snack etc.) while the first adult (A) rides with "brave child". Then, once the entire family meets up again, adult B can go through the FastPass line with a Child Swap pass and take along another person (or persons???) so that they don't have to ride alone.

If this is true, it would allow us to obtain 2 Fastpasses, and have 4 people ride (second group wouldn't have Fastpasses). THEN - my family of 4 could actually get 2 FastPasses to 2 rides at the same time, and all 3 of us could ride EACH attraction.

Is this correct????

 

[oogieboogie]

Say you have 4 people - 2 adults (A & B), 2 children (C & D).

You need to get 4 fastpasses, then ask the CM to do baby swap. A goes with C while B waits with D. Then when A comes out, B takes C while A waits with D. You've actually used 2 fastpasses at this time.

Then with the other 2 fastpasses, A goes in again with C while B again waits with D.

We've done this option in the past but it only works if both children are 3 and over in order to get the fastpasses.

 

[FishNette]

I don't understand why you need 4 FastPasses, if the CM gives you a Baby Swap pass that is good for 2 additional people (so the 2nd adult doesn't have to ride alone).

Why can't I just get 2 FastPasses (for me & DD) & ask for a BabySwap pass (for my husband to ride later)? Then my husband can come back and ride with 2 other people using the FastPass line (which is where BabySwap passholders get to go)?????

So then -- we won't have had to use a FastPass for my husband if this will work........

 

[bugsy]

I heard that child swapping is if you are tired of your child and so is another parent, you can swap kids till the end of the day or the end of the vacation . . . whichever best pleases both sets of parents.

That is just what I was planning to post when I
saw the title to this thread!!! however, I do see a problem if you
want to swap your teenagers for say, a more cooperative 9 yr old!
might not get too many offers!!

 

[oogieboogie]

I don't understand why you need 4 FastPasses, if the CM gives you a Baby Swap pass that is good for 2 additional people (so the 2nd adult doesn't have to ride alone).

Why can't I just get 2 FastPasses (for me & DD) & ask for a BabySwap pass (for my husband to ride later)? Then my husband can come back and ride with 2 other people using the FastPass line (which is where BabySwap passholders get to go)?????

So then -- we won't have had to use a FastPass for my husband if this will work........

Because on some attractions, the baby swap doesn't happen until you get to the end of the queueing area. In that case, all 4 of you will need to go in the fastpass line, and all 4 of you will be queueing up before the swap. Star Tours is one where I've had this happen.

 

[FishNette]

Because on some attractions, the baby swap doesn't happen until you get to the end of the queueing area. In that case, all 4 of you will need to go in the fastpass line, and all 4 of you will be queueing up before the swap. Star Tours is one where I've had this happen.

AHHHHH..... Thanks Oogieboogie for that explanation! I understand that now!

The 2 rides I'd like to use this strategy on is ToT and RRC at MGM. I was hoping to get 3 FastPasses & a ChildSwap Pass at Both places at the same time (we have 6 people in our party). That would then allow 5 of us (minus my son) to ride both attractions using FastPass. AND--- we could have 2 FastPasses at the same time.

Does this sound possible? (adult 1, 2 and DD get FastPasses & Child Swap pass. Then adult 1 and DD go on ride. Adult 2 returns with adults 3 & 4 with Child Swap pass and wait in FastPass line).

 

[ReninDetroit]

Say you have 4 people - 2 adults (A & B), 2 children (C & D).

You need to get 4 fastpasses, then ask the CM to do baby swap. A goes with C while B waits with D. Then when A comes out, B takes C while A waits with D. You've actually used 2 fastpasses at this time.

Then with the other 2 fastpasses, A goes in again with C while B again waits with D.

We've done this option in the past but it only works if both children are 3 and over in order to get the fastpasses.

Right. Remember, baby swap only works if you have 2 willing parents and one willing child, not the other way around.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Say you have 4 people - 2 adults (A & B), 2 children (C & D).

You need to get 4 fastpasses, then ask the CM to do baby swap. A goes with C while B waits with D. Then when A comes out, B takes C while A waits with D. You've actually used 2 fastpasses at this time.

Then with the other 2 fastpasses, A goes in again with C while B again waits with D.

We've done this option in the past but it only works if both children are 3 and over in order to get the fastpasses.

I'm confused - Don't they take your fast pass when they give you a child swap pass?
Jackie

 

[oogieboogie]

Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. I've been on Big Thunder Mountain where they only took 2 of our fastpasses, and I've been on TestTrack where they took all 4 fastpasses.

 

[Bama mom to 3]

How would my husband and I do this? We have three children, and sometimes only one will go on the rides. Would we just do it the same way , just swap out the one who rides with the two who doesn't? that way dh and I both get to ride the rides?

For example: adults are S and L, children are Z,R, and B. Say S and R rides while L stays with Z and B. As soon as S and R are done, L would take S's place and L and R get to go then? Is that how it would work?

 

[oogieboogie]

With 5 people, S takes Z and R, while L stays with B. Then B takes Z & R, while S stays with B. You can take up to 3 people on a child swap.

Or if only one wants to go, then S takes Z, while L stays with R & B, then B takes Z again, while S stays with R & B.

 

[gigi1313]

How would my husband and I do this? We have three children, and sometimes only one will go on the rides. Would we just do it the same way , just swap out the one who rides with the two who doesn't? that way dh and I both get to ride the rides?

For example: adults are S and L, children are Z,R, and B. Say S and R rides while L stays with Z and B. As soon as S and R are done, L would take S's place and L and R get to go then? Is that how it would work?

yes, that is exactly how it works! imo, the nice part of that is that the people waiting are usually waiting in a comfortable air conditioned space w/a bench... nice way to cool off and relax in addition to the child that likes the ride gets to go twice!

 

[Bama mom to 3]

Oh yea! Thanks so much. We didn't use the child swap in 2001 when we went since the kids were just 2 and 4 (youngest wasn't born then) But this year we plan to, and I wanted to make sure that I knew what I was doing

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. I've been on Big Thunder Mountain where they only took 2 of our fastpasses, and I've been on TestTrack where they took all 4 fastpasses.

I would think that, if they didn't take your fastpasses, then that would be a mistake on their part, rather than their policy. Otherwise, the system would be ripe with potential abuse. For the rides where you must queue up before you get the baby swap pass, you'd have already lost your fastpasses by just entering the fastpass line. Only chance you'd have of keeping one is where the CM is giving the baby swap passes at the same time as taking the fastpasses (am I thinking about this right?)

I haven't been there since they started actually issuing a baby swap pass, rather than just allowing you to wait till the first group finishes the ride. I think it is a great option. Can't wait to try it out.

Jackie

 

[alijolly]

Over Easter we handed over 1 fastpass at RRC and got a childswap ticket which let 3 people ride. So we did have 2 extra "fastpasses", my daughter and I would have been able to ride twice if there hadn't been a techical malfunction. We did get replacement fastpasses, but didn't get back to MGM again.

 

[FishNette]

Over Easter we handed over 1 fastpass at RRC and got a childswap ticket which let 3 people ride. So we did have 2 extra "fastpasses", my daughter and I would have been able to ride twice if there hadn't been a techical malfunction. We did get replacement fastpasses, but didn't get back to MGM again.

I feel like you've FINALLY answered my question about getting 5 people to ride using just 3 FastPasses. This will be GREAT for us at MGM because we are arriving in the afternoon & want to ride both ToT and RRC. I was afraid we wouldn't get FastPasses for both if we had to wait for the return on our first FastPass before getting FastPasses for the 2nd attraction. Now, it sounds like we can get 3 FastPasses for each ride & allow all 5 of us to ride! PERFECT!!!!!

 

[jenr812]

Confusing but I'm sure it won't be once we put it into practice!