FastPass+ and Rider Switch Strategy ?

[Lm021583]

Hello DISers.

Tuesday is our Fastpass+ day, and my husband and I have been trying to figure out the best way to utilize our Fastpasses for each day. On our trip will be myself, DH, DS1 (3.5 years old) and DS2 (1 year old).

If we are using Rider Switch (because DS2 will be unable to ride a specific attraction), do both adults need a FP+? For instance, if DH and DS1 schedule a Fastpass+ for BTMRR, am I able to use Rider Switch to take DS1 on it a second time without having scheduled a Fastpass+? If this is the case, we would obviously be able to take advantage of more attractions using the Fastpass queue.

If this is possible, for one of our Epcot days, we were looking at the following:

-Myself and DS1 FP+ Soarin
(DH uses Rider Switch and rides it with DS1 later in the day)
-DH FP+ Test Track
(I use Rider Switch and ride it with DS1)
-All four of us use FP+ for Turtle Talk with Crush
-All four of us use FP+ for Character Spot

Are we able to do this? I'm not trying to cheat the system, simply trying to make the best use of our FP+. If we are unable to do this, I want to make sure we can make the best plan ahead of time.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[mesaboy2]

Hello DISers.

Tuesday is our Fastpass+ day, and my husband and I have been trying to figure out the best way to utilize our Fastpasses for each day. On our trip will be myself, DH, DS1 (3.5 years old) and DS2 (1 year old).

If we are using Rider Switch (because DS2 will be unable to ride a specific attraction), do both adults need a FP+? For instance, if DH and DS1 schedule a Fastpass+ for BTMRR, am I able to use Rider Switch to take DS1 on it a second time without having scheduled a Fastpass+? If this is the case, we would obviously be able to take advantage of more attractions using the Fastpass queue.

If this is possible, for one of our Epcot days, we were looking at the following:

-Myself and DS1 FP+ Soarin
(DH uses Rider Switch and rides it with DS1 later in the day)
-DH FP+ Test Track
(I use Rider Switch and ride it with DS1)
-All four of us use FP+ for Turtle Talk with Crush
-All four of us use FP+ for Character Spot

Are we able to do this? I'm not trying to cheat the system, simply trying to make the best use of our FP+. If we are unable to do this, I want to make sure we can make the best plan ahead of time.

Thanks for your help!!

Isn't Character Spot a Group 1 attraction? That means you can't choose it along with either Soarin' or Test Track.

 

[Lm021583]

Oh okay. I wasn't aware of that. We can schedule that on one of our other Epcot days. Is there a list with the groupings anywhere?

 

[mel373]

We just got back and used rider switch with our fastpass. My husband and daughter used fastpass for BTMRR and I went up with the baby and they gave me a rider switch pass. They then went into the fastpass line. Them I used the rider switch pass without needing a fastpass. We also did this on the tomorrow land speedway. I used my fastpass for that and my husband got a rider switch pass and then he used it without a fastpass.
We got a rider switch pass for goofy barnstormer early in the morning. My husband went with my daughter standby with no wait and i got a rider switch pass. I saved the pass for later in the day when the lines were longer. You don't have to use the pass at a certain time. It is good all day.
Hope this info helps.

 

[treemi01]

I'm speaking with experience from our last trip in 2012, so NOT with FP+, but we were unable to do this. We were told that we could use one or the other. Either we would do rider switch and DH and DS would go in the standby line and then DS and I would go again with rider switch (in the FP line), or we would all use FP and DH and DS would go near the beginning of the return window in the FP line and then I would go using my FP when they were done.

 

[Andyman33]

So annoying how a single cm can decide what their own policy is at the time. Unfortunately you got hosed. Fp and rider switch can and should be used together...

 

[mesaboy2]

Oh okay. I wasn't aware of that. We can schedule that on one of our other Epcot days. Is there a list with the groupings anywhere?

Yes, the green link in my signature will take you to one.

 

[bbak3030]

Yes you can do that. We just got back and had a 2 year old in our group. We all booked the same FP, but would take turns using rider swap for an extra ride. Never had trouble getting them, just had to bring the little one with us to request one. Have fun!

 

[MrInfinity]

So annoying how a single cm can decide what their own policy is at the time. Unfortunately you got hosed. Fp and rider switch can and should be used together...

I don't like that it's handled inconsistently either, but the correct handling is the stricter one...

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/rider-switch/

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.”

It clearly states the first group must ride via the normal queue, not the FP queue

Unfortunately the CM disallowing it is right... tho MOST do not enforce the rule and will let you use FP with RS.

 

[jeneric997]

From the website:
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.”

This information seems really outdated. It almost sounds like they want everyone to go through the queue! I remember years ago they used to tell Party 2 to wait at the exit, like they do with people in wheelchairs. They haven't done this for years! There is no designated area for "Party 2". Disney isn't even following their own policies.

They can't prevent people who have FP+ from using the FP+ line.

 

[MrInfinity]

This information seems really outdated. It almost sounds like they want everyone to go through the queue! I remember years ago they used to tell Party 2 to wait at the exit, like they do with people in wheelchairs. They haven't done this for years! There is no designated area for "Party 2". Disney isn't even following their own policies.

They can't prevent people who have FP+ from using the FP+ line.

Of course. If you have FP+, you don't need RS.

The point of RS is to not have to wait thru Standby twice because you have a baby. Instead you wait it out once, then the other half goes via FP.

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.

I guess it's allowed cuz some (most) CMs don't know, don't care, or don't want a confrontation. All I'm sayin is the CM who actually enforced the policy is enforcing it correctly, not the other way around.

I've had 2 CMs in my life actually enforce it. The rest not.

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.

The tickets [in 2012] allowed you to bring two guests back with you, not one. So that part for sure is outdated in their verbiage. (or is this a new change??) I'm guessing the intent is still the same... that it's there to help families get on one attraction without waiting twice, not split their FP+'s to get essentially a bonus Tier-1.

 

[jeneric997]

I understand what Rider Swap is, used it many times. My point was that their policy on the website is a policy they haven't used for years. I haven't seen CMs insist the entire party go in the queue together for years. It was a loading nightmare!
Disney doesn't even follow the policies that they make- hence the confusion of people with FP+ and Rider Swap. Let's face it, if it was intended purely for the one adult to ride, it wouldn't be for three people!

To the OP, I would not get the extra FP+ for you. If for some reason the CM gives you trouble, try copying your DH's FP+ to yours so you can ride if it is important to you.

 

[jennilouwho]

I emailed Disney about it a couple of months ago and they encouraged me to only book fastpasses for those riding first and then get a rider switch....

 

[treemi01]

I don't think they are implying that you wait in the line together. They say to "enter" the line together. I think they mean to approach the entrance together. Although I do realize that "in the olden days" you did have to either wait in the line or wait at the exit. So, yes, I think it's still correct in saying that you "enter" the line together.

Personally, since I've had it enforced, I wouldn't try to get the extra FP unless you are okay with missing the other attraction. It sounds like it's likely it won't be enforced, but that was not the case for me. (Incidentally, I had it enforced by 2 different CMs but both were at Space Mountain. I can't remember if we asked elsewhere or just did it that way, since that's what we were told to do, for the rest of the trip.)