fastpass/kid swap specifics please

[loriandmatt]

ok - i get fastpasses. have utilized them over an over and get the specifics of how to use them most effectively.

Well - now this entire kid swap thing has me stupmed.

do i get a master kid swap pass from a CM at a ride or do i get such a thing at Guest Services? ........or does such a thing not exist and i have to get a different kid swap pass at each attraction.....or is there not even a kid swap pass.....????? Can i use fastpasses and kid swap at the same time?

very confused.

spell it out for me very slowly and in simple terms. (i am a little slow on the uptake or i would have figured it out on my own by now.)

- lori

 

[foolishmortal]

I'm new to both!!! So I will be watching this thread as well.

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

You do not get any kind of pass for kid swap. You and your significant other wait in the standby line with the child, or you all go into the fastpass return line. When you get to the front of the line, one of you goes on the ride while the other watches the child. As soon as you get back, you get out and the person who was watching the child gets in and goes for the ride while you watch the child. Thus the kidswap.

 

[mill4023]

You can get a child swap pass at any ride that has a height requirement. There is no master pass, each ride has their own.
You can use them with or without FP's.
You all walk up together (they need to see that you do actually have a small child)to the CM at the line entrance and tell them you need to do a baby swap.
They will give you a pass that says "Rider Switch Pass" on it.
Whichever adult is not going first takes this pass and the kid(s) who aren't riding and can go wait or shop or whatever while the adult who is going first enters the line for the attraction(stand-by or FP if you have FP's).
When the first adult is done riding, the second adult takes up to 2 people with them, gives the CM the "Rider Switch Pass" and enters the FP line whether or not you have a FP.

That is the procedure for almost all the attractions. There are a couple attractions that are done differently like Primeval Whirl and Star Tours.

On Primeval Whirl, everyone waits in line together, then the parent who's riding second waits in a small waiting area right at the ride's entrance/exit while the first adult rides. As soon as the first adult is done, the second adult gets on.

On Star Tours, everyone also waits in line together, then the parent who's riding second waits right next to the ride entrance(the ride itself, not the line). When the first adult is done riding, the second adult walks in the car with the small kids and passes them to the first adult who takes them out the exit of the ride. So the swap is actually done on the ride vehicle while the first group exits and the second group enters.

Don't stress about it if you aren't clear on the procedure. The only thing you need to do is tell the CM at the entrance that you want to do a child swap and they will tell you exactly what you need to do.

 

[mill4023]

You do not get any kind of pass for kid swap. You and your significant other wait in the standby line with the child, or you all go into the fastpass return line. When you get to the front of the line, one of you goes on the ride while the other watches the child. As soon as you get back, you get out and the person who was watching the child gets in and goes for the ride while you watch the child. Thus the kidswap.

This is what I described above for Star Tours and Primeval Whirl, but is not true for 95% of the rides. In most cases, you get the swap pass before entering the line and the second parent does NOT have to wait in line with the non-riding child. Instead, you can just relax, wander around, shop, or whatever while you are waiting for the first parent to finish riding. That is what was so nice about using child swap.

 

[lllovell]

Can you do a "child swap"?

I am expecting and cannot ride certain rides, but have two small children and wondered if anyone has experience with child swapping (there the adult stays on the ride and I would swap my sons so they each get to ride).

It only matters for things like the indy cars. I cannot see us waiting in that long line twice so that each child can ride and neither child is big enough to ride alone.

Does anyone know?

 

[ckoncurat]

Depends on the ride. Some rides DO give you a Babyswap pass (Test Track, for example) Others show you to a special door or entrance where you can wait with baby and then re-enter as soon as as the other grownup gets off. Usually they won't stop you from taking someone back on with you, so if you have an older child, they can go twice. If you have a fastpass, you will just get up to the babyswap point sooner. Just ask the first cast member you see as you enter the ride( whether you are in the regular or fastpass line).

 

[HaleyB]

Can you do a "child swap"?

I am expecting and cannot ride certain rides, but have two small children and wondered if anyone has experience with child swapping (there the adult stays on the ride and I would swap my sons so they each get to ride).

It only matters for things like the indy cars. I cannot see us waiting in that long line twice so that each child can ride and neither child is big enough to ride alone.

Does anyone know?

There are not too many rides your DH would not be able to take 2 kids at one time on, but for those that are a 1 adult to 1 child type ride yes you can do a child swap. Talk to the CM at the line entrance or near the FP machines. Also ask them where a good waiting place is for you if it is a longer wait ride.

Someone here (on the DIS) has the maps/info on rides for expectant mothers and can tell you all the ride restrictions. When you go to a park ask at guest services for the map. They posted it in the famous "I was just shown the bill..." post on the budget board.

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

This is what I described above for Star Tours and Primeval Whirl, but is not true for 95% of the rides. In most cases, you get the swap pass before entering the line and the second parent does NOT have to wait in line with the non-riding child. Instead, you can just relax, wander around, shop, or whatever while you are waiting for the first parent to finish riding. That is what was so nice about using child swap.

That sounds so great, I wish they told us about it when we were there. We told every CM that we wanted to kidswap and the told us we all had to wait in line. This was at MK, and we went on Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and the Haunted Mansion. Even on Goofy's Barnstormer (my 3 year old went on while one of us watched our 6 month old) None of the CM's every said anything about a "swap pass". We ended up getting fastpasses so we wouldn't have to wait so long. Maybe all the CM's don't know about these passes.

 

[lllovell]

There are not too many rides your DH would not be able to take 2 kids at one time on, but for those that are a 1 adult to 1 child type ride yes you can do a child swap. Talk to the CM at the line entrance or near the FP machines. Also ask them where a good waiting place is for you if it is a longer wait ride.

Someone here (on the DIS) has the maps/info on rides for expectant mothers and can tell you all the ride restrictions. When you go to a park ask at guest services for the map. They posted it in the famous "I was just shown the bill..." post on the budget board.

Thank you for the information! You are right - in most cases, it is fine and the three of them can ride together. I just know with a baby coming, there will be trips when not having one adult per child will matter for a year or two. After that, the oldest will be ok driving his own car or riding behind in a seat alone, etc.