FP+ and baby swap

[DopeyDame]

I am trying to figure out if my plan is going to work. Last time we were in Disney was 2007. It was just my hubby, myself, and my 4 year old daughter.

I did not even know rider swap existed until recently, so it's an exciting concept to me. If I sort past the regulars critics I would love to know if I've got the right idea for our family. Now being myself, hubby, 11year old DD, 5year old, and very short 3 year old.

I'm fine missing a few rides to hang out with my little guy, but there are some like 7DMT I want to try. I set up my fastpass+ each day to have one family ride. One big kid ride for My husband, DD and possibly our 5year old if he chooses. Than one little kid ride. Anything else we'll wait stand by or not bother if everyone can't get on without a long wait.

I figure we will all check in at fastpass as a family, get a swap pass than I will wonder off with my little guy. I'm sure we can find something to do. Later in the day if the bigger kids really liked it, or it's one I wanted we'll go again. If it is only 2 of us that can get back on we will draw straws or something.

Does this make sense? Is that how the swap and FP+ work? Anything I should reconsider?

I think what you said should work, but I'm having a little bit of trouble following.
I think this is your plan (as an example):
Everyone gets fastpasses for 7DMT (big kid ride), POTC (family ride), Dumbo (little kid ride)

Everyone checks in for 7DMT and gets ride swap
Big kids ride 7DMT while little kids and mom ride Dumbo
Everyone rides POTC
Mom and one big kid ride 7DMT again while Dad and littles eat ice cream (or whatever).

Is that your plan? If so, it will work perfectly.

Of course this perfectly illustrates the problem with the new policy, because little kids only get to use 2 of their 3 FP+s, but it's a great plan given the reality.

 

[brockash]

Here is what someone said who actually used FastPass+ with rider swap...

We were at WDW in late August and tested the MagicBands. The FastPass+ worked the same for rider swap as it does with the paper FastPass system. The entire party goes to the FastPass entrance with their FastPasses (or MagicBands). You only need FastPasses (or FastPass+) for the people riding in the initial ride. You tell the ride attendant that you have a small child and this is the other adult waiting with the child (or multiple other adults). The attendant at the line will give you a paper "rider swap" ticket (Looks like a paper FastPass. This can be used for up to 4 guests at any time the rest of the day. The parent or multiple other adults who waited then go on the ride with the child who already rode (again up to 4 people) with the "rider swap" ticket being good for all of them and acting like a FastPass.

This was our experience as well (although the paper baby swap pass was only for 3 ppl), when we were there last Sept., participating in the test. This is also the same way we have always used baby swap. Honestly, I'll be pretty disappointed if they've actually changed this. If they have I would not take my entire party I'd only take 2 adults to get the baby swap and even then if they're going to give me a problem about it, I'd tell them we're riding stand by, get the pass walk away and then the initial party go through whichever line they want or qualify for. A family with a child under the height requirement is already at a disadvantage, as even with th he baby swap, they're still having to spend more time riding that 1 ride than a party without a child who doesn't meet the requirement. It just makes no sense to make it even more difficult.

 

[lizard1]

This was our experience as well (although the paper baby swap pass was only for 3 ppl), when we were there last Sept., participating in the test. This is also the same way we have always used baby swap. Honestly, I'll be pretty disappointed if they've actually changed this. If they have I would not take my entire party I'd only take 2 adults to get the baby swap and even then if they're going to give me a problem about it, I'd tell them we're riding stand by, get the pass walk away and then the initial party go through whichever line they want or qualify for. A family with a child under the height requirement is already at a disadvantage, as even with th he baby swap, they're still having to spend more time riding that 1 ride than a party without a child who doesn't meet the requirement. It just makes no sense to make it even more difficult.

I tried this, because it was how I usually did things- I would get the swap and then get things situated with my party before one group would get on. They were checking to see who from your group was riding and who was staying behind. Then they were making sure the first part of the party actually was entering the line before giving the swap ticket to the other part of the party.