FP+ and baby swap

[stitchfan18]

A slightly different rider swap question... Can you use the single rider line with rider swap? I'm thinking at Epcot we could use our FP+ allotment at Soarin, then DH could go through the single rider line at TT. Would that work? If so what other rides have single rider lines?

 

[wilkeliza]

A slightly different rider swap question... Can you use the single rider line with rider swap? I'm thinking at Epcot we could use our FP+ allotment at Soarin, then DH could go through the single rider line at TT. Would that work? If so what other rides have single rider lines?

I don't think it works if you use single rider but often the wait is muck shorter so since you aren't ridding together anyways, DH goes through single rider then exists and takes baby then you go into single rider.

There is SR at Test Track, Rockin Roller, and Expedition Everest.

 

[DopeyDame]

A slightly different rider swap question... Can you use the single rider line with rider swap? I'm thinking at Epcot we could use our FP+ allotment at Soarin, then DH could go through the single rider line at TT. Would that work? If so what other rides have single rider lines?

In the past, that definitely would have worked well. Now, I have absolutely no idea. If it's just you and DH and a kid, though, you probably don't even need the baby swap pass in that scenario - just both use the single rider line (which very well may be faster than the fastpass line anyway)

 

[stitchfan18]

I don't know if the wait times are always accurate, but I've seen 20-30 minute waits for single riders when the TT line is long. I guess we'll just have to try it and see.

 

[mrsp1030]

Personally, I would have never thought to book a separate fast pass for myself as my DH even with the little one. My kids still see it as a bonus fast pass for rides like BTMR and SM b/c they get to go twice without a long line.

 

[wn01aa]

This is good info - thanks.
So (realizing that it may change and be inconsistent!): If the first group to ride goes through the standby line, nobody needs a fast pass and the second group either goes through the fastpass line or waits at the exit. If everyone wants to use the fastpass line, than EVERYONE in the party (except for the too-small-kid) needs a fastpass. Is that correct?

I sorta-kinda-get the abuse logic, but now my DS, who is 5 but tiny, won't be able to take advantage of all of his FP+s if the rest of us use the other FPs for headliners. I can't very well make him a Buzz Lightyear FP+ reservation and send him there on his own while DH, DSis, and I ride space mountain. Sigh.

I hate that they aren't consistent!

I wonder what they would do if you actually took a 3 or 4 year old to a ride and told CM they have a FP+ and the child wants to ride and paid admission just like everyone else. Nobody in your party would have a FP+ to go the ride with them since the CM at a headliner made you use up your FP+ for rider swap. Would they CM make the child go alone, allow a parent to go on, or refuse the child from being able to use the FP+ that they are entitled to use like everyone else.

 

[wn01aa]

It was my experience 2 weeks ago (at more than one ride, and I overheard others being told this at rides where we didn't need a swap) that EVERYONE needed to scan their band prior to receiving the rider swap. I heard people question why they needed to scan if they weren't riding at that time and they were told that everyone had to scan before they would give them the RS.

Did they need the scan the child that wasn't riding (I hope not since they are not riding anyway)

 

[wn01aa]

Thanks for the clarification. So, in the PP's case, the boys, mom, and dad, would all scan their FP+s. The boys and dad would actually get to use their fastpass to ride the first time. Mom's fastpass becomes a wasted bucket of bytes. Then mom and the boys ride in the second round. Is that correct?

So it sounds like families with little kids and big kids can still get *some* benefit out of the baby swap system, even though little bro is still losing out on a FP+ entirely, and mom's fastpass is actually used for a twice-as-long wait.

It's just families without big kids that have completely lost the babyswap benefit.

For a family of 3 using FP is useless (has a benefit if the first person goes standby). If your party is bigger than 4, 1 lucky person gets to join the person who stayed behind. (it use to be you could bring 2 people with you)

 

[Ava]

For a family of 3 using FP is useless (has a benefit if the first person goes standby). If your party is bigger than 4, 1 lucky person gets to join the person who stayed behind. (it use to be you could bring 2 people with you)

I wouldn't say it's useless for a family of 3. It keeps the first adult from having to wait in a long standby line, at least.

I'm really glad I came across this thread before I book our FP+ next week, as this changes my plans on a couple of days. We won't lose out too much, since my little one is under 3 so not FP-eligible anyway, but its still annoying and I feel like my family will be able to do less because of it. It also pretty much ensures that we won't plan another trip until my now-1-year-old is AT LEAST 40".

 

[DopeyDame]

I wouldn't say it's useless for a family of 3. It keeps the first adult from having to wait in a long standby line, at least.

I'm really glad I came across this thread before I book our FP+ next week, as this changes my plans on a couple of days. We won't lose out too much, since my little one is under 3 so not FP-eligible anyway, but its still annoying and I feel like my family will be able to do less because of it. It also pretty much ensures that we won't plan another trip until my now-1-year-old is AT LEAST 40".

Yup! I think this may end up backfiring at Disney. I realize they probably won't care, and the group of people this effects is probably pretty small, but they will definitely lose some repeat visitors because of the new policy. As i said, we're going in Sept just with our immediate family, but then doing another off-site trip in January. With this new policy, legoland is now getting serious consideration.

 

[wilkeliza]

Just wondering how do other places handle rider swap? Do other places let the other patent go ride other rides with the child? The only place I've had experience with it is FJ and Gringotts where they make you sit in a room and the too small child has to go through a queue of a ride they can't even ride.

 

[abinormal]

The last time I was at Cedar Point the setup was: get authorized to use Parent Swap at Guest Services. Then, at available rides, you go to the attendant at the line, get a swap pass, and one parent rides while the other takes the kid to do whatever. You didn't have to wait around. You also got to go in through the exit and get right on with the swap pass.

 

[RachaelA]

The last time I was at Cedar Point the setup was: get authorized to use Parent Swap at Guest Services. Then, at available rides, you go to the attendant at the line, get a swap pass, and one parent rides while the other takes the kid to do whatever. You didn't have to wait around. You also got to go in through the exit and get right on with the swap pass.

But the first parent have to wait in the initial line and the exit entry is only for the 2nd right? Which at CP can be hours.

 

[Ava]

Comparing Disney's policy to that of other parks is kind of a moot point, to me. Disney has a reputation for catering to young children, so in my view their policies SHOULD be more friendly to families with young kids than other parks. If a park like Universal or Cedar Point is surpassing Disney in that regard, Disney has a problem.

 

[wilkeliza]

Comparing Disney's policy to that of other parks is kind of a moot point, to me. Disney has a reputation for catering to young children, so in my view their policies SHOULD be more friendly to families with young kids than other parks. If a park like Universal or Cedar Point is surpassing Disney in that regard, Disney has a problem.

I just don't see why people think it is any different though? No one is saying you can't take the little one on another ride. You are allowed to do what you want while you wait. Fp+ is only where it gets tricky and I would assume however Express Pass baby swap is treated would be a good comparison.

 

[Ava]

I just don't see why people think it is any different though? No one is saying you can't take the little one on another ride. You are allowed to do what you want while you wait. Fp+ is only where it gets tricky and I would assume however Express Pass baby swap is treated would be a good comparison.

You can take the little one on another ride, but if the first riders of the headliner are using FP and the adult waiting wants to ride it also, they'll have to wait in the standby line for the ride they take the little one on. Standby lines for rides like Peter Pan, Buzz Lightyear, Jungle Cruise, and Pirates can get quite long. Also, if the little one is over 3 and therefore eligible for their own FP, the family has two choices - either one adult forgoes the headliners in order to use the little one's FP with them (since a child that young cannot ride a ride alone), or the little one's FP (which are part of his/her paid admission ticket) aren't able to be used.

It's also an abrupt, largely unannounced change from how FP and Rider Swap had been allowed to be used up until this point, which I think is what has most people frustrated. Many people have already planned out and made their FP+ bookings with the understanding that only the first group riding needed a FP and the RS pass functions as the FP for the 2nd adult. Now that's not the case.

 

[RachaelA]

It's also an abrupt, largely unannounced change from how FP and Rider Swap had been allowed to be used up until this point, which I think is what has most people frustrated. Many people have already planned out and made their FP+ bookings with the understanding that only the first group riding needed a FP and the RS pass functions as the FP for the 2nd adult. Now that's not the case.

This is the big issue especially since Disney won't give an official statement on anything and people are still reporting on other threads that they could split them recently.

So I'm booking my FPs in a month. Do I risk splitting them? Do I not? I'm over how you basically have to guess what a random CM is going to decide each day bc Disney just can't decide officially.

 

[Planning Mama]

So, multiple posters have commented that Disney does not allow smaller children through the queue of a ride they are not tall enough to ride. Is this true? I won't be able to take my son through the queue of 7DMT just to see it and then pass him off to his Grammie? Just curious because I was totally planning to do this at rope drop one day. I must have been thinking of the way Universal did it when my sister was little.

 

[RachaelA]

So, multiple posters have commented that Disney does not allow smaller children through the queue of a ride they are not tall enough to ride. Is this true? I won't be able to take my son through the queue of 7DMT just to see it and then pass him off to his Grammie? Just curious because I was totally planning to do this at rope drop one day. I must have been thinking of the way Universal did it when my sister was little.

Only riders who are tall enough are allowed to get in line. They measure them at the entrance and then again right before getting on.

 

[mommymanda]

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?