FP+ and Child Swap Planning

[TheWorld101]

There are some popular rides my littles won't be able to go on because of height, but the adults want to do (RnR and EE). We would like to use FP for those, but it's pointless to get the children those FPs ... Are their FPs lost at that point, or could we FP the rides for the adults, do child swap, and use the kids FPs on a show (Nemo and B&B) and us all be allowed into the show?

 

[ChloesDaddy]

I doubt you'll be allowed to get into any FP line unless you all have FPs. I would look for rides nearby that one adult can do with FP with the littles. Get a rider switch for the big ride when the other adult goes through (using their FP) and then use it after. If there are more adults (or taller children) riding, they can use FP with the first adult then up to two of them can ride with the second adult on the rider switch pass. The passes generally are good until the end of the month, so you don't have to use them immediately.

Knowing more about your party would be beneficial for others who have advice to offer -- how many adults, children, ages, preferences,...

 

[whtyger97]

Not the OP but I could use some advice on how to maximize rider swap too.
Party is 8 adults 2 kids who shouldn't have many height restrictions and one toddler two who won't be tall enough for any height restrictions
I know we won't be able to get the whole party on with rider swap, just figuring out how to maximize usage

 

[TheWorld101]

My party will most likely have 4 adults, and 4 children ages 2, 4, 5, and 6. The 6 year old will ride anything she can, even ToT which she did when she was 5. She's not tall enough for the roller coasters though. It's possible it will only be my family though, which would consist of 2 adults and the 4 and 6 year old.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

My party will most likely have 4 adults, and 4 children ages 2, 4, 5, and 6. The 6 year old will ride anything she can, even ToT which she did when she was 5. She's not tall enough for the roller coasters though. It's possible it will only be my family though, which would consist of 2 adults and the 4 and 6 year old.

In that case I would split the FPs for any ride the 4yo isn't tall enough to ride (the only reliable way to get a rider switch pass). FP the big ride for one adult and the 6yo, FP a nearby small ride for the other adult and the 4yo. Then switch the parent-child pairs so the 6yo can ride the big ride with the other parent. The 4yo can then do another attraction with the second parent (just without an FP).

A word of caution about this strategy -- there have been a few instances reported in which the CM required all in the party to have FPs for the ride to get a rider switch. Not many, but a few. I personally would not worry about this, but you may decide you don't want to risk one adult missing out on a particular ride without a long wait. In such a case, the 4yo's FP would indeed essentially go to waste. This to me is the reason CMs should not require a FP for everyone in the party to get a rider switch.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Not the OP but I could use some advice on how to maximize rider swap too.
Party is 8 adults 2 kids who shouldn't have many height restrictions and one toddler two who won't be tall enough for any height restrictions
I know we won't be able to get the whole party on with rider swap, just figuring out how to maximize usage

In this situation I wouldn't bother trying to split FPs (unless on adult or taller child just doesn't want to ride something). Just get the same FPs for everyone and let the two older kids ride a second time. You can mix and match which adults go through with the first group (all with FP) and then the second group (3 riders on the switch pass and the others with FP that didn't go in the first group).

While others are riding, find a nearby attraction the rest can do with the toddler, or take a break. I like to do the Peoplemover with our youngest while others are riding Space Mountain, or Country Bears while they're riding Splash or BTMR.

Keep in mind that even though the rider switch doesn't typically have to be used immediately, the FP riders will need to use their FP during the scheduled time window.

 

[TheWorld101]

In that case I would split the FPs for any ride the 4yo isn't tall enough to ride (the only reliable way to get a rider switch pass). FP the big ride for one adult and the 6yo, FP a nearby small ride for the other adult and the 4yo. Then switch the parent-child pairs so the 6yo can ride the big ride with the other parent. The 4yo can then do another attraction with the second parent (just without an FP).
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So, am I reading this correctly, we all 4 would show up to the FP line at the big ride, but only one adult and the 6-year old would actually have the big ride FP, and most likely they would allow a rider switch, even though we don't all have the FP?

 

[ChloesDaddy]

So, am I reading this correctly, we all 4 would show up to the FP line at the big ride, but only one adult and the 6-year old would actually have the big ride FP, and most likely they would allow a rider switch, even though we don't all have the FP?

Correct. Also, they may give the rider switch ticket to the adult not riding at the time you first approach the line OR, as seems to be happening more often now, they may give the riding adult a lanyard as they enter the line then exchange a rider switch pass for the lanyard when they get to the ride loading area. The latter process seems to have been instituted to prevent distribution of rider switch passes without having someone actually go through the line without one first.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

So, am I reading this correctly, we all 4 would show up to the FP line at the big ride, but only one adult and the 6-year old would actually have the big ride FP, and most likely they would allow a rider switch, even though we don't all have the FP?

Also, be prepared to let them measure the 4yo to determine they are not tall enough to ride and therefore are eligible for rider switch.

 

[Ryansdad0727]

You will not be allowed into something because the child has a FP. I will usually FP a big ride for one adult then do a kids ride for the other adult and child. Child swap the big ride and both adults get to ride. You have just used one FP each. If there is not a kids ride around then you can put the FP for the big ride on all MB and use your kids band to ride it again through the FP line.

 

[Ryansdad0727]

I was there last week and all attractions used the lanyard system and gave the Child swap further in line. The cast members never checked to see that everyone had FP to issue a child swap pass. Child Swaps will be good until the end of the month.