FP+ and child swap strategies

[mtiger]

We'll have 7-day parkhoppers - 4 adult tickets and 1 child ticket. me/wife/4yo/10mo/2 grandmas

One of the GMs doesn't really like to ride anything and the other wil prob do 50/50. Wife and I (along with 4yo) will ride everything we can. We're hoping the 10mo can ride all non-height rides with us in a carrier. Given that we will prob be in a lot of different groups, what is the best way for us to take advantage of ALL our fast passes?

Also, if we are w/o the GMs and ride something like splash mountain, can we combine FP+ with child swap? Would my wife/4yo ride while i wait with 10mo, then me ride with my 4yo while my wife waits (or would I ride by myself). Also in that case, would all 3 of us get a FP or just wife/4yo?

Trying to make sure i understand all scenarios as have a feeling it is going to be different situation each time depending on who is there at the time and the ride.

Any suggestions on strategies (detailed or overall) would be much appreciated.

 

[newdeal]

its going to be way too confusing to try to book separate fastpasses for everyone who will or won't want to do a ride. Book fastpass for everyone at the same rides, if someone doesn't want to ride it then have them wait off with the 10 month old and get a rider swap, which you can then use to ride again if you want because the rider swap pass will let three people onto the ride and you can use the person who doesn't want to rides magic band to access her fastpass for the fourth person.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Only the first sub-group of riders need FPs for the ride. Then, 3 riders ride on the Swap without the need for FPs.

You'd have to organize your FP booking for the sub-groups - your 4 year-old needs to be booked for 3 FPs with at least one adult. The 4 year-old then benefits by always being able to ride on the Swap no matter who was in the 1st FP sub-group.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

If either GM is like my MIL she'll pass out while you're explaining what's going on as you drag them to the ride entrance to get the rider switch and then swap magic bands with them to ride something else. Also fun for me to think about the prospect of being greeted as 'Eloise' when I enter a FP+ queue with her magic band.

 

[mtiger]

So, for specific example sake . . . we all got to Splash Mtn with FP+s. GM2 and 10mo get rider switch at entrance and rest of us ride. Later on, we bring back the rider switch, me/wife/4yo use. GMs switch bands and GM1 goes through FP+ line with us?

Just making sure i have the rules right as I have not been to WDW since 1991 - not much has changed . . . right? : )

 

[hiroMYhero]

So, for specific example sake . . . we all got to Splash Mtn with FP+s. GM2 and 10mo get rider switch at entrance and rest of us ride. Later on, we bring back the rider switch, me/wife/4yo use. GMs switch bands and GM1 goes through FP+ line with us?

Just making sure i have the rules right as I have not been to WDW since 1991 - not much has changed . . . right? : )

Correct. That's a very good use of the unused FP by GM2... does have to be used within the pre-booked FP window.

 

[playjar]

Another thing to keep in mind is that the rider swap does not have to be used right away. They are typically printed so that they are good for a few days up to a few weeks, depending. So you could always do, for example, mom dad and child ride the ride using FP+, get a rider swap before getting in line, then save the rider swap return pass for later or another day and use the magic bands from GMs for 2 of you to ride a second time all within the same time frame. But I do think it'd be easiest for you to book FP+ at the same times for all, so you don't get confused. Once booked, you can always go on the app and change the times or attractions of just a few people (I think this is easier to do on the app than online, personally.)

 

[hiroMYhero]

If you know for sure the two GMs don't want to ride a specific ride that you are FPing, schedule their FPs for a different ride. Two people use those FPs while also getting Rider Swap and your DD and 2 adults ride on the Swap.

Splitting up the adults especially when you already know which rides some won't do will maximize your rides, your Swaps, and your MB FP usage.

 

[Jennygt]

Is there a thread just explaining rider/child swap in general? I don't think I get the basics of how this system works.
Thanks

 

[mtiger]

edit to add the official wdw policy: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/rider-switch/

My Summary of the Policy (in the strictest form - though many have said they get them by just asking, can have someone above height , and/or can use them up to a month):

• at least one FP+ adult needs to have one under-height individual (present at the CM at the front of the queue/ride)
  
• the CM will then provide a paper pass to the adult that actually goes through the line and rides
  
• the pass is good for up to 3 riders to enter the FP+ line for the same ride at any time during that day (seen up to a month)
• there is no limit to the number of passes as long as the above scenario is true (this is what could be abused)

found this in the forum search: http://www.disboards.com/threads/frustrated-is-this-a-new-rider-swap-policy.3459554/page-3

pretty spirited debate about my situation - we're basically in a position where we could "take full advantage of the official policy" and abuse it pretty badly (esp given we have 15 paid FP+ a day and only 3 "real" riders) and two different GMs to stay with the baby (who can always be used as "proof" to a CM for the need of a child swap in any combination of adults riding).

Basically need to figure out what I believe the "value" of our tickets is (~$2000) for "utilizing" the official child swap policy and make sure i'm familiar with the app so I can make FP+ adjustments on the fly. Certainly a golden rule guy so understand the "responsibility" of the situation, but do also admit we are at some disadvantage (esp with 4yo only being 41") and want to make sure everyone gets to ride what they want and also see the look on our 4yo's face (which is why we are going in the first place).

 

[JPKnapp]

We had similar situation with GParents joining in. We used the heck out of RiderSwap and allowed my daughter to ride Space Mtn 7x in one day and 7DMT 3x. At Space Mtn, since we had 2 small ones in stroller when I asked for rider swap pass, she gave me two since (in her words) "Youve got two that cant ride, so I'll give you two". I cant imagine that was normal, but we took it!

Basically, the PP mentioning ride sub-groups are the way to go. OR, stock pile and use them separately. It's going to sound cheesy to do it my suggested way below, but it'll make it clear. Lay out your MagicBands with sticky notes on them of the FP you have on them. Then move them around like a WW2 general and mark off what FPs are used. Tally up who rides what and you'll see it.

 

[CT Disney]

If you have a grandmother who is willing to sit out with the baby and she has no intention of riding the ride at all, you don't need a rider swap.

I sense you are trying to decide if you should do the fair thing or if you should "take full advantage of the policy". Simply having an infant with your traveling party shouldn't be a reason that everyone in your party gets extra rides. I don't have a problem with rider swap when people actually need it. But, this doesn't seem to be the case. (At least in the Splash Mountain example you gave above)

 

[mtiger]

I was more just trying to summarize the argument in the other thread with that statement and definitely agree we won't always "need" a rider swap (as in my example). Really started the thread just to understand what the options were (not necessarily to take advantage of them) - though I am analytical and do like to always know my full benefits of any policy.

We will definitely end up in situations where 1 (or both) of the GMs are not with us or where both of the GMs will want to ride alongside the family, so I think there will be legitimate uses over 7 days. I believe the end result of this policy will be for 3FP+ to be used to get what amounts to 3 grouped "open" FP+ (even if 2 of those get to ride again) and prob limit it to a few hours. Though I may feel differently after 7 days with 2 kids and 2 GMs. The other discussion in this case may be around whether or not a GM should be able to "share" her FP+s with her family and to what extent.

Have certainly seen opinions all up and down the spectrum on this forum, but believe that everyone who is paying should be able to have the same magical ride experience (even if some of those have to be recreated with others benefiting) - at least 3 times a day. This is all also only relevant if my 4yo doesn't freak out and refuse to ride the FP+ rides when the train puls up (in which case we will also legitimately need a child swap pass). Just trying to be ready in all cases.

 

[mel373]

If either GM is like my MIL she'll pass out while you're explaining what's going on as you drag them to the ride entrance to get the rider switch and then swap magic bands with them to ride something else. Also fun for me to think about the prospect of being greeted as 'Eloise' when I enter a FP+ queue with her magic band.

Do they really look at names on the screens when you go through? I am planning on having my daughter use my husbands band for Anna and Elsa. He said he will sit out. I was trying to get FP one at a time and only got for me, him and my 3 year old. My other 2 girls don't have one yet. Planning on giving my husbands band to one daughter and maybe the 3 year olds band to my other daughter and carrying the 3 year old through as under 3? Hopefully one more FP will come through before next week. Otherwise I could send the 3 girls in alone I guess. But they don't really look at the names as you go through right??