FP +/Rider swap question

[auprincess]

First, I am sorry if this has been asked before...

If I get 2 FP+ for Soarin' and we get a rider swap (because my youngest DD is under 40 inches) ~ will this work:
DH and oldest DD ride first using the two fastpasses.

Then myself and oldest DD ride using rider swap ~ correct me if I am wrong, but I will NOT need a fastpass as well, will I?

Also, what if during this second ride, using rider swap, my middle DD wants to ride with us (she will be tall enough, but not sure she will be brave enough) ~ could she ride as well (me, oldestDD, middleDD)?

 

[taterheads]

First, I am sorry if this has been asked before... If I get 2 FP+ for Soarin' and we get a rider swap (because my youngest DD is under 40 inches) ~ will this work: DH and oldest DD ride first using the two fastpasses. Then myself and oldest DD ride using rider swap ~ correct me if I am wrong, but I will NOT need a fastpass as well, will I? Also, what if during this second ride, using rider swap, my middle DD wants to ride with us (she will be tall enough, but not sure she will be brave enough) ~ could she ride as well (me, oldestDD, middleDD)?

My understanding is that if you want to do rider swap everyone entering the FP+ line must have a fast pass. So if middle daughter wants to ride she has to have a FP+ if she's going through FP+ line with you. You should be able to go through line with kids not riding but they won't get to ride because you and hubby are swapping on your two FP+ reservations. You have to indicate your desire to swap at the entrance to the CM and you'll get a swap pass. So if oldest dd, DH, and you go through line wit other 2 non riding dds- then DH & did would ride while you kept the other 2 dds. When their ride is over they would take dds and you would get to ride. Oldest dd doesn't necessarily get to ride again- unless you have a super nice CM. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I'm almost positive that's what I've read before.

 

[staceyeileen]

My understanding is that if you want to do rider swap everyone entering the FP+ line must have a fast pass.

I don't think this is correct, based on what I've read on these boards. If everyone were required to have an FP, then why bother with rider swap at all? There is a lengthy thread discussing using rider swap and fp+.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3213909

 

[kmb584]

First, I am sorry if this has been asked before...

If I get 2 FP+ for Soarin' and we get a rider swap (because my youngest DD is under 40 inches) ~ will this work:
DH and oldest DD ride first using the two fastpasses.

Then myself and oldest DD ride using rider swap ~ correct me if I am wrong, but I will NOT need a fastpass as well, will I?

Also, what if during this second ride, using rider swap, my middle DD wants to ride with us (she will be tall enough, but not sure she will be brave enough) ~ could she ride as well (me, oldestDD, middleDD)?

The only FP+ reservations needed are for the first 2 people (in this case your DH and oldest DD) so you're correct in assuming that you don't need one. At the entrance of the FP+ queue let the CM know that you'll be doing a rider swap. The CM will then hand you a rider swap ticket. Your DH and oldest DD will ride while you wait with your middle and youngest DDs. When they're done you will go back to the FP+ entrance and give the CM your rider swap ticket. At that point you'll be able to take oldest DD or middle DD, not both, as your ticket will be valid for 2 people (if DH and both DDs were to ride at the beginning then the ticket would be valid for 3 people).

 

[taterheads]

I don't think this is correct, based on what I've read on these boards. If everyone were required to have an FP, then why bother with rider swap at all? There is a lengthy thread discussing using rider swap and fp+. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3213909

I meant the people that were wanting to ride not everyone in the party. The rider swap is so adults with children who can't ride are able to swap out taking care if the child while the other rides. I have read in other threads where those wanting to ride regardless of switch were required to have the FP+ to use the FP+ line to do the switch. Perhaps another crackdown in people trying to make their FP+ selections go a little further, because if only 2 people need FP+ and the 2 switch on go through FP but don't have FP and switch they have by passed the standby line and managed to ride ahead of a lot of people without requiring a FP+ to do so. Just repeating what I've read, perhaps it depends on the CM and how strict they are.

 

[staceyeileen]

I meant the people that were wanting to ride not everyone in the party. The rider swap is so adults with children who can't ride are able to swap out taking care if the child while the other rides. I have read in other threads where those wanting to ride regardless of switch were required to have the FP+ to use the FP+ line to do the switch. Perhaps another crackdown in people trying to make their FP+ selections go a little further, because if only 2 people need FP+ and the 2 switch on go through FP but don't have FP and switch they have by passed the standby line and managed to ride ahead of a lot of people without requiring a FP+ to do so. Just repeating what I've read, perhaps it depends on the CM and how strict they are.

Interesting, can you link to the threads where people have reporting requiring all riders to have FP+?

 

[summermac]

All I can base my reply on is before FP+ but we used rider swap to our advantage and combined it with FP. Most of the rides that my daughter couldn't ride last time, my mother also doesn't ride due to fear. We got FP- for every single person and because of that basically had 2 FPs right from the start. We then went to the line, requested a rider swap and were given it. Our party minus my mom and my daughter then entered the FP queue and rode. Then a total of 4 of us (using the other two FP plus the rider swap) rode the ride again.

The reason you need a rider swap even if everyone in your party has a FP+ is so that the person left behind can still ride with another person in your party. Obviously when you have a large party like mine you don't necessarily NEED the rider swap because two people could wait behind with the too short person but in a party of 4, the person staying behind would then have to ride alone using the rider swap card. (Does this even make sense?)

 

[taterheads]

Interesting, can you link to the threads where people have reporting requiring all riders to have FP+?

It's been a while ago during earlier testing (like Octoberish, I think) and the CMs weren't allowing people to use booked FP+ if the Mickey didn't turn green even if they could show hard copy proof of reservation. At that time they weren't allowing persons who intended to ride to enter FP+ line for rider switch unless they had a reservation and the switch. I think they were trying to handle unusually long lines due to glitches as well as double and triple dipping and were trying to "deal" with the issues. Not saying that's standard procedure but it was reported.

 

[glk2009]

We were there in early December and used rider swap with our FP+.

As an example, DH would go with DD6 in the FP+ line and both of them scanned their MBs. At the same time, DH would ask for a rider swap for me who was waiting with DD1. Sometimes the CM would give DH the rider swap, other times to me directly.

After DH and DD6 finished the ride, I would go with DD6 back to the FP+ line and show the rider swap pass. They did NOT ask for us to scan our MBs. We would hand over the rider swap pass at the 2nd checkpoint.

I can't remember if the rider swap pass allowed two or three guests per pass, but that is stated on the Disney site.

HTH!

 

[jennilouwho]

I emailed Disney about it and someone called me back and said that we all have to have the FP+ to be given the rider swap, but then on here most are saying that you can just have the people going first get it. A couple of people have said that the CM wouldn't give them one unless everyone had the FP+. I wish they would make a firm policy one way or the other because it's very hard to plan ahead if the policy is inconsistent.

 

[lilluv117]

I used rider swap in September and did not have to have a FP+ to go back on the ride. They just took the rider swap ticket from me. But that was during testing and I'm not sure if they are cracking down on anything now.

But, can't you use rider swap even if you wait on the standby line? I believe you can. And if so, then how do the CMs know if the first party waited on standby (nobody had fastpasses but just wants to use rider swap as intended - to not have to wait on the long line a second time)? I am going next week and will be attempting to use rider swap with only one fastpass. And when I go back, if they give me a problem, I'll just say we waited on standby for that rider swap, therefor we don't have fastpasses.

And if you really wanted to beat the system, you could actually go on the standby line, get a rider swap on the way in, then leave the standby line and use your fast pass. But I don't even think that is neccessary, not would I go that far to ride a ride. The CM's were very accommodating when I went. I'm hoping they are still (which I think they will. It's Disney!)

 

[lilluv117]

Oh yeah, and we were told by the CMs the rider swap was good for up to 6 people. We were only a party of 2 and they still said this. I don't know if it is different from ride to ride. I'll report back how it went when I try it the end of this month.

 

[jennilouwho]

What the guy told me is that you have to have the FP+ in order to be given the rider swap pass. I am assuming they didn't do that with you then? Definitely let me know how it goes on your next trip. I'd really appreciate it. We don't go until September, so I'm hoping there is a firm rule by then. Ha ha ha, yeah, right

I used rider swap in September and did not have to have a FP+ to go back on the ride. They just took the rider swap ticket from me. But that was during testing and I'm not sure if they are cracking down on anything now.

But, can't you use rider swap even if you wait on the standby line? I believe you can. And if so, then how do the CMs know if the first party waited on standby (nobody had fastpasses but just wants to use rider swap as intended - to not have to wait on the long line a second time)? I am going next week and will be attempting to use rider swap with only one fastpass. And when I go back, if they give me a problem, I'll just say we waited on standby for that rider swap, therefor we don't have fastpasses.

And if you really wanted to beat the system, you could actually go on the standby line, get a rider swap on the way in, then leave the standby line and use your fast pass. But I don't even think that is neccessary, not would I go that far to ride a ride. The CM's were very accommodating when I went. I'm hoping they are still (which I think they will. It's Disney!)

 

[auprincess]

Thank you all for your replies! Seems like lots of different experiences so I guess we will,just have to hope,for the best!

 

[jennilouwho]

I emailed yesterday about how I had called and asked and was told we all needed it and then online most people report you don't all need it and that it was very confusing and I wish they had one set policy. I cited the example of my DH and two older boys getting a Splash FP+ at 1:00 while I get a FP+ for me and the baby to go on Winnie the Pooh at the same time, but would I still get a rider swap then. Here is the reply if this helps anyone. I am printing it and taking along in case any problems... ha ha

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

I am sorry about all the differing information you have been given. With
the Disney FastPass®+ you and your family are able to pick whichever
three attractions each of you will enjoy. So yes, you and your youngest
son will be able to do Winnie the Pooh, while your husband and older
sons will do Splash Mountain.

You will want to be all together at Splash Mountain to get the rider
swap. Then you will get to do that later in the day, while they ride it
the first time and you get to enjoy Winnie the Pooh with your youngest.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact
us.



Sincerely,

Imogene McClay
eCommerce Sales and Service Team

 

[Angel Ariel]

The only FP+ reservations needed are for the first 2 people (in this case your DH and oldest DD) so you're correct in assuming that you don't need one. At the entrance of the FP+ queue let the CM know that you'll be doing a rider swap. The CM will then hand you a rider swap ticket. Your DH and oldest DD will ride while you wait with your middle and youngest DDs. When they're done you will go back to the FP+ entrance and give the CM your rider swap ticket. At that point you'll be able to take oldest DD or middle DD, not both, as your ticket will be valid for 2 people (if DH and both DDs were to ride at the beginning then the ticket would be valid for 3 people).

The RS pass will have specific wording on it indicating how many guests it is good for. I would double check this when you get your first RS pass, because for DH and I in March and October 2013, the RS passes specifically stated they were valid for 3 people.

 

[famy27]

We used RS quite a bit in October with our FP"+"s. We had two toddlers with us, so we were able to get two RS passes at most attractions. Each pass enabled three people to ride. CMs would ask how many people would be riding the second ride and would give us the appropriate number of RS passes. So, my SIL and I would wait with the little ones while DH and BIL rode with the two big kids. Then, SIL and I would ride with the big kids. The only ride that didn't work this way was EE. The CM there gave us one RS pass. Luckily, I did have an FP"+" for EE, so SIL took the RS pass and the two big kids went with her. I just scanned my MB.

It worked very well for us and allowed us to increase the number of FP"+" reservations we could use, once we knew how RS passes were working under the new system (which is exactly the way it worked under the old system).

I will say I don't know how they would ever be able to force people with RS to have the FP+ reservation for each member of the party. It would make riding very difficult, especially for rides that take longer to get through the queue.

On our first night, we had FP"+" reservations for Soarin' from 6:00 to 7:00. The first half of our group got into line shortly after 6:30. They weren't back out until 7:15 or so. If we would have needed a green mickey head to go with our paper RS passes, we wouldn't have been within our window and couldn't have done the ride. It would have effectively cut our reservation window from one hour to 15-20 minutes.

 

[lilluv117]

This is great information! Thanks to everyone for sharing as I was starting to second guess the FP+ choices I made based on using rider swap. Hopefully we don't have any trouble when we go in a week. I'm going to leave them as is with half the group getting fp's for soarin and the other half for TT & hopefully being able to use rider swap.

 

[Koh1977]

This is great information! Thanks to everyone for sharing as I was starting to second guess the FP+ choices I made based on using rider swap. Hopefully we don't have any trouble when we go in a week. I'm going to leave them as is with half the group getting fp's for soarin and the other half for TT & hopefully being able to use rider swap.

That was going to be my plan too! Can I use DD's MB for FP+ at TT and then just switch bands? She's only 3 and won't be tall enough, but DS will be.

 

[lilluv117]

I just got back from my vacation and I wanted to report back. We used rider swap with no problems. They never checked the second person's (the swapper) FP's so we were able to pick different headliners and then just rider swap so we both got to ride them. The rider swap pass became the second person's fastpass. It was great!