How does child swap work?

[justcruisin]

I know 1 parent can wait with the child then board the ride without a wait, but how specifically does it work .... Most of the ride exits aren't really near the entrance, so what do you do when swapping?

 

[mommystieg]

Tell the very first CM you see at the ride entrance that you want to child swap and they will explain it to you. Last year when we were there it seemed like the procedure varied from ride to ride. This year it seemed pretty consistent in all the parks--the CM would hand us a "child swap" FP--once you and child #1 finish riding you then give the pass to rider #2. Rider #2 and child then return to the ride through the FP entrance.
Some of the rides(Splash Mountain is the only one I was able to find)have a little playground area where you can wait. It is on the exit path under the railroad tracks. BTMRR has an area near the exit where you can watch the ride. For TT you can wait inside the GM exhibit-there is a small seating area near the photo viewing area.

 

[ProfGoofy]

Something to note, when we used Child swap at WDW last year and at DL this past December, the CMs pointed out to us that Child swap pass was good for 3 riders (the person who waited with the child and two others). I guess this was to give the person who waited the opportunity to not have to ride alone. Don't know if they still do this, has anyone else noticed or had this pointed out to them? This is great when you have a party of 3 or more traveling with a small child.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

When we had a 5 Y.O., and a 2 Y.O, the let the 5 Y.O. ride with both parents. She was in heaven.

 

[MelanieC]

I have gone through 2 children using the "baby swap". Disney is great with them. They do change how the individual rides do the baby swaps sometimes.

For instance, TOT used to have you take the child through the pre-show and when you got to the ride they would have someone take you down an elevator to wait. Then when your party gets done, you switch and you get elevatored back up to the next departing elevator. The last time we were there, we had to wait at the exit with the child till the party got done. I like going through the wait with my family better. Same thing has happened with Space Mountain. They used to let us walk through together and then walk to the exit. Then the person who waited walks back and gets on the next ride. Last time we had to wait outside with a "pass" till the party exited the ride. It takes longer this way.

Some rides are easier to do with a baby swap than others. My daughter loves that she gets to ride things twice. My son is now 44 inches though, and she is not getting to do the baby swaps as much!

Melanie