Is rider swap time consuming?

[Angel Ariel]

Hi all! We will be visiting Disney in October. It will be me, DH, DD (5 years) and DS (9 months). I'm just trying to get a feel for how time consuming rider swap is. Did it work well for you? You go through the fast pass line the second time, correct? If you used it with a baby was it a pain to sit around with baby while the other group rode?

I'm just trying to figure out how practical it will be to use it on multiple rides. We were at MK last year so there are some rides there I don't mind to let DD and DH ride and I'll just skip it, but there are some rides at the other parks (Expedition Everest, Star Tours) that we will definitely both want to experience. Any thoughts or tips are appreciated!

We didn't find it crazy time consuming at all. I wouldn't hesitate to use it on multiple rides. The waiting parent can always go do something all ages while waiting, if they don't want to sit and wait. When we went with DD at 8 months old, RS times became times I would feed her (pumped BM), or go and change her if needed. Even just finding a spot to sit and enjoy a churro for myself . Plus if you're near a family friendly attraction - one w/o a height requirement - you could always ride that while waiting too. Or find a spot to watch some of the entertainment in the different lands (check the Times Guide). There's plenty of options to choose from for the waiting person

 

[brooke789]

Last time when we did baby swap our twins (only children) were not able to ride whatever rides we were getting it for. If I was the one waiting with them I would go to the bathroom, change diapers, get ice water or something else fun close by. Our next trip we'll have 2 5 year olds who'll be able to ride the rides twice (which should be awesome) and whoever is with the 'baby' will do the same type things, bathroom, diaper or fun stuff close by. It can be time consuming vs everyone riding together but with older kids (who get an extra ride) it is time well spent IMO.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

It does take a while, especially at certain attractions like Test Track. The great thing about rider swap passes is that they don't have to be used at the time that you get them, they can be used any time that day or even on subsequent days (they have an expiration on them). So you can go back when baby is napping. You don't have to sit around while the first group rides, you can go do another attraction with the baby, eat, shop, etc. We have been using it for 9 years now and it can be great while also being a bit of a pain sometimes.

I didn't know you could use them later. That is excellent info for our trip in September!

 

[Baklava]

Makes sense! I'm just not sure what to do with a 9 month old. I'm happy to people watch and give my legs a break part of the time, but I'll have to make sure to check out some shops or grab myself a snack!

These were the perfect time for diaper changes. Bonus points if you can time it so the other parent does the diaper change while you're on the ride. Handy thing about Disney- the men's rooms have changing tables too.

 

[Kelly014]

These were the perfect time for diaper changes. Bonus points if you can time it so the other parent does the diaper change while you're on the ride. Handy thing about Disney- the men's rooms have changing tables too.

I like the way you think Really though that's nice that there are changing tables for dads too.

 

[Quellman]

It's less time-consuming than having each adult go through the entire line.



Don't just sit around! DO something! Walk, ride something, see things, meet characters...DO something. Rookie mistake, to just sit around waiting... (a rookie mistake I made at DL. Once.)

Exactly. When the little one is sleeping, I usually play the Pirates Game or SOTMK depending where I am in Magic Kingdom. Plus plenty of shops and snacks.

These were the perfect time for diaper changes. Bonus points if you can time it so the other parent does the diaper change while you're on the ride. Handy thing about Disney- the men's rooms have changing tables too.

I like the way you think Really though that's nice that there are changing tables for dads too.

If we aren't near a family rest room I will almost always change instead of my wife. The pro-tip is this. Men generally do less changing so there isn't a line in the men's room to do so. There can be one in the women's room. Who wants to wait in line with a fussy child with poop in their pants? No one! Plus it gets us to the next event with minimal wait!