Legacy Fast Pass Question with Rider Swap

[Steve19842015]

Hey everyone,
I’m heading to Disneyland in the next month and I’m starting to do some recon. I mastered the FP+ feature in WDW but I understand the process is different at DLR.

After doing my research I understand the difference in Max and Legacy. My question is in regards to Rider Swap. My family is Myself, wife, 14yr boy, 7yr girl and 2yr boy. I understand the basics but I’m really looking to maximize my time. If someone can illustrate an idea situation for my family that would be helpful.

Here’s how I understand it. I show up to the start of the line with my entire family of 5 say I would like a rider swap. They then give me a rider swap pass that can be used at a later time that can be used for an adult plus my two older kids. Here’s where the information I read got a bit hazy. Am I able to jump right into the FP line without a FP with my 2 older kids? Or would we need to standby in the regular line and then either myself or my wife can come back through the FP line with the rider swap pass. I’ve also read where only 1 adult needs a FP to go through the 1st time with my older kids. So really my question is initially when going on the ride the 1st Time, can I go through Without a FP, is only 1 adult required to have a FP to enter with my 2 kids or would myself and 3 kids require FP to go through the 1st time. Sorry for being all over the place.

 

[Steve19842015]

Anyone?

 

[prov3v56]

I will try to answer. When using rider swap, the entire party needs to go to the front of the line. The adult that is staying with the 2 year old will receive the rider swap while the other adult and two older kids get in line. If you want to use the FP line the first time (1A and 2K) all three must have a FP. If you do not have a FP then all 3 will need to wait in the standby line. Once the 1A and 2K exit the ride, the second adult may take the 2 older kids back through the FP line. You are not allowed to get a rider switch and wait for anyone to ride until a later time.

Hopefully this makes sense.

 

[Steve19842015]

Ok I do understand. What happens if after I talk to the CM to get a rider swap ticket I decide not to go on the ride at all? Is this allowed?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

To answer your last question first, the ride switch will expire one hour after it activates. If you don't use it it will disappear. You can only hold one rider switch at a time, so if you decided you don't want to use it and you wish to get a rider switch for a different ride, the CM will manually delete it from your ticket.

To answer your first question, if one adult rides alone first while the second adult waits with all of the kids, the second adult may bring up to two additional people back with them. So you could get a FP for the ride, get a rider switch for the other adult (who does not need a FP), you ride alone and the other adult rides with the two older kids (who also don't need FP).

If the older kids want to ride twice, they can go with you (they will need FP) and go again with the second adult using the rider switch.

 

[Niltiac]

Ok I do understand. What happens if after I talk to the CM to get a rider swap ticket I decide not to go on the ride at all? Is this allowed?

PP answered with regard to if the second adult decides not to ride. If you meant that the first adult decides not to ride, then I'm pretty sure you are given the rider swap right before you get in line. You should decide before then if you actually want to do the ride. If you ask for a rider swap but the first adult doesn't actually wait in line then it's basically free fp, so that's really not how it's intended to be used and I imagine the CM would delete the rider swap.

 

[Steve19842015]

Thank you for all the help. You all have answered my questions.

 

[Steve19842015]

I think I’m going to go with the strategy of splitting our 4 tickets into pairs. 2 FP for one ride and same for the other pair. Then I can get rider switch for both keep it going that way. My older kids will just need to decide which rides they want to ride twice. I found that by doing a few hours of research prior to going will save you so much time at the parks and makes it a much better experience. Last few times at WDW I hardly waited in the regular lines.