On RnR - could we get a rider switch pass at the chicken exit?

[wilkeliza]

OP at Rockin Roller there is actually a room area for the "chicken exit". If you kid 100% will not ride the CM should let you go into that area wait with your scared child (the room is often used to let kids catch their cool and then get back into the load area and people in wheelchairs who need to practice transferring) and then when the other adults are done they could come get the kid and you get on.

Also since your son is 8 there is no rule against him staying in the gift shop alone. That will be 100% up to you though but it is allowed.

 

[CarolynFH]

OP at Rockin Roller there is actually a room area for the "chicken exit". If you kid 100% will not ride the CM should let you go into that area wait with your scared child (the room is often used to let kids catch their cool and then get back into the load area and people in wheelchairs who need to practice transferring) and then when the other adults are done they could come get the kid and you get on.

Also since your son is 8 there is no rule against him staying in the gift shop alone. That will be 100% up to you though but it is allowed.

Thanks for this information! I assumed that the RnR exit went straight to the gift shop and was "no return," but what you describe would be wonderful. I know his mom would be more comfortable waiting with him than with him waiting alone, but she'd like to ride too, and that would allow her to do so.

 

[wilkeliza]

Thanks for this information! I assumed that the RnR exit went straight to the gift shop and was "no return," but what you describe would be wonderful. I know his mom would be more comfortable waiting with him than with him waiting alone, but she'd like to ride too, and that would allow her to do so.

It is one of the few left that does not go straight to the gift shop. I have seen kids go in and come back after calming down so I know it is possible. I believe it is one of the few ones left that has the child swap room still as the chicken exit path. Honestly Disney should go back to the child swap rooms like Universal as it is a good way to help serve all who need swap not just those with too short kids. It would just mean that load CMs would have to check heights (which they do now anyways). Heck they could make the dividing rails the same as the height requirement so even pre-boarding you get one final visual look at if everyone is above that mark. Too many parents sneaking their shorter kids on rides is what made Disney get rid of the rooms.

 

[abeautybutafunnygirl]

Unless the cm feels like it, that won't do any good. Whoever put that up in the site a few years back doesn't work onsite as a ride cm. It's not how they are trained. Ever since the page went up on the site people suggest what you suggest, but cms aren't going to go against their training because some IT intern put wrong info on the site.

Agreed.
As a CM, I would probably give a rider-swap to a family if a child was too scared to ride, even if that was not what I was trained to do. At least where I worked, we were explicitly trained to only issue rider-swap passes if a child was too short to avoid any abuse of the passes. However, the ride I worked was not very busy, so there was usually not much harm in issuing one if someone was visibly frightened. Friends at other, more popular attractions with longer wait times did not have the same luxury.
Another note I would like to make is that I wouldn't recommend waiting on station for the CM's sake. As someone responsible for your safety, it is incredibly stressful to be juggling ride safety as well as the safety of guests who could potentially bolt in front of moving vehicle while you're dealing with something else.

 

[Candlelady]

Unless the cm feels like it, that won't do any good. Whoever put that up in the site a few years back doesn't work onsite as a ride cm. It's not how they are trained. Ever since the page went up on the site people suggest what you suggest, but cms aren't going to go against their training because some IT intern put wrong info on the site.

It will certainly do the trick at guest services if the CM does not honor Disney's own rules. The problem belongs with Disney, not the guest. I will not make excuses for what they put on their website. If it's wrong, it's up to them to take it down.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

It will certainly do the trick at guest services if the CM does not honor Disney's own rules. The problem belongs with Disney, not the guest. I will not make excuses for what they put on their website. If it's wrong, it's up to them to take it down.

It won't get you anywhere in the parks. People have tried. CM's aren't going to risk their job by going against training. You could go through the hassle of going to guest services with it, and you might get through that way, but you will have wasted more time than its worth, and would have to do so multiple times a day. It just isn't worth the trouble.

 

[wilkeliza]

It won't get you anywhere in the parks. People have tried. CM's aren't going to risk their job by going against training.

No CM is risking their job for giving one of those passes away.

 

[Robo]

It will certainly do the trick at guest services if the CM does not honor Disney's own rules. The problem belongs with Disney, not the guest. I will not make excuses for what they put on their website. If it's wrong, it's up to them to take it down.

Those are not Disney's own rules.

It is just one listing on an infamously poorly-edited website.
So many errors.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

No CM is risking their job for giving one of those passes away.

They CAN be fired for violating ANY policy. Even this one.

 

[wilkeliza]

They CAN be fired for violating ANY policy. Even this one.

Were you ever a CM? Just wondering. I worked in attraction so again giving a guest one of these passes is not going to get them fired. In no way shape or form does giving it to a family who requests it because someone needs to stay behind with a child or disabled adult break policy. It would simply be considered "pixie dust".

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Were you ever a CM? Just wondering. I worked in attraction so again giving a guest one of these passes is not going to get them fired. In no way shape or form does giving it to a family who requests it because someone needs to stay behind with a child or disabled adult break policy. It would simply be considered "pixie dust".

Not a CM, but know many who are. In ONE instance, yes you are correct, but consistently disregarding training WILL get you in trouble. As I understand it, since the change in the GAC policy, what you are describing IS against policy.

 

[wilkeliza]

Not a CM, but know many who are. In ONE instance, yes you are correct, but consistently disregarding training WILL get you in trouble. As I understand it, since the change in the GAC policy, what you are describing IS against policy.

We will have to just agree to disagree. I don't think policy has changed that drastically since I left (I was there all the passed FP+ full roll out and DAS full roll out) and I can tell you it is not something a good CM is ever going to lose their job over. If the passes are what is what loses them their job there was much more going on them then giving a couple families a pass so that a family member could stay behind with a scared child or family member with a disability that prevents them from riding or swapping out service dog handlers.

 

[Candlelady]

Those are not Disney's own rules.

It is just one listing on an infamously poorly-edited website.
So many errors.

That may be, but it's there for everyone to read. As I said before, if Disney doesn't want it there, they should take it down. It's there in black and white.
I follow the rules Disney sets forth, I expect them to follow what they are telling their guests.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

The need to be under the height requirement in order to use rider switch is absolutely not true. I just went up to as CM at AK last week and asked that very question. My daughter is clearly tall enough to ride Everest but was just too scared to ride. The CM said "absolutely!" we could do rider switch! All we had to do was get in line as a family, tell the CM at the entrance to the line that we wanted to do rider switch, and then he gave my husband a hang tag. My husband and two sons then went on the ride and the CM farther down the line took the hang tag and gave him a ticket instead. They then got off the ride and handed me the ticket. The ticket entitles three people to ride again using the fast pass line, so I got to go on it with my 2 sons, who ended up enjoying that bonus. Worked out easily for all - we did this again at other parks with no issues at all.


ETA: The CM did not act like she was doing us some sort of special "favor;" she acted as if this was the standard policy. Same with other CMs at other parks.

We have been able to do rider switch with our DS for years without any problem. He is definitely tall enough to ride but doesn't want to (he's 9 now). We never received a tag at the FP+ entrance, but simply let the attendant know when it was time to tell them how many in our party that we were doing rider swap. DH and DS were sent down a hallway and DH was instructed to return using the same hallway to ride with up to two additional riders. He did have a FP+ (as did everyone in our party), so I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not.

 

[Robo]

That may be, but it's there for everyone to read. As I said before, if Disney doesn't want it there, they should take it down. It's there in black and white.
I follow the rules Disney sets forth, I expect them to follow what they are telling their guests.

I agree.
But, what you are suggesting is that BECAUSE it is there is the reason they must do what is listed.

 

[Candlelady]

I agree.
But, what you are suggesting is that BECAUSE it is there is the reason they must do what is listed.

Yes, I think they should follow their own rules. I have to believe that they aren't purposely lying to me when using their website to plan a vacation.
They update their website all the time, new prices, new rules, new park hours, etc. Why should anyone believe differently?
When bringing the grandchildren, I make sure I have the webpage bookmarked on my phone. So far, I haven't needed to use it.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Yes, I think they should follow their own rules. I have to believe that they aren't purposely lying to me when using their website to plan a vacation.
They update their website all the time, new prices, new rules, new park hours, etc. Why should anyone believe differently?
When bringing the grandchildren, I make sure I have the webpage bookmarked on my phone. So far, I haven't needed to use it.

But it ISN'T a rule, its a statement on a website about a policy. A website that carried a disclaimer that any and all information and policies can be changed at any time without notice. No way to hold them to anything there. Your bookmarked website isn't going to make a difference in the outcome. Just because it is writing doesn't mean they are in any way bound to abide by it.

 

[Candlelady]

I've never had a problem with any of their written rules, policy, or whatever you want to call it.
I follow what they have on their website about rider switch with a smile and a please and thank-you, and it has worked for me.
Not going to argue about it.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I've never had a problem with any of their written rules, policy, or whatever you want to call it.
I follow what they have on their website about rider switch with a smile and a please and thank-you, and it has worked for me.
Not going to argue about it.

That's awesome that it worked for you, it it would also be prudent to note that it might not work for the OP. It'll be up to the cast member.

 

[DaniMoon]

I have an 8 year old that is a bit nervous about RnR, but is willing to give it a try. He would be completely freaked out by the thought of waiting somewhere by himself more than he would be about the ride. I don't think my 10 year old would be comfortable waiting alone.