Parent swap (instead of child swap)

[Chevy]

Can you use the child swap option in reverse? That is, say we have 2 children that want to ride but can't/won't ride alone (oldest is 7, so technically she could, but she won't) but I'm pregnant so I can't go on. Could I wait with one child in the swap area while DH rides with the other, and then when they get back could we swap kids? So DH would ride twice and each child would ride once?

Looking at the expectant mothers advisory (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/#/expectant-mothers/), rides that we'd be interested in doing this would be:
Splash Mnt, Barnstormer, Speedway.

Buzz Lightyear and SDMT don't have child swap, so we'd have to FP them, and DH would ride with one child, then they would come back out and I would swap magic bands with DH and then he could ride again with second child.

I believe the 3 of them could sit together on Mission Space (green), Test Track, Star Tours, Kali River Rapids, and the Safaris.

We're not interested in BTMRR, Dinosaur, EE, Primeval Whirl, Aerosmith, Space Mnt, or ToT, so I don't need to plan for those.

Thanks!

 

[ttintagel]

There's no official policy or provision for that. But, you could ask the CM at each attraction and they might allow it. It's one of those things where there's no harm in asking as long as you don't count on it and base all your plans around it.

 

[Chevy]

Huh, Disney's website doesn't show SDMT as having rider switch, https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/rider-switch/
but other websites say it does: https://touringplans.com/magic-kingdom/attractions/rider-swap

 

[Chevy]

There's no official policy or provision for that. But, you could ask the CM at each attraction and they might allow it. It's one of those things where there's no harm in asking as long as you don't count on it and base all your plans around it.

Okay, good to know. Thank you.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Also know that there isn't an actual rider swap area. They just give you a paper fast pass-type thing that says you can return to the ride and use the fast pass line. If they are willing to let you rider swap, you and a child could go do something else while your husband and the other child ride. For example, while they do Speedway, you can go do People Mover. While they do Splash Mountain, you can go ride Pirates or watch The Country Bear Jamboree. Just something you might want to know in case you want to think about things to do while your husband and one child ride.

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

Huh, Disney's website doesn't show SDMT as having rider switch, https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/rider-switch/
but other websites say it does: https://touringplans.com/magic-kingdom/attractions/rider-swap

It certainly does, we've used it many times on that ride.

 

[Chevy]

It certainly does, we've used it many times on that ride.

Fantastic, thank you for confirming!

 

[Ambehnke]

You can absolutely do this. They give you a paper fastpass that you can come back to use at any time, they won't track who's gone through. 7DMT DOES have child swap. We have used it several times.

 

[Chevy]

Also know that there isn't an actual rider swap area. They just give you a paper fast pass-type thing that says you can return to the ride and use the fast pass line. If they are willing to let you rider swap, you and a child could go do something else while your husband and the other child ride. For example, while they do Speedway, you can go do People Mover. While they do Splash Mountain, you can go ride Pirates or watch The Country Bear Jamboree. Just something you might want to know in case you want to think about things to do while your husband and one child ride.

Oh, I didn't realize it would be paper return slips. That seems much simpler! And thank you for the tips on what's nearby!

 

[Chevy]

You can absolutely do this. They give you a paper fastpass that you can come back to use at any time, they won't track who's gone through. 7DMT DOES have child swap. We have used it several times.

Oh good, this makes me feel much better. I am very much a planner, and not knowing whether we'd have to wait twice was really throwing off my ability to plan.

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

Are you going to go up and say "I need a child swap for this (points to belly) child?"

I personally have never experienced that, and having used child swap every trip we're ever been on, AND having my child have to physically walk up and be measured 99% of the time, I don't think I'd make my plans around that being an option. Child swap is designed for children (already born) who are not tall enough to ride. Of course you can ask, and some CMs -- and maybe all -- will allow you to use the swap, but make sure you have a backup in case you are told no.

ALSO -- you won't need to worry for Splash, it can fit 3 across, especially an adult & 2 small children.

 

[Gru]

I don't know if they still do this but when my kids were younger I rode the Speedway with a 6 and 4 year old. The CM asked if they would both like to take turns "driving", they let us go through the ride twice without exiting the ride - we just switched "drivers". It is also possible to fit three in a row on Splash. This summer I squeezed onto BTMRR with my 12 and 8 year old....it was a tight fit though.

 

[Gracie09]

you could just get fp for everyone. Dad rides with one kid. Comes out, you switch bands, he rides with second kid.

 

[Ambehnke]

If you have one child waiting with you, I honestly don't think any CMs are going to question it. They will often give rider swaps for kids who just don't want to ride even though they are tall enough (I've never done this but have seen it done lots), and your circumstance is even more justified than that IMO.

 

[Kathryn777]

Ride alone is very different on a ride like the barnstormer and 7dmt when the separation is so small... Why can't you ride buzz??

 

[Kathryn777]

Ohhh I just saw it in the list. That's ridiculous the ride is as slow as can be... Winnie the Pooh is rougher and that's not rough. maybe if your child is ruthlessly spinning it?? Watch a YouTube video of that one it is the same omnimover type as so many others

 

[Ambehnke]

Ride alone is very different on a ride like the barnstormer and 7dmt when the separation is so small... Why can't you ride buzz??

I would think Buzz should be fine unless you get motion sickness easily from spinning.

 

[Ambehnke]

Ohhh I just saw it in the list. That's ridiculous the ride is as slow as can be... Winnie the Pooh is rougher and that's not rough. maybe if your child is ruthlessly spinning it?? Watch a YouTube video of that one it is the same omnimover type as so many others

I agree I think the bouncing on Pooh is much worse (but still minimal)!

 

[robinb]

Ohhh I just saw it in the list. That's ridiculous the ride is as slow as can be... Winnie the Pooh is rougher and that's not rough. maybe if your child is ruthlessly spinning it?? Watch a YouTube video of that one it is the same omnimover type as so many others

I agree! I definitely rode Buzz when I was pregnant. I also rode the Safari.

OP, I think that most CMs will work with you on a "Parent Swap".

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

I forgot to add, every time I've ridden 7DMT with my 9 & 6 yr old the CM put the girls in FRONT of me, so I rode "alone" (with a stranger) but we were all in the same car. So, that ride shouldn't be an issue either.