Please explain how the child-swap works...

[Leader of the Club]

Please explain how the child-swap works...

Hello Dis Family:

We (hubby and I) are going with our 16 y/o, 7 y/o and 3 month old. (Yeah, I know, we like them spaced like that!).

How does the baby swap work? Do we all get in line together and dad and I take turns holding baby? Do the older kids get to ride twice--once with each parent?

Please explain it slowly and clearly, as you would if you were speaking with a small child or sleep deprived mother.

 

[marciemi]

The last time I went (which was in 2000), the way it worked was you told the first CM you came in contact with as you entered the line. On bigger lines (Space/Splash Mtn, etc), usually one is right at the entrance measuring the kids to see if they're big enough. Then one parent, say you, would wait in line with anyone who wanted to ride (2 older kids). Meanwhile Dad would wait elsewhere with the baby (somewhere near the exit because that's where you'll all end up together). Then once you come off, you take the baby and Dad goes back through the exit to ride.

Much about this varies at WDW based on the ride and how it's set up. I know sometimes we had to all wait in the line because there was no back entrance. Sometimes we followed a CM to a room/waiting area (RNRCoaster comes to mind) until the others got off. Sometimes they'd let us bring both the older kids back on, sometimes we were told only 1 could accompany the second parent. This may depend on crowds, space on the ride (how many can fit in one seat), or just a particular CM.

Since it varies so much, the best thing to do is just ask the CM for that particular attraction. They'll know the most up to date policy and details for that ride. But if you get to a ride, and can't find a CM right away, just all get in line and I'm sure they'll take care of it once you get to the front. (I thought we did this on the smaller, non-height restricted rides like POTC - you could take a baby on that one but if you had a kid who was scared or didn't want to go). Good luck!

 

[PanamaMike]

Disney child swap is very much like Disney pin trading.

As you go through the parks, if you see a family with a child you'd like to have, you offer to trade one of your kids for their's. If they agree, you swap kids and go on your merry way.

If you....what?....Oh...that's very different.

Never Mind.

 

[dejr_8]

Most rides give a fastpass type ticket that enables the other parent to go on the ride with up to three additional riders. You just go through the fastpass line to eliminate the wait.

You can even use the babyswap when you hold fastpasses for a ride.

The babyswap is great for the older children because they get to on the ride twice.

A lot of the time we will go get a babyswap ticket and one of us will ride twice with kid that can and the other one of us will go do something else with the baby. It sorta feels like you are cheating...

 

[Trekker]

Disney child swap is very much like Disney pin trading.

As you go through the parks, if you see a family with a child you'd like to have, you offer to trade one of your kids for their's. If they agree, you swap kids and go on your merry way.

If you....what?....Oh...that's very different.

Never Mind.

You know this is exactly what I thought of - find one you like and work out a deal!

 

[Leader of the Club]

Disney child swap is very much like Disney pin trading.

As you go through the parks, if you see a family with a child you'd like to have, you offer to trade one of your kids for their's. If they agree, you swap kids and go on your merry way.

Oh! That clears up a lot! Thanks!

 

[oogieboogie]

Oh! That clears up a lot! Thanks!

make sure you can swap with one that's potty trained. Don't wanna be changing dirty diapers, you know!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Please explain how the child-swap works...


We (hubby and I) are going with our 16 y/o, 7 y/o and 3 month old. (Yeah, I know, we like them spaced like that!).

That is quite a large age span for sure. A friend of mine told me about her co-worker who is pregnant with her third child and there is around 11-12 years between each of the children. That's really spreading it out!

T&B

 

[Mickey Fliers]

You guys are all too funny.

To the OP, child rider switch is very easy. One adults goes to the CM working the attraction and asks for a rider switch pass. The pass is good for four people (I believe, could be three). The first adult rides (either by waiting in the stand-by line or with a fastpass if you have one) with all the kids who are able while the other adult waits. When the first adult is finished, the other can then walk right into the fastpass line. Since the rider switch pass is good for four people, the kids can ride again. Very simple.

One thing I noticed..some of the RS passes are dated and some are not. We had a RS pass for ToT on Monday and didn't use it until Tuesday. On TT, however, the pass specified that it had to be used that day.

If you can't use your Rider Switch or Fast Pass (ie. you run out of time, kids don't want to go, etc.) you can always pass this pass on to someone who is waiting stand-by. Kind of a nice, pay it forward.

Hope this helps.

 

[tjmw2727]

Since Mickey above explained it better than I can I won't repeat. I just want to add that the non-rider (baby in this case) should be with you when you first enter the line and or ask for the BS/RS pass. Then one parent can wait with baby in a cool place, do some shopping etc.

We made the mistake once of sending dh and dd (to short for RnRC) off for ice cream while older dd and I went to ride. We had to go find them and then the CM happily gave us the BS/RS pass. FWIW I totally understand the reasoning and the potential for abuse I just had not thought it through myself. Hence I wanted to save others the time of having to track down the other parent and non-rider.

Have a great trip -
TJ

 

[Tiggerrific]

Disney child swap is very much like Disney pin trading.

As you go through the parks, if you see a family with a child you'd like to have, you offer to trade one of your kids for their's. If they agree, you swap kids and go on your merry way.

If you....what?....Oh...that's very different.

Never Mind.

I'm really surprised no one else asked this question: Do they have a wife swap too ?? lol J/K (really I am )

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I'm really surprised no one else asked this question: Do they have a wife swap too ?? lol J/K (really I am )

Disney is a family operation!

Hmmm, how about family swap...gee, they could make a tv show about it.

T&B