Please explain the 'trade off' option....

[westjones]

I sort of remember someone saying that adults could get in line together and one can stay with a young child while the other rides, and then they trade off, and the other adult can ride when the first one returns.

My DD isn't that young (9), but she won't go on roller coasters or the Tower of Terror and well, a lot of rides like that. In the past I have always just sat on a bench with her while my husband and her sister (who is her twin and also 9, but she loves these rides) goes together.

So would I be able to 'trade off' at the end of the ride with my husband and he stays with the twin that won't ride? Can my other daughter who would have just rode with my husband ride with me also?

If we can do this, what do we do when we get to the front of the line? Do we tell them we are 'trading off'? Do all of the CMs understand what this is? Anyone else try this in the past?

Thanks,
DJ

 

[ProfGoofy]

I copied this from http://www.magictrips.com/guidemaps/babyswap.shtml cause I was too lazy to type in an explanation. It's easy to use and the CMs will guide you through the process.

Most attractions have a "switching off" option, also known as a "baby swap". This is available for those attractions where height restrictions and/or age requirements may prevent all members of your party from experiencing a ride together. It may also be used if you have a child who is timid about an attraction, even though they meet the height and/or age requirement.

To take advantage of the "baby swap" there must be at least two adults in your party. When you meet the first "greeter", or Cast Member of the attraction, tell them that you would like to exercise the "baby swap". Your entire party will proceed through the line together until you reach the loading area. When you reach the loading area, one adult will ride while the other stays with the child(ren) that cannot/won't ride. When the first adult disembarks the ride the other adult will then be allowed on the attraction, at the head of the line. The adult that already enjoyed the ride then stays with the child(ren). If there's a third adult in your group they can experience the attraction twice, once with each of the switching off adults, so that the switching off adults don't have to experience the ride alone. This makes quite a bonus for them!

Most rides with age and height minimums load and unload in the same area, with an exception of Space Mountain. For this attraction when you tell the first "greeter" you'd like to use this option they will phone ahead to tell "greetertwo" to be expecting you. When you reach greeter two you'll be given specific directions. One of you will proceed to the ride, while the other stays behind with the kids. Whoever rides first must alert the unloading attendant that you are switching off. The attendant will then return you to the loading area via a special stairway to watch the kids. This is where you "switch off". While the second adult rides, the first adult takes the kids down the stairs to the unloading area where everybody is reunited and exits together. It seems to work well for all involved.

 

[DisneyDiver]

Another two exceptions to the loading/unloading areas being in the same place are Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Haunted Mansion.

Just thought I'd point that out...

 

[CindyAnn]

Haunted Mansion is the only ride where we've ever been told that we couldn't switch off. I suspect that other CM's might have told us it was fine, but it hasn't worked out on our last 2 trips.

 

[papagooch]

My six year old {who is a ride nut} called this feature the Grandma swap until his baby sister came along.

 

[westjones]

Thanks everyone! I am still hoping my DD decides to ride with us (I think she would like it if she tried it). But if she still insist on not going, at least maybe this time I can try some of the rides I have been missing out on.

DJ

 

[swilphil]

If you get fast passes, you can also use the "child watcher" option. When the first two or three people in your group go to give your fast pass to the CM, tell them you want that option. The CM will give you a child watcher pass and then one person in your group will be able to get to on the ride again. My sister even was able to get two passes so two people could ride again. The big benefit with this option is the child watcher doesn't actually have to come with you the first time, they can wait someplace comfy while you ride.