Recent Experiences with Rider Swap at FoP?

[SaintsManiac]

I posted in the Pandora thread, but I guess it was overlooked.

I have FP for myself, husband and my 7 year old. She didn't want to ride in November after testing the seat and she says she doesn't want to ride next month, either. The CM at the entrance said rider swap is for height only on FoP. Now I am well aware that answers can vary, which is why I am asking.

We barely had time to both ride in the hour window last time. Has anyone been able to rider swap with a child who is simply too scared? Should we just explain and hope the FP wait isn't too long?

Our FP are for 9am on a Saturday with AM EMH at AK. We only want to go, ride and leave for HS.

 

[Jessirip]

I don't have an experience to share, but on Disney's website it says "If a child does not meet the height requirement or a Guest does not wish to board a particular attraction, no problem! " It doesn't specifically say certain rides are height only. I would take a screenshot of that and show the CM on your phone, and if they still say you can't swap just because she doesn't want to ride I'd ask to speak to a supervisor. Most especially since you all have FPs anyway.

If you're like me you hate confrontation too, but that seems pretty clear cut and I'd stand up for our right to swap on that one.

 

[Gentry2004]

Not at FOP specifically, but many posters on here have reported being denied a rider swap because their child was tall enough but didn't want to ride. However, in your case OP, what you may be able to do is have everyone enter the FP+ queue, since you all have FP+, then when its almost time to board, alert a CM that your DD doesn't wish to ride. At that point they will either A - give you the rider swap or B - just have one of you wait off to the side with DD while the other one rides, then the 2nd parent will just hop on the ride when the first parent is done, without reentering the queue.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Not at FOP specifically, but many posters on here have reported being denied a rider swap because their child was tall enough but didn't want to ride. However, in your case OP, what you may be able to do is have everyone enter the FP+ queue, since you all have FP+, then when its almost time to board, alert a CM that your DD doesn't wish to ride. At that point they will either A - give you the rider swap or B - just have one of you wait off to the side with DD while the other one rides, then the 2nd parent will just hop on the ride when the first parent is done, without reentering the queue.

Thanks for the tip. I think we'll do it this way.

 

[bladiator]

My child is too short and not scared so I don't have exactly the same scenario, but did you explain to the CM that you all have FPs? I think they're trying to not allow people to "game the system" on these higher wait rides (even though it's supposed to be allowed). I explained that my wife and I both had FPs, but we didn't want to take a chance on my wife missing her FP window.

 

[seashell7290]

Can one parent occupy your child while the other one rides then trade off? Plenty to look at in pandora and the fast pass line usually goes pretty quick. Is there something that rider swap will get you as opposed to you having fast passes?

 

[hllb]

Can one parent occupy your child while the other one rides then trade off? Plenty to look at in pandora and the fast pass line usually goes pretty quick. Is there something that rider swap will get you as opposed to you having fast passes?

FP isn’t necessarily quick for FoP. Unless you go at the minute your window opens you may not both get thru.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Can one parent occupy your child while the other one rides then trade off? Plenty to look at in pandora and the fast pass line usually goes pretty quick. Is there something that rider swap will get you as opposed to you having fast passes?

That's what we did last time and we only barely squeaked through in an hour. The FP line can have waits. Thankfully, they let us skip people because we both rode alone. Not sure that will always be the case.

 

[SaintsManiac]

My child is too short and not scared so I don't have exactly the same scenario, but did you explain to the CM that you all have FPs? I think they're trying to not allow people to "game the system" on these higher wait rides (even though it's supposed to be allowed). I explained that my wife and I both had FPs, but we didn't want to take a chance on my wife missing her FP window.

If they don't allow us a rider swap I am going to explain the situation. I know there used to be a grace period on FP. Not sure if that's still the case?

 

[mesaboy2]

If they don't allow us a rider swap I am going to explain the situation. I know there used to be a grace period on FP. Not sure if that's still the case?

There has been no change I am aware of.

 

[bladiator]

FP isn’t necessarily quick for FoP. Unless you go at the minute your window opens you may not both get thru.

This is correct. It took about 30-35 minutes per person every time we used an FP and these were light days.

That's what we did last time and we only barely squeaked through in an hour. The FP line can have waits. Thankfully, they let us skip people because we both rode alone. Not sure that will always be the case.

I believe the single rider line (within the queue) will probably continue to exist. They use the 3 lanes on each level for: regular groups of guests, single riders, and disabled riders (and families). Depending on the way groups are put together, the single rider lane could end up really screwing you. I would rather they just left every one in one line and then asked for single riders if it came down to that.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Just want to give an update. We had FP for this morning and my daughter still didn’t want to ride. CM at entrance gave us the rider switch lanyard and said we could all go through since she is tall enough. We went through the line to the 2nd set tap stiles. This is where we encountered our only issue.

CM at the loading area was unhappy that we were all sent through and she didn’t try to hide it. She made me and my daughter go out to the exit in a huff. Thankfully, a wonderful CM came out and got us and let us sit on a bench inside. He gave my daughter a card and was so nice. Definitely giving him a cast compliment!

When I used the pass to get through on my turn I saw a family with the same situation and they let everyone go all the way through to the end where you ride. A CM took the child out from there.

So there you have it! It really depends on how the CM wants to do it, or there just isn’t clear communication. Good luck to everyone trying to swap!