Rider swap at DLR

[abuck75]

We have a 4 year old that doesn't really like thrill rides, so we often use rider swap at WDW.

At WDW, they generally give you a pass (like FP) And let the other parent and the 4 year old do other things and go back later. I thought I saw that you'll need to wait at the ride at Disneyland. Is that true?

 

[Niltiac]

I've never used it myself, but from what I've heard you need to show the child at the front of the line to prove they exist, but you don't have to stand there while the other parent waits in line. Once you have the pass you can go do something else. I'm pretty sure that's why they tend to put tame rides like carousels near thrill rides. I've seen some debate about whether the passes are supposed to be used for children who meet the height requirement but are too timid to ride, but the general consensus I've seen is that they generally won't question it if the child looks young.

 

[disneyxica20]

you just need to show the cast member at the entrance of the ride that you have a child who can't ride and they will give you a pass to come back later. one time when we used it for star tours the cast member told us that our whole group had to wait in line until we reached the point in line where the measuring stick is (just before you go inside) and then they gave us the pass, which i thought was kinda dumb, but whatever. we only encountered that once and we've used rider swap many times.

 

[lcp9]

We have done it many times and some rides they don't care about seeing the baby, others they do want to see the whole group (usually bigger rides - RSR, SM.) We've never had to wait in line with the whole group, that would be kind of annoying if we did like the above poster mentioned. Clearly a 4 month old baby in a stroller doesn't need to be measured!

 

[Traver Freeman]

With regard to the CM needing to see the child, that is the official rule, however, the CM at the entrance is rarely the CM that hands you the Rider Swap, and sometimes I just ask the CM later in the ride about it and they'll just give it to me. Some rides the entrance CM gives you one of those red cards with some stickers on it. With those rides, they are little more particular about it, however, they'll likely just give you grief and tell you you should have asked at the beginning but they will most likely still give it to you.

Now, I am not sure if they will give you a pass if your 4 year old is tall enough to ride, but just does not want to. I am not sure how that works.

I will say that Space Mountain is one of the better rides at DLP for Rider Swap as you actually go through the handicap entrance at the exit of the ride instead of going through the normal fastpass spot. It's virtually a walk on with the rider swap. This is the only ride in both parks like this.

 

[agamble]

It sounds like it's similar to WDW. They give you a return ticket for the ride. The ticket is similar in size to a FP and has the date written on it. You can use it any time that day. Most CM will want to see the child. Big Thunder is one they usually tell us to ask again before loading for the pass, but the specifics can vary by ride. CM are pretty kind most of the time, and they understand that many little kids do not want to ride coasters. I wouldn't expect a problem.

 

[Traver Freeman]

It sounds like it's similar to WDW. They give you a return ticket for the ride. The ticket is similar in size to a FP and has the date written on it. You can use it any time that day. Most CM will want to see the child. Big Thunder is one they usually tell us to ask again before loading for the pass, but the specifics can vary by ride. CM are pretty kind most of the time, and they understand that many little kids do not want to ride coasters. I wouldn't expect a problem.

Yes, the only difference is the number of people the pass let's on. I think, if memory serves me, the WDW ones allow you and 3 guests. DL only lets you and 2 guests. I could be wrong though. But they work the exact same way.

 

[wenrob]

I've never used it myself, but from what I've heard you need to show the child at the front of the line to prove they exist, but you don't have to stand there while the other parent waits in line. Once you have the pass you can go do something else. I'm pretty sure that's why they tend to put tame rides like carousels near thrill rides. I've seen some debate about whether the passes are supposed to be used for children who meet the height requirement but are too timid to ride, but the general consensus I've seen is that they generally won't question it if the child looks young.

Rider Swap is for anyone who can't/doesn't want to ride not just small kids.
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/rider-switch/

Generally you just go to the standby/exit of the ride with your party. They give a lanyard/pass to those who are boarding and that is given to another CM along the way. It's a little different for each ride, they'll tell you. The other half of your party is free to go do what they want.

 

[abuck75]

At WDW, I know the swap pass is good for the entire month, is that the case at DLR, or is it just for that day?

 

[Whistlebee]

At WDW, I know the swap pass is good for the entire month, is that the case at DLR, or is it just for that day?

It's good for that day only, although sometimes they don't date them, in which case you could use them on a different day. They are good for 3 people.

 

[agamble]

At WDW, I know the swap pass is good for the entire month, is that the case at DLR, or is it just for that day?

They used to use a color coding system that they changed every few days so you could get by with using them on a different day. Now they have a pad with slips that look kind of like FP and they stamp them with a date. They can be used any time that day though, so you can collect one in the morning and use it in the evening.

It's good for that day only, although sometimes they don't date them, in which case you could use them on a different day. They are good for 3 people.

I found one recently that didn't have a stamp. It's from two years ago. I won't be using it, but it crossed my mine that I probably could.

Sadly I forgot to have my DD measure against Screamin' during our trip two years ago. They sometimes give out FP for kids who are not quite tall enough to use once they are and those don't expire. But it's not a big deal as that is an easy ride to get a FP for. But it's one of those fun things. She got one for Goofy's one year.

 

[RJmurphy]

Another question along this line. If my daughter and son in law get a fast pass for a ride and my wife and I watch the kids while they ride, when they come off can my wife and I go on for the rider swap ? Would my wife and I need a fast pass too ?

 

[agamble]

Another question along this line. If my daughter and son in law get a fast pass for a ride and my wife and I watch the kids while they ride, when they come off can my wife and I go on for the rider swap ? Would my wife and I need a fast pass too ?

Yes. That is the intention of the Rider Swap pass.

ETA: No FP needed. In fact you could use 2 tickets to get FP for Star Tours and then the other 2 FP to get FP for Space. This doubles your FP opportunities, but keep in mind that riding everything split up also takes twice as long.

 

[wenrob]

Another question along this line. If my daughter and son in law get a fast pass for a ride and my wife and I watch the kids while they ride, when they come off can my wife and I go on for the rider swap ? Would my wife and I need a fast pass too ?

Yes, you can use it for up to three people. No, you don't need a fast pass.

 

[starshine514]

I will say that Space Mountain is one of the better rides at DLP for Rider Swap as you actually go through the handicap entrance at the exit of the ride instead of going through the normal fastpass spot. It's virtually a walk on with the rider swap. This is the only ride in both parks like this.

Are you saying it works that way at Disneyland Paris (DLP) or at Disneyland (DL) in Anaheim? We have done rider swap at SM DL, and we went through the regular FP line with it.

 

[Traver Freeman]

Are you saying it works that way at Disneyland Paris (DLP) or at Disneyland (DL) in Anaheim? We have done rider swap at SM DL, and we went through the regular FP line with it.

Oh sorry, DL in anaheim. I thought DLP meant Disneyland PARK as opposed to Disneyland RESORT (DLR).

It is the Space Mountain in Anaheim. You can go through the FP line, but you are supposed to go through the Handicap entrance. I actually had a father and daughter with a rider swap in front of me in the FP line and when we got up to the cast member who takes your FP he actually told them they were supposed to use the Handicap. They turned around to go through the exit, I beat them on the ride at that point, they should have just continued through, but it's certainly faster if you don't make that mistake as there is no line at all for you.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Oh sorry, DL in anaheim. I thought DLP meant Disneyland PARK as opposed to Disneyland RESORT (DLR).

It is the Space Mountain in Anaheim. You can go through the FP line, but you are supposed to go through the Handicap entrance. I actually had a father and daughter with a rider swap in front of me in the FP line and when we got up to the cast member who takes your FP he actually told them they were supposed to use the Handicap. They turned around to go through the exit, I beat them on the ride at that point, they should have just continued through, but it's certainly faster if you don't make that mistake as there is no line at all for you.

I didn't know. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Aurora_Australis]

We had no problem with only DH and Dd having FPs while I waited with the little one and then used rider swap EXCEPT for on Hyperspace, where we were told we should all have one if we wanted to switch. (But they let us on anyway, which was good as I had Indy FP with the other two tickets!)

 

[SMD]

It is the Space Mountain in Anaheim. You can go through the FP line, but you are supposed to go through the Handicap entrance. I actually had a father and daughter with a rider swap in front of me in the FP line and when we got up to the cast member who takes your FP he actually told them they were supposed to use the Handicap. They turned around to go through the exit, I beat them on the ride at that point, they should have just continued through, but it's certainly faster if you don't make that mistake as there is no line at all for you.

How long ago did that happen? Because they switched DAS returns to go through the FP line and not the HA exit line. It seems like swap returns would go through the FP line too.

 

[Traver Freeman]

How long ago did that happen? Because they switched DAS returns to go through the FP line and not the HA exit line. It seems like swap returns would go through the FP line too.

About two months maybe? Mid-February. We have a 2 year old and Rider Swap all the time. I regularly go through the handicap entrance without issue.