Rider swap clarification

[KrazeeK120]

Even this isn't 100% guaranteed. We were denied a Swap pass at Splash two years ago even though we had a child who was too short, because the standby wait was less than 15 minutes. The CM told us they don't give out passes when the line is short because you "don't need it." I tried countering that Splash is a long ride so the wait would likely be longer by the time the first group finished, but he wouldn't budge. I've also read reports of this policy being enforced at other rides. It only happened to us that one time though, and we were able to successfully use Rider Swap both at the FP line & standby line throughout the rest of our trip.

I stand corrected! Learn something new every day!

 

[Meg1031]

For those with a child too tall to do rider swap or going with only one adult...

WDW has children activity centers at 4 hotels (Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Polynesian, & Dolphin) for children 3-12. AKL & Dolphin are $15/hour (2 hr min), BC & Poly are $55 for the night. On their last trip, instead of using ride swap my brother and his wife left their 4 yo at the BC (they were not staying at there so that does not seem to be a requirement) and used that evening to hit the rides she could not or would not go on as well as have a peaceful dinner at a place she would not have enjoyed. At the club they did activities, games, watched movies, & fed her dinner. My brother said they not only got to enjoy rides they otherwise would've had to miss or go on solo, but my niece had so much fun they had to drag her out of there crying about leaving at the end of the night.

Won't be a solution for everyone in every situation, but it is an option to consider. Here is the Disney page about it: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/childrens-activity-centers/

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I know I've read at least one story on this forum about a family with an adult child who has severe disabilities (can't remember if it was mental or physical) and couldn't ride something that the rest of the family wanted to, and they were denied a swap pass.

I suppose there are a lot of factors in play - the particular CM, the time of year, the ride in question, etc.

I'm just trying to be realistic. From the many, many threads I've read on this topic in the time I've been on the boards, the lesson I've learned is that if all members of your party are tall enough to ride, be prepared to be denied the swap pass. It obviously doesn't hurt to ask, but the only time you can be guaranteed to swap pass is if you have a too-short person in your party.

I agree it doesn't hurt to ask nicely, but don't expect it.

I'll also add that, from reading reports, ToT is the ride with the most reported success of tall enough but too scared to ride resulting in swap pass (no clue on percentage of success rate). This is probably because a very high percentage of 40-42" kids (whatever the requirement is here) are too scared, and everyone knows it.

 

[pregnantw4thprincess]

A co-worker of mine reported that at WDW last week, they would not give them a rider swap pass unless all riders had FP to begin with; has anyone heard of this? There was a too small rider involved, btw

 

[KrazeeK120]

A co-worker of mine reported that at WDW last week, they would not give them a rider swap pass unless all riders had FP to begin with; has anyone heard of this? There was a too small rider involved, btw

At all of the rides or just certain ones?

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

I am here now and at Epcot and HS no problems getting swaps with Only first group having FPs. They do the lanyards on all rides. I will be at MK the next 2 days and then AK Tuesday so I can report back.
A CM at Epcot told my daughter they were no longer doing swaps at Pandora, I have to think that is incorrect info, we are hoping to do standby and FP so we will find out