Rider swap for older/taller kids?

[laura&fam]

Can you still do rider swap if your child is tall enough to ride the ride but just doesn't want to? My middle son is not a roller coaster/big ride kid and everyone else is. He's tall enough to ride but not old enough that I'm going to leave him on his own while everyone else rides.

I'm particularly wondering about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad but other rides might come up too.

 

[wilkeliza]

Can you still do rider swap if your child is tall enough to ride the ride but just doesn't want to? My middle son is not a roller coaster/big ride kid and everyone else is. He's tall enough to ride but not old enough that I'm going to leave him on his own while everyone else rides.

I'm particularly wondering about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad but other rides might come up too.

How old is he? I believe the official stance is if they are over 7 and tall enough to ride then rider switch passes will not be issued as the age to be alone in the park is 7.

 

[disneychrista]

How old is he? I believe the official stance is if they are over 7 and tall enough to ride then rider switch passes will not be issued as the age to be alone in the park is 7.

At age 7 they are not allowed in the parks alone, they must be accompanied by someone age 14 or older.

 

[laura&fam]

He'll turn 10 on the trip. Apparently I'm an overprotective parent because I'm not even letting my 10 year old run around Disneyland on his own.

Thanks for the info. We'll have to plan accordingly.

 

[YukonMommy]

I don't know the exact procedure and googling it gives a whole bunch of different answers. I would say to ask at every ride you want to do this on, the worst they can say is no.

Have a magical time!

 

[wilkeliza]

At age 7 they are not allowed in the parks alone, they must be accompanied by someone age 14 or older.

At 7 they can be in the park alone they just can't enter it alone. Funny rules but at 7 they can get into ride lines, go into stores, and do whatever except enter by themselves. They only need the 14 year old to get in.

As long as the child doesn't look lost, afraid or sad most people don't pay attention to a child over 7 who is alone.
It is the reason why some AP holders use Disney as summer time baby sitting. Parents will come in walk the kids through the turnstiles and hand them their lunch and walk right back out. See it all the time.

Just realized this is the Disneyland thread but did a quick search and Disneyland has the same rules. The rule is very ambiguous because it only says needs someone 14+ to enter but for riding solo it still says 7.

 

[Eddygirl]

We have done child/rider swap no problem with our son even though he was old enough and tall enough for a ride.

Our last trip was to DW and our son was 10 and 54" tall. We did rider swap on RNR Coaster and Space Mountain no problem. ......he did ride when he was ready. ;-)

 

[az4boys]

What about having him go through the line with the whole family, then step through/past the ride to the exit? He'd only be alone for a few minutes while the family rides. When one of my boys was little he decided at the last minute that he didn't want to ride splash mountain. We stepped into the log, then out the other side. It wasn't a big deal except I missed the ride. Now that he is a little older, I'd be fine with him waiting at the exit for us.

 

[nolenbelledavis]

My daughter (8) decided she was afraid to do everything this year. She was all for space mountain until it was close to time to get on it and then she started sobbing. We waited until we were about to get on the ride and asked the CM if she could just wait right there on us. They had her cross through the ride over to the exit platform and she stood right there. Those rides are so fast she was just there a couple of minutes and we got her when we got off the ride.

 

[closetmickey]

What about having him go through the line with the whole family, then step through/past the ride to the exit? He'd only be alone for a few minutes while the family rides. When one of my boys was little he decided at the last minute that he didn't want to ride splash mountain. We stepped into the log, then out the other side. It wasn't a big deal except I missed the ride. Now that he is a little older, I'd be fine with him waiting at the exit for us.

This (above) is what we usually do.

But to answer the OP question- it seems to vary. We have been denied a parent pass before (EE at WDW) yet were just offered one, unsolicited, at ToT at Disneyland for my 9 year old who was too afraid to ride. So I believe it depends on the ride/CM.

 

[wenrob]

My son is 8 and clearly tall enough to ride. We were given rider swaps anytime we asked, no questions. We even got one for Haunted Mansion. We just walked up, said he's afraid to ride and they happily handed them over while making a big deal with his twin sister and how she'd get to again.

 

[pesscas]

We did a ride swap on RSR with my 6 year old daughter. We thought we could convince her to ride, so when it was our turn she didn't want to go. My hubby and 5 year old went first and when they got off, I got on with my 5 year old while hubby waited with the 6 year old. It was seamless! I was really impressed with the great system they have in place. I would just have him wait in line with you and then notify them when it's your turn you want to swap. Easy peasy! I seriously doubt they would deny anyone.

 

[laura&fam]

Thanks for the ideas on having him wait at the ride exit. That sounds like a great plan! Maybe he'll change his mind in line and ride but if not no one else will miss and I'm totally comfortable with leaving him for that long.

He has actually been on every ride at DL before, (except Indian Jones he was too short then it was being remodeled), and he decided after riding that he didn't like several. His face in the Splash Mountain photo is hilarious! He is not enjoying himself

 

[FryingPansWhoKnew]

It is the reason why some AP holders use Disney as summer time baby sitting. Parents will come in walk the kids through the turnstiles and hand them their lunch and walk right back out. See it all the time.

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/mar/19/business/la-fi-disneyland-age-policy-20130320

Found this info on the subject. We let our 12 year old now 13 year old go around the park unaccompanied.

 

[Disney Dider]

My son can't do some of the rides cuz of his heart and the rider switch worked for us. I guess ask cm at said ride.

 

[Swtonscrappn]

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/mar/19/business/la-fi-disneyland-age-policy-20130320

Found this info on the subject. We let our 12 year old now 13 year old go around the park unaccompanied.

I think its laughable that that article says the price of an annual pass is too expensive for babysitting. Even if you you paid $650 and used it for 3 months (summer)/5 days a week, it still only comes to $10 approx daily. I paid $23 a day for child care in MONTANA 10 YEARS ago! So...I think its a deal financially

This is not a comment on I think people should be doing that...only that its financially a benefit.

 

[SweetAlex]

My daughter (8) decided she was afraid to do everything this year. She was all for space mountain until it was close to time to get on it and then she started sobbing. We waited until we were about to get on the ride and asked the CM if she could just wait right there on us. They had her cross through the ride over to the exit platform and she stood right there. Those rides are so fast she was just there a couple of minutes and we got her when we got off the ride.

We did this when my 10 year old didn't want to ride the big rides. There is almost always somewhere for them to wait nearby, normally right near the offloading area. My daughter would NEVER wander off without us so we could trust her without any hesitation to stay put but I realize this may not apply to all kids. My kids feel responsible and mature when we give them opportunities like this to feel independent. They love it actually.

I think having your child wait in a safe and designated area is a little different than "running around Disneyland alone" but honestly, you know your child best and what you both are most comfortable with.

7! I honestly can't imagine my (mature, very responsible and intelligent) 7 year old exploring Disney without us with her.

 

[wilkeliza]

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/mar/19/business/la-fi-disneyland-age-policy-20130320

Found this info on the subject. We let our 12 year old now 13 year old go around the park unaccompanied.

I love that the article says they gone are those days. Really all that has changed is that now the kids get walked through the turnstiles. Even until March of this year at my attraction we were told 7 year olds didn't need parents or older kids to play Agent P which runs you all over a country in the World Showcase.