Rider Swap/FP strategies

[AJ1983]

Hi everyone! My friend is going to spend a day at the Magic Kingdom with her family, which includes her husband and two boys (3 1/2 years old and 4 months old). This is happening in 4 weeks, and I said I would help her plan to make the most of her day.

Of course, I have never done the parks with children, so I can help her out with a touring plan but don't know the logistics of how rider swap works, for what rides it is available, and what rides the infant can get on as well. Also, if my friend needed to breastfeed her baby, could she take her 3 year old in the Baby Care Center too? (not sure that she would have to do this, since her husband will be there, just checking to cover all bases).

Any advice from people who have done this would be great and most appreciated

 

[tink9702]

I can help a bit with Rider Swap. Basically it's for rides that have a height limit. So doesn't work on something like the railroad, but does for Space Mountain. They would walk up to the beginning of the ride to a CM showing them the little kids and that they aren't tall enough and ask for a rider switch pass. Then one parent would ride while the other waits with the pass. The second parent can either ride right after, OR anytime later as well.

She can definitely bring the toddler into the baby care centers. Hopefully someone else has more info about the actual layout/setup.

Advice I have:
1. combine a double stroller & babywearing when the baby wants to be held.
2. just do what you can and don't stress if the kiddos are overwhelmed.
3. choose which characters you really want to see, it will be nearly impossible to see them all.
4. have a BLAST making memories!

 

[maxiesmom]

The infant can go on any ride that does not have a height restriction. So a good number of rides will be ok for the whole family.

I would be sure they understand that when they ask for a child swap, they do it with the first CM at the start of the ride. The whole family will NOT be able to get in line. If a child is too short to ride they are not allowed into the queue at all. So one parent will be able to ride while the other waits outside, and then they trade off.

 

[AJ1983]

Just to clarify, the 3 year old is tall enough for everything except Space Mountain. So if both parents want to ride Big Thunder and Splash, but someone has to stay with the infant, ca the 3 year old ride twice (once with each parent), or does the second parent ride alone? They think Rider Swap is awesome that they don't have to line up twice, so they won't care either way,but I thought I would ask

 

[tink9702]

that's a TALL 3 year old! Yes, the 3 year old would ride Thunder and Splash twice, once with each parent.

 

[AJ1983]

that's a TALL 3 year old! Yes, the 3 year old would ride Thunder and Splash twice, once with each parent.

LOL I know! He will be closer to 3 1/2 by then, but yes he is very tall!

 

[DopeyDame]

Just to clarify, the 3 year old is tall enough for everything except Space Mountain. So if both parents want to ride Big Thunder and Splash, but someone has to stay with the infant, ca the 3 year old ride twice (once with each parent), or does the second parent ride alone? They think Rider Swap is awesome that they don't have to line up twice, so they won't care either way,but I thought I would ask

Yup! The 3 year old can ride twice, and only the first group of people need a fastpass.
Here's an example
In advance, Dad and son get fastpass for Thunder mountain and Mom gets fastpass for Space Mountain
All 4 approach thunder mountain and ask for a rider swap pass
CM gives mom the rider swap pass (or, on a few rides, gives dad a sign to give to the CM at the ride, who will then give him the rider swap pass.)
Dad and Son ride Thunder Mountain while Mon and baby do something else to kill some time
Later...
All 4 approach Space Mountain. and ask for a rider swap pass
CM gives dad the rider swap pass
Mom rides Space Mountain while dad and kids do something else

Later on (any time),
Mom and Son ride Thunder Mountain while dad occupies baby.
Dad rides Space Mountain alone while mom occupies both kids

Plus: Son gets to ride Thunder twice, and mom and dad get to ride Space and Thunder Mountains while effectively using one fast pass each.
Downside: There's a lot of time to kill while the parents ride space mountain. This is why we typically have "mom" from this example use her fastpass for something like Small World, and just accept that we adults won't be riding Space Mountain for a few more years.

 

[DopeyDame]

As for your other questions, answers in red

=

Of course, I have never done the parks with children, so I can help her out with a touring plan but don't know the logistics of how rider swap works,
See above
for what rides it is available - any ride with a height requirement
, and what rides the infant can get on as well - any ride without a height requirement

. Also, if my friend needed to breastfeed her baby, could she take her 3 year old in the Baby Care Center too?
Absolutely! More than that, the baby care centers have some larger restrooms with small potties, so it may be a great place to take a 3 year old to use the bathroom if it's convenient. I do hope, though, that she doesn't feel like she can only breastfeed in the baby care centers. There's only one in each park, and I'd hate to see her waste so much time going over there each time the baby needs to eat. Just have her grab a bench and feed the baby (discreetly, of course)

 

[AJ1983]

As for your other questions, answers in red

Oh she won't mid breastfeeding elsewhere...she already said Tom Saywer's Island sounds like a great place to feed the baby I just figured the baby care cetre would be a break from the hustle and bustle of the park. Thank you for all your wonderful information! (That goes for everyone who shared their wisdom re: babies and Disney )