Rider Swap Help Needed

[Wendylet]

So we are travelling to DLR Dec 15-20. There are four of us including two littles aged 6 and 1. We feel we will be needing to use rider swap where it is available but I do have questions about the process for any who may have current information to share. If we rope drop and head to an attraction (quickly of course) how does it work with trying to quickly get into line while arranging the swap with a cast member? Do the four of us need to stop and speak with the cast member or can the two riding get into line while the adult not riding arrange this on their own? Also what about the child who would ride again with the non riding adult? Do they have to be identified to the cast member? Trying to figure out how we could have an effective swap setup while trying quickly to stow a stroller, arrange the swap and get into line in a timely fashion. Also can you wait to use the swap until later and can you get another one without having used the first swap? So many questions.....Thanks for any help!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

You should have everyone present. I would join the line all together as a group. At some point (this varies depending on the ride and the length of the line) kids who are not tall enough to ride cannot go any further. At that point a cast member will be there who can assist you with rider switch.

The CM will attach the switch passes to the tickets of the waiting party (up to three). They do expire and you are expected to ride shortly after the first party.

 

[KateDrake]

We usually all approach the attraction we need to swap for, then allow one adult and child to go ride something else while the other two go on the attraction. So for example, we all go up to Space Mountain, and ask for a swap pass. Parent 1 and Kid 1 go into the line and ride, while Parent 2 and Kid 2 head over to ride Buzz Lightyear or Astro Orbiter. When everyone is done, Parent 2 and Kid 1 go back to Space Mountain, and Parent 1 and Kid 2 ride Buzz or whatnot again.

You can also just wait near the exit for your party, but we've found we all enjoy it more if we're actually DOING something, instead of just waiting. And the littles are always excited to ride their favorite again, while it saves parents from having to go on Winnie the Pooh 30 times, lol. There are some really great options near every attraction that requires swapping, so if you need some suggestions, just holler!

 

[Wendylet]

Thank you so much for the information. Do you know if you can hold more than one swap at a time? I have read lots about people not going back to use their swap pass for hours! Just trying to make best use of time at such a busy time while keeping expectations reasonable.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Thank you so much for the information. Do you know if you can hold more than one swap at a time? I have read lots about people not going back to use their swap pass for hours! Just trying to make best use of time at such a busy time while keeping expectations reasonable.

I don't think there is a limit but like I mentioned above, they do expire and when they do they can go poof from your app. In the old days it was paper tickets but now they are electronically attached to your ticket in the app and the CM will manually choose a return window for you based on how long they think it will take for the first party to complete the ride. I would plan on riding pretty close to immediately after the first party to make sure you don't miss out.

 

[KateDrake]

Thank you so much for the information. Do you know if you can hold more than one swap at a time? I have read lots about people not going back to use their swap pass for hours! Just trying to make best use of time at such a busy time while keeping expectations reasonable.

This used to be really easy to do when they had paper passes. You could basically come back at any time throughout the day. Now that they are in the app, they need to be used much more quickly, and it would be hard to get that many in one timeframe. It would have to be attractions very close together, like Star Tours and Space Mountain, etc.

 

[Wendylet]

Thanks to everyone for the input. Seems like we would be best to avoid a rider swap at rope drop to make best use of that time.

 

[poptart90]

Thanks to everyone for the input. Seems like we would be best to avoid a rider swap at rope drop to make best use of that time.

We used Swap for Incredicoaster last week (not for rope drop as it was a complete walk-on for hours) but they gave us a full hour to come back and use it! It was enough time to do the rest of the Pier before we needed to return.

 

[RedVines2001]

I went during Halloween and grabbed a rider swap for Guardians in the afternoon and didn’t use it till right at park close. But on the same day I got a rider swap for RSR and try to use it maybe an hour later and the pass disappeared. I don’t think that was supposed to happen as the CM said something along the lines of it being a technical glitch. They were very gracious and let us on anyways. I also had rider swap for Incredicoaster that stayed in my app the whole day. Once you get a rider swap pass you can actually see it under My Plans in the Disneyland app.

To answer your question about rope drop I think it would be ok for the riding party to go ahead and get in line while the non riding party walk at their pace to get the rider swap. I say this because last time when I was asking for rider swap passes the CM asked me if the riding party was already in the line. So I’m guessing there is at least some expectation of people asking for passes after the other party already went in. In my experience the CMs have always been super understanding and helpful with the rider swaps.

Your mileage may vary. Hope it works out for you.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

We used Swap for Incredicoaster last week (not for rope drop as it was a complete walk-on for hours) but they gave us a full hour to come back and use it! It was enough time to do the rest of the Pier before we needed to return.

That is a nice return window. It would be nice if it was standardized in some way.

 

[Wendylet]

I went during Halloween and grabbed a rider swap for Guardians in the afternoon and didn’t use it till right at park close. But on the same day I got a rider swap for RSR and try to use it maybe an hour later and the pass disappeared. I don’t think that was supposed to happen as the CM said something along the lines of it being a technical glitch. They were very gracious and let us on anyways. I also had rider swap for Incredicoaster that stayed in my app the whole day. Once you get a rider swap pass you can actually see it under My Plans in the Disneyland app.

To answer your question about rope drop I think it would be ok for the riding party to go ahead and get in line while the non riding party walk at their pace to get the rider swap. I say this because last time when I was asking for rider swap passes the CM asked me if the riding party was already in the line. So I’m guessing there is at least some expectation of people asking for passes after the other party already went in. In my experience the CMs have always been super understanding and helpful with the rider swaps.

Your mileage may vary. Hope it works out for you.

Thanks so much for that update. It’s hard to find accurate information on the process for sure. I appreciate the info!