Rider Swap question

[mshanson3121]

I'm curious how this works. So, for example, my husband, myself and my son all love Splash, but my daughter is terrified and doesn't want to ride it, so someone has to stay behind with her. How would Rider Swap work in this situation?

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

The first 2 people will go through the line (either FP or regular, doesn't matter) and say you need a rider swap. Depending on the CM you may or may not get it -- some require the child to be too short, not just scared (which directly contradicts Disney's website, but the website is not policy). If give the child swap the people who ride first will get a return ticket for up to 3 people to use in the FP line. So, your son will get to ride twice -- once with each parent.

 

[Hopefully]

I have read - not experienced - that they do not allow Rider Swap just because someone tall enough doesn't want to ride. It is intended to help families with small children.

 

[smiths02]

Since Rider Swap may not be honored just because a child is too scared (but not too short), you could also do this: Everyone get a FP+ for Splash around the same time (they could even be staggered a small bit). At start of FP+ window, DH and son ride, mom waits with DD. When DH and son finish ride, DD and DS switch magic bands, mom uses her FP+ and DS uses his sister's FP+. DH waits with DD

 

[mshanson3121]

I have read - not experienced - that they do not allow Rider Swap just because someone tall enough doesn't want to ride. It is intended to help families with small children.

It says specifically on their website : If a child does not meet the height requirement or a Guest does not wish to board a particular attraction, no problem!

I can tell you I'll likely put up a stink if they don't, lol, considering what their website states. Getting a little frustrated lately with Disney's communication issues.

 

[mshanson3121]

So, if we were to attempt to use Rider Swap... would DH, myself and DS all need FP+? Or, do only myself and DS make FP+ for the ride, and then DH would just use the rider swap?

 

[Alesia]

It says specifically on their website : If a child does not meet the height requirement or a Guest does not wish to board a particular attraction, no problem!
I can tell you I'll put up a stink if they don't, considering what their website states, and our daughter also has Autism, so this isn't just a typical kid not wanting to ride.

The website is not policy. CMs are instructed to follow the policy, which is that rider swap passes are not given unless there is a child who is too short to ride. You can put up a stink if you like, but it will likely end with a call to security.

There is a protocol for this situation, but it doesn't involve getting a rider switch pass. If you actually want to get what you want, here's what you should doo: go through the line as normal and tell the loading CM that your daughter doesn't want to ride. The CM will tell you what to do.

 

[smiths02]

So, if we were to attempt to use Rider Swap... would DH, myself and DS all need FP+? Or, do only myself and DS make FP+ for the ride, and then DH would just use the rider swap?

If you get Rider Swap, only the people going on the first time would need the FP...so just DS and yourself.
DH and DD could technically have another FP+ and go to that ride after requesting the Rider Swap at Splash Mtn

ETA: But you would have to count on getting that Rider Swap, which is not guaranteed.

 

[mshanson3121]

The website is not policy. CMs are instructed to follow the policy, which is that rider swap passes are not given unless there is a child who is too short to ride. You can put up a stink if you like, but it will likely end with a call to security.

There is a protocol for this situation, but it doesn't involve getting a rider switch pass. If you actually want to get what you want, here's what you should doo: go through the line as normal and tell the loading CM that your daughter doesn't want to ride. The CM will tell you what to do.

My version of "put up a stink" is go to guest services and make a complaint, not throw a temper tantrum in line, lol. Sorry, but if that is their policy, then they darn well ought to be taking it off their website, because people look at that, and plan based on that. They are intentionally putting out misleading information.

 

[smiths02]

It might also depend on if someone has to stay behind with her. I don't know how old she is, but if she is 7 or older, I believe, a parent doesn't technically have to stay behind with her.

 

[mshanson3121]

It might also depend on if someone has to stay behind with her. I don't know how old she is, but if she is 7 or older, I believe, a parent doesn't technically have to stay behind with her.

She'll be 8, but has Autism, so most definitely will require someone to stay with her.

 

[tjmw2727]

It has been our experience that the CM will only give out RS pass if the child doesn't meet the height requirement and "can't" ride the ride. One example is when nephew was just over 40 at tot and they offered us to switch at the exit but honestly my nephew was even afraid of the queue area. We did go to GR later in the day, not to complain but to clarify so we could plan the rest of the height restricted rides and they backed up the CM at TOT.

This was a while ago and since then folks have reported success in getting a RS pass for a child who chooses not to ride but IMHO I wouldn't plan FP choices based on this.

As mentioned above there is another way you can switch when the child meets the height just as the CM when you enter the line. Alternately you can use the non riders FP to ride in two groups as well so your son could still ride 2x (once with each parent) using your daughters FP.

 

[bumbershoot]

It says specifically on their website : If a child does not meet the height requirement or a Guest does not wish to board a particular attraction, no problem!

I can tell you I'll likely put up a stink if they don't, lol, considering what their website states. Getting a little frustrated lately with Disney's communication issues.

It's been about two years since the bizarre and wrong info went up on the website and neither the in park policy had changed nor the wrong info on the site.

You'll find occasional pixie dust moments discussed online where people got a cm who allowed swap with a tall-enough kid but it's not the norm.

Maybe your complaint will be the one that gets the wrong info off the website. Sure hope so!

 

[gap2368]

It's been about two years since the bizarre and wrong info went up on the website and neither the in park policy had changed nor the wrong info on the site.

You'll find occasional pixie dust moments discussed online where people got a cm who allowed swap with a tall-enough kid but it's not the norm.

Maybe your complaint will be the one that gets the wrong info off the website. Sure hope so!

.

If rider swap was just for too short to ride the why dose FEA have rider swap when there is no bight requirement for this ride. Op if there is a ride your DD dose not want to ride go up to the CM and ask them what you need to do they will let you know. Also if she has ASD the DAS might help her out

 

[babyruth]

She'll be 8, but has Autism, so most definitely will require someone to stay with her.

You may want to look into the disability pass. No personal experience with it but it seems like if your daughter will be anxious in certain situations or need spaces to wait that is exactly what the pass is for.

I have never used rider swap this will be my first time trying it. This is interesting that the CM can decline the request though I see how it could get abused. My DD is small so now I am wondering how I prove that she is too small if I am not bringing her up the line to display her toddler-self as too short for the ride? Do we ALL go up the queue the first time so they can see that my daughter is only 38" tall?

 

[Calee]

You may want to look into the disability pass. No personal experience with it but it seems like if your daughter will be anxious in certain situations or need spaces to wait that is exactly what the pass is for.

I have never used rider swap this will be my first time trying it. This is interesting that the CM can decline the request though I see how it could get abused. My DD is small so now I am wondering how I prove that she is too small if I am not bringing her up the line to display her toddler-self as too short for the ride? Do we ALL go up the queue the first time so they can see that my daughter is only 38" tall?

Yes, you do have to bring the non rider to the ride entrance for the CM to see.

 

[babyruth]

Yes, you do have to bring the non rider to the ride entrance for the CM to see.

ok thank you - the first response confused me saying only 2 people go through the line.

 

[tjmw2727]

You may want to look into the disability pass. No personal experience with it but it seems like if your daughter will be anxious in certain situations or need spaces to wait that is exactly what the pass is for.

I have never used rider swap this will be my first time trying it. This is interesting that the CM can decline the request though I see how it could get abused. My DD is small so now I am wondering how I prove that she is too small if I am not bringing her up the line to display her toddler-self as too short for the ride? Do we ALL go up the queue the first time so they can see that my daughter is only 38" tall?

Yes - you do have to present the child who isn't eligible to ride in order to get the rider swap pass, this way the CM can verify your eligible. Sometimes you will get the actual pass from the first CM and other times the party riding first will get a lanyard to be exchanged for the pass when they actually board.

Once you get the pass the non riding parent can leave the area and do something else with the non riding child and return to ride later. The pass is good for up to 3 riders and has an expiration date printed on it so you don't have to ride immediately.

 

[KrazeeK120]

ok thank you - the first response confused me saying only 2 people go through the line.

That response is correct. Only 2 people go through the line. The "too short" person doesn't go through the line.

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

My DD was 6 last year and was tall enough to ride 7DMT but was to scared. We had no problem doing rider swap. I think maybe it depends on the CM, but I bet if you explain your situation they will try to accommodate you.