Rider swap questions

tinkerjo

DIS Veteran
Joined
Nov 25, 2005
Messages
1,683
We are no stranger to rider swap but it has been a long time. We are going with extended family in January and we will have a 1 yo. Does the CM at the entrance to the ride issue it? Can 1 or 2 do something else while they wait ?( ie: rope drop AK, check in at FOP and DD and SIL take DGD on Navi while we ride FOP. And when we get off FOP they can go) if we use Genie + or LL I understand we would all need one. Did I read the baby would need a reservation too for Genie+ ? And is it limited to 2 going on the attraction? I know they used to allow the person that set out and 2 others and how strict is it. Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to maximize time/fun!!
 
It's the adult waiting with the little one plus one other may accompany -- so max of 2 in the 2nd party. The CM at the LL scanner will issue the Rider Swap, you will need to whole party (including the little one) at the time it is requested. If there is an extended outside queue, you may all need to wait in that queue before requesting the swap; reports have varied about that.

Everyone riding will need the Genie+ or ILL$ to obtain the swap. Not the young child though -- many little ones don't even have a ticket, and without a ticket you cannot purchase G+ or ILL$.
 
Can 2 stay out with the baby and when we swap, those 2 will ride? That way mom and dad can ride together while we (grandma and grandpa) watch the baby and nobody has to be alone? Personally I like the idea better that someone rides twice, but DD was asking
 
Can 2 stay out with the baby and when we swap, those 2 will ride? That way mom and dad can ride together while we (grandma and grandpa) watch the baby and nobody has to be alone? Personally I like the idea better that someone rides twice, but DD was asking

So this really only applies to rides where everyone has an ILL or a Lightning Lane, but when we did Galaxy's Edge, we didn't have a non rider, so my husband and I essentially rider swapped. I was concerned that we were too close to the window end and I wouldn't be through the ride in time, but the CM was totally fine with him going through late. The same thing happened at ROTR.
If all 4 of you have ILLs or lightning lanes, I wouldn't worry too much about doing a "rider swap".
 

I can confirm that the baby who does not meet height requirements does not need a Genie+. If she is under 3 then she doesn’t have a ticket and you won’t have any reservations for her and Cannot get Genie+ even if she has a magic band.

When our son was a bit too small (around 4.5 years) I accidentally bought him the FOP pass. The CM will ask you to go get a refund at the front guest relations OR they can issue an anytime pass for 1 ride for him and a guest (we took that option). They don’t want to refund easily.

Now if party 1 was standby, they won’t allow grandma and grandpa to wait outside and give both a rider switch. Now that they’ve monetized it they’re very rude and strict about only 1 guest with the RS. If you have mobility issues, they will say go buy LLI$. If someone gives you some magic, take down their name and maybe a picture.
 
I wanted to clarify the above with if party 2 is just Grandma and Grandpa then you can (most likely) use the rider swap after waiting together. The second party has a max of 2 guests. They just won’t allow 2 guests in addition to the rider swap (waiting adults+child re-ride). It’s 1 waiting adult AND 1 guest.

I was thinking in terms of the first child wanting to ride twice AND taking grandparents. The wording below seems to indicate that the waiting party will be issued a RS.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/rider-switch/

In a VQ or Genie+/LL situation everyone riding needs to have the VQ/LL booked.

Here is an old discussion where waiting party could be just grandparents (RS is limited to 2 guests now; with some CM discretion still allowed - remember their name).

https://plandisney.disney.go.com/question/ride-swap-grandparents-watch-baby-switch-parents-311925/
 
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I can confirm that the baby who does not meet height requirements does not need a Genie+. If she is under 3 then she doesn’t have a ticket and you won’t have any reservations for her and Cannot get Genie+ even if she has a magic band.

When our son was a bit too small (around 4.5 years) I accidentally bought him the FOP pass. The CM will ask you to go get a refund at the front guest relations OR they can issue an anytime pass for 1 ride for him and a guest (we took that option). They don’t want to refund easily.

Now if party 1 was standby, they won’t allow grandma and grandpa to wait outside and give both a rider switch. Now that they’ve monetized it they’re very rude and strict about only 1 guest with the RS. If you have mobility issues, they will say go buy LLI$. If someone gives you some magic, take down their name and maybe a picture.

Just to clarify with standby, grandma and grandpa can wait outside and use RS, one will get the RS and the other will be the additional rider, 2 total with RS. Everyone approach the CM in the line and indicate which 2 will be riding 2nd, they will get a RS added to their ticket media. The purpose of 2 guests is so the 2nd adult doesn't have to ride alone not necessarily for re-rides although that is allowed if you choose it as your +1.
 















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