Rider swap...what if the child isn't tall enough to begin with?

[realhousewife]

Hi, I need some clarification on rider swap. We are taking 3 kids, ages 11, 9, and 2. I know the 2 year old is not tall enough or old enough for things like Splash Mtn, Test Track, Soarin, Star Tours, or Space Mtn. Can we all still stand in line together, and let one parent go with one of the older kids, and then hand off the 2 year old and the other parent go w/ the other older child?

Or, will we have to take turns standing in the line while one stands w/ the 2 year old outside the ride? We didn't have to deal with this on our last trip and now I am trying to picture how we can get on these more intense rides without the 2 year old riding.

Any help you can offer would be great. Also, wondering if there is a special rider swap area inside the rides where the CM's match you up after one pair has ridden.

Thanks!

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

The way it has worked for us on Space, Big Thunder, Splash, Mission Space, Test Track, and Soarin' is that when we go to get in line we go to the CM and let them know we have a rider that is not tall enough to ride. you don't have to have the kid measured, just point out the one with you).

The CM has then given us a rider swap pass-similar in look to a fast pass but it is good for 3 riders.
The riders who are tall enough to go get in line normally(if you have a FP go in the FP lane or if not go in the regular line) and someone else waits outside the line with the rider who is too short.
Once they are done with the ride the 1st set of riders come off and then those who were waiting go in. B/C the rider swap pass is for 3 people in your case the parent who did not ride can take the older 2 back on with the and they can ride again.
Rather than going into the stand-by line they walk through the fastpass lane and the rider swap is treated as a FP for 3 people. There is not set time for the rider swap to be used so if it is inconvenint for the ride to be taken right then you can go back anytime that day.

In Star Tours (old at least) you all go through the line-1st group rides then hand off the child who is too short. I am not sure how it will work with the new ST.

My older son loves this system, LOL.

 

[pooh4evr]

Exactly what PP said- you have to wait outside of the line / at exit for the riders to return.

 

[raidermatt]

Agree with above. Also note that you can get FPs and then use the rider swap as well, so that both waits are in the FP line.

 

[realhousewife]

Thanks for the tips! Looks like my older 2 are really going to enjoy this system Will they get mad if we do it more than one time?

 

[Mama Who]

Thanks for the tips! Looks like my older 2 are really going to enjoy this system Will they get mad if we do it more than one time?

Nope! No reason to get mad. Your family is still waiting in either a FP or SB line and then in a FP line. 2 rides, 2 lines. The only advantage is that you don't have to wait in a second standby line for that second ride.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Just an FYI, once you have your rider swap ticket, the 2 year old and the adult do not have to wait for the others at the ride. You are free to go do something else in the meantime. Often times we would just wait in the ride's gift shop, but sometimes we would do a nearby attraction (such as TTA when others are on Space Mountain) or head to a different part of the park and have them meet up with us, using the Swap ticket later.

 

[TisBit]

Actually, I believe the rider swap is worded that it is good for a the holder and three additional (so a total of 4).

Some rides, like tower of terror have two options for rider swap. You can get a pass to return or everyone can go through the pre show and do the swap later in the que. This is for the rides that have scary pre shows and they have options on if it is because height vs being scared of the ride.

I believe rock and roller coaster does the rider swap slightly different as well, at the loading platform.

 

[kshattuck]

Just an FYI, once you have your rider swap ticket, the 2 year old and the adult do not have to wait for the others at the ride. You are free to go do something else in the meantime. Often times we would just wait in the ride's gift shop, but sometimes we would do a nearby attraction (such as TTA when others are on Space Mountain) or head to a different part of the park and have them meet up with us, using the Swap ticket later.

Yes! This is what we did. We traveled with my parents and our two little girls. DD6 was tall enough for every ride, but we all wanted to ride. This worked out so nicely to have the grandparents take the little one to something else, rather than waiting around while we were in line, etc.

Most CMs ask to see the child who is below the height requirement, so don't go dashing off, as your family might not be able to get a rider swap pass without seeing the 2yo.

Another tip is to be sure NOT to use all of your FPs, since you'll be able to use Rider Swap. For example, you can get 3 FP for BTMRR and 2 FP for Splash. That way, DH and the older kids can ride BTMRR, get a Rider Swap for you, and then you'd have 2 FP and a rider swap for Splash, if some combination of your family wants to ride that attraction 3x. Since your whole family can't use the FPs at the same time, this frees up your tickets to be able to use FPs for alternating attractions.

Have fun!

 

[tjmw2727]

Actually, I believe the rider swap is worded that it is good for a the holder and three additional (so a total of 4).

Some rides, like tower of terror have two options for rider swap. You can get a pass to return or everyone can go through the pre show and do the swap later in the que. This is for the rides that have scary pre shows and they have options on if it is because height vs being scared of the ride.

I believe rock and roller coaster does the rider swap slightly different as well, at the loading platform.

Corrrections -
The rider swap is for a total of 3 not four, the holder and two others

If the child is two small to ride they will get a rider swap pass - At no current attraction is a child who doesn't meet the height restiction allowed to enter the queue area. This includes TOT and RnRC.

For a child/adult that does meet the height restriction he/she can wait the line and take the chicken exit. To my knowledge there is no way to skip the preshow.

The only exception was Star Tours - for a while they did the switch at the exit but now with the refurb they are using the rider swap pass as well.

 

[tjmw2727]

The way it has worked for us on Space, Big Thunder, Splash, Mission Space, Test Track, and Soarin' is that when we go to get in line we go to the CM and let them know we have a rider that is not tall enough to ride. you don't have to have the kid measured, just point out the one with you).

The CM has then given us a rider swap pass-similar in look to a fast pass but it is good for 3 riders.
The riders who are tall enough to go get in line normally(if you have a FP go in the FP lane or if not go in the regular line) and someone else waits outside the line with the rider who is too short.
Once they are done with the ride the 1st set of riders come off and then those who were waiting go in. B/C the rider swap pass is for 3 people in your case the parent who did not ride can take the older 2 back on with the and they can ride again.
Rather than going into the stand-by line they walk through the fastpass lane and the rider swap is treated as a FP for 3 people. There is not set time for the rider swap to be used so if it is inconvenint for the ride to be taken right then you can go back anytime that day.

In Star Tours (old at least) you all go through the line-1st group rides then hand off the child who is too short. I am not sure how it will work with the new ST.

My older son loves this system, LOL.

Well said just wanted to add:
Reports are that the new Star Tours is using the rider swap pass and no longer switching at the exit.

The parent riding second and the child two small can leave after getting the RS pass and do something else. A playground nearby, an ice cream treat, diaper change or favorite attraction. Then meet up after the first party riding is done and the 2nd parent can return anytime that day to ride with up to 2 others.

 

[Mama Who]

Corrrections -
The rider swap is for a total of 3 not four, the holder and two others

And as a heads up for those who visit DL as well, out here it's for the holder plus one. Not sure why that's different, but it is.

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

Well said just wanted to add:
Reports are that the new Star Tours is using the rider swap pass and no longer switching at the exit.

The parent riding second and the child two small can leave after getting the RS pass and do something else. A playground nearby, an ice cream treat, diaper change or favorite attraction. Then meet up after the first party riding is done and the 2nd parent can return anytime that day to ride with up to 2 others.

good to know about ST-thank you!!!

We also planned out nearby places or rides to hang out with the younger one

 

[mishkamushka]

Ok, I'm confused (what else is new ) SO does that mean we only need 2 fast passes if there are 3 people or do BOTH sets of people have to get fast pass?

Example, me, my husband, my nephew (5) and my 2 year old are touring together. We get a fast pass for my nephew and my husband for Space Mountain. Then, at the appointed time, go to the end of the fast pass line and say to an attendant that we want to do a rider swap and point to me and my son (who is obviously too small to ride).

At that point, do husband/nephew receive a rider swap ticket for me? When I go back with nephew do I still need a fast pass or are we ok with just the rider swap ticket?

 

[pooh4evr]

Yes the rider swap ticket the CM gives you at the beginning of the fastpass line is the Fastpass for you and nephew.

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

Ok, I'm confused (what else is new ) SO does that mean we only need 2 fast passes if there are 3 people or do BOTH sets of people have to get fast pass?

Example, me, my husband, my nephew (5) and my 2 year old are touring together. We get a fast pass for my nephew and my husband for Space Mountain. Then, at the appointed time, go to the end of the fast pass line and say to an attendant that we want to do a rider swap and point to me and my son (who is obviously too small to ride).

At that point, do husband/nephew receive a rider swap ticket for me? When I go back with nephew do I still need a fast pass or are we ok with just the rider swap ticket?

when your DH and nephew are going into the line then you will tell the CM you need a rider swap ticket and he/she will give you one. You only need to get 2 FP originally since the rider swap pass will allow you to go through the FP lane.

 

[mishkamushka]

THANK YOU!!!