rider switch dumb questions

[heather13]

Help! In all our trips we've never done this before - my mom has always been with us and stayed with whomever didn't want to ride. Due to unforeseen circumstances she won't be going with us at the last minute, and so I haven't even thought to research this and we leave very soon.

I get the basics: it's available for certain rides and we tell a CM we want to ride swap. But...

Do we just get in the line and keep walking and waiting until we encounter a CM, even if that's at the loading area?
When we return is it like a FP for the other parent, where they basically skip to the head of the line?
Is it possible to bring anyone else along (like our older child) or will the waiting parent be required to ride solo?
How does this work if we already have a FP for a certain ride?
Is this ever something that can be done at the last minute - if DD gets to the ride and realizes she doesn't want to do it, can we ride swap before loading?
Is it only for kids below height requirement, or are parents of frightened children also allowed to swap?

Thank you!

 

[hllb]

Rider swap at Disney is awesome! We haven't done it in about 5 years, but how it worked then was you went to the FP line, told them you needed rider swap, and they gave you a paper FP for it. Then, the party riding the ride got in the stand by queue. Then, you could use the paper FP later (any time, I don't think there was a limit) and were allowed to bring up to 3 people back with you (I've heard that's down to 2 people, but not sure). So, we were there with 2 adults, a 2 yr old, a 7 yr old and an 8 yr old. I would go on the ride with the 7 and 8 year old, hubby would wait with 2 yr old. Then, hubby would use the FP later, and take the 7 and 8 yr olds with him again. The big kids got to ride twice. It was very cool (we'll miss it now that the baby is 7 LOL).

 

[mcm574]

One thing to be aware of is you should have the younger child with you when you request the rider swap - on my last DL trip, at one point we left the little one sleeping in his stroller with my mom, and my husband, older son, and I went to the line to request the rider swap - the cast member asked that next time we make sure to bring the baby along so the cast member could see him (he was very nice about it and did give us the rider swap pass anyway). It's funny, I would never think of trying to score a "free" fast pass by gaming the rider swap system, but I suppose that's what some people do!

(I find it entertaining that heather13 has never used rider swap because her mom would stay with those left behind - because my mom was having none of that, if she came along, she wanted to ride, too! - rider swap was great because it meant that ALL of the adults in our party got to ride!)

 

[fbarker]

One thing to be aware of is you should have the younger child with you when you request the rider swap - on my last DL trip, at one point we left the little one sleeping in his stroller with my mom, and my husband, older son, and I went to the line to request the rider swap - the cast member asked that next time we make sure to bring the baby along so the cast member could see him (he was very nice about it and did give us the rider swap pass anyway). It's funny, I would never think of trying to score a "free" fast pass by gaming the rider swap system, but I suppose that's what some people do!

(I find it entertaining that heather13 has never used rider swap because her mom would stay with those left behind - because my mom was having none of that, if she came along, she wanted to ride, too! - rider swap was great because it meant that ALL of the adults in our party got to ride!)

I am somewhat confused. If your mother was watching the little one as he slept and it was you, your husband and older son why would you then need a rider swap. You could all go on the ride together at the same time. I thought the reason for rider swap was for the times when a mom and dad were with their kids and one of the parents had to stay behind to care for the child or children who could not go on the ride. Then would then be given a FP so "ideally" the remaining parent could go on the ride with the child or children who were big enough to ride. I guess I need some explanation to clarify for me. Thanks

 

[mcm574]

I am somewhat confused. If your mother was watching the little one as he slept and it was you, your husband and older son why would you then need a rider swap. You could all go on the ride together at the same time. I thought the reason for rider swap was for the times when a mom and dad were with their kids and one of the parents had to stay behind to care for the child or children who could not go on the ride. Then would then be given a FP so "ideally" the remaining parent could go on the ride with the child or children who were big enough to ride. I guess I need some explanation to clarify for me. Thanks

Because my mom also wanted to ride - so she would go after my husband and I did. (Or sometimes I went with my mom, then my husband went, or she went with him while I waited - we mixed it up!)

ETA - I don't think the goal of rider swap is so much making sure each parent can go with the kid, so much as ensuring that no adult has to miss out on the fun... maybe others disagree?

 

[Anabelletoronto]

Wouldn't it be really easy to game the system? They should give the fast pass out at the end of the waiting area.
I could go to the CM at the FP with my 6 yr old and ask for a rider swap. Then come back in an hour (go ride something else) with my husband and 6 year old and go in the FP line.
If everything described is true.

 

[hllb]

Wouldn't it be really easy to game the system? They should give the fast pass out at the end of the waiting area.
I could go to the CM at the FP with my 6 yr old and ask for a rider swap. Then come back in an hour (go ride something else) with my husband and 6 year old and go in the FP line.
If everything described is true.

Well, when we did it, they seemed to watch to make sure we were going into the stand by line. We never didn't do that, so I don't know if they would have said something if we didn't. They do ask to see the child that is too small for the ride, typically.

 

[BrianL]

Do we just get in the line and keep walking and waiting until we encounter a CM, even if that's at the loading area?
Thank you!

I can't really speak about the rider swap and will let others with more experience help you there, but to be clear about this, there will always be a CM at the entrance to the attraction queue, usually two or three. They are who you can speak to about rider swap. They will also not allow anyone who does not meet the height requirement to even enter the queue, so it would not be possible to make it all the way to the loading area.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Wouldn't it be really easy to game the system? They should give the fast pass out at the end of the waiting area.
I could go to the CM at the FP with my 6 yr old and ask for a rider swap. Then come back in an hour (go ride something else) with my husband and 6 year old and go in the FP line.
If everything described is true.

While rider swap is great when used as intended, it isn't a perfect system either.

First, if your six year old is tall enough to ride, CM's won't usually give you a rider swap pass.

If your child isn't tall enough to ride, then the CM's usually make sure one person actually enters the ride queue before they give the non-riding adult a RS (Rider Swap Pass). Most CM's also make you actually show them the child and the non-riding adult. Some even measure the child. At least, I should add, this was how it was the last time I used rider swap.

If your group wants to ride the same ride again, then you could potentially get another rider swap pass for the same ride. When we used RS, we sometimes did get more than one in the same day for the same ride, but only if someone in your party was willing to stand in the standby line. (Since odds of getting 2 FP for an e-ride are slim these days.)

I'm happy we haven't used rider swap in some time though. Rider Swap is faster than nothing would be, but it isn't instant access. While it is a nice service, having to split up, wait twice, and regroup twice at every e-ride is still a hassle I'm happy to avoid.

I'm even happier to bypass hunting in the stroller jungles!

 

[heather13]

While rider swap is great when used as intended, it isn't a perfect system either.

First, if your six year old is tall enough to ride, CM's won't usually give you a rider swap pass.

Ugh. So this basically means if my 9yo daughter sees a ride (like TOT) and says she won't go on it, DH and I either have to draw straws to see who stays with her or wait in line double the time if we both want to ride? That stinks.

Thanks for the info everyone.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Is their a age limit for rider swap like if there is a 12 year old that is too short to ride will they give one out probably extream sens the 12 year old can wait alone just wondering though

 

[BrianL]

Ugh. So this basically means if my 9yo daughter sees a ride (like TOT) and says she won't go on it, DH and I either have to draw straws to see who stays with her or wait in line double the time if we both want to ride? That stinks.

Thanks for the info everyone.

So, for a ride where the child is tall enough they would be allowed to enter the queue with you and then opt not to ride at the loading area. Just tell the CM. This will depend on how comfortable you are letting your 9 year old wait for you by herself, so that is up to you. The CM might let one of you go out the "chicken exit" (as they are colloquially known) with her, then return to ride when the other parent can take over, but that's sort of an unofficial thing. I know it has happened at ToT, but it's anecdotal. Also note, that the line queue for ToT can also be scary and you would have to proceed through the "TV Room" and such before anyone could opt not to ride.

You can also try to get a Rider Switch. the website says it can be used for any child who does not wish to ride, but in practice it seems to be only for those who do not meet height requirements.

ETA: ALL rides have an exit should anyone arrive at the loading area and choose not to ride. They will not force anyone to board a ride and you can always ask the CM to direct any non-riders to the proper exit.

 

[tjmw2727]

Ugh. So this basically means if my 9yo daughter sees a ride (like TOT) and says she won't go on it, DH and I either have to draw straws to see who stays with her or wait in line double the time if we both want to ride? That stinks.

Thanks for the info everyone.

Right - since 7 is the age to be alone in the parks and the child is tall enough to ride then based on my experience you wouldn't get a paper RS pass in this case. My nephew was 4 and just barely tall enough and we weren't able to get one for TOT. You could have her wait the queue with you and then exit and meet you in the gift shop or you could use FP+ and ride separately.

As it was explained to me in person - more than once - Rider Swap is offered when a family Can Not ride an attraction together due to a restriction such as a height requirement. Its purpose is to eliminate a double wait and to make sure that when possible the 2nd parent doesn't have to ride alone. Generally you approach the line, FP+ (if you have one) or standby and ask the CM for a Rider Swap, the child who can't ride should be with you so the CM can verify you qualify. Many times you get the paper pass on the spot, lately they have been using a lanyard especially in the standby queue to make sure the first parent rides and prevent some abuse, you trade the lanyard for a RS with a CM close to boarding. After the first party gets the RS pass or the lanyard the person riding 2nd can take the non riding child to do something else, another ride, snack etc. and return to ride at their convenience The RS paper pass is good for 3 guests total and good for that attraction only any time that day and sometimes longer.

Of course there are always exceptions so it doesn't hurt to ask and explain your situation but I always feel it best to be prepared instead of disappointed.
Hope this helps

 

[tjmw2727]

Wouldn't it be really easy to game the system? They should give the fast pass out at the end of the waiting area.
I could go to the CM at the FP with my 6 yr old and ask for a rider swap. Then come back in an hour (go ride something else) with my husband and 6 year old and go in the FP line.
If everything described is true.

Some rides do something like this now especially if your using the standby line, IIRC Soarin for sure and I know there was one other but I can't remember. The CM at the entrance asked to see the child that couldn't ride and gave the first parent a lanyard, just prior to boarding the CM collected the lanyard in exchange for the RS paper pass.

 

[heather13]

Thank you for the clarification. I'm not as concerned leaving my daughter alone for 10 minutes while we ride (especially if we give her a cell phone), but I definitely don't want her tooling around Disney by herself for more than an hour if we're in a long line. Knowing that she can likely wait with us then "chicken out" at the last minute on her own is even preferred to a rider swap. More family bonding

 

[tzolkin]

Wouldn't it be really easy to game the system? They should give the fast pass out at the end of the waiting area.
I could go to the CM at the FP with my 6 yr old and ask for a rider swap. Then come back in an hour (go ride something else) with my husband and 6 year old and go in the FP line.
If everything described is true.

Your scenario is a bit confusing, but it seems like you're stating that you don't have a family member who doesn't meet the height requirement. If that's the case, they would not give you the pass. You have to show the baby/small child to the CM before they give you a rider switch pass.

They couldn't give you the pass at the end of the ride because the baby can't enter the line, so the CM at the ride exit wouldn't be able to verify that you have a little one.

And one other point to clarify, even if you show the small child they don't just hand you a pass and let you walk off with it. One of you must enter the line and they then hand the pass to the person waiting outside with the baby.

 

[rxbeth]

So, for a ride where the child is tall enough they would be allowed to enter the queue with you and then opt not to ride at the loading area. Just tell the CM. This will depend on how comfortable you are letting your 9 year old wait for you by herself, so that is up to you. The CM might let one of you go out the "chicken exit" (as they are colloquially known) with her, then return to ride when the other parent can take over, but that's sort of an unofficial thing. I know it has happened at ToT, but it's anecdotal. Also note, that the line queue for ToT can also be scary and you would have to proceed through the "TV Room" and such before anyone could opt not to ride.

You can also try to get a Rider Switch. the website says it can be used for any child who does not wish to ride, but in practice it seems to be only for those who do not meet height requirements.

ETA: ALL rides have an exit should anyone arrive at the loading area and choose not to ride. They will not force anyone to board a ride and you can always ask the CM to direct any non-riders to the proper exit.

I wish the CM running Barnstormer would have been kind enough to let us exit through a chicken exit after my daughter freaked out at the loading area. He was quite rude and told her she had to go on so I loaded her up crying and upset. It all turned out fine in the end but I definitely won't load her on if it happens again and I would just step through the cars and walk off that way (I wasn't thinking clearly at the time to do that)

 

[mesaboy2]

I wish the CM running Barnstormer would have been kind enough to let us exit through a chicken exit after my daughter freaked out at the loading area. He was quite rude and told her she had to go on so I loaded her up crying and upset. It all turned out fine in the end but I definitely won't load her on if it happens again and I would just step through the cars and walk off that way (I wasn't thinking clearly at the time to do that)

That may have been a misunderstanding, but in any case that’s worth a stop to Guest Relations in my opinion. A CM should never force a guest to board an attraction they don’t want to go on.

 

[BrianL]

I wish the CM running Barnstormer would have been kind enough to let us exit through a chicken exit after my daughter freaked out at the loading area. He was quite rude and told her she had to go on so I loaded her up crying and upset. It all turned out fine in the end but I definitely won't load her on if it happens again and I would just step through the cars and walk off that way (I wasn't thinking clearly at the time to do that)

Sometimes the exit does require one to step through the ride vehicle, but the CM certainly should not have insisted you ride. That CM needs to be trained correctly as they are not supposed to do that. In fact, sometimes when an adult is trying to force a kid that is obviously scared to ride something, they may step in and not allow them to ride.

 

[twoolle]

Your scenario is a bit confusing, but it seems like you're stating that you don't have a family member who doesn't meet the height requirement. If that's the case, they would not give you the pass. You have to show the baby/small child to the CM before they give you a rider switch pass.

They couldn't give you the pass at the end of the ride because the baby can't enter the line, so the CM at the ride exit wouldn't be able to verify that you have a little one.

And one other point to clarify, even if you show the small child they don't just hand you a pass and let you walk off with it. One of you must enter the line and they then hand the pass to the person waiting outside with the baby.

We have done RS many times over the past few years and they never handed the RS pass to the waiting parent. Actually the most common thing on our last trip was to give the riding parent a lanyard and then once they reached the next CM they got the RS pass. I think this was to keep people from exiting the line at the entrance after getting the RS pass and then going back for more?!?!?