Rider switch for older child?

[JillyBean1899]

Every kid is different. He would be anxious, so I won't do that to him. Yes, he goes to the bathroom solo.

There are also cast members around so he wouldn't be alone(but they're not responsible for watching him,which I'm sure you would never assume - just putting it out there to put it out there).

Thanks, I really appreciate it. I'll talk to him about it and see what he thinks.

While the CM's aren't able to watch him specifically, if anything happens they're there to get help. Kinda like letting him play alone in the backyard knowing that you're inside the living room, but not watching him like a hawk. I know we always tried to keep an eye on kids that weren't riding but were old enough to be alone, and if we had time between trains we'd talk to them a little (just small talk chit-chat like what rides they liked, etc.), but also remember that our jobs were our #1 priority. You might also want to have some sort of special toy/treat that he can use *ONLY* during those times (like leave him with your iPhone or something), which will make the alone times a lot less scary ... and he might even tell you to just ride it again!

 

[CDoobee]

We are a group of 6, 5 adults and 4 year old grandson. I'm not sure how tall he is. We're going in about 6 weeks, so I'll measure him soon. I'm guessing he'll make the 40" cutoff, but maybe just barely. He's the 2nd shortest in his pre-K class, so he's on the short side. I know that he's a big chicken, so not sure what we can get him on, even if he is tall enough! Does anyone think CMs will give me any trouble about rider-switch with a 4 year old short chicken?

 

[WantToGoNow]

We are a group of 6, 5 adults and 4 year old grandson. I'm not sure how tall he is. We're going in about 6 weeks, so I'll measure him soon. I'm guessing he'll make the 40" cutoff, but maybe just barely. He's the 2nd shortest in his pre-K class, so he's on the short side. I know that he's a big chicken, so not sure what we can get him on, even if he is tall enough! Does anyone think CMs will give me any trouble about rider-switch with a 4 year old short chicken?

You will be able to get it for the rides that he is too short for. If he's tall enough to ride I wouldn't count on it.

When Ds was 5, I had to literally get out of the ride vehicle with him on Splash Mtn and BTMRR because he flipped out after we were seated. Neither CM would give ne the child swap pass. Next trip when he was 8 and each trip since, he goes through the line and takes the chicken exit. Its funny because BTMRR is now his favorite ride.

 

[photo_chick]

I know it's designed for kids that don't meet the height requirements- but what about fright requirements? One of my twins won't do "dips" and I'm wondering if they would allow us to use the baby swap thing in his case. Any ideas?

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

"What Is Rider Switch and How Does It Work?
If Guests in your party don’t want to board an attraction, you don’t have to miss out. One adult can wait with the non-rider while the rest of the party experiences the attraction. The waiting adult can then board the attraction without having to wait in the regular line again when another adult in the party returns to supervise the child or children who do not ride—either because they do not meet the height requirement or simply do not wish to ride.

Rider Switch is available at select attractions at all 4 Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. See a Cast Member at the attraction for more information."


I've read numerous reports of CM's who adhere to a height requirement so I'd take my phone with it queued up to that page of the website. It's hard for them to deny when it's spelled out on the page. Of course it also specifies that you're supposed to use the "regular queue" and many people report using rider switch in conjunction with fast pass.

Edited to add... sorry, I didn't see this already posted at the end of this thread. LOL

 

[disneynewbee]

I would just print the page with the official policy and keep it in my pocket. Has the policy changed? How would the workers not know the correct policy?

 

[*TheWigs*]

We do this on ToT all the time!! DD 7 always thinks she is "brave enough this time" to ride, but always chickens out at the end. Either me or DH standby with her and one of us rides with DD 11. Then a CM takes us in the elevator and the parent that sat out now rides with DD 11. She gets 2 rides in a row!

 

[Schmeck]

not sure if it's anti-rider swap...she rode with an older child . The point I was trying to make was that it's always good to ask the CM at the entrance, not just decided that it can/can't be done and never try

You didn't mention the other child in your previous post, did you? Did I miss that?

 

[ucfknight]

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

"What Is Rider Switch and How Does It Work?
If Guests in your party don’t want to board an attraction, you don’t have to miss out. One adult can wait with the non-rider while the rest of the party experiences the attraction. The waiting adult can then board the attraction without having to wait in the regular line again when another adult in the party returns to supervise the child or children who do not ride—either because they do not meet the height requirement or simply do not wish to ride.

Rider Switch is available at select attractions at all 4 Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. See a Cast Member at the attraction for more information."


I've read numerous reports of CM's who adhere to a height requirement so I'd take my phone with it queued up to that page of the website. It's hard for them to deny when it's spelled out on the page. Of course it also specifies that you're supposed to use the "regular queue" and many people report using rider switch in conjunction with fast pass.

I've previously posted this same link in other threads as well.

If a cast member denies you rider swap in the regular queue because the person not wanting to ride is too tall, show them this page on the official Disney website. If they still refuse, ask to speak to their manager.

 

[AmyB2006]

The website actually answers this question:
"What Is Rider Switch and How Does It Work?
If Guests in your party don’t want to board an attraction, you don’t have to miss out. One adult can wait with the non-rider while the rest of the party experiences the attraction. The waiting adult can then board the attraction without having to wait in the regular line again when another adult in the party returns to supervise the child or children who do not ride—either because they do not meet the height requirement or simply do not wish to ride.

Rider Switch is available at select attractions at all 4 Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. See a Cast Member at the attraction for more information."
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/rider-switch/

Now I know what the site says and what a CM does are two very different things, but I would at least TRY with this information. I have read others who have done this and have had no problems using RS, granted some did have to appeal to supervisors. However, I would also point out that part of WDW is suppose to be service and making magical times....why would you go against stated policy? Good luck! I hope you get some pixie dust with luck on using RS throughout your trip.

I would totally print this out and bring it with you.

 

[disnut8]

I would advise the OP talk to the nine year old who doesn't like dips and see if he is OK with going through the line (the lines are sometimes awesome!) and then waiting while the others rode. It would only be for the length of the actual ride. If he says yes, then everything is fine because the person who doesn't ride but goes through the line is placed at the exit of the ride. In that situation. I went through all the lines for the rides that dropped when I was limited a few years ago. However - before the OP gets into the line, she should speak to the Cast Member outside the line and ask just how their alternate exit works. Do that over to the side and don't leave until everyone is satisfied.

However, if the nine year old doesn't want to wait alone for those few minutes, then I would advise the OP talk to the Cast Member outside the line and explain the situation. Then ask the Cast Member for suggestions. I think she would get more help that way.

But remember - each attraction is going to be different. No "after the ride" waiting area is going to be the same as a previous one. Cast Members are probably trained differently for each different attraction. That's what I found out when I was doing the alternative exits.