Rider Switch - Got the answer!!!

[carmiedog]

We were denied a baby swap pass at Buzz Lightyear about 2 weeks ago when we had a sleeping 22 month old in his stroller. I remembered this thread and started to argue that it was allowed, but the castmember was insistent that we were not getting a rider swap pass, and my husband told me to just forget it. I was also kicked out (and I mean, literally asked to leave!) of the Seas in Epcot that same trip (2 weeks ago) when I went into the gift shop area with my son (again, sleeping in his stroller). The CM was very rude to me, and seemed to single me out. There were almost 10 strollers in the aquarium area that I could see, yet she insisted that "they all have handicapped children with special tags, and they are allowed in." That's the only time I've actually felt like crying at Disney. I'm actually still upset about that one. I told her that they were in normal strollers just like mine, and mine had a sleeping child, she looked at me and yelled "NO!" I should have said "YES! It is a sleeping child" and gone right to guest services on that one. But instead, I left, not wanting to cause a scene. I wish I had gotten her name and reported that incident. That's the only one I've ever had with a CM.

That's the rule for all the Epcot buildings, sleeping child or not, and they were pretty strict on it when I was there. I think it'd be hard for strollers to sneak in without special needs privileges. Plenty of families with special needs kids use regular strollers. I'm sorry you felt singled out. Baby carriers/slings are really helpful for touring the parks. eta: not ALL buildings - strollers are allowed at least in Innoventions

 

[Justntime]

I am glad they have the rider switch program. Even if it is flawed it better than the alternative.

Shame on those who cheat the system. I hope they get thrown out of the park.

 

[Robo]

So I guess the resolution for rides not having printed switch passes is for the CM to give fastpasses to the party?

That won't work on the 90% of attractions that don't use FP.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Thank you boomhauer for the update. The WDW site also states the following for some of the "non-height" restriction rides:

"Guests with young children may take turns experiencing attractions. See a Cast Member for additional information."

Valid for:
It's A Small World
Peter Pan's Flight
Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbean
Mad Tea Party
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Cinderella's Golden Carousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephants
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Snow White's Scary Adventure
Jungle Cruise
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
Walt Disney World Railroad

So, it is documented that you can do a Rider Switch on the non-height restriction rides too. Sorry if you had a bad experience. I am sure next time will be better!

 

[tjmw2727]

Thank you boomhauer for the update. The WDW site also states the following for some of the "non-height" restriction rides:

"Guests with young children may take turns experiencing attractions. See a Cast Member for additional information."

Valid for:
It's A Small World
Peter Pan's Flight
Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbean
Mad Tea Party
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Cinderella's Golden Carousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephants
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Snow White's Scary Adventure
Jungle Cruise
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
Walt Disney World Railroad

So, it is documented that you can do a Rider Switch on the non-height restriction rides too. Sorry if you had a bad experience. I am sure next time will be better!

Where on the WDW website did you find this? I have seen something similar here on the Dis but that would be unofficial. If you found something on the official site I would love to see that, TIA.

TJ

 

[carmiedog]

That won't work on the 90% of attractions that don't use FP.

oh yeah...duh! Have I told you how much I worship your keen intellect and vast knowledge, Robo?

I really am curious how a CM is expected to handle it, then, given both the answer to Boomhauer and the Disney statement in the previous previous post (link to source?). I wouldn't like it, but I think it'd be a lot easier if Disney would just say no. Too many what ifs and questions.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Where on the WDW website did you find this? I have seen something similar here on the Dis but that would be unofficial. If you found something on the official site I would love to see that, TIA.

TJ

On the WDW site under MK, I went to each description of each Attraction for MK and found the disclaimer at the bottom of the ride description. Does that make sense? I can get wordy at time.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/parkLanding?id=MKLandingPage

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I'm glad Disney's cracking down on rider switch passes, and is not just giving them to anyone. It sickens me when I see Fast Passes on E-Bay going for hundreds of dollars, or a GAC for $1,000. I'm glad that they'll be "dealt with."

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I was sad and then outraged to hear that people were selling Rider Swap tickets online. The people that got the Rider Swap passes and then tried to sell them online must have children. Otherwise, how did they get the passes? Shame on them! Maybe WDW should date them like they do the Fast Passes? There could be a separate machine near the ride entrance or even a handheld printer that the CM could operate to distribute the Rider Swap passes. Then again, that would bring to the attention of the novices that there is such a thing as Rider Swap. Right now it is our little secret!

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

"Guests with young children may take turns experiencing attractions. See a Cast Member for additional information."

Well, now... this changes things considerably.

This quote, BTW, is taken directly from Disneyworld.com. It's found on each and every attraction webpage where rider swaps are allowed.

Since that's the case, I should revise my original post. In a case like this, guests should, in fact, ask the CM at the attraction what the procedure for a Rider Swap is. If the CM claims that Rider Swap is not available at the attraction, the guest should politely ask to speak to that CM's supervisor, and ask them.

You have my sincere apologies for any confusion this may have caused.

 

[tjmw2727]

On the WDW site under MK, I went to each description of each Attraction for MK and found the disclaimer at the bottom of the ride description. Does that make sense? I can get wordy at time.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/parkLanding?id=MKLandingPage

Wow - found it thank you very much. That goes against everything I have been told over the past few years. I wish I would have read this prior to our TOT disaster!

TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

I was sad and then outraged to hear that people were selling Rider Swap tickets online. The people that got the Rider Swap passes and then tried to sell them online must have children. Otherwise, how did they get the passes? Shame on them! Maybe WDW should date them like they do the Fast Passes? There could be a separate machine near the ride entrance or even a handheld printer that the CM could operate to distribute the Rider Swap passes. Then again, that would bring to the attention of the novices that there is such a thing as Rider Swap. Right now it is our little secret!

Actually the rider swap passes are dated. We found that some rides, for example EE and TT had exp dates 2-3 days from the date of issue but Soarin was good that day only.

In fact we inadvertantly tried to use a Soarin RS pass on another day not realizing it had the same day expiration date. We never used it on our first visit and only the second party wanted a chance to ride so we thought we would use that one instead of getting another. CM pointed out the expiration date and was very nice about it but would not accept it late.

Wonder what happens when people purchase the expired RS passes and are denied?

TJ

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Wow - found it thank you very much. That goes against everything I have been told over the past few years. I wish I would have read this prior to our TOT disaster!

TJ

Sorry you had problems with ToT. We used Rider Switch last time on ToT without any problems. The only place we had a problem was at Soarin' (Epcot). You are not allowed to bring your stroller in the building. So, DH and the older kids went ahead of me to get in the stand-by line while I got DS1 out of his stroller. When I got to the entrance and asked for a Rider Swap ticket, the CM would not give me one because our party was not all together (DH and the other kids were already in line). I totally understood, but she was pretty rude about it. The CM in the Fast Pass line asked what my problem was and gave me a Rider Swap ticket in front of the other CM without blinking an eye. I just know for next time, have everyone in your party at the entrance when getting the Rider Swap ticket or you may be denied. - Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Actually the rider swap passes are dated. We found that some rides, for example EE and TT had exp dates 2-3 days from the date of issue but Soarin was good that day only.

In fact we inadvertantly tried to use a Soarin RS pass on another day not realizing it had the same day expiration date. We never used it on our first visit and only the second party wanted a chance to ride so we thought we would use that one instead of getting another. CM pointed out the expiration date and was very nice about it but would not accept it late.

Wonder what happens when people purchase the expired RS passes and are denied?

TJ

Honestly, I never looked to see if they were dated or not because we used them that same day. Makes me curious to look next time. It wouldn't bother us one bit if they were dated. I hope people don't abuse the system too much that they do away with the Rider Swap tickets. Our DS7 and DD4 enjoyed getting to ride with both Mom and Dad, even if it was at different times. - Jennifer

 

[doconeill]

Since that's the case, I should revise my original post. In a case like this, guests should, in fact, ask the CM at the attraction what the procedure for a Rider Swap is. If the CM claims that Rider Swap is not available at the attraction, the guest should politely ask to speak to that CM's supervisor, and ask them.

You have my sincere apologies for any confusion this may have caused.

You see, CMs CAN be wrong - and they sometimes even admit it

Just teasing, Buzz...it's great to have you here helping out.

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

You see, CMs CAN be wrong - and they sometimes even admit it

Just teasing, Buzz...it's great to have you here helping out.

Oh, I'm often wrong (see my disclaimer, below)... and when I am, I'll cheerfully admit it.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Oh, I'm often wrong (see my disclaimer, below)... and when I am, I'll cheerfully admit it.

You seem to have the "Disney spirit". I wish more CMs were like you. We encounterd many CMs on our last WDW trip that obviously wished they were somewhere else. I know people are human, but being personable is part of the job. Especially, when we are being nice and friendly and our kids are very friendly too. We'll be back to WDW. So, it hasn't soured us too much. But, there was an obvious difference in our 2004 and 2006 trip. Hopefully, this winter will be better. - Jennifer

 

[acourtwdw]

Last Oct. we were in line for ToT with my cousin, c in law and little cousins
(ages 8 & 7). The older one chickened out right before we got on the ride. Not really caring if I rode it, I took him through the chicken exit and waited for the rest of the family. Family got off ride and 7 yr old told her brother that it was a baby ride and nothing to be afraid of. We asked the CM if the
8 yr old and his dad could go back up the exit to the ride and there wasn't a problem with that. They rode it and the 8 yr old loved it.

 

[ahowanitz]

I'm glad that you got an answer from Disney, Boomhauer. I think you were completely entitled to write a letter to them for an answer! Good for you!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Anyways, he went on to say, the rider switch policy is NOT only in effect for rides/attractions with height restrictions. It can be used for ANY ride/attraction.

This may be what he said, but the last time we were there, DH asked about rider switch at a ride with no height restriction, I think itwas Pooh (the little one in our party was asleep in the stroller) and the greeter CM looked at him like he was from Mars. He had no clue what a baby swap pass was. So while those in charge may say that's the policy, CM's often aren't all that informed. I've encountered others at other rides who where quite clueless too. I try to be polite, but it's disturbing that I'm sometimes far more informed than the CM's.