Rider Switch Pass

[anc876]

Just read about the "Rider Switch Pass," which is reportedly available at some of the Fastpass/height-restricted attractions. It allows groups with a young child who cannot ride take turns riding without waiting in line 2 separate times.

From my understanding, this is how it works: two parents with a small child enter Space Mountain and ask the CM at the ride entrance for a Rider Switch Pass. The family waits in the regular standby line and Parent 1 rides the ride while Parent 2 waits with the kid (in some kind of holdover area). When Parent 1 exits, he or she hands off the pass to Parent 2 or a CM so Parent 2 can enter the Fastpass line or guest assistance line and ride. It appears that this process would be further expedited if the family already holds Fastpasses for the attraction.

Is this still available? Has anyone used this? If so, on what rides is it available?

 

[ArchOwl]

Yes, it is still available. It is available on rides with a height restriction. And yes, you can use it in conjunction with fastpass.

There is no holdover area per se, the other adult can take the younger child on another ride or just hang out somewhere else.

The second adult enters the ride in different ways, the instructions are on the pass itself. On some rides the second adult goes through the exit, on others you go through the fastpass line.

You can also take one other person with you using the rider switch pass. So, depending on how many tickets you have, you can get twice the number of fastpasses.

 

[minjo]

We used a couple of years ago. It is for rides that have a height restriction. You wait in the regular line and when you get to the front just ask for the child swap.

 

[anc876]

Great to know - thanks for the info!

 

[wenrob]

You just take your group to the FP line say you want a Child Swap and they give you one. (they just want to see the kid, the whole group doesn't stand in line)Parent 1 then gets in line or uses FPs and Parent 2 takes child on a different ride or takes a break in the shade. Parent 2 and someone else are then free to use the Pass whenever they want that day by taking it to the FP line. In DCA they do it a little different. You do as mentioned above except Parent 1 is given a lanyard to take with them and gives it to the CM who lines you up for the ride who then gives Parent 1 the Pass to give to Parent 2. On all the big rides we've always gone through the FP with the Pass.

 

[wenrob]

I should add, we always use FP when we do this. For a regular line I would think you get in line and tell the first CM you want a Child Swap. Still no need to have the whole group wait in line, just have then meet you at that point. (at the first "checkpoint") Also, they'll give you one if your child is just too scared to ride.

 

[anc876]

Thank you for clarifying! So glad to know that there are options when it's just us two and the little one.

 

[cpster]

We actually got one on Toy Story Midway Mania too, which doesn't have a height requirement. Our 7.5 month old was napping in the stroller so we asked the CM if we could do a child swap and they said no problem. So DH went on the ride with DD who is almost 3, then I went on it with her again after they got off. I thought it was only available on rides with a height requirement, but maybe not so? I would ask at any ride you want to do. I think next time we will ask at Haunted Mansion since it may be a bit too scary for young ones.

Also, the pass is good for the day. Sometimes we didn't do the second ride right away. We always used it with FP and it was a great way to get more FP at once since we only needed to get one per ride.

 

[mouseymommy]

Sometimes it can seem a bit confusing. I always ask the cm in front of the ride what to do. It makes going with little ones so much easier!!

 

[smithfamilyof7]

We utilized this last time we went to DL (kids were 3 and 6) and it was great! I'm going again in a couple months but my family is much larger now (blended family). We have a baby will have just turned 1, so most rides we will have to take turns on. I'm curious though, if say my DH rides with our 10, 9, and 7 year olds can the kids turn around and go on it again with me or is it ONLY for one rider?

 

[cpster]

The pass is good for a total of 2 people.

 

[KateDrake]

We utilized this last time we went to DL (kids were 3 and 6) and it was great! I'm going again in a couple months but my family is much larger now (blended family). We have a baby will have just turned 1, so most rides we will have to take turns on. I'm curious though, if say my DH rides with our 10, 9, and 7 year olds can the kids turn around and go on it again with me or is it ONLY for one rider?

The passes are normally only good for two people, but I've gone with a larger group before and they've given us more than one pass. Like last year, we had three families, so we'd split into moms and dads, couples, etc. So it is certainly worth asking!