Rider Switch Questions

[smartlabelprint]

Rider Switch has always been very inconsistently applied. I do wonder that since they've reduced the number of companions who get to ride if it's less likely that they'll enforce the "everyone must have lightening lane/FP" policy to start with lightening lane.
When I took my kids to WDW last, I basically just assumed we all needed it, and planned accordingly. I don't remember them checking at all. I do think we had a couple FP+ that weren't "used" because the second group utilized rider switch.

For our next WDW trip, I intend to utilize Genie+ AND DAS AND Rider Switch. The people who qualify for Rider Switch and DAS are also the most likely to have a lower tolerance to spending time in the parks anyway, so DAS will only be applicable for the rides they want to ride. Genie+ isn't always available in a timely manner. Rider Switch only works when there are two adults touring with a small child, which may not always happen. It's only really necessary in addition to Genie+ and/or DAS, when you're using it for it's stated purpose "so nobody has to ride alone." For example, so my oldest can ride something with both me and his father, if there is no other adult around to sit with the younger kids while we go.

When did they reduce the companions?

 

[kristensideaoffun]

When did they reduce the companions?

I don’t think they did. We were allowed to have two companions ride with the person who stayed behind the last three times we went (in the last 6 weeks). That’s how it was 8 years ago (the last time I used rider switch).

 

[Kerr84]

When did they reduce the companions?

Disneyland website says max of 3 people, so that is good.

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

When we used rider switch in 2019 it was max of 3 people as well.

 

[danceintherain]

So it seems I may have misread it, and it's less clear than it used to be.
"The policy previously read “If the person in Party 2 waited alone with the child, he or she may bring up to 2 other Guests back to ride the attraction with him or her. Please note that only 3 Guests are allowed per Rider Switch Pass.”

It now states “Please note that if the person in Party 2 waited alone with the child or non-riding Guest, the number of Guests who may join him or her and ride again is limited.”"
(from wdwnt.com)

But the limit is still 3 people total...

 

[danceintherain]

Disneyland website says max of 3 people, so that is good.

See....this suggests that the group will be split in half. So I suppose that could happen. It would certainly be annoying.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Just adding that more than 1 CM said “you don’t need a rider swap if you all have lightning lane.” I would not count on this working. I read in an old DW forum that a couple wanted to do this with him getting a LL to tower and her getting a LL to Slinky and then doing rider swap at the rides and it didn’t work for them either.

I would always insist on the rider switch even if I had LL. The reasoning being that the second party’s LL could expire while you’re waiting for the first party to finish riding and then you would be out of luck. This could happen if you enter near the end of your LL return window or if the first party has to wait longer than expected due to backups.

 

[chezcurrie]

Adding another data point - In Dec 2021 we were required to show all of our LL for Indiana and Incredicoaster, and they were all scanned when the first party entered. We then received out RiderSwap that showed up in the app for the returning riders (different than our original LL, with a wider return time/) We are a party of 5, so at Incredicoaster we had to scan in all our LL, I stayed back with our 5-year old and my older 2 rode with DH. Then we swapped and I rode with my 2 eldest. I wouldn’t try to get away by not purchasing a LL for someone who would be utilizing it - the real benefit is you don’t have to ride alone (and if like us you have 2 older kids, they actually ride twice!)

Unfortunately for a party of 3, RiderSwap isn’t really beneficial because you can’t re-ride with anyone else - I doubt they would give you a RiderSwap with only one person purchasing Genie+. Hope this makes sense!

 

[chezcurrie]

Hi there-- I'm wondering if anyone has tested this and what the result was...where only half the party gets Genie+ and the other half doesn't. Will the waiting half (without Genie +) be issued a rider switch?

In this scenario... Dad and older child buy Genie+. Mom and 3 year-old don't buy it.
If this family goes to LL, will Mom be issued a rider switch?

Does this work? If it doesn't work... does Mom just need to have purchased Genie+? Or does she need a LL for that particular attraction?

Thanks.

Just posted on this - any “rider” utilizing Rider Switch had to have a LL for our Dec 2021 trip. The benefit is not that you get a 2 for 1 Genie+ but rather that the non-rider gets to ride with others (and up to 2 guests get to ride twice.)

This was different than our pre-covid experience at WDW, where we all had Fast Passes, but I split them up so I could take DS on a different experience with no wait while the older boys had their fun and then I joined them. It was definitely a loophole that was pretty sweet, but no longer is there.

So bottom line: everyone get Genie+ if you plan to ride that ride.

EDIT: the nice thing at DL is there are typically good options with low waits while you are waiting for your Riding party. ie... jessie’s carousel while big kids ride Incredicoaster, etc etc

 

[SpringBreak]

Thanks so much, that is exactly the info I was looking for!

 

[SpringBreak]

Just posted on this - any “rider” utilizing Rider Switch had to have a LL for our Dec 2021 trip. The benefit is not that you get a 2 for 1 Genie+ but rather that the non-rider gets to ride with others (and up to 2 guests get to ride twice.)

This was different than our pre-covid experience at WDW, where we all had Fast Passes, but I split them up so I could take DS on a different experience with no wait while the older boys had their fun and then I joined them. It was definitely a loophole that was pretty sweet, but no longer is there.

So bottom line: everyone get Genie+ if you plan to ride that ride.

EDIT: the nice thing at DL is there are typically good options with low waits while you are waiting for your Riding party. ie... jessie’s carousel while big kids ride Incredicoaster, etc etc

One more question...I guess you can't schedule the family's next Genie+ attraction until everyone (including the parties waiting on a rider switch) have tapped in.
In the example family above...
Dad, older child, and Mom have LL scheduled for 1:00 attraction. 3yo child does not.
At 1:00 Dad and older child ride.
Mom waits with younger child and gets rider switch.
At 1:30 Dad and child return from attraction and Mom gets in LL line for her turn (older child has option to join Mom for second ride).
Mom cannot schedule her next LL until she taps in at 1:30, whereas Dad and older child could schedule earlier at 1:00. Is that right?

 

[Kerr84]

One more question...I guess you can't schedule the family's next Genie+ attraction until everyone (including the parties waiting on a rider switch) have tapped in.
In the example family above...
Dad, older child, and Mom have LL scheduled for 1:00 attraction. 3yo child does not.
At 1:00 Dad and older child ride.
Mom waits with younger child and gets rider switch.
At 1:30 Dad and child return from attraction and Mom gets in LL line for her turn (older child has option to join Mom for second ride).
Mom cannot schedule her next LL until she taps in at 1:30, whereas Dad and older child could schedule earlier at 1:00. Is that right?

Someone said earlier that they had everyone tap in their LL and then they issued a rider swap, so it seemed like you would be able to make a new LL as the first group was walking in to to ride. I don't have personal experience with this though, but that was my take away from what someone else said.

 

[SpringBreak]

One more question...I guess you can't schedule the family's next Genie+ attraction until everyone (including the parties waiting on a rider switch) have tapped in.
In the example family above...
Dad, older child, and Mom have LL scheduled for 1:00 attraction. 3yo child does not.
At 1:00 Dad and older child ride.
Mom waits with younger child and gets rider switch.
At 1:30 Dad and child return from attraction and Mom gets in LL line for her turn (older child has option to join Mom for second ride).
Mom cannot schedule her next LL until she taps in at 1:30, whereas Dad and older child could schedule earlier at 1:00. Is that right?

That would be awesome if that's the way it works. Thank you

 

[chezcurrie]

One more question...I guess you can't schedule the family's next Genie+ attraction until everyone (including the parties waiting on a rider switch) have tapped in.
In the example family above...
Dad, older child, and Mom have LL scheduled for 1:00 attraction. 3yo child does not.
At 1:00 Dad and older child ride.
Mom waits with younger child and gets rider switch.
At 1:30 Dad and child return from attraction and Mom gets in LL line for her turn (older child has option to join Mom for second ride).
Mom cannot schedule her next LL until she taps in at 1:30, whereas Dad and older child could schedule earlier at 1:00. Is that right?

Since all your LL are scanned in initially and you are issued a separate “rider swap LL” you are able to make your next selection right away. It worked quite nicely for us as I often was able to get an almost immediate return time for our next attraction, etc.

 

[kristensideaoffun]

One more question...I guess you can't schedule the family's next Genie+ attraction until everyone (including the parties waiting on a rider switch) have tapped in.
In the example family above...
Dad, older child, and Mom have LL scheduled for 1:00 attraction. 3yo child does not.
At 1:00 Dad and older child ride.
Mom waits with younger child and gets rider switch.
At 1:30 Dad and child return from attraction and Mom gets in LL line for her turn (older child has option to join Mom for second ride).
Mom cannot schedule her next LL until she taps in at 1:30, whereas Dad and older child could schedule earlier at 1:00. Is that right?

You will scan everyone’s LL all at once. We would have whomever is riding get in line to scan in and whomever is waiting stand out of the way near the entrance with the stroller. The person in line scanned everyone’s LL passes and then would ask for a Rider Switch pass. We were then issued the Rider Switch pass and would wave to the person waiting with the baby who would go to wherever it is they are going to wait. The CM would sometimes ask to see the person/baby not riding so we found it was best to have the waiting person nearby until we entered the actual LL queue.

 

[SpringBreak]

Thanks again, Everyone for all the details on using Rider Switch with G+. I feel more prepared and know what to expect.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Well, these responses have me even more confused for our trip. I am so incredibly frustrated. Trips to Disneyland used to be so easy and carefree. Now all of this excessive scheduling and planning is annoying!

I'm guessing my husband and I will have to purchase Genie+ or ILL to ride the things my son doesn't want to go on. It sounds like rider switch will only work for us if we don't have Genie+ and one of us waits in Standby....which would be fine if the standby isn't mega long for person 1.

For Genie+ and ILL do you pick a return time, or is it just next available like old Fastpass used to be?

I'm still unsure what happens if we both book return times but the window expires before person 2 has a chance to ride.

 

[chezcurrie]

Well, these responses have me even more confused for our trip. I am so incredibly frustrated. Trips to Disneyland used to be so easy and carefree. Now all of this excessive scheduling and planning is annoying!

I'm guessing my husband and I will have to purchase Genie+ or ILL to ride the things my son doesn't want to go on. It sounds like rider switch will only work for us if we don't have Genie+ and one of us waits in Standby....which would be fine if the standby isn't mega long for person 1.

For Genie+ and ILL do you pick a return time, or is it just next available like old Fastpass used to be?

I'm still unsure what happens if we both book return times but the window expires before person 2 has a chance to ride.

Rider Switch works with Genie+ and ILL. You would book your LL for both of you and then when you scan in ask for Rider Switch and they will issue you a new LL for the person standing out that has a longer return window. It’s quite easy, actually. It is just that as a party of 3 (with 1 non rider) it isn’t as “beneficial” meaning you are still riding alone.

As for LL and ILL t is next available return time.

 

[EliWil]

We rider switched a lot our last trip since it was just my husband and I with our three year old the cast members would just scan the waiting parents ticket while the other went in line and then they were free to visit fantasyland or wherever our girl wanted to go it was great and then when the riding parent was done the other can go back and scan in at the lighting land enterance

 

[mjmcnns]

This will be our first time visiting with a child (5 yr old), who is 44" so should be able to do almost everything (we'll see how she fares in terms of WANTING to ride, of course). But I've never had to use rider swap before. For the few rides that the 5 year old can't do, where do we 'swap?' As in, do we do that at the front of the ride, or all go through the queue together and then the under-sized/remaining parent stays back? I'm just not clear on that part of the logistics.