Rider Switch with extended lines

[Tarzan]

I’m sorry for starting a thread about RS, but I’ve searched previous threads and they address different questions.
The last time I needed to use RS there weren’t extended lines everywhere, so we could walk straight up to the CM at the entrance and ask for one. DH would then enter the standby/fastpass line and I’d take the baby/toddler to get a snack or sit in the shade somewhere.
Now that there are lines that extend far beyond the entrance with CMs, what happens? Do I need to stand in the line with my baby until we reach the CM and then I’m free to take the baby somewhere cool and shaded?
I don’t know how bad it is now, but I remember the line for SDMT starting outside so I’m sure FOP will be the same.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Just walk past the part of the line that’s outside of the entry and talk to the CM. Then, the member of the party who is riding first will walk back and join the back of the line.

 

[garada3]

I’m sorry for starting a thread about RS, but I’ve searched previous threads and they address different questions.
The last time I needed to use RS there weren’t extended lines everywhere, so we could walk straight up to the CM at the entrance and ask for one. DH would then enter the standby/fastpass line and I’d take the baby/toddler to get a snack or sit in the shade somewhere.
Now that there are lines that extend far beyond the entrance with CMs, what happens? Do I need to stand in the line with my baby until we reach the CM and then I’m free to take the baby somewhere cool and shaded?
I don’t know how bad it is now, but I remember the line for SDMT starting outside so I’m sure FOP will be the same.

Thanks for asking this - figuring this out was on my to do list!

Just walk past the part of the line that’s outside of the entry and talk to the CM. Then, the member of the party who is riding first will walk back and join the back of the line.

Just so we know what to expect - we are given a paper pass correct? Who maintains possession of it, rider or the person waiting?

We can use rider swap when in either fast pass or standby lines?

Thanks!

 

[Mainemama]

I have walked up to cm while my party waited in the line. The outside lines move quickly. I have been able to point out my DH, and then he gets the pass. Most rides will give the rider a lanyard, which will be exchanged for a paper rider pass at the ride boarding area. This ensures the person getting the pass actually rides, and doesn't just pick up the pass and exit the line.

 

[Tarzan]

Just walk past the part of the line that’s outside of the entry and talk to the CM. Then, the member of the party who is riding first will walk back and join the back of the line.

Thank you

 

[Hope Soda]

We just wait in the extended lines until we get to the CM. It doesn't really take very long.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Can anyone break this down for me also? I cant follow what is being said here for some reason, regarding how to do a rider switch for a child. Thanks!

 

[Kasper11]

We just wait together as well. Most "extra" lines seem to go fast.
Now that said, we haven't done it for fop our current tsmm; waiting in those lines might change my mind!

 

[KrazeeK120]

We just wait together as well. Most "extra" lines seem to go fast.
Now that said, we haven't done it for fop our current tsmm; waiting in those lines might change my mind!

Just as an FYI, rider switch isn’t available for TSMM. There’s no height requirement for that ride.

 

[Kasper11]

Just as an FYI, rider switch isn’t available for TSMM. There’s no height requirement for that ride.

You are 100% correct and I should know that since I've never played it without a baby on my lap! I was just thinking of "extra" lines I've seen lately. Tsmm and fop seem to be the worst.

 

[HopperFan]

Just so we know what to expect - we are given a paper pass correct? Who maintains possession of it, rider or the person waiting?

We can use rider swap when in either fast pass or standby lines?

Thanks!

Not always.

Been reports that there is a plastic lanyard that will be swapped for a paper pass at loading at some popular rides. This began at some rides due to folks not actually wanting to child swap but obtain a FP+ "for free". They were taking the paper pass and leaving the podium to use as a FP+ when they were supposed to wait Standby first (they were not holding a FP+ for that ride). By using the lanyard, you have to wait in the line first then get your pass. In this situation the first person riding will hold the lanyard, then bring the pass out to the other half of the group. If they give you the pass up front, I would just leave it with the waiting half to avoid losing it in line or on the ride.

 

[garada3]

Not always.

Been reports that there is a plastic lanyard that will be swapped for a paper pass at loading at some popular rides. This began at some rides due to folks not actually wanted to child swap but obtain a FP+ "for free". They were taking the paper pass and leaving the podium to use as a FP+ when they were supposed to wait Standby first (they were not holding a FP+ for that ride). By using the lanyard, you have to wait in the line first then get your pass. In this situation the first person riding will hold the lanyard, then bring the pass out to the other half of the group. If they give you the pass up front, I would just leave it with the waiting half to avoid losing it in line or on the ride.

Thank you! I appreciate the explanation. I am not used to planning a trip for a group that will need to use rider swap. Using it wisely is changing up my previous strategies.

 

[DisneyDude71]

First trip with grandkids so this is helpful. Thank you

 

[Kathlita]

We used rider swap recently. Seemed like every ride did it slightly differently. At Test Track, they walked out to us with a lanyard. At others, we made our way to the CM. One time they handed the 2nd group a paper ticket, but usually it went to the first group. All you have to do is ask, you'll get the hang of it.

We had overly-optimistic plans to take our 14-month-old granddaughter on the Carousel while the rest of the family rode Snow White, etc., but mostly the pair not riding was feeding the baby, changing her, pushing her around in the stroller trying to get her to sleep, or sitting on a bench watching her sleep. DH and I missed Spaceship Earth because she was... asleep. She almost missed the Frozen ride---woke up just in time! She and her mom exited a ride once, because a 20 minute wait might not seem like much to an adult, but it's an eternity to a little one. And holding a 20 pound child for that long is not much fun, either.

RS is great and came in handy a few times, but we had FP+ for everyone most of the time anyway, and our hours in the parks were limited. I'm glad Disney offers it for families. We enjoyed every minute with our granddaughter, but it was a much different trip than what we've experienced in the past.