Rider Switch

[mggeary]

Could someone try and report back if the "waiting parent" can change or later use their FP+ after it has been scanned or checked at the first Mickey reader when child swaps are given out.

I imagine this will greatly impact many touring plans.

 

[Alesia]

Could someone try and report back if the "waiting parent" can change or later use their FP+ after it has been scanned or checked at the first Mickey reader when child swaps are given out.

I imagine this will greatly impact many touring plans.

You can use it. I'm not sure if you can change it, but you probably can at this point.

 

[wn01aa]

Could someone try and report back if the "waiting parent" can change or later use their FP+ after it has been scanned or checked at the first Mickey reader when child swaps are given out.

I imagine this will greatly impact many touring plans.

I wonder about this too. And even if it can, it may be hard to switch that FP (and the non-riding child's FP) on the same day to even a ride like Winnie the Pooh in peak times like Christmas. I also wonder if for some reason they make the non-riding child have a FP for the ride too before they give a rider swap ticket.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

How about this??? When Disney asks people to plan in an insane amount of detail 180/60 days out, they QUIT changing the rules all the time. Or if they do, maybe they should actually take the time to let people know of the rule changes. Thank God for DISBoards (and that I happened to stumble upon this thread). I would have arrived with useless FP+ that I spent hours planning and not been able to experience several attractions with my "newly tall enough" 4 year old. I would have been :furious.

As it is, I will have to spend today trying to rearranging every single day of our meticulously planned vacation. I am seriously doubtful that I am going to be able to get FP+ now for some of the attractions for the time slots I picked weeks ago.

I can't tell you how frustrated I am that the day we have Ohana reservations is the first day the new policy regarding photos no longer being included goes into effect. That was the policy when we made the reservations and now they are changing it. Here's an idea: if we have to make plans 180 days out, how about you make announcements about changes 180 days out, as well? Only seems right.

 

[wilkeliza]

Could someone try and report back if the "waiting parent" can change or later use their FP+ after it has been scanned or checked at the first Mickey reader when child swaps are given out.

I imagine this will greatly impact many touring plans.

The first scan can mark the passes as being used. There is really no difference between the first set of readers and the second. They all have the ipad screens in the CM booths and let the CM mark it as used or not. That is why if you are in the fp line and the ride goes down they have to come around with paper readmits still.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

The first scan can mark the passes as being used. There is really no difference between the first set of readers and the second. They all have the ipad screens in the CM booths and let the CM mark it as used or not. That is why if you are in the fp line and the ride goes down they have to come around with paper readmits still.

Ahh ok - I know it wasn't always like that but wondered if they had changed it.

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

i can't tell you how frustrated i am that the day we have ohana reservations is the first day the new policy regarding photos no longer being included goes into effect. That was the policy when we made the reservations and now they are changing it. Here's an idea: If we have to make plans 180 days out, how about you make announcements about changes 180 days out, as well? Only seems right.

ita!!!

 

[mummabear]

I can't tell you how frustrated I am that the day we have Ohana reservations is the first day the new policy regarding photos no longer being included goes into effect. That was the policy when we made the reservations and now they are changing it. Here's an idea: if we have to make plans 180 days out, how about you make announcements about changes 180 days out, as well? Only seems right.

What has changed at Ohana's?
Yes I agree once a reservation is made I believe they should not be able to change the offerings.
Try booking for DLR-dining reservations open before park hours are out!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

What has changed at Ohana's?
Yes I agree once a reservation is made I believe they should not be able to change the offerings.
Try booking for DLR-dining reservations open before park hours are out!

As of the 27th of this month, the photo is no longer included here (or anywhere other than Cinderella's Royal Table and Akershus). Instead, it gets put on your magic band as part of photopass and you can buy it later. You not longer have a print out brought to your table as part of the meal package.

 

[wilkeliza]

As of the 27th of this month, the photo is no longer included here (or anywhere other than Cinderella's Royal Table and Akershus). Instead, it gets put on your magic band as part of photopass and you can buy it later. You not longer have a print out brought to your table as part of the meal package.

I really don't see the big controversy over this. So now instead of thousands of photos being wasted every day those who want the photo can go view it online and buy a printed copy delivered to their home or you can skip the photo and not waste ink and photo paper as well as energy.

They are still taking the photos they just aren't printing them to be taken around. It is eco friendly and smart for business.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I really don't see the big controversy over this. So now instead of thousands of photos being wasted every day those who want the photo can go view it online and buy a printed copy delivered to their home or you can skip the photo and not waste ink and photo paper as well as energy.

They are still taking the photos they just aren't printing them to be taken around. It is eco friendly and smart for business.

Well in one situation, the photo was part of the meal, already paid for, and printed off. In the other situation, you spend the same money for the meal, but no longer receive the photo. Now, I have to go pay for it. When I made the reservation, the policy hadn't changed. Therefore, I made the reservation with the understanding that I would be getting a photo printout during my meal. Now, I still pay the same amount of money but don't receive my photo.

 

[SillySallySews]

As of the 27th of this month, the photo is no longer included here (or anywhere other than Cinderella's Royal Table and Akershus). Instead, it gets put on your magic band as part of photopass and you can buy it later. You not longer have a print out brought to your table as part of the meal package.

Was this photo included at dinner only? We had breakfast at Ohana last month and were offered a folder of pictures, but we had to buy them. We always have breakfast at Ohana and this was the first time Stitch had his own paparazzi. We hated it. In past years the interaction was great. I have tons of great pictures of my own from past years. This year with the photopass people he stood there just long enough to let them take their pictures and moved on. The interaction with the kids was nonexistent and he didn't even sign autographs like he did in the past. Thankfully the other characters made up for it.

 

[wilkeliza]

Well in one situation, the photo was part of the meal, already paid for, and printed off. In the other situation, you spend the same money for the meal, but no longer receive the photo. Now, I have to go pay for it. When I made the reservation, the policy hadn't changed. Therefore, I made the reservation with the understanding that I would be getting a photo printout during my meal. Now, I still pay the same amount of money but don't receive my photo.

The only two places the photo was included was Cinderella's Royal Table and Akershaus. For both of those the policy is not changing for 180 days after the announcement. All others it was never included in the cost of the meal so it was changed immediately.

Also there is no word on how it will work at CRT and AK going forward. Some speculations is that it will still be a free photopass download with printable right so you can take it where ever you would like. For memory maker it is now the digital rights and print rights that you will receive with the meal.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Was this photo included at dinner only? We had breakfast at Ohana last month and were offered a folder of pictures, but we had to buy them. We always have breakfast at Ohana and this was the first time Stitch had his own paparazzi. We hated it. In past years the interaction was great. I have tons of great pictures of my own from past years. This year with the photopass people he stood there just long enough to let them take their pictures and moved on. The interaction with the kids was nonexistent and he didn't even sign autographs like he did in the past. Thankfully the other characters made up for it.

I could swear that back in 2012, we got the photo here and at Tusker House. Regardless, I wanted the printed out photo to take with me. I don't want to go home and order it. When I booked, I was supposed to get the photo at that time. I don't want to have to go try and deal with the photopass website which has been very frustrating for me in the past. Basic fact: they promised one thing and are now changing it. It isn't right.

 

[SillySallySews]

I could swear that back in 2012, we got the photo here and at Tusker House. Regardless, I wanted the printed out photo to take with me. I don't want to go home and order it. When I booked, I was supposed to get the photo at that time. I don't want to have to go try and deal with the photopass website which has been very frustrating for me in the past. Basic fact: they promised one thing and are now changing it. It isn't right.

Maybe they did do it in 2012. That year my husband was overseas all but one week in December and we found out he was coming home so last minute there was no time to plan a trip. So 2012 is the only year we didn't go. But I know for sure last summer there were no photopass people at our table with Stitch. And yes, that is wrong that they changed it. If they promised something they should deliver!

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

In September of 2013, the printed out photo with Donald (in a paper "frame") WAS included with the cost of the meal at Tusker House. I am 100% positive. I have it sitting on my desk at work.

 

[wilkeliza]

In September of 2013, the printed out photo with Donald (in a paper "frame") WAS included with the cost of the meal at Tusker House. I am 100% positive. I have it sitting on my desk at work.

Weird I went in January 2013 and no picture of Donald was included. Just went in June and it want either.

 

[lizard1]

For awhile, the print outs were included if you bought the Photopass Plus. I remember mine being included at Chef Mickey's in 2012 because of this. If you didn't have the Photopass Plus, you had to buy the photo. I don't remember the photos (other than CRT and Akershus) just being given. When Photopass Plus changed to MM (or possibly before then), they did away with the prints at meals too.

 

[mbrittb00]

This is how it works: http://wdwuntangled.com/rider-switch/

This article has some great information, but I'm a little confused. At the very top it states that "The official WDW page on Rider Switch has a number of inaccuracies", but never goes on to list what those inaccuraces are.

It also brings up an interesting question. How can the "OFFICIAL" WDW page be INACCURATE? Isn't it accurate by defintion? Otherwise they could easily face false advertisement lawsuits.

 

[DisMax]

The rider swap pass can be obtained with incredible ease. If you are going with one or two other adults and no kids - you can essentially skirt the fast pass system if you're willing to bend the truth a little bit. All you have to do is walk up to the fastpass+ entrance, ask for a rider swap pass (if they ask where the child is say he's with another adult in the group) and then walk right in. The pass is good for up to 3 people, and it usually doesn't expire for the entire week.

Here is the best part: you can ask for another rider swap pass right before or right after you ride the attraction. There is no way for the cast members loading you onto the attraction to tell which line you came in and if you had a FP, switch pass, no strings attached, or any other line skipping pass. This means in theory, you can have an unlimited FP for any attraction. Just be careful you don't overkill the ride and make them all suspicious as to why you've ridden Seven Dwarfs Mine Train 5 times in 20 minutes when the wait is 2 hours long.

I realize that this may make some people feel like they are cheating the system - and you are; but on incredibly busy times its a great option to have to skip pretty much every line that exists.

A few notes
- not all attractions have a rider swap
- you may be rejected on rare occasion - but usually they just give it to you without asking any questions, especially if you're an adult.
- if you are rejected, wait 10-15 minutes and the FP line operator will rotate to another position, and another CM will be rotated into his place. I've never been turned down twice.

Happy line hopping!