Rider Switch

[wildflower329]

Our trip next week will be the first time our 5 year old is tall enough to ride the bigger rides! But, he is kind of timid, so I am not sure he will want to go on Space Mountain, Matterhorn, etc.

If you have a kid tall enough to go on a ride, but too scared, can you still get a rider switch pass, or will they only do this when your child is under the height requirement?

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

It was designed for children that do not meet the height requirements. It was always called Baby Swap. They now allow children that do not want to ride also. You go to the fast pass entrance, ask for a swap ticket, make sure you bring the baby or child with you, then the first group goes through the line and afterward the adult that was left behind can ride. I think you can bring up to 2 more with you.

 

[wildflower329]

Thanks!

Anyone else have experience with this? I know how the rider switch works (we used it a lot last trip), but wasn't sure if the policy is to only give out the pass for families with a child under the height restriction, or if they allow those taller than the height restriction but too timid to go on the ride to be given a rider switch as well. Some things like this seem to be CM specific, so would love to know other experiences to help us plan.

 

[jollyball]

Thanks!

Anyone else have experience with this? I know how the rider switch works (we used it a lot last trip), but wasn't sure if the policy is to only give out the pass for families with a child under the height restriction, or if they allow those taller than the height restriction but too timid to go on the ride to be given a rider switch as well. Some things like this seem to be CM specific, so would love to know other experiences to help us plan.

We were there the first week of October. My youngest son is tall enough go on many rides, but he doesn't like Ghost Galaxy, Matterhorn or Tower of Terror. Even though he was tall enough to go on each ride, they still gave us the rider swap. Each ride is different too; some want to see the child and some don't care. On some rides the first CM will give you the pass, and on others the CM that puts you on the ride gives it to you.

 

[agamble]

They're pretty understanding, especially when they're that young. If you had a ten year-old you may have some CM who might think you're gaming the system (since it works like a FP without a time requirement). But many five year olds do not want to ride the big rides yet and Disney understands that. The rider switch is very nice.

Our oldest DD went on Space, TOT, and other 40" rides just before turning three. She was scared of Space when I took her on it and didn't want to go again, but for some reason she changed her mind and rode with Daddy. He helped her learn to enjoy the scary parts of rides (ie. the big drop on Splash) by teaching her to scream for fun. This summer (just before turning 6) she rode the Goliath ride at Six Flags with me and asked to go again, which she did, twice. All kids are different though, little brother is much more timid and also not so tall, but helping them to see these rides as fun instead of scary can increase their enjoyment of the rides.

I would definitely start with Big Thunder as a first big ride. I also don't consider Matterhorn to be too scary, it can be painful for adults, but I think kids tend to like it. Though I haven't been with the new Yeti.

 

[ClaraOswald]

We did this with our son (not tall enough to ride) with some of the rides. No one ever asked to see him. Is that common?? He may or may not be tall enough next trip but because of his delays, I don't know if he'd want to ride them.

 

[wildflower329]

Thanks everyone! This helps a lot with our planning