Rides with a toddler questions

[jlparedes]

So our trip is getting closer...yahoo! I took DD (2.5) to the State Fair this year and to my surprise she loved the bumble bees and the tea cups. I'm hoping this means she'll be ready for Disney in October! She is a tall 2.5 at 37" but I don't think she'll make 40" in another 47 days or so lol. So can anyone here tell me about baby swap? Is it for all rides? I'm wondering that if we're in line on something she can go on, but she changes her mind at the last minute (happens on pony rides all the time) can one of us stay behind with her, and then get to swap when the other one is done? What about single rider lines? Are those on all rides? We'll have my nephew with us, but he may not want to go twice on all rides so I'm trying to imagine how this will work? Any info is appreciated and any other DL with toddler tips are too! THANKS!

 

[avalon451]

Child swap is cool and works great. It can be a little different depending on which ride you're on. You just need to tell the CM at the entrance that you need to do a child swap, and they will clue you in on the procedure.

Example: Space Mountain. We had FPs, so upon entering the FP queue and giving them to the CM, we mentioned we were going to child swap with DDs 5 and 10, who didn't want to do it. The Cm handed us a pass with instructions on it. All of us went through the queue together, then when we got down near the loading platform, they showed DH and the 2 kids where to go on the exit tunnel, where DD13 and I would pass by them on our way out. So, on our way out, DH and DD13 took the pass and went on through the FP entrance again and rode.

Indy: I heard a CM ahead of us telling a family with a baby that the kid to be swapped has to meet the height requirement to even be in the line. You had to make your own swap arrangements outside the line. DD5 was tall enough, but didn't want to go. Again, we were instructed to tell the CM halfway through the queue-- he let the swapper and kid go through a rope barrier and showed them where to wait by the exit. Then the swapper and the older, braver kid went back into the line at that halfway point, where the CM let them through, and rode.

BTMRR: DD10 chickened out, last minute, on the platform. She's just not a big roller coaster fan. For some reason, DD5 really wanted to ride. So the CM told our Chicken Little, "Just cross through the car to the platform on the left side, where you exit, and wait there for your mom and sister to come back and get off." I was fine with that, there were CMs keeping an eye on her, and she enjoyed standing there and filming us with the camcorder as we went past screaming! If we had all had to exit, I'm sure they would have let us all just go through to the exit.

Single rider lines are only on selected rides. In DL, it's only on Splash, now. Used to be on Indy, but not any more.

DCA: Single rider for most of the FP stuff, I think: ToT, Screamin', Mulholland Madness, Soarin', GRR, did I miss any? I don't think Maliboomer does? Oh, and TSMM! I hear that's the best way to do it!

 

[Mugglemama]

do they even offer parent swap for rides with no height requirement?

we've always only needed it for the rides our kids were not yet tall enough for (they've been willing to go on everything else since they were babies, lol), and i've never even considered that they might offer it for the rides that a child who is 37" would be tall enough for (except maybe matterhorn).

i'm really curious.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

They have for us - mostly when we have a sleeping child that someone has to stay with. Just ask and let them know your circumstance. You never know. It may also vary with the CM and how bad the queue line is, too.

 

[jlparedes]

Thanks eveyone for the great info. I guess what I'll take away is "you can't get told no if you don't ask". It's a motto I use quite often, so no worries there! It sounds like they are pretty flexible for the most part.

 

[Brady's Mom]

They are really used to Child Swap at DLR. People do it all the time! We love it and if you can combine it with Fast Pass you can really maximize your riding.

Also "Chicken Little" is really common there, too. We haven't had any one chicken out after we are in a line, but have seen others leave the line at strategic points.