Rope drop and rider swap

[abtahime]

Hi!
We are traveling to Disney next month with our 3 kids, ages 8, 5, and 2. I’ve done a lot of research and think I have a pretty good grasp on rider swap, genie+, rope drops, etc. However, I can’t find information on if you can rider swap the first 30 minutes of resort only guest time or if you have wait until the park officially opens to all. We will have to rider swap a decent amount of rides due to our two year olds height so trying to find out if I need to plan on family rides that first 30 minutes. Thanks!

 

[lpereira]

You can rider swap anytime a ride is open. The only caveat is everyone who accesses the ride using rider swap must be able to access the ride the same way the first time. Even if waiting for the second ride. Ie no buying some genie+ or some LL. Everyone has to have LL if that's how you are riding the first time.

 

[jcparetta]

Generally speaking, when using rider swap, do we first have to go to the LL line and then get back into the regular line, or can we do it while we pass through the main entrance to the ride?

We are going in April and have an 18mo with our group. Everyone wants to ride Flight of Passage at rope drop. For rider switch, will we have to report to the LL first to set up the rider switch and then get back in at the end of the regular entry line? Or can we maintain our place in the rope drop line while setting up rider swap?

I hope that makes sense. It seems that rider swap would be a disadvantage for rope drop lines if you have to go there first if doing so completely takes you out of the line. If that's the case, I'll take one for the team and hang out with the little guy.

 

[Disturbia]

When we did rider switch they now make you stand in the outdoor roped area with the baby in the stroller (hopefully this has changed). Once you get near the ride entrance/gates they pull you aside to give a rider switch. This happened on FOP and SDMT back in June 2021 where we were told to go through the line (Fop was 5 mins; but SDMT was 25 in addition to the 45 mins indoor). We never rope dropped.

 

[my523]

While I’m on here, can I clarify? The whole party waits in the queue or LL together, gets up to the front, and then rider swaps? Or, does only each half of the group wait at a time?

 

[Disturbia]

While I’m on here, can I clarify? The whole party waits in the queue or LL together, gets up to the front, and then rider swaps? Or, does only each half of the group wait at a time?

No the change was for standby only. They make it harder to entice you to buy the LLIA$. We exclusively did the LlIA$/Genie+ this past Nov and only rides with low waits so rider switch works the old way on lightening lanes.

Our son who was not tall enough for ROTR when it first opened needed a FP/VQ even though he wasn’t riding but had tickets (was 3.5/4). Now that we have a 2 year old, who doesn’t have tickets, we rider switch and buy LLIA for riders only.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

While I’m on here, can I clarify? The whole party waits in the queue or LL together, gets up to the front, and then rider swaps? Or, does only each half of the group wait at a time?

anyone below the height limit will not be allowed in line. the one or 2 wait with little one rest ride then they come out and others get in line

 

[Disturbia]

anyone below the height limit will not be allowed in line. the one or 2 wait with little one rest ride then they come out and others get in line

Not true. They made us line up -outdoor portion that wraps around to the mad tea party area until you’re near the magic band scanners (not the entire outdoor) with our 1 year old in a stroller at SDMT. Same thing at FOP. This is for standby as LL queue doesn’t usually overflow. Other parents reported the same experience.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Not true. They made us line up -outdoor portion that wraps around to the mad tea party area until you’re near the magic band scanners (not the entire outdoor) with our 1 year old in a stroller at SDMT.

we have not been allowed to do that at both of those ride so I would have a back up plan. plus on rides that unload at a different point how would you be able to wait at beginning of ride. thinking of pirates that unloads in a different building

 

[Disturbia]

Also only one kid can now ride with the waiting adult, which is fair.

 

[Disturbia]

we have not been allowed to do that at both of those ride so I would have a back up plan. plus on rides that unload at a different point how would you be able to wait at beginning of ride. thinking of pirates that unloads in a different building

Pirates has no height restrictions

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Pirates has no height restrictions

but what happens if youngest refuses to ride been there and done that

 

[Disturbia]

but what happens if youngest refuses to ride been there and done that

Lot of reports of people being denied rider switch (child meets height requirement but is scared) in those cases esp on TOT. Officially Disney says you can use rider switch, but in practice it depends on the CM’s mood.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Lot of reports of people being denied rider switch in those cases esp on TOT

did get one there as same child made it all the way to loading and freaked screamed all the way down chichen exit

 

[Disturbia]

we have not been allowed to do that at both of those ride so I would have a back up plan. plus on rides that unload at a different point how would you be able to wait at beginning of ride. thinking of pirates that unloads in a different building

I think you’re misunderstanding what I am saying. They don’t make you go inside the ride line, just the outside extended overflow area. They don’t allow the child in the official queue area.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I think you’re misunderstanding what I am saying. They don’t make you go inside the ride line, just the outside extended overflow area. They don’t allow the child in the official queue area.

last I knew not all have an overflow

 

[Disturbia]

did get one there as same child made it all the way to loading and freaked screamed all the way down chichen exit

We saw a child screaming getting into the underground area after the second scan for FOP. The parents waited hours for the ride. The CMs stood there like robots instead of issuing a rider switch.

 

[Disturbia]

last I knew not all have an overflow

Yes. So SDMT, FOP and Slinky (when we went slinky queue was all indoors so we were shocked when we got asked to go back and line up with the baby on the other rides-SDMT and FOP.)

 

[Disturbia]

I wonder what the situation with ROTR is (we used VQ and LLIA$ only). Hopefully this has changed.

Maybe someone can post a more recent example if everyone has to stay together in the outdoor overflow queue before a rider switch is issued at the official entrance.

 

[my523]

Not sure if I'm just not reading it right or convo has shifted. lol. At least from my question. Sorry, OP, for tagging onto this!!
So... does the whole family have to wait (including the baby) all the way up until it's time to get on the ride/boarding area? Or, can they ask a CM at the "start" of the line for rider switch?
And, can a rider switch happen in the LL (as long as all have purchased)