SDMT: CM measured child before giving rider switch

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

This trip when we asked for a rider switch for the Seven Dwarf Mine Train, the cast member made us get DS out of the stroller and check to see if he was tall enough. He wasn't. He is only about 36 inches and the height minimum is 38.
.

I'm getting nervous now. My younger one is now 36 in. We r going in august. Hope she won't grow 2 inches over the next 2 months.

What a bad mom!! Lol

 

[Fata turchina]

If a child is tall enough for some attractions, you can do an internal rider switch with them. For the internal rider switch, everybody in your party goes through the queue and then at the load area, there is a bypass to the exit of the ride that the child not wanting to ride and an adult can go through and then wait at the exit. Once the party is done riding, the adults can switch off and up to three people (so the adult waiting and two others) can go back through without going through the queue again. They simply go back the way they came under the direction of the CM.

I've seen this done at a couple of attractions, but I'm not sure if all attractions have an exit hallway or the internal rider switch option. You would think they would all have some sort of "chicken" exit.

I think they have this system for children who are tall enough because it is faster for the family than having to go back in the queue (even the Fastpass queue). The rider switch card system works for kids who aren't tall enough to make sure the CM isn't held up checking heights when they are trying to load.

It also makes sense to why rides without height restrictions don't have the rider switch cards. You could probably bring the child through and do an internal rider switch.

Sometimes I wish WDW had a similar policy to Disneyland where the first part of the party going through the queue for the rider switch gets a card that they exchange for the rider switch ticket once they get to where they collect fastpasses in the line, because this would cut down on people scamming for rider switches and make it easier for guests actually needing them.

 

[vatmark]

If a child is tall enough for some attractions, you can do an internal rider switch with them. For the internal rider switch, everybody in your party goes through the queue and then at the load area, there is a bypass to the exit of the ride that the child not wanting to ride and an adult can go through and then wait at the exit. Once the party is done riding, the adults can switch off and up to three people (so the adult waiting and two others) can go back through without going through the queue again. They simply go back the way they came under the direction of the CM.

I've seen this done at a couple of attractions, but I'm not sure if all attractions have an exit hallway or the internal rider switch option. You would think they would all have some sort of "chicken" exit.

I think they have this system for children who are tall enough because it is faster for the family than having to go back in the queue (even the Fastpass queue). The rider switch card system works for kids who aren't tall enough to make sure the CM isn't held up checking heights when they are trying to load.

It also makes sense to why rides without height restrictions don't have the rider switch cards. You could probably bring the child through and do an internal rider switch.

Sometimes I wish WDW had a similar policy to Disneyland where the first part of the party going through the queue for the rider switch gets a card that they exchange for the rider switch ticket once they get to where they collect fastpasses in the line, because this would cut down on people scamming for rider switches and make it easier for guests actually needing them.

This is how they did it with us back in 2005 when DD who was 9 at the time was too afraid to ride ToT. The 4 of us had FP and we went through the FP line. DH went on the ride with DS and the CM took me and DD to wait elsewhere and then me and DH switched and I rode with DS while he waited with DD.

Ann

 

[rimomma66]

My son is extremely tall for his age (as in 46" and just turned 4 in December). He loves to ride and even rode EE, but if he didn't want to because he was afraid, you can bet I would have that policy either on my phone or printed and challenge it, calling for a supervisor if need be.

 

[SueM in MN]

For what it's worth one of my 2 sons hates all rides. When I brought him to Toy Story Mania and asked for a rider swap so both me and my wife could take my other son on the ride we were refused a rider swap as there is no height limit on that ride.

Also, WDW does have a list of attractions that allow Rider Swap. Other attractions are not set up to allow it. 7 Dwarfs Mine Car is not listed yet.
Magic Kingdom Park
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Splash Mountain
The Barnstormer
Space Mountain
Stitch’s Great Escape
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway

Epcot
Future World
Mission: SPACE
Soarin'
Test Track

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Star Tours® - The Adventures Continue
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park
DINOSAUR
Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain®
Kali River Rapids
Primeval Whirl

Here's the link to the webpage with the link:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/rider-switch/

 

[rastuso]

If a child is tall enough for some attractions, you can do an internal rider switch with them. For the internal rider switch, everybody in your party goes through the queue and then at the load area, there is a bypass to the exit of the ride that the child not wanting to ride and an adult can go through and then wait at the exit. Once the party is done riding, the adults can switch off and up to three people (so the adult waiting and two others) can go back through without going through the queue again. They simply go back the way they came under the direction of the CM.

I've seen this done at a couple of attractions, but I'm not sure if all attractions have an exit hallway or the internal rider switch option. You would think they would all have some sort of "chicken" exit.

I think they have this system for children who are tall enough because it is faster for the family than having to go back in the queue (even the Fastpass queue). The rider switch card system works for kids who aren't tall enough to make sure the CM isn't held up checking heights when they are trying to load.

It also makes sense to why rides without height restrictions don't have the rider switch cards. You could probably bring the child through and do an internal rider switch.

Sometimes I wish WDW had a similar policy to Disneyland where the first part of the party going through the queue for the rider switch gets a card that they exchange for the rider switch ticket once they get to where they collect fastpasses in the line, because this would cut down on people scamming for rider switches and make it easier for guests actually needing them.

This makes better sense. To do this swap, all riding members have either paid their dues in standby, or used FP+, so there is no way to abuse it. Although the small child must wait through a line they don't ride.

Just another way FP+ has screwed things up. You should be able to all use your FP+, then split to the baby swap area. Or with SB, the one parent and baby go immediately to baby swap, and wait for the other to get through the line. Universal has always blown Disney out of the water with their baby swap rules.

-Jason

 

[Imagineer5]

Hmmm I'll be at the world tomorrow and we have FP+ for nap time! I'll be pissed if they won't give us a rider swap after peeking in and seeing two young toddlers asleep!

 

[puffkin]

I know a lot of people "quote" the official disney policy, but in my experience (we have done rider switch A LOT over the last 8 years) we have almost always been asked to see the too small child before we were offered the pass. Which meant wheeling the stroller up to the entrance and a few times having the little on get out and measured.

We have not been down since FP+ was out of test phase, but I expect that to be the case even more so now because of the tiering and also with the popularity of the new ride right now.

Doesn't bother me....and flame suit on....I wish it was enforced for riders not meeting the height requirement. It is just ripe for abuse otherwise.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

A few years back we used rider swap with my niece. She was def tall enough to ride EVERYTHING but too chicken. We were NEVER refused a Rider Swap. Guess it has changed.

 

[somesong2sing]

I was just told myself when I was on the phone with the CM this weekend that what is supposed ot happen and what does varies. She said with most the newer rides, the cast members are following the rules.

I said my son is tall enough and just doesn't care for them but too young to wait by himself. She said that the swap only applys to infants. That I would need to get a FP for him too even if he doesn't want to ride because he is tall enough. I was like what?
I wish it was black and white because now we have to just be safe and waste some of his fast passes because I can't have him waiting alone if they apply that rule to us. Blah

 

[DisneyWisher]

The internal rider switch makes sense. Even with what is written on the website the "Internal Rider Switch" abides by this. Child isn't forced on and as soon as the 1 parent gets off the other parent can ride. It just means everyone has to be in line.

 

[wdwfanatic316]

This makes better sense. To do this swap, all riding members have either paid their dues in standby, or used FP+, so there is no way to abuse it. Although the small child must wait through a line they don't ride.

Just another way FP+ has screwed things up. You should be able to all use your FP+, then split to the baby swap area. Or with SB, the one parent and baby go immediately to baby swap, and wait for the other to get through the line. Universal has always blown Disney out of the water with their baby swap rules.

-Jason

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with you on this! We went in May with DS2, who was only 36". At WDW using the RS was great because we could get the RS pass and then go off to a play area or ride that he could enjoy while one of us could ride, then switch off (or use whenever it was convenient- even different days!). At UO, we used baby swap at Transformers and Spiderman. He had to wait in the standby line with us then at the end of the line wait in their baby swap area. He was (somewhat) disappointed that he didn't get to ride, plus there's not much to do in the waiting areas. It's not a huge deal and he was ok with not riding, but I would have much preferred being able to take him to do something he could actually enjoy rather than making him wait in a long, hot line for nothing. Again, not bashing Universal's rules, but saying their baby swap "blows Disney out of the water" is totally off IMO.

 

[cheryl.UK]

Wow! This is harsh. Glad we didn't take our godson when he was 'little' At 3 he was the height of the average 5 year old. He was easily tall enough for Dinosaur but this would have been way too intense for him.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Wow, so you can abuse the crap out of this? A family of 4 can have a small child, then the parents can get different FP+, and double the amount of rides the family gets. If they didn't do this reinforcement, each child could simply choose their favorite ride, and ride it twice, while their sibling rode the other twice, and both parents ride both rides. All with essentially using only ONE FP+ for the family.

-Jason

It's sad and ruins it for so many, but people do it. I had a friend who worked Thunder Mountain and he said that he was working one day when a family of 4 came up. The family claimed that the younger child was too afraid to ride and that they needed a rider swap. The dad and the older kid got in line while the mother and the younger kid waited. Well, he got off work later and decided to spend some time in the park as a guest. He ended up in line for Thunder Mountain behind this same family, but it was the dad and the younger kid. He said he heard them talking and they got a rider swap for the older kid. So now they had 2 rider swaps for Thunder Mountain and the mom was going to go twice with both kids. So, each kid waited in the stand by line once and was going to go through the fast pass line with a swap 2 times. That's gaming the system, if you ask me. And it's sad because there are families out there with children who truly don't want to ride and need rider swap.

 

[surferdave]

It's sad and ruins it for so many, but people do it. I had a friend who worked Thunder Mountain and he said that he was working one day when a family of 4 came up. The family claimed that the younger child was too afraid to ride and that they needed a rider swap. The dad and the older kid got in line while the mother and the younger kid waited. Well, he got off work later and decided to spend some time in the park as a guest. He ended up in line for Thunder Mountain behind this same family, but it was the dad and the younger kid. He said he heard them talking and they got a rider swap for the older kid. So now they had 2 rider swaps for Thunder Mountain and the mom was going to go twice with both kids. So, each kid waited in the stand by line once and was going to go through the fast pass line with a swap 2 times. That's gaming the system, if you ask me. And it's sad because there are families out there with children who truly don't want to ride and need rider swap.

I wish I could see how furious he gets when he catches these same kids lying to HIM. Where do you guys learn this kind of behavior?

 

[kutty]

This happened to us also a few days ago. Our daughter is just at 32". They made me roll her up there, then force her out of the stroller as she was extremely tired and then actually made sure she stood up straight. Yep, not even close. I was not happy. This has never happened to us before for any ride, even the 35" rides.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with you on this! We went in May with DS2, who was only 36". At WDW using the RS was great because we could get the RS pass and then go off to a play area or ride that he could enjoy while one of us could ride, then switch off (or use whenever it was convenient- even different days!). At UO, we used baby swap at Transformers and Spiderman. He had to wait in the standby line with us then at the end of the line wait in their baby swap area. He was (somewhat) disappointed that he didn't get to ride, plus there's not much to do in the waiting areas. It's not a huge deal and he was ok with not riding, but I would have much preferred being able to take him to do something he could actually enjoy rather than making him wait in a long, hot line for nothing. Again, not bashing Universal's rules, but saying their baby swap "blows Disney out of the water" is totally off IMO.

I agree with this. Now, I have heard (have not attempted this so don't have personal experience) that people can also use rider swap to get around fast pass and fast pass plus. For example, the husband and son might get FP+ for Splash Mountain, but the wife and daughter do not. The daughter is too short to ride. Even though the daughter and mother didn't have a FP+ to ride Splash Mountain, the family is given a rider swap pass because the daughter is too short to ride. Therefore, the mother actually didn't need to waste a FP+ selection on Splash Mountain because she will get to go through the FP+ line with her rider swap. Does that make sense? Can people confirm that this is a possibility? Because...

Sorry if I was unclear - only the people riding first need FP if they want to use the FP line.

So the first parent/party to ride needs a fp+ for everyone riding first if they want to use the FP line, if the first party riding is using standby then just enter that line after getting the RS pass.

The second parent/party can use the RS pass to rider later and bring along 2 others using the FP line, the RS pass works as your FP.

This makes it sound like I was correct. If so, that irritates me a bit. It's very much gaming the system and getting an unfair (gosh how I hate that word) advantage.

 

[robinb]

Actually, that's untrue. Disney's official written policy states...



CM seemingly use their own discretion as to how they're going to implement rider switch and whether or not they'll issue a switch pass because a child simply doesn't want to ride. It's an issue and one that the company needs to address. They need to base it solely on height or on height/no desire to ride, not on what a CM thinks the policy is.

There is a difference between a Rider Switch Pass and a Child Swap. With a Rider Switch Pass the child is too small and the adults swap outside the ride. With a Child Swap the child is tall enough but too chicken and the adults swap at the front of the ride inside the ride. Disney's policy that you copied combines the two into one policy.

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

Oh, I just remembered something else from our recent trip. DD and I were in line for Kali I think. The family in front of us had 2 DDs. One was crying because she didn't want to ride. When they got to the loading area the CM said he didn't have and rider switch passes, but if they go back through the line the CM at the entrance can give them one since one DD didn't want to ride.

 

[puffkin]

I agree with this. Now, I have heard (have not attempted this so don't have personal experience) that people can also use rider swap to get around fast pass and fast pass plus. For example, the husband and son might get FP+ for Splash Mountain, but the wife and daughter do not. The daughter is too short to ride. Even though the daughter and mother didn't have a FP+ to ride Splash Mountain, the family is given a rider swap pass because the daughter is too short to ride. Therefore, the mother actually didn't need to waste a FP+ selection on Splash Mountain because she will get to go through the FP+ line with her rider swap. Does that make sense? Can people confirm that this is a possibility? Because... This makes it sound like I was correct. If so, that irritates me a bit. It's very much gaming the system and getting an unfair (gosh how I hate that word) advantage.

That is exactly what we are doing. We have 3 adults, DS8 and DS2 (35"). For all the height restricted rides we have 2 people booked on 1 ride and 2 on another. Everyone will get to ride both rides with the rider switch ride. It is a way to get around tiering in DHS/Epcot but other than that it isn't a huge advantage to anyone but DS8 (who can ride twice each time). Some of the rides take a long time to get through even with rider switch. So it takes a lot of time for both sets to get on...plus it's no picnic waiting with DS2 if there is nothing nearby to take him on.

And before the flames start flying.... It was easily done on FP- system too. It is a loophole that they are quite aware of...but like I said before it isn't as advantageous as one might think and I can't wait until our rider switch days are behind us!