switching off on rides

[disneyjlh2002]

Help! We are taking our 12 year old DD and 9 year old DS to Disneyland in April. I've heard that both DL and DCA allow you to switch off, meaning that I could take our daughter on a scary ride while my husband waits at the front of the line with our son. Then, when we get off the ride, my husband can get right on it with our daughter without having to wait. Has anyone done this?

Thanks in advance,
Judy

 

[disneychrista]

I have never done it but I know it exists Usually they do this when on child is not tall enough to ride the attraction. I am not sure how it would work with a 9yo who should be able to ride (according to the restrictions) most everything. Tell the first CM you come to that you would like to do "child swap."

 

[Sonya in Boise]

I wrote Disney about this process because I had read many CM's had no idea how or what it was and those that did know had different rules. I printed this and took it w/ us in December. I just kept it in the stroller in case. We never needed it.

10/30/2002


Dear Sonya:

Thank you for your recent letter to the Disneyland Resort.

Our rider switch pass is intended to accommodate our Guests who may have a rider who is not able to board the attraction.

Following are the instructions for our Rider Switch Pass:

o The entire party enters the normal queue area.
o When the rider who does not meet certain age/height requirements reaches a certain point in the queue:
o At least one party member and the rider will be issued a Rider Switch Pass and asked to wait at the exit or in a designated waiting area.
o These individuals are referred to as "Party 2."
o The remaining party members, ride the attraction.
o These individuals are referred to as "Party 1"
o After riding the attraction, "Party 1" locates "Party 2."
o The child is "switched."
o "Party 2" enters via the exit (i.e., they do not wait through the queue a second time) and boards the attraction.
o The Rider Switch Pass must be presented to the Host/Hostess positioned at the boarding area.
o The maximum number of Guests allowed on a Rider Switch Pass is two (2)!
o If the person in "Party 2" waited alone with the child, he/she may bring one Guest back to ride the attraction.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. We hope you will have the opportunity to visit the Disneyland Resort in the near future and trust your visit will be pleasant in all regards.

Sincerely,

S. Joyce
Disneyland Resort
Guest Communications

 

[Sonya in Boise]

Just an FYI.

Splash Mtn and Indy have a single rider line. Ask the CM's at the Que entrance if they are doing single riders that day. They will give you a "pass" that allows you to enter thru the exit and walk directly up to the attraction. Your whole group can get one of these passes, but you probably won't be sitting together.

My sister and I used this instead of fastpass because it was quicker than the fastpass line. One of us stayed w/ the kids while the other got the pass and walked to the ride via the exit. We were seated in a few minutes and enjoyed the ride.

We each rode splash mtn twice while the kids were waiting in line to see Pooh. Then we rode Indy twice while the kids were feeding the ducks popcorn. These are rides we would not have seen because the lines, even w/ fastpass, were too long to wait w/ the kids.

Maybe discuss it w/ your family and see if this is something you might be willing to do (sit w/ strangers to get on the ride quicker).

 

[disneychrista]

When the rider who does not meet certain age/height requirements reaches a certain point in the queue:

I am curious what if the rider meets the requirements but is "choosing" not to go on the attraction. The OP 9 yo is more then likely able to ride everything according the age/height requirements. Does Disney still allow a "child swap" in this situation?

 

[Sonya in Boise]

I'm sure they would. It's Disney and it's all about the Magic.