what is baby swap?

[JenniferW]

At Disneyland Baby Swap was almost completely useless. We were directed to go back through Fastpass line and often the baby and the adult couldn't even wait in line with the other adult. My hubby said he would wait for me to go and hold baby and not even ride, but they wouldn't let him wait in line. Said if you weren't tall enough to ride then you can't go into the area for liability purposes. We felt that this severely limited our family time. My hubby doens't really like to ride anyway, but we want to be together.

Also, FYI we weren't allowed to get our baby in a frontpack for some of the rides. She had to be "sitting" on her own. It was silly since she is a baby and wouldn't be able to see anything.

My experience was at Disneyland in May so it might be different in WDW. I hope so since we are going to November and if it is inconvenient to use Baby Swap there we won't be going to Disney for quite a while : (

Jenn

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Originally posted by disneychrista
From reading Disney1Fan2002 post, I understand it as that she and the child not riding should not have to stand in line waiting. Not that her entire party should not have to.

Thank you Disneychrista, that is exactly what I am saying. The last two trips to WDW, I did not stand in line for any ride that my younger kids were not tall enough to go on. What I am trying to say is, if you put yourself out there and tell the CM you do not wish to wait in line with young children who can't go on the ride anyway, they will direct you to the babyswap area. On the rides that do not have a designated "area" (ones you will have to go through the FP line for, they give you a blank FP stub that has BS ( baby swap) written on it, and they tell you when your party comes off the ride, come back through with that.

I just want to let everyone know that so far, my baby swap experience has been terrific since I learned that the CM's are usually very accomadating. I also found out today that 3yo is OFFICIALLY 40 inches with his sneakers on, soooo, that knocks at least 6 rides off of our baby swap list!!! But since 7 yo is now 48 inches, it adds the R&R Coaster to our baby swap

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Originally posted by JenniferW
At Disneyland Baby Swap was almost completely useless. We were directed to go back through Fastpass line and often the baby and the adult couldn't even wait in line with the other adult. My hubby said he would wait for me to go and hold baby and not even ride, but they wouldn't let him wait in line. Said if you weren't tall enough to ride then you can't go into the area for liability purposes. We felt that this severely limited our family time. My hubby doens't really like to ride anyway, but we want to be together.

Also, FYI we weren't allowed to get our baby in a frontpack for some of the rides. She had to be "sitting" on her own. It was silly since she is a baby and wouldn't be able to see anything.

My experience was at Disneyland in May so it might be different in WDW. I hope so since we are going to November and if it is inconvenient to use Baby Swap there we won't be going to Disney for quite a while : (

Jenn

I don't recall many rides where the baby has to sit on her own at WDW. We went when my youngest was only 8 months old, and he sat on my lap for alot of the rides. Also, if you are the type of family who wants to wait all together in line, then you will have more than enough opportunity to do that.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Originally posted by tebright
I'm hoping I can utilize the baby swap concept when we go in December but maybe someone here can answer a couple of questions.

I know the baby swap is really for children who don't meet the height requirements but I have an 11 yr old autistic DS and he will no way ride TOT, RRC, MS and a few other rides that me, DH and DD want to ride. Do you think they will let me do the baby swap? I will have a GAC pass to prove that he some problems. Unfortunately if a CM looks at him, he looks completely fine except for some of his stimming behavior.

Any help from anyone with older special needs children that might have done baby swaps, please please respond.

Hi tebright,

yes, the baby swap is for anyone who has a child too young or unable to be left alone.You will be able to use the baby swap to go on rides that your son will not ride. Also, just an FYI, but if your son has problems with waiting in line, you could use the handicap entrance to most rides, which would get your party on without having to wait in line. I am not sure what kind of documentation you would need, but I do know some people who's children have emotional/behavioral problems and cannot stand in line for more than a few minutes. They were able to access the handicap entrance (with some kind of documentation, is that the GAC?). Might be something you can look into.