with little kids: switching off in line or different attractions?

[christineka]

I have some little kids and some bigger kids. I think we can all get in line and then dh and I (and other bigger kids that meet the height requirement) can take turns going on the ride. I looked around and thought, maybe we could just go do another ride without a height requirement or play at a playground type thing or something. Then, I thought I only want to do that if we are at a close attraction. So, looking at the map, that's probably just Big Thunder. (Rivers of America will be closed.)

So, do you think this is a smart idea? At big thunder, we switch off at the front of the line. At something like California screamin' we could go do that boat or the toy story ride. And similar things throughout the park. I want to go on all the big rides and such, but I don't want my little kiddies upset about standing in line and not getting to go on the rides.

 

[Mugglemama]

I have some little kids and some bigger kids. I think we can all get in line and then dh and I (and other bigger kids that meet the height requirement) can take turns going on the ride. I looked around and thought, maybe we could just go do another ride without a height requirement or play at a playground type thing or something. Then, I thought I only want to do that if we are at a close attraction. So, looking at the map, that's probably just Big Thunder. (Rivers of America will be closed.)

So, do you think this is a smart idea? At big thunder, we switch off at the front of the line. At something like California screamin' we could go do that boat or the toy story ride. And similar things throughout the park. I want to go on all the big rides and such, but I don't want my little kiddies upset about standing in line and not getting to go on the rides.

by "front of the line", do you mean the beginning of the line?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

If they aren't tall enough, they can't get in line for a ride. You can get a rider swap pass from the CM in line.

 

[Mom of three]

They will not allow you to bring your baby/child into the line if they are under the height requirements. At least that was our experience every time.

The CM at the entrance of the ride can/will issue you a child swap pass. The first rider(s) go while someone stays with the child. After they are done, they meet up and the person holding the child swap pass gets to go. If they are running FP then you go into the FP entrance. If FP is not running then I believe you just enter through the exit and the CM will direct you. Maybe someone else can chime in on this particular part.

Sometimes, we were able to combine FP and child swaps which made it quicker.

My absolute FAVORITE child swap ride was Space mountain!! The second party that gets to go practically gets to walk on.

 

[christineka]

Ooh, so we don't have to take the little kids in line with us! We can get the pass at the entrance and those with the little kids can go on little kid stuff in the meantime? That's great!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Yes ~ no need actually, you can't wait in line with little ones ~ we still have to use child swap for DD for the Indiana Jones ride *46 inches, so DS & another adult goes through the line (usually fast pass, though it usually doesn't do much good for Indy *at least when we visit) DD and I go somewhere else for awhile, meet them at the exit and then DS and I walk through the exit to ride again, while DD waits/does something else with the adult who 1st rode with DS.

 

[abouley]

The best way to do it is get a FP for the 3 or 4 people that plan to ride. Then you come back at or anytime after your FP time and you all go to the CM at the entrance to the ride and say you need a child swap pass. Those that can ride then go ride and you can go elsewhere with the little kids. You can then return any time that day with the rideswap pass and you get to use the FP entrance again. If you don't want the first party to utilize FP because you don't have one, you use the same procedure except the first party has to wait through the normal line.

Usually if we are swapping on Indy, the younger ones go on either the jungle cruise or go climb into the treehouse. BTMR we'd probably just have the others still be in fantasy land. For SM, there's a couple of water features out front that my kids love or we go ride Buzz. Near soarin there is a carousel. Soarin you could go around to the play area. Tower of terror now has an opening to bug land so that's a good place to go.

 

[christineka]

I wish I'd known about this last time. I missed out on quite a few rides.

 

[the donut]

We usually use child swap on Toy Story. I know everyone can ride that one, but holding the baby (8 months) hurts my score significantly (no I'm not competitive or anything....). Plus our 3 year old loves to ride it twice and the baby thinks people watching is better and prefers to wait outside. You get on right at the exit with a baby swap pass. If the baby does get bored while we're waiting, King Triton's carousel is right next door to TSMM.