FastPass and Child Swap

[BrerPenguin2]

Sorry if this has been asked before. Will they allow you to use a FastPass in conjunction with the Child Swap, or are you required to go StandBy if you plan on using this feature? We will be heading to WDW with our 2 daughters, one of which may be big enough for Splash, etc, and we don't want to make her little sister wait around any longer than we have too.

Thanks

 

[happymom52003]

I'm not sure if different rides have different rules, but we did use child swap in the fast pass line at Soarin.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I can see no reason to refuse child swap when using Fast Pass.

 

[Monty]

If you use child swap, it's the same as getting a fastpass for the second parent. Why would you need it if you already both have FPs? One parent uses their FP while the other waits, then the second uses their FP while the first waits.

Or are you trying to scam two rides each using FP [first parent uses FP and asks for child swap, then after second parent uses child swap, second parent uses FP and asks for child swap...]?

 

[Laura]

Or are you trying to scam two rides each using FP [first parent uses FP and asks for child swap, then after second parent uses child swap, second parent uses FP and asks for child swap...]?

:lookaroun

SHHH!

 

[happymom52003]

I really think the op was just wondering which line you have to stand in when you use childswap. I can see how someone who has never done it before would have this question. Before I used child swap the first time, I really did not know what to expect....the explanations in the guide books do not go into great deatail.....in fact, I just assumed that everyone waited in line together, then there was some holding area or something for the second parent to wait for the first one to finish the ride. So when we went to ride Soarin, we got fast passes for everyone and then got in line and asked about the chid swap. So we ended up with an extra fast pass, which we gave away.

 

[JustPlainBill]

My wife and I did the child swap in the FP line for Tower of Terror this past summer for the first time, we each had our own FPs. In this case we entered the FP line by showing our FPs, we told the CM monitoring the line what we intended to do, they just waved us in and told us to tell the CM inside. When we got to the loading area I told the CM what we were doing, he had me ride the ride and escorted my wife and kids down the service elevator and told her to wait for me by the ride exit. When I exited the ride I took the kids and my wife went back up the service elevator to the loading area to ride herself. When we rode ToT the next day we decided to get FPs again but instead of doing the child swap, one of us waited in the giftshop at the ride exit with the kids, and when the other got off we switched there then the other would go around and enter the FP line. The first time the kids freaked because it was very scary on the inside of the ride for them in the queue, it's dark and they had to sit through the Rod Serling video, etc. They thought they were on the ride and were going to drop at any minute. It took a tremendous amount of patience and reassurance to explain to them that we were not going to make them ride, that we were switching off. The giftshop swap worked out much better for us. It was so bad that my wife asked the CM to reassure our kids that he would make sure they were not going to ride, especially when they entered the service elevator, them thinking that it would drop. You live and learn.:shrug:

 

[BrerPenguin2]

Thanks for the answers. I just wanted to make sure that the youngest wouldn't have to wait through the entire stand-by line, and then have to wait for both parents to ride. This way sounds much better.

 

[thrupaytonseyes]

If you use child swap, it's the same as getting a fastpass for the second parent. Why would you need it if you already both have FPs? One parent uses their FP while the other waits, then the second uses their FP while the first waits.

Or are you trying to scam two rides each using FP [first parent uses FP and asks for child swap, then after second parent uses child swap, second parent uses FP and asks for child swap...]?

You would need to do both fastpass and child swap if you had one child you were bringing on with you both times. For example: we have a 4 yo and an 8 month old. If we were going on Soarin we would get fastpasses for the 3 of us that could ride it. DH & DS1 would go on it with 2 of the 3 fastpasses and tell them we want to do a childswap. Then DH & DS1 come out to where DS2 and I would be waiting. After that DS1 and I would go on Soarin with the childswap and remaining fastpass. Without doing it this way DS1 wouldn't have a fastpass to be in the fastpass line with me.

No scamming the system to get 2 rides for each of us, just a way that nobody has to ride alone.

 

[Laura]

You would need to do both fastpass and child swap if you had one child you were bringing on with you both times. For example: we have a 4 yo and an 8 month old. If we were going on Soarin we would get fastpasses for the 3 of us that could ride it. DH & DS1 would go on it with 2 of the 3 fastpasses and tell them we want to do a childswap. Then DH & DS1 come out to where DS2 and I would be waiting. After that DS1 and I would go on Soarin with the childswap and remaining fastpass. Without doing it this way DS1 wouldn't have a fastpass to be in the fastpass line with me.

No scamming the system to get 2 rides for each of us, just a way that nobody has to ride alone.

The child swap passes are good for up to 4 people. No fastpass needed. :animwink:

 

[thrupaytonseyes]

I meant that you would need the fastpass to get through the line the first time through unless you really wanted to go through stand-by(no thank you on that one!!). And then you could use your final fastpass since you had one anyway.

I already knew you could use it for up to four people but reading your post made me realize that most people probably don't know that! So that is very good info to add to this thread!!!!!

 

[stitchsMom]

Ok, I have an extension to the question, your post got me to wondering... if my sister and her husband go on the ride, leaving their 2 yr old with me and my boyfriend - is that the "up to 4 people" for the child swap - and then when they get off, we get to go on? Trying to figure this all out!

 

[thrupaytonseyes]

meaning 4 people can go on at the same time with one child swap pass. so say sis went with her hubby while you and boyfriend hung back with the little one. then she wanted to go back on with you and boyfriend the 3 of you could go together for the 2nd ride.


sorry for no caps and poor puncuation, ds is asleep on me so i am one hand typing!!!

 

[stitchsMom]

meaning 4 people can go on at the same time with one child swap pass. so say sis went with her hubby while you and boyfriend hung back with the little one. then she wanted to go back on with you and boyfriend the 3 of you could go together for the 2nd ride.


sorry for no caps and poor puncuation, ds is asleep on me so i am one hand typing!!!

Thanks!!! That makes sense to me - and was hoping that would be the case. I really really want my Sis and BIL to enjoy their visit to WDW too, and with a 2yr old I don't want them to feel completely limited to toddler activities

 

[mejkjj]

i have done the child swap a few times. We never had to bring the kids into the ride and wait in the loading area. We fast pass each ride we were doing a child swap on. When we entered the ride we told the CM collecting the fast pass tickets we were doing a child swap and they gave us a seperate child swap ticket to comeback and ride. It was good for 3 guests.
Only once were we asked and each time our group was near the enterance of the fast pass line to wave to CM.

Kim

 

[jennc2001]

we have done the child swap every year and it's great. when we're going through the line, we just tell the CM at the gate that we're doing child swap and they give us a ticket and when we get off the ride, either give it to the people waiting or one of us goes with whoever is waiting...right through the fast pass line! it's an awesome and very convenient idea that disney came up with...very thankful to them!

 

[krisrunsdisney]

This is what we often do: We are a family of 5, kids aged 7, 6, and 2. Determine which rides are child-swap eligible. Know which rides the big kids will and won't do (DD7 refuses to ride ToT, for example). So we get only 2 fastpasses for ToT, use the other 2 park tix for another FP at another child-swap ride in the park, say RnRC. So, we go to ToT, say we need a child swap pass, me and DD and DS2 sit behind the coffee cart, DH and DS6 go on ToT with FP. When done, I take DS6 and turn in the child swap FP. We do the same with RnRC, or whatever rides at whatever parks. All told, my kids get to ride each ride twice, DH and I do the ride once each and DS2 runs and plays like the wild man he is. We get more FP rides done since we are splitting our park tix on the child swap rides.

As well as teh child swap pass being good for up to 3 or 4 people, on occasion I have received passes with an expiration a few days out or (twice!) with NO EXPIRATION! If we end up not being able to use the pass, I always give them away. Well, except the no exp ones!

 

[007mickey]

So, we go to ToT, say we need a child swap pass, me and DD and DS2 sit behind the coffee cart, DH and DS6 go on ToT with FP. When done, I take DS6 and turn in the child swap FP.

Interesting...So the CM doesn't ask to see your FP? They are okay with a family of five walking up to the FP return line with only two FP's in hand asking for a child swap ticket? Seems like they would squash this "fast pass loophole". I may have to try this on our next trip. We are a family of four with a little one that isn't very adventureous so we would simply get FP's for everyone and let the older one ride twice using his little brother's unused FP.