Rider Switch (aka Child Swap) has nothing to do with height

[jkl2000]

I just wanted to put an end to this idea which seems to be firmly believed in at least one thread where someone asked about how the swap works.

Rider Switch can be used when one child (or adult) in your group doesn't want to ride for any reason. It has nothing to do with if your child is tall enough for the ride or not.

All info is here on the Disneyworld site:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/rider-switch/

 

[tare]

Thanks for posting that to all.

 

[whitethunder]

OMG my wife and I could actually experience a thrill ride again!!! I know this sounds terrible because there's been people who waited longer to ride than I have, but its been almost almost year since we've ridden a non-boat ride. We haven't ridden since we found out my wife was pregnant to now with a 3 month old infant, we stayed away from the coasters.

I NEED MY SPACE MOUNTAIN!!

 

[RandomPrincess]

Thanks for sharing! I would print the rule out or be prepared to pull it up on your phone as I know people have reported being turned away by cast members when they have a child who is tall enough to ride but to scared.

 

[docdebbi]

i agree. i also have seen people turned away repeatedly. going to assume this is relatively new since i've been there. think i like the idea......not sure.
hasn't affected me directly since my daughter reproduces once a year, we always have someone too small!

 

[rct247]

...I know everyone seems happy about this, but here's a counter argument from someone on the other side.

First of all, everyone knows that GAC is being abused. The next most abused thing is Rider Switch, why because people just ask for it and typically a cast member will give it to them. This Rider Switch is now an instant Fastpass good for 3 people. All it takes it for them to come back later whether it be right after using their legit Fastpass or later on in the day and they get to basically ride again. Some cast members have realized this and thus start getting strict about who they give a rider switch to requesting to see the person not able to ride because of the height requirement in place (a restriction that Disney has placed on their group, not a restriction they themselves have placed on their group). The height at least helps with the abuse of the Rider Switch because it does then require that a member of their party be restricted based on the height requirement. Sure abuse can still happen, but it detours those who just walk up and ask for one without needing one.

The next issue with this is attractions that don't have height requirements such as Toy Story Midway Mania, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, or Haunted Mansion. These attractions allow all riders, including infants to experience the attraction. Many times there are groups that will have riders that don't wish to ride because their child is scared or their infant is sleeping, etc. These attractions that don't have a height requirement do not have rider switch passes even created for them thus they are not available.

So how can this really be accurate or available when it isn't and is open to more abuse that already takes place. A guest with a 10 year old that is tall enough to ride Rock n' Roller Coaster but chooses not to can get a rider switch based on this wording, but a parent with a sleeping infant or 2 year old that is terrified of the dark can't get one at Haunted Mansion. Then who is to say that an adult can't just walk up and say my other adult friend doesn't want to ride Space Mountain, can we get a rider switch so that someone can keep them company while we ride and then we can switch off? Where is the line drawn? Where does it stop? Will all attractions have to get a rider switch to fully comply with this statement, what about attractions that don't need a rider switch because there is no line, what about shows?

I've seen it from the other side. The height requirement is what defines the availability of a Rider Switch with exceptions only being made for those with service animals or large medical devices like an oxygen tank.

 

[RememberWhen]

I mentioned this in another thread, but we successfully got a child swap pass when traveling with a nine month old for toy story at DHS. Maybe it depends on the cm. there's no reason to bring an infant on that ride. It spins around too fast and the screens would be confusing (not 3d) and the rider holding the baby can't play.
But we were 2 couples and had the baby there with us and asked the cm nicely if she could help us out. And she did. We weren't abusing the system and I think that was obvious.
So, it never hurts to ask. Nicely.

 

[stevehousse]

I mentioned this in another thread, but we successfully got a child swap pass when traveling with a nine month old for toy story at DHS. Maybe it depends on the cm. there's no reason to bring an infant on that ride. It spins around too fast and the screens would be confusing (not 3d) and the rider holding the baby can't play.
But we were 2 couples and had the baby there with us and asked the cm nicely if she could help us out. And she did. We weren't abusing the system and I think that was obvious.
So, it never hurts to ask. Nicely.

My one year old at the time loved TSMM. I held him and he wore the glasses and we were able to get the top score for our vehicle! He was just fine!

 

[WDWYankee15]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/rider-switch/

From the above link (Official Disney Parks Website):

What Is Rider Switch and How Does It Work?

If Guests in your party don’t want to board an attraction, you don’t have to miss out. One adult can wait with the non-rider while the rest of the party experiences the attraction. The waiting adult can then board the attraction without having to wait in the regular line again when another adult in the party returns to supervise the child or children who do not ride—either because they do not meet the height requirement or simply do not wish to ride.

To Use Rider Switch:
1. Check that Rider Switch is offered at the attraction in question by asking a Cast Member.

Attractions Offering Rider Switch

A complete list of attractions at Walt Disney World Resort where you can use Rider Switch.
Magic Kingdom Park Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Splash Mountain

Storybook Circus
The Barnstormer
Tomorrowland
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

 

[WDWYankee15]

From the above link (Official Disney Parks Website):

What Is Rider Switch and How Does It Work?

If Guests in your party don’t want to board an attraction, you don’t have to miss out. One adult can wait with the non-rider while the rest of the party experiences the attraction. The waiting adult can then board the attraction without having to wait in the regular line again when another adult in the party returns to supervise the child or children who do not ride—either because they do not meet the height requirement or simply do not wish to ride.

To Use Rider Switch:
1. Check that Rider Switch is offered at the attraction in question by asking a Cast Member.

Attractions Offering Rider Switch

A complete list of attractions at Walt Disney World Resort where you can use Rider Switch.
Magic Kingdom Park Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Splash Mountain

Storybook Circus
The Barnstormer
Tomorrowland
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

So while the CM at TSMM was helpful to the earlier poster it was not an actual "Rider Swap" experience, but rather a CM giving a "magical experience." CM's do have discression to assist guests. This must have felt the it was appropriate to assist.

If you look at look at the list of attractions "Rider Swap" is available on they all have height requirements and as such my also fit in the scary/thrill category that may cause some to not want to ride as well. So it is possible to get a CM to give you a "rider swap" on these, but the reality is this process is clearly set up regarding height limits as it is not available as someone mentioned on Haunted Mansion. That clearly defines it is not about accomidating "scared/unwilling to ride" guests.

 

[jkl2000]

Thanks for sharing! I would print the rule out or be prepared to pull it up on your phone as I know people have reported being turned away by cast members when they have a child who is tall enough to ride but to scared.

If the CMs can't tell the difference between a kid who's clearly afraid to get on a ride (and still young enough to legitimately be afraid) or someone who's not a child but clearly cannot ride for another reason from someone who's faking it then there's a big problem. I would imagine most of those being turned away ARE clearly trying to scam the system. Still, I don't think you should tell people that Rider Switch is only meant for children who don't meet the height requirement. It's flat-out innacurate, and I doubt anyone is asking here because they want to try to get an extra ride in. I think they're asking because they're concerned about their kids, want to experience the attractions, and want to know how things like Rider Switch work.

This Rider Switch is now an instant Fastpass good for 3 people. All it takes it for them to come back later whether it be right after using their legit Fastpass or later on in the day and they get to basically ride again. .

Don't the people in party #2 have to hand over their Fastpasses along with the Rider Switch pass, thus riding within the same time range as party #1 and not getting an extra ride? Also, aren't they supposed to be waiting in some kind of waiting area (as the Disney site says) and riding when party#1 returns?

 

[RandomPrincess]

Don't the people in party #2 have to hand over their Fastpasses along with the Rider Switch pass, thus riding within the same time range as party #1 and not getting an extra ride? Also, aren't they supposed to be waiting in some kind of waiting area (as the Disney site says) and riding when party#1 returns?

There are pretty much no rides with waiting areas for Rider Switch. Most families will take smaller kids on a kiddie ride int he area, shop or get something to eat. The Rider Switch Pass is a FP for 4 good for the rest of that day.

To use the FP line they do not their own FPs and a switch pass. Example (party of 4 my son is to small to ride) my husband and I could have 2 FPs for BTMRR and 2 for Splash at the same time. Then my husband goes through FP with our daughter who is tall enough. Then they are done my daughter and I go through FP with the Rider Switch pass. Then we do the same a BTMRR. We double our FP possibilities by using RS passes. Of course one MM+ is rolled out this loop hole will be gone Since each FP+ is linked to a specific band we couldn't use my son's ticket to get FPs for things he can't ride yet.

 

[jkl2000]

There are pretty much no rides with waiting areas for Rider Switch. Most families will take smaller kids on a kiddie ride int he area, shop or get something to eat. The Rider Switch Pass is a FP for 4 good for the rest of that day.

To use the FP line they do not their own FPs and a switch pass. Example (party of 4 my son is to small to ride) my husband and I could have 2 FPs for BTMRR and 2 for Splash at the same time. Then my husband goes through FP with our daughter who is tall enough. Then they are done my daughter and I go through FP with the Rider Switch pass. Then we do the same a BTMRR. We double our FP possibilities by using RS passes. Of course one MM+ is rolled out this loop hole will be gone Since each FP+ is linked to a specific band we couldn't use my son's ticket to get FPs for things he can't ride yet.

Are you saying in this example, they don't collect your son's Fastpasses? If not, that's the problem. Then they should collect the Rider Switch passes when you use those. Then the only person who'd get an extra ride on each of these two attractions is your daughter, so you won't have to ride alone.

 

[jonesenon4]

i dont know about now but at one time height was allowed as a reason for child swap.my wife and i had to do it when our son was not tall enough for splash mountain.she rode it with our daughter while i waited then i rode it with our daughter.we even got a frame worthy certificate that gave us front of the line privilages when he was tall enough.still have it framed on the wall really cool item.

 

[jkl2000]

i dont know about now but at one time height was allowed as a reason for child swap.my wife and i had to do it when our son was not tall enough for splash mountain.she rode it with our daughter while i waited then i rode it with our daughter.we even got a frame worthy certificate that gave us front of the line privilages when he was tall enough.still have it framed on the wall really cool item.

Height is definitely still one possible reason.

RandomPrincess, I sort of see your beef with the swap a bit more now, after rereading the section on it in the Complete Guide to WDW. I'm surprised - they really tell you how you can take advantage of the system when it comes to the FastPass rides.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Height is definitely still one possible reason.

RandomPrincess, I sort of see your beef with the swap a bit more now, after rereading the section on it in the Complete Guide to WDW. I'm surprised - they really tell you how you can take advantage of the system when it comes to the FastPass rides.

It is a loop hole but I think MM+ and FP+ will close it.

 

[Tom Morrow]

I think we should distinguish between "rider switching" and the actual "Rider Switch" tickets issued. The rider switch procedure is available at most attractions (keyword most), and if the child or whoever will not be riding is tall enough, the swap is done inside the ride. The first party will ride while the non-riders use the bypass exit. After the first party rides, they will switch off and the party members who watched after the non-riders can return to ride, and generally they can bring two guests with them, not one like the website page says. ( )

The actual Rider Switch tickets absolutely were created for children who are too short, because children who are too short are not able to enter the attraction's queue at all. Its worth noting that the only attractions that offer the actual ticket are those with height restrictions. Cast Members are allowed to use discretion when issuing out the actual Rider Switch tickets.

However, like @rct247 pointed out, just like with the GACs, the procedures and enforcement of them have slipped over the years and more and more people try to cheat the system.

 

[jkl2000]

I think we should distinguish between "rider switching" and the actual "Rider Switch" tickets issued. The rider switch procedure is available at most attractions (keyword most), and if the child or whoever will not be riding is tall enough, the swap is done inside the ride. The first party will ride while the non-riders use the bypass exit. After the first party rides, they will switch off and the party members who watched after the non-riders can return to ride, and generally they can bring two guests with them, not one like the website page says. rolleyes

Thanks, that's a good distinction. I think it's very strange that they don't require that the ticket be used only for the 2nd party member riding and ONE other member of the party. Or just require the whole party to enter the queue and do the swap at the loading area. In fact, it annoys me to learn that because one of my sons will be too short for a few of the rides we won't all be able to wait together in those queues all together. Maybe the loading areas got too crowded.

 

[jaklgreen]

I do not see the "abuse", the whole party waits in line for their turn and 1 person waits off to the side with the child that is not riding and then goes on when the other parent gets off the ride. They have waited for their turn like everyone else and are not cutting in front of anyone. Obviously you can only switch once and then if you want to ride again you have to wait in line.

 

[jkl2000]

I do not see the "abuse", the whole party waits in line for their turn and 1 person waits off to the side with the child that is not riding and then goes on when the other parent gets off the ride. They have waited for their turn like everyone else and are not cutting in front of anyone. Obviously you can only switch once and then if you want to ride again you have to wait in line.

Read post #17 above, which explains the difference between what you've correctly noted, and the process for Fastpass rides, which is different.