Traveling with small children and non-riders

[AprilW]

My family of a one year old, two 4 year olds, one five year old and one adult non-rider are traveling to Disney in June. I have 3 questions:

1. Can someone explain Rider Switch to me?
2. I was wondering if we could all wait in line together, for example at pace Mountain, then have our non-rider adult exit with the kids? I wouldn't want to stand in line for 2 hours while he waits with 3 small children who are not tall enough.
3. Do they measure the children for the rides as you enter line? The 4 year olds will be pretty close for Splash Mountain.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

2. I was wondering if we could all wait in line together, for example at pace Mountain, then have our non-rider adult exit with the kids? I wouldn't want to stand in line for 2 hours while he waits with 3 small children who are not tall enough.

Yes, there is an exit where non riders can make there way (usually to the end of ride gift shop) while you ride

3. Do they measure the children for the rides as you enter line? The 4 year olds will be pretty close for Splash Mountain.

The kids will be measured before being allowed to join the line. They are sometimes measured again before being allowed to board (just in case they've shrunk during the two hour wait) or in case mom or dad have removed the insoles which gave them that extra half inch for the first measure

 

[Tuvalu]

To clarify, any child that does not meet the height requirement at the entrance to the line will not be allowed in the line ~ meaning you could not wait with your family inside Space Mountain. Someone would have to stay outside with the children.

 

[stevehousse]

No the non riders will not be allowed to wait in line with you. They measure the kids right at the entrance to the line.

Ride swap is basically, one adult stays with the kids while the others either wait in the standby line or use their FP. Then when they get off the ride, you and the other/s that stayed behind now get to ride and enter through and use the FP line. If you want to use baby swap, just let the CM at the entrance line know you need a ride switch pass. The pass is also good for all day. You can use it later if you want too, same day though. The pass is good for up to 3 people.

Now to take it even one step further, you can add FP into the mix with baby swap. This is an advantage to using the program. You can schedule half the party for one FP and then half for another. If you use baby swap into that, you can basically get more fps. Here's an example.

I have a group of 6, including a baby under one. So what we do is schedule fps that we can use baby swaps on. I schedule 3 of us for splash mountain, and then the other 3 get scheduled for Big Thunder Mountain. And we use the baby swap for both rides for those that don't have the FP. Even though it's 2 rides, it only counts as 1 FP used for each person. I have 5-6 fps a day using this system and that's before I even enter the park!

 

[AprilW]

Thank you so much, I am definitely going to try and reserve fast passes using that system. Can I use that method before going into the park using My Disney Experience app?

 

[stevehousse]

Yes you can do it at home. I would recommend using the actual website to do this and not the app. What you will need to do because it's a process is:

First schedule everyone for the same fast passes. Don't split it up it just yet, we will get to it later. Let's say you choose Peter Pan flight, splash mountain and seven dwarf mine train.

Once you have your 3 selections, it'll give you a set block of times you can choose from. If you like the times thy give you, accept it. You can switch times later.

So now you have 3 fps in place. Next is to start splitting. Remember that this will only work on height restricted rides. Baby swap is not offered on rides that have no height requirement.

Start with splash mountain. You can choose to change the experience. It'll then prompt you to choose which people in your party you are switching.

Then choose a new ride for the people selected. Choose big thunder mountain.

Next do the same for seven dwarves mine train. Do the same and get space mountain.

Now you have 5 fps for the day to start instead of 3!

 

[DManRightHere]

Yes you can do it at home. I would recommend using the actual website to do this and not the app. What you will need to do because it's a process is:

First schedule everyone for the same fast passes. Don't split it up it just yet, we will get to it later. Let's say you choose Peter Pan flight, splash mountain and seven dwarf mine train.

Once you have your 3 selections, it'll give you a set block of times you can choose from. If you like the times thy give you, accept it. You can switch times later.

So now you have 3 fps in place. Next is to start splitting. Remember that this will only work on height restricted rides. Baby swap is not offered on rides that have no height requirement.

Start with splash mountain. You can choose to change the experience. It'll then prompt you to choose which people in your party you are switching.

Then choose a new ride for the people selected. Choose big thunder mountain.

Next do the same for seven dwarves mine train. Do the same and get space mountain.

Now you have 5 fps for the day to start instead of 3!

Sly, you've given me a reason to have kids now.