Switching off on rides

[JessL]

I've been reading about the ability to 'switch off' if the kids can't/don't want to go on a ride. The way I understand it is the whole family lines up and when you get to the front of the line you let the CM know you want to "switch off". One adult goes on the ride, the other waits with the kids, then as soon as they finish, the first adult takes charge of the kids while the second adult goes on the ride.

My question is, what if you have two kids (with two adults) and one wants to go on the ride and one doesn't. Can the first adult go on the ride with the first child, and then switch off with the other adult, but the first child go on the ride a second time? Or would the second adult have to go on alone?

Thanks for any advice!

[Malcon10t]

My question is, what if you have two kids (with two adults) and one wants to go on the ride and one doesn't. Can the first adult go on the ride with the first child, and then switch off with the other adult, but the first child go on the ride a second time? Or would the second adult have to go on alone?

The child can ride twice. We do this frequently.

[Drince88]

But just approach the first cast member -- the whole group doesn't have to wait in line. Some of the procedures are different, so best to ask the first cast member (usually checking heights).

And yes, being the 'big/brave sibling' really does have an advantage!

[candles71]

I don't know of any of the lines they let you both stand in the line at the same time. That is what the pass is for. Yes, ask/approach, together, the first CM and let them know you would like a stroller pass. They will explain the procedure from there.

[bumblebeeonarose]

I misunderstood this at first too. Some information on the web is outdated. I guess once upon a time you did/could all wait in line. Now they give you a pass at the beginning of the line. They'll want to see the non riders. The switch pass is good for two. So if you have an 8 y/o who rides everything and a 2 y/o who's too short, the 8 y/o could ride with Mom and then ride with Dad.

Some of the rides are different. Thunder Mountain has always given us the pass just before boarding. Sometimes they'll give a plastic tag at the beginning of the line that you trade for the actual pass. Also, we always thought that all rides used the FP for the re-enter line, but Space actually has a seperate area for the rider switch. So, it is a good idea to read the passes as you get them.

[TTFN92]

Just go to the CM at the front of the line and they will tell you what to do for that ride. Some gave us the rider swap pass right there and others gave someone a card to give to the CM when they got to the front of the line and they gave them the pass there. I guess they were having problems with people not waiting and just using the pass. This way the party actually has to go thru the line.

[JessL]

Thanks for all the tips! Glad I asked instead of just assuming!

[Drince88]

And if Star Tours still has a super long line, they have a different system there, too. Makes it hard to keep track!

[adriennek]

I misunderstood this at first too. Some information on the web is outdated. I guess once upon a time you did/could all wait in line. Now they give you a pass at the beginning of the line.

Not on MousePlanet!! I've been here from Day ONE and we've always had the information for Disneyland right!

The confusion is because it has been handled differently at Disneyland from the procedure at WDW!! So when WDW people answered this question, they would give out the wrong information at times because they either assumed it was the same or did not understand that the question was about Disneyland not WDW. (Not criticizing anyone!! Just explaining what happened.)

This is how it's always been at Disneyland and they do NOT allow people to stay together in line. If a child is too short for the ride, they don't get to get in line at all.

[sjhanksaz]

Don't they call it a parent swap?

I know, that sounds like a movie doesn't it

[TTFN92]

It's called Rider Swap.

[adriennek]

Don't they call it a parent swap?

I know, that sounds like a movie doesn't it

It's rider swap because sometimes the issue isn't just a "Child".

[Arica57]

So could a parent without any children ride lets say Space Mountain and then get a ride swap pass for the other parent who is sitting out with the kids? This is for rides where the children are too small to ride.

[MammaSilva]

The rider swap pass is good for 2 people that doesn't mean you have to have 2 people to use it, if you and the spouse are wanting to ride something like space mt I'd recommend fast passes instead of the rider swap pass, having said that, you could take the family up to the cm and ask for the rider swap pass, the first person waits in line then rides and the second person goes thru the shorter line and rides.

[Sleeping Suzi]

Can you use a fast pass and get a rider swap? Would both swappers need a fp?

[adriennek]

Can you use a fast pass and get a rider swap? Would both swappers need a fp?

If you both have FP you don't need Rider Swap.

But. Let's say you have ONE FP for Big Thunder and ONE FP for Space. Then the first person can use the FP and the second person can use the swap.

Does that make sense?

[sjhanksaz]

Everytime I read the title to this thread I think it means when you switch things on a ride.

Like jump from one boat to another on Small World or Pirates. If you ask me anything more I will plead the 5th

[Traveler22]

CHild swap is the best ever. Like a temporary baby sitter while on the ride but you are the babysitter

I've been reading about the ability to 'switch off' if the kids can't/don't want to go on a ride. The way I understand it is the whole family lines up and when you get to the front of the line you let the CM know you want to "switch off". One adult goes on the ride, the other waits with the kids, then as soon as they finish, the first adult takes charge of the kids while the second adult goes on the ride.

My question is, what if you have two kids (with two adults) and one wants to go on the ride and one doesn't. Can the first adult go on the ride with the first child, and then switch off with the other adult, but the first child go on the ride a second time? Or would the second adult have to go on alone?

Thanks for any advice!

[hjschulz]

The last time I was at the park (2 years ago) my then 8 year old did not want to go on California Screamin because he was frightened. When we asked for a swap pass the CM refused to give us one. He said that my son was old and big enough to go on the ride so he was not going to give us one. When I explained to him that he was scared he still refused to give us one. Is this the norm or unusual? We are getting ready to go again in March and he still doesn't want to ride it Just wondering what to expect.

[hjschulz]

The last time I was at the park (2 years ago) my then 8 year old did not want to go on California Screamin because he was frightened. When we asked for a swap pass the CM refused to give us one. He said that my son was old and big enough to go on the ride so he was not going to give us one. When I explained to him that he was scared he still refused to give us one. Is this the norm or unusual? We are getting ready to go again in March and he still doesn't want to ride it Just wondering what to expect.

[MammaSilva]

I'd recommend using the fast pass system but if you do walk up with your son and ask for a rider switch pass and the CM refuses, ask for a lead. There are multiple reasons someone might not be able to ride an attraction and fear is a valid reason and he's still too young to leave unsupervised while you and your spouse ride.

[AnotherJenny]

Is rider swap available on rides that offer the single rider option?

[3Princesses1Prince]

Is rider swap available on rides that offer the single rider option?

Yes.

[candles71]

Either ask for a lead or if it is just the 3 of you, you could ask for a single rider pass instead. One parent rides and then the other.

[bumblebeeonarose]

They shouldn't have told you no since he's not old enough to be left alone, besides 8 is awful young for that coaster. Many kids do not want to ride coasters, and Screamin is a more terrifying coaster. If possible, the Rider Swap is better than a Single Rider. Sometiems the SR on Screamin can be very long. However, if it is just the 3 of you, you could just each get your own FP and ride seperately. Of course, they're now enforcing FP times, so the Rider Swap pass would still be your best bet as it does not have a time restriction.