Rider swap / fast pass questions

[Guest]

Hey!

I have a few questions regarding the rider swap.
I have a 4 year old and some of the rides he will not be tall enough - rock and roll coaster is one that springs to mind.
I have another child who is 9 that will not go on anything that looks scary - haunted mansion / tower of terror.
Our middle child will go on anything he’s fearless!
So what do I do when it comes to fast passes and rider swap?
Myself / husband / middle child will go on all rides. Do we need to book fast passes for everyone even though they won’t be riding?
An example -
Myself / husband / middle and youngest will go on the haunted mansion. My eldest will not so obviously we cannot leave him unattended. Could a rider pass be used in this instance? If so how do we use the fast passes? Do I book them for everyone?

Same with say rock and roll rollercoaster do we book fast passes for all of us? Even though little one wouldn’t be riding and get a rider switch.

I’m trying to get my head around it! I hope that makes sense... thanks! X

[Powlay]

Ok there are a few ways of doing thing, one way is the simple way another may be frowned on a little as it kinda well manipulates their system.

Ok so parent 1, parent 2, dwarf 1 (4) dwarf 2 (middle), dwarf 3 (fairy)

lets take a ride that the dwarf 3 (fairy) will go on bit dwarf 1 wont due to being a stunty.

option 1, book fast passes for parent 1, 2, dwarf, 2, 3. All go to the entrance ask for a rider switch which you will be handed looks like a old style fast pass, parent 1 dwarf 2, 3 all ride the ride. When back off parent 2 then goes on ride with dwarf 2, 3 because a rider switch enables up to 3 guests to ride it. (leaving a fast pass free for dwarf 1)

option 2, book fast passes for parent 1 and dwarf 2. All go to the entrance ask for a switch which you will be handed looks like a old style fast pass, Parent 1 and dwarf 2 ride, parent 2 and dwarf 3 then use the switch ticket and ride (leaving fast pass free for Parent 2, dwarf 1 and 3)

For short queue rides without fast passes you can also get switches, meaning that dwarf 2 and 3 get to ride twice once with parent 1 once with parent 2.

Sure you can adapt that also for rides that dwarf 1 can ride but dwarf 3 (fairy) may not.

So for say thunder mountain, id book fast passes for parent 1 and child 3, use the switch and have [parent 2 and child 2 ride. Then use the extra fast passes for haunted mansion, booking parent 2, child 1 and 2 on there, and use the switch and have parent 1 ride after with child 1 and 3 on the switch.

Hopefully have not confused you too much

[Guest]

Yes I think I got my head around that!
So they do give out rider switches even if the child is tall enough but is too scared to ride? That was my main concern when it came to booking the passes.

[Powlay]

Originally Posted by jadey121

Yes I think I got my head around that!
So they do give out rider switches even if the child is tall enough but is too scared to ride? That was my main concern when it came to booking the passes.

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Yes. They do this is from their site

If a child does not meet the height requirement or a Guest does not wish to board a particular attraction, no problem! With Rider Switch, one adult can wait with the non-rider (or riders) while the rest of the party enjoys the attraction. When the other adult returns, they can supervise the non-riding Guests, and the waiting adult can board the attraction without having to wait in the regular line again!

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[Guest]

Thank you

[Flimsey]

Originally Posted by jadey121

Yes I think I got my head around that!
So they do give out rider switches even if the child is tall enough but is too scared to ride? That was my main concern when it came to booking the passes.

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This can be up to the CM, we wanted a ride swap for Buzz Lightyear as my 3 year old had been on it earlier in the holiday but wouldn’t go on again. I asked for a ride swap but they said they don’t normally do it on rides without a height requirement, she did give us one but only because our daughter was screaming no at the entrance 😬

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Flimsey

This can be up to the CM, we wanted a ride swap for Buzz Lightyear as my 3 year old had been on it earlier in the holiday but wouldn’t go on again. I asked for a ride swap but they said they don’t normally do it on rides without a height requirement, she did give us one but only because our daughter was screaming no at the entrance 😬

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Oh no! This is what worries me! My son is going through cahms at the moment for a diagnosis. I’ve been prepping him by showing him numerous videos etc. He won’t even watch some of them because they look scary. If I get a no i think I’ll politely explain the situation... Some of the rides he won’t even step inside let alone ride. I can’t exactly leave a 9 year old waiting for us. So hopefully they will understand our problem.

[Flimsey]

Originally Posted by jadey121

Oh no! This is what worries me! My son is going through cahms at the moment for a diagnosis. I’ve been prepping him by showing him numerous videos etc. He won’t even watch some of them because they look scary. If I get a no i think I’ll politely explain the situation... Some of the rides he won’t even step inside let alone ride. I can’t exactly leave a 9 year old waiting for us. So hopefully they will understand our problem.

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Disney are wonderful with helping families needing additional needs, so I am sure if you explain they will give you a ride swap. I am sure it’s checked by CM’s to stop families just getting multiple rides. I soon as they saw my daughter screaming the CM gave me one.
Maybe see guest services when you arrive they maybe able to assist you more.
Enjoy your holiday 😀

[Powlay]

Originally Posted by Flimsey

This can be up to the CM, we wanted a ride swap for Buzz Lightyear as my 3 year old had been on it earlier in the holiday but wouldn’t go on again. I asked for a ride swap but they said they don’t normally do it on rides without a height requirement, she did give us one but only because our daughter was screaming no at the entrance 😬

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This ISNT up the the CM, its a Disney ruling and the CM should be reminded of it, even the disney website states

"If Guests in your party can’t or don’t want to board an attraction, you don’t have to miss out!

If a child does not meet the height requirement or a Guest does not wish to board a particular attraction, no problem! With Rider Switch, one adult can wait with the non-rider (or riders) while the rest of the party enjoys the attraction. When the other adult returns, they can supervise the non-riding Guests, and the waiting adult can board the attraction without having to wait in the regular line again!"