Our thanks to friend and Help Around the Mouse tour pro Christine for the data behind this blog post.
Well I sure wish I knew about this awesome little trick way back in the 90’s. There were plenty of times I would have liked to swap my daughter for a more cheerful, cooperative child...
But unfortunately that’s not really what child swapping means. Apparently you have to keep the child you came to Disney with after all.
But I digress...
The official term is Rider Switch Pass.
It’s often called child swap, parent swap, rider swap, etc. We’ll just refer to it as Swaps here.
What is a Swap?
A Swap is a special ticket that is available from the Cast Member at any FASTPASS enabled and Height Restricted attraction.
If there is a someone in your party that does not meet the height requirements to ride (we’ll call him “the little guy”) you may obtain a Swap that allows up to 3 riders to enter via the FASTPASS line and ride, while someone (not the CM!) entertains the little guy.
That sounds handy! How do I get a Swap?
Approach the CM at the ride entrance and ask nicely! You must show the little guy and he will likely be measured. If the little guy does not meet the height requirement, the CM will then give you a Swap.
How do I use a Swap?
The most efficient way to use a Swap is in conjunction with a FASTPASS.
Obtain a set of FPs for the ride at any point. When you return to ride, show your FPs and the little guy to the CM. The CM will collect those FPs and trade them for a Swap.
Those riding now- the first group- will enter thru the FP line.
Those waiting with little guy can go do something else- no need to stand around waiting!
The second group can return to ride with the Swap whenever they like and will also enter thru the FP line.
The Swap is good til the end of that day.
If you do not have a FP for the ride- you can still obtain a Swap but the first group will then enter immediately thru the Standby Line.
Second group can use the FP line later with the Swap.
(This is really only efficient if done right at park opening or when there is no wait or only a short Standby wait)
Remember- each Rider Swap allows up to 3 riders, so nobody rides alone. The big kids in your party will come to appreciate how handy the little guy is!
Do all Swaps work the same way?
Depends.
Sometimes they will do a rider swap right at the ride loading area. In that case there is no need to obtain the Swap from the CM. When you approach the CM at the ride entrance they will let you know how swaps are being handled at that particular ride at that particular time.
My son is tall enough for Expedition Everest but is scared to ride, can I get a Swap?
Technically no.
It never hurts to ask nicely but Rider Swaps are meant to be used for those not eligible to ride due to height restrictions.
In a case like this- there are usually ways to utilize FP so that nobody rides alone and somebody can wait with your son.
What's a Future Rider Card?
With your Swap, you may want to ask for a Future Rider Card
These cute little cards are available for the litle guys to save til their next Disney trip. When they return, and are tall enough for the attraction, they can present this card and they can ride the attraction with their family, just as if everyone had gotten a Fastpass. Neat, huh?
And don’t worry, Mom. Word on the street is that they let you keep the card so you can put it right back in the little guy’s scrapbook.
Help Around the Mouse is a planning service that uses knowledge such as this to keep our clients out of lines at Walt Disney World. Have you ever used the Rider Swap? How did it work for you?
Help Around the Mouse is a planning service that uses knowledge such as this to keep our clients out of lines at Walt Disney World. Have you ever used the Rider Swap? How did it work for you?
