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.
Height. Disney doesn’t care how old you are. If you are tall enough, you can ride. The majority of rides do not have a height requirement at all. Infants can ride those. Height requirements start at 32” and max out at 48”.
What is a Swap?
A Swap is a benefit that is available from the Cast Member (CM) 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.
A Swap is a benefit that is available from the Cast Member (CM) 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.
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 assign a return time to your My Disney Experience account that you will access using your MagicBand. Just like a Fast Pass. This return time is immediately after the first group of people ride.
How do I use a Swap?
The most efficient way to use a Swap is in conjunction with a FASTPASS.
When your Fast Pass window opens, go to the Fast Pass line and show the little guy to the CM. The CM will assign you a Swap time.
Those riding now - the first group- will enter thru the FP line and ride.
Those waiting with little guy - the second group - can go do something else- no need to stand around waiting! Just make sure you’re back in time for your Swap time.
When the second group returns to ride they simply go to the Fast Pass line, scan their MagicBands, and are allowed to enter.
If you do not have a FP for the ride- you can still obtain a Swap but the first group will enter immediately thru the Standby Line. Later, the second group scans their MagicBand at the Fast Pass line.
Remember- each 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. 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. But we strongly suggest you ask.
The Pros are obvious. The 9 yr old brother can ride Avatar twice in a row because he has a too short 2 year old sister. Yay! But — he cannot ride with all 9 of his cousins. Remember — swaps are good for up to 3 people.
(It is worth while to note that Swaps are NOT Fast Pass. Technically, all must have a Fast Pass in order to get a swap. So, if there are 5 of you, and one is too short, all 4 riders need a Fast Pass for Avatar. No fair getting only 2 Fast Passes for Avatar, and then having the other two people ride with Swap only. And yes — we said TECHNICALLY. This is a rule where adherence tends to vary GREATLY between Cast Members and attractions. You might get away with it. But then again…. you might not.)
The Cons are that the original ride and swap ride need to follow one after the other. So, if you are the little one who can’t ride, and there is nothing nearby for you to do, what exactly are you going to do while everyone else is riding?
For this reason, Help Around the Mouse planners try to limit swap usage. When we do use them, we try to only use them for attractions that tend to be quick. Two rides on Big Thunder Mountain may only take 40 minutes. Two rides on Splash Mountain can take 90. Yikes! That’s a long time when you’re 2!
Clear as Mud?
If that all sounds great, but your still a little foggy -- don’t worry! Your
Help Around the Mouse tour plan will instruct you when to obtain a swap, and when to use the swap. And, as with most things, once you’ve done it once, it all becomes much more clearly understood.
From everyone at HelpAroundtheMouse.com -- We hope this information, and all of our Help Around the Mouse Clue Ins, contributes to you having an even more magical Walt Disney World vacation! K