If you are traveling with small children, the Rider Switch at Disneyland will help you to have a more enjoyable vacation. Also known as Parent Swap or Rider Swap, the Rider Switch Pass works similarly to a Fastpass, giving both parents the opportunity to experience an attraction that their younger child can not.
There are 2 different ways to use Rider Switch, one is when your party has a Fastpass and one is when your party enters through the regular queue.
Using The Regular Queue Line
Approach the Cast Member at the entrance to the regular queue with your entire party. They will need to see your small child. Let the Cast Member know that you want to use the Rider Switch option. The parent staying with the small child will be given a Rider Switch Pass and the other parent and the rest of your party will be allowed to enter into the line to ride the attraction.
While your family is on the ride, you and your small child are allowed to do whatever you want. You do not have to remain in the same spot.
When your family returns from the ride, the parent who stayed with the small child can now return to the Fastpass line with the Rider Switch card and 1 other member of your party to ride again. Present the Rider Switch card to the Cast Member at the entrance to the Fastpass line and the 2 of you will be ushered into the Fastpass return line and onto the ride with minimal wait.
Using A Fastpass
Obtain Fastpasses for your entire party for the ride you wish to ride. During your return window for the Fastpass, approach the Cast Member at the entrance to the Fastpass queue with your entire party. They will need to see your small child. Let the Cast Member know that you want to use the Rider Switch option. The parent staying with the small child will be given a Rider Switch Pass and the other parent and the rest of your party will be allowed to enter into the Fastpass line to ride the attraction. The ones riding will need to surrender their Fastpass at this time.
While your family is on the ride, the parent with the small child is allowed to do whatever you want. You do not have to remain in the same spot.
When your family returns from the ride, the parent who stayed with the small child can now return to the Fastpass line with the Rider Switch card and 1 other member of your party to ride again. Present the Rider Switch card to the Cast Member at the entrance to the Fastpass line and the 2 of you will be ushered into the Fastpass return line and onto the ride with minimal wait. You do not need a Fastpass as the Rider Switch card works as a Fastpass for up to 2 people.
Here are some important things to remember:
- Rider Switch is for those with kids who are either too short to ride or who are still very young and afraid to ride. It is not intended for parents with older children (such as teenagers) who just aren’t interested in riding.
- Rider Switch is available at all of the rides that have height requirements. Always ask a Cast Member if you are unsure if Rider Swap is available on that attraction.
- You do not need a Fastpass for your partner or your small child who is not riding. You are only required to have a Fastpass for those entering the ride the first time around.
- You do not HAVE to use the Rider Switch Pass immediately. You do have to redeem it that day, but if you need to take a bathroom break or eat a meal, they don’t enforce a return time.
- Do not lose your Rider Switch card. They will not be able to replace it.
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