Let’s dive into what it is and how to get a Disney’s Rider Swap. The Rider Swap / Child Swap / Rider Switch service ensures that everyone who attends its theme parks has the best time possible, even if they go as a group. In addition, parents don’t have to miss out on rides because their children aren’t old or tall enough to go on them. This improves the Disney experience for the entire group.

But how do you use Rider Swap (also known as rider switch, child swap, or parent swap)? That’s the topic of this post.

What are Rider Switch Passes at Disney?

Sometimes, not all members of a party can (or want to) board a ride. For instance:

  • Family members might want to sit out a ride
  • Children might not be tall enough

In these cases, you can use a Rider Switch pass. Here, an adult who wants to ride waits with the non-rider (usually a child) while others in the party enjoy the attraction. Then, when the first riders finish, they join the non riding child or guest, and the waiting adult can board the ride without having a long wait time. It’s super convenient!

What is a Lightning Lane?

Lightning Lane access at Walt Disney World Epcot offers guests a chance to experience the attractions in the park without waiting in the regular standby line. In exchange for planning ahead (and dropping a bit of cash), you can reserve a time to ride without having to spend a long time standing in line. Lightning Lanes can be accessed as part of Multi Pass package purchase of three or more rides, a Single Pass individual purchase, or a Premier Pass which includes every Lightning Lane ride in the park.

Lightning Lane is different from the Rider Switch service, and can be used without having to be part of a group. Lightning Lanes usually offer an hour-long return window that has plenty of time for everyone to ride; if you have Lightning Lane access for a ride, you probably won’t need to use the Rider Switch service at the same ride.

How do you get a Rider Swap at Disney World?

Rider Switch is only available at select Walt Disney World Resort theme park attractions, so check with cast members (staff) if it is available before entering the line at a Disney World ride.

To use the service, do the following:

  1. Find out if Rider Switch is available at your particular attraction. (It’s usually available at the most popular attractions with the longest queues).
  2. Approach a greeting cast member along with your party (everyone should be present). The cast member will provide the adult waiting with the non-riding guest a Ride Switch entitlement. You will then wait in a designated area close to the attraction. Disney refers to the party who will ride the attraction first as “party 1.” “Party 2” comprises the waiting adult and non-riding guests.
  3. Ride Switch begins when party 1 queues and boards the attraction.
  4. Party 2 waits for party 1 to finish the ride. Party 1 then disembarks the ride and waits with the non-riding guests while party 2 boards the attraction.
  5. Party 2 rides the attraction without having to wait in line. To ride the attraction, they must present their Ride Switch entitlement to a cast member.

And that’s how a Walt Disney World Rider Switch works. Ride Switch is a service that helps everyone enjoy their day while being fair to other guests. It lets you supervise people in your party (or keep them company). At the same time, everyone else queues and then enjoys the ride.

Where can you use Ride Switch?

Disney lists all the attractions offering Rider Switch on its website. These are as follows:

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Star Tours® – The Adventures Continue
  • Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
  • Alien Swirling Saucers
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

EPCOT

  • Mission: SPACE
  • Soarin’
  • Test Track
  • Frozen Ever After
  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Magic Kingdom Park

  • The Barnstormer
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Space Mountain
  • Tomorrowland Indy Speedway

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

  • Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain®
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Avatar Flight of Passage
  • DINOSAUR
  • Na’vi River Journey

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