If a child does not meet the height requirement or a Guest does not wish to board a particular attraction, you don’t have to miss out! Disney World offers a Rider switch which many guest refer to as a baby swap pass and it’s going completely digital starting this June.
Disney has been on the forefront of converting systems digitally. From the My Disney Experience app you can make FastPass and dining reservations and link them to your MagicBand, a change which has made carrying around paper passes a thing of the past.
According to multiple online reports, the Rider Swap will be the newest addition to Disney World’s digital offerings. This will make guest experience much more convenient, but it will also help Disney cut down of fraud.
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!
There are a few changes with the new system. First, cast members will need to scan a guest’s MagicBand or park ticket and add the rider switch to their entitlements. Previously rider switch passes were valid up to a month, however with the new system there will much smaller length of time. Some reports saying even as little as one hour. Also the entire participating party will need to be present to receive a Rider Switch and guests will now only be able to hold one rider switch pass at time.
Rider Switch is available at select attractions at all 4 Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Here is how it currently works.
To Use Rider Switch:
1. First check with a Cast member to see if Rider Switch is offered at the attraction in question.
2. Once at the attraction, approach the greeting Cast Member with your entire party. At least one adult member of your party and the Guests who are not riding will be given a Ride Switch pass and asked to wait in a designated area (usually outside of the attraction). This group is “Party 2.”
3. The other party members (“Party 1”) ride the attraction.
4. After riding the attraction, Party 1 locates Party 2 and gives the Rider Switch pass to the adult member who will be riding. Party 1 takes over supervision of the non-riding children or Guests.
5. Party 2 enters and boards the attraction without having to wait in the regular queue a second time. The Rider Switch Pass must be presented to a Cast Member at this time.
If the person in Party 2 waited alone with the child, he or she may bring one other Guest back to ride the attraction with him or her. Please note that only 2 Guests are allowed per Rider Switch Pass.
As always there are just online reports and nothing is official until Disney announces it.