Have you ever wanted to go on some ride but your children didn’t? It happens, it happens everywhere including the happiest place on Earth. Disney is no exception for having rides that children may not want to go on (or unable to go on….think height requirements). Happily, there is a solution to that problem, so that if your little one doesn’t want to go on the ride it doesn’t mean that one of the adults has to miss out anymore. Just do a child swap!
Okay so that sounds bad, but technically it’s a Rider Swap. One parent rides while the other watches the child. Then the other parent gets to ride without having to wait on the long line while they pass the child to the parent who just finished the ride. It’s super easy and you’re never leaving your children unattended so that the Cast Members can spoil them and get them all hyper for your return (not an option either by the way). So rider swap is a win win situation for everyone.
Now why would any child not want to ride or participate in an attraction at Disney? After all, it’s all about the kids isn’t it? Take a look at the picture above, second row all the way on the right, I’m the one trying to climb under the seat. Funny enough the child sitting in the same row handled it better then I did. There is not a single picture of me on this ride where you see my face, I’m always trying to climb under the seat or hiding under the arm of the person next to me. But that’s beside the point. Some rides may scare some children or adults, and there is nothing wrong with that. However both parents may want to ride an attraction. It is really easy to use Rider Swap but there is one very important thing to remember: always ask a Cast Member if this ride in particular uses Rider Swap. There is usually a Cast Member stationed at the entrance to every ride, checking FastPasses or answering general questions. That is the Cast Member to ask about Rider Swap. If there is not a Cast Member stationed at the entrance ask the first Cast Member you see at the attraction.
Before the New Fantasyland was added to Magic Kingdom Fantasyland attractions generally didn’t do rider swaps, I know it sounds crazy being Fantasyland and all. But the reason was that it was considered the least scary area of Magic Kingdom and children of every size could ride so there were no issues with height requirements. Although Snow White and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride were a little on the scary side, I mean did you see the wicked witch?
On the other hand, a ride that has used Rider Swap is Tower Of Terror. This is an attraction that some children may not want to ride or may not be able to ride because of height restrictions. So if both parents would like to ride, make sure to talk to the bellhop at the gates to see what you need to do so that both of you may enjoy your stay at the Hollywood Tower Hotel.
A trip to Disney doesn’t mean you only visit the attractions that the kids want to go on. With Rider Swap everyone can enjoy the rides they want to ride whether the children are on board or not.
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Jess was born and raised on Long Island, New York but once college began so did her adventures. She’s lived in Florida, Wisconsin, and now South Carolina. Her family is part of the Disney Vacation Club and has been visiting since she was a little girl, and continuously goes every year. Besides being a big Disney fan she has also been a Disney Cast Member working in Magic Kingdom, and she counts it as one of the most magical experiences. She worked with everyone’s favorite elephant Dumbo, Cinderella’s Carousel, and Mickey’s Philharmagic. Jess has also visited Disneyland, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, and gone on two Disney Cruises. She has so many great memories from Disney besides running half marathons and 5ks, birthday parties, and family reunions. If asked where she would want to go it is almost always Disney, and when asked why, it is almost always because she can eat awesome gluten free food! And it doesn’t hurt that there is always faith, trust, and pixie dust with magic in the air!
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