Rider Switch at Disneyland Resort

Rider Switch (a.k.a. "Rider Swap," "Switching Off," "Baby Swap" or "Child Swap")

Several attractions have minimum height and/or age requirements. In addition, all children must be at least 7 years old and 40 inches tall to ride any attraction without an accompanying adult. Some couples with children too short or too young forgo these attractions, while others take turns riding. Missing some of Disneyland’s best rides is an unnecessary sacrifice, and waiting in line twice for the same ride is a tremendous waste of time.

Instead, take advantage of the switching-off option, also called the Rider Swap, Baby Swap, or Child Swap. To switch off, there must be at least two adults. Tell the first ride attendant you see (known as a greeter) that you want to switch off.

The cast member will ask your party to split into two groups, with up to three people selected to stay outside the attraction and supervise the kids while the rest ride first. Those remaining behind will have their tickets, annual passes, or Disneyland app scanned to receive a Rider Switch entitlement on their account, which functions just like an immediate FastPass. Once the first group exits the ride, the second set of guests have up to an hour to redeem their Rider Switch passes by entering through the ride's FastPass queue. You can only hold one Rider Switch pass at a time, but it will not interfere with any other FastPasses. This system eliminates confusion and congestion at the boarding area while sparing the nonriding adult and child the tedium and physical exertion of waiting in line.

There is no cost to use the switching-off option. The attractions where switching off is routinely practiced, often oriented to more mature, are listed below. Sometimes children suddenly fear abandonment when one parent leaves to ride. Prepare your children for switching off, or you might have an emotional crisis on your hands. A mom from Edison, New Jersey, writes:

Once my son came to understand that the switch-off would not leave him abandoned, he did not seem to mind. I would recommend to your readers that they practice the switch-off on some dry runs at home, so that their child is not concerned that he will be left behind. At the very least, the procedure could be explained in advance so that the little ones know what to expect.

Switching off is common at these attractions:

Disneyland
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• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

Disney California Adventure
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• California Screamin'
• Grizzly River Run
• Radiator Springs Racers
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Incredicoaster