Walt Disney World ‘Rider Switch’ Service Receives a Policy Update

Guests – particularly those with small children – may want to take note, as Walt Disney World have just updated their policy for the ‘Rider Switch’ service.

Image Credit: Disney

The Rider Switch option – which is often referred to as ‘Child Swap’ – is a helpful service designed to help families make the most out of their day in the parks. If a party of guests includes members who cannot ride a given attraction – be it for preference, age, height or health restrictions, etc. – one adult will be able to wait with them whilst the rest of the group enjoys the attraction.

Then, once the riders have enjoyed the attraction, they can ‘switch’ with the waiting adult, who will be able to ride without having to wait in line. 

This service saves groups from having to endure those long attraction wait times twice, whilst ensuring nobody in the group is left alone.

According to Walt Disney World Guest Services, the process reads as follows:

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 issued a Ride Switch entitlement by the Cast Member 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. Then, 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 entitlement must be validated by a Cast Member at this time.

However, a new inclusion in the policy wording highlights a new change to how guests are able to use the Rider Switch service. Now, the number of riders who may join “Party 2” to enjoy the attraction is “limited“.