Disney World is the dream family holiday destination for many UK families. When you have young children in your party you might be wondering how you will get to ride everything you want. Rides like TRON, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Hollywood Tower of Terror are bucket list experiences for many. But height restrictions may leave you wondering how you can ride as a family without needing to queue twice? Disney World have the answer: Rider Switch. In this guide explore how families can use Rider Switch to their advantage to have a magical holiday experience.
What is Rider Switch?
Rider Switch at Disney World is a program designed for families. It allows one adult to stay with non-riders, while the other enjoys the ride. Then, without having to wait in the regular stand by line again, you swap. It’s like a magical fast pass that ensures everyone in your party gets to experience the fun without doubling the wait time.
Imagine you’ve got a little one who’s either too young or just not tall enough for some of Disney’s more thrilling rides. You and your partner both want to experience these rides without splitting up the family or missing out. Enter Rider Switch, Disney’s way of saying, “No worries, we’ve got you covered!” It’s the program that helps families enjoy not only children’s rides, but the more adult rides too.
Rider Switch is available on select rides in every park, to skip to the full list of rides where you can use Rider Switch click here.
There are some eligibility requirements for Rider Switch. The non-rider usually has to be someone who doesn’t meet the height or age requirements of the ride, typically younger children. This means if you’ve got kids of varying ages or a little one who’s just not ready for the big-kid rides, Rider Switch is a game-changer.
How Does Disney World’s Rider Switch Work?
Rider Switch is a fairly easy system to get to grips with. Here is our step-by-step process for how this useful system works.
Step 1
As you approach the ride entrance, check that Rider Switch is available with the Cast Member at the entrance to the ride. Once availability is confirmed, let them know you want to use Rider Switch. We advise you to look for the Cast Member with the ipad as they will make the arrangements for you.
They’ll give you a special pass for ‘Rider Switch entitlement’ that allows your group to split into two parties. ‘Party 1’ and ‘Party 2’.
Step 2
The first group, ‘Party 1’, head in to the queue to go on the ride. The other adult, ‘Party 2’, waits with the little one/s who aren’t riding. One older child who wants to ride or adult can wait with too. There is a designated waiting area for people to wait in at each attraction. The older child, other party members can accompany the parent riding in Party 1.
Step 3
It’s at this point the time-saving magic of rider switch happens. After the first group finishes, the second adult gets to skip the regular line and enter the ride using the Lightning Lane so they have a minimal wait. They will need to show the cast member the Rider Switch Entitlement pass they got in Step 1 to access the queue line.
What’s even better? Sometimes, the older kids get to ride twice, once with each adult, so everyone gets their fair share of fun. Rule changes in 2021 mean this is not always possible now, so guests who haven’t been since then may find some slight differences to the program. Keep reading to find out more.
Waiting varies at each ride
It’s worth noting that Rider Switch works slightly differently at each attraction, so always check with a Cast Member to ensure you’re following the correct procedure. The steps don’t change, it’s the waiting area for each ride that varies. You will find that some are near the entrance, while others are near the exit.
Remember, you can often combine Rider Switch with Lightning Lanes, making sure your time in the parks is as magical as possible. From Magic Kingdom to Hollywood Studios, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to take advantage of this fantastic service so your whole family can ride everything together.
Rides using Rider Switch
Now, you might be wondering where exactly you can use Rider Switch. It’s not available on every ride, and is found mainly on those with height restrictions that prevent everyone from being able to ride as a family. There are some exceptions in the list. Disney World Rider Switch rides can be found online and are subject to change. Here is the list of current rides where Rider Switch is available, (and any ride height requirements) in each park:
Magic Kingdom
- The Barnstormer: A Junior Coaster, this rides height requirement is 89cm or 35 inches.
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: This classic mine train coaster has a height requirement of 113cm or 44 inches.
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: This coaster permits riders with a height of over 97cm or 38 inches.
- Space Mountain: A Disney classic, this indoor dark coaster ride has a height requirement of 113cm or 44 inches.
- Tomorrow Land Speedway: 82cm or 32 inches
- TRON Lightcycle /Run: You need to have secured a virtual queue for your party to be able to ride and then you need to request Rider Switch. The height requirement of this ride is 122cm or 48 inches.
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: This newly reimagined log flume ride has a height requirement of 102cm or 40 inches.
EPCOT
- Frozen Ever After: everyone can ride this boat ride
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: This indoor dark coaster needs a virtual queue space before you can use Rider Switch. The height requirement is 107cm or 42 inches.
- Mission: SPACE: It’s a simulation of launching into Space. If you choose the orange option it’s pretty intense whereas the green is less intense, either option has a height requirement of 102cm or 40 inches
- Soarin: This ride takes you on a journey around the world and has a height requirement of 102cm or 40 inches.
- Test Track: This is a fast car ride that is currently undergoing reimagining and is currently closed until 2025. It has a height requirement of 102cm or 40 inches.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Alien Swirling Saucers: Alien themed swirling ride with a height requirement of 81cm or 32 inches.
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run: Flight simulator experience where guests need to be 97cm or 38 inches to ride.
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith: Fast dark roller coaster with music and a height requirement of 122cm or 48 inches.
- Slinky Dog Dash: This junior coaster is extremely popular and great as a starter coaster experience for younger guests, but riders need to be 97cm or 38 inches tall.
- Star Tours – The Adventure Continues: This flight simulation through hyperspace jumps has a height requirement of 102cm or 40 inches.
- Twilight Zone of Terror: This iconic lift drop ride has a height requirement of 102cm or 40 inches.
- Star Wars Rise of the Resistance: This Star Wars experience has a 102cm or 40 inches height requirement.
Animal Kingdom
- Avatar Flight of Passage: This unique ride takes you flying on the back of a banshee with a rider height requirement of 112cmor 44 inches.
- DINOSAUR: This bumpy ride is soon to be extinct, but until it’s final closer guests need to be 102cm or 40 inches to ride back in time.
- Expedition Everest: Head off to face the Yeti on this rollercoaster, where guests need to be 113cm or 44 inches tall to ride.
- Kali River Rapids: A river rapids style attraction with a height requirement of 97cm or 38 inches. You can get very wet during this ride which is something to bear in mind with younger guests.
- Na’vi River Journey: Anyone can ride
Remember to always check availability on the day.
Disney will usually allow you to use Rider Switch for all of these rides if you have youngsters in your party who do not want to ride, even if they meet the height requirement. We have always found Cast Members really helpful on this, and they always do their best to help.
Using Rider Switch keeps your family together while enjoying all these attractions Disney has to offer. For guests with younger children Rider Switch is ideal as it is not a height tested program, if you think your children will not enjoy one or don’t want to ride of the above attractions you can ask to use it.
Rides without a height requirement using Rider Switch
There are two rides on the Rider Switch list which may seem a bit out of place, particularly given that they are both boat rides with no height requirements. Here are the possible reasons why you might want to consider using it as a family on these rides.
Frozen Ever After
It is a lovely family ride, but it is a dark ride, with a potential for a splash and riders are pushed backwards by Elsa when you leave her castle. Although most children will not be upset by this in the slightest, it is possible it will bother toddlers and young children.
The Frozen movie is also not a U, it’s a PG. The themes and events of the movie may upset children and as this boat ride is effectively a journey through the movie Disney are airing on the side of caution.
Na’vi River Journey
This boat ride is based on Avatar, a film with a 12A rating in the UK. Although the ride itself is calm and peaceful, Disney are airing on the side of caution due to the film’s themes.
Rider Switch and Virtual Queues
All of Disney’s rides using virtual queues offer the Rider Switch service. This is:
- TRON Lightcyle / Run
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
You need to have a space in the virtual queue to be able to ride and use Rider Switch. When you book your virtual queue, you can’t include children under the age of three as they don’t need a ticket, but anyone over the age of three we would advise you add to the party list of riding guests. This will ensure admittance into the attraction, and you can request Rider Switch at the entrance.
Using Rider Switch at these attractions allows your family to maximize fun without the stress of missing out or waiting in long lines twice. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Why Rider Switch is a Must Use for Families
Alright, let’s talk about why Rider Switch is such a game-changer for families visiting Disney World. Imagine you’re all geared up to ride one of Disney’s iconic roller coasters, but your little one just isn’t up for it. Without Rider Switch, you’d be stuck with one parent missing out, or worse you would have to wait in line twice. With Rider Switch, those worries disappear.
Maximizes Your Time
This is one of the biggest perks of Rider Switch for families. Disney World is huge, the 4 parks together span an area of 1,096 acres and there’s so much to see and do. The last thing you want is to spend unnecessary time waiting in line. This is especially the case with young kids who might not be the most patient and need lots of toilet breaks.
Rider Switch lets your family enjoy the rides without doubling up on wait times, so you can spend more time exploring the parks, meeting characters, or simply relaxing.
Keeps the family together
You won’t have to split up or miss out on family bonding time. There is little point in spending the money for a once in a lifetime Disney World family holiday only to find you spend most of the day split up so everyone can enjoy the rides. Rider Switch is a way to ensure that everyone gets to experience the magic of Disney, no matter their age, height, or ride preference.
Families with children in age groups spanning from baby to teen find this service essential. It gives them the ability to make memories and experience the magic of Disney World as a family.
Flexibility
It’s compatible with other Disney services including virtual queues and Lightning Lanes, allowing you to make the most of your day. By using Rider Switch in conjunction with these tools, you can maximise your day ensuring that everyone gets to enjoy the best attractions with minimal hassle. The plus of using Rider Switch with these services is the reduction in wait time. Further reducing wait times helps families by decreasing boredom and tiredness in queues for children who may struggle with long wait times.
In short, Rider Switch is an essential tool for any family visiting Disney World. It helps you maximize your time, keeps everyone involved, and gives you the flexibility to enjoy the parks at your own pace.
Rules change impacting Disney World Rider Switch
If you’re returning to Disney World and haven’t used Rider Switch in a while, there was a change to the rules that came into effect on 16th July 2021. Since then, only one additional person can wait with the person waiting with children in ‘Party 2’ and enjoy the Lightning Lane entry Rider Switch offers.
This means that multi-generational groups and larger groups with more than 2 children will need to make choices about who stays behind to ride later. It’s good that people do not need to ride alone and if you are a family with two children, one older and a toddler, the older child will be able to ride twice with both parents.
In groups where there are more children this is no longer a guarantee. If you have three children, two older for instance, one will ride with one parent, and the other with the waiting parent.
With that said this rule change gave Cast Members a level of discretion on who can ride, so it is not always rigidly enforced. Just be aware that if you haven’t been to Disney World for a while, this is the way Rider Switch works.
Using Rider Switch with Lightning Lanes
Rider Switch and Lightning Lanes are a dynamic duo when it comes to maximizing your time at Disney World. You can use the app to book your Lightning Lane spots for certain attractions, and then use Rider Switch to ensure everyone in your group gets a turn without waiting in line twice. It’s a great way to experience more attractions in less time.
Lightning Lanes allows you to skip the regular lines at select attractions, and when paired with Rider Switch, you can make your Disney day even more efficient. There are two types of Lightning Lane you can purchase: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, which you use for multiple rides and Lightning Lane Single Pass which is a one-time purchase for a specific ride.
Rides with Rider Switch and Lightning Lane Single Pass
At Magic Kingdom you can purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass which you can combine with Rider Switch for Tron and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
At EPCOT, you can purchase a Lightning Lane Singe Pass for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind which you can use with Rider Switch.
In Hollywood Studios, the Lightning Lane Single Pass is for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and you can use Rider Switch too.
A Lightning Lane Single Pass is available for Avatar Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom, and you can use this with Rider Switch.
Lightning Lane Single Pass is the way to reduce queue times for the most popular rides in every park, so being able to combine this with Rider Switch is ideal for families with young children. These passes are increasingly difficult to get for UK guests, however.
Rides with Rider Switch and Lightning Lane Multi Pass
All the remaining rides on the Rider Switch list work with Lightning Lane Multi Pass, so you can really reduce the time you spend queueing as a family with this system. You can hold three Lightning Lane Multi Pass at once. When you check in for your first ride, you can then book another.
The only thing that you need to keep in mind when booking you Lightning Lane slots is the extra time it will take for the other the party to ride. This means you will need to allow extra time between bookings to make sure you all get to ride.
How to use Rider Switch with Lightning Lanes
Book your Lightning Lane reservations for a ride that offers Rider Switch using the app in the same way you do for any Lightning Lane purchase. When it’s your turn to ride, let the Cast Member know you’d like to use both. This way, the first group enjoys the ride with minimal wait, and the second group gets to join in without delay.
It’s a great way to ensure you’re hitting all the must-see attractions without wasting time and it makes life with younger children much easier. No more trying to stuff your bag full of things to keep them entertained in the queue line.
More Tips for Using Rider Switch
Now that you know what Rider Switch is and why it’s so beneficial, let’s dive into some tips to help you use it to its fullest potential.
Plan your day
Before you even set foot in the parks, know which Disney World rides offer Rider Switch and which ones your family is most interested in. This will help you map out your day and avoid any surprises. Knowing ahead of time that you can use it at certain attractions will make your day much smoother, enabling you to build an itinerary that suits the needs of your family.
Heading to the rides that experience higher wait times earlier in the day will reduce the time your family needs to spend in a queue. Knowing how long you think your little one will manage in the queue line is also something to bear in mind when planning. If it isn’t long, consider investing in the Lightning Lane option.
Talk to Cast Members
Always communicate with Cast Members when using Rider Switch. They’re there to help and can provide the most accurate and up-to-date information. If you’re ever unsure about how to use Rider Switch at a particular ride or if it’s available, just ask. Cast Members can also help ensure that your group is using the system correctly, so there are no hiccups along the way.
It works at Peak Times
Another pro tip is to take advantage of Rider Switch during peak times. When the parks are busiest, it can be a lifesaver. Helping you avoid double long waits while still letting everyone in your group experience the rides they love; the waiting areas can also keep young children out of the heat for a while. We have known people wait in nearby quick service with young children while the other parent queues, but that is at the discretion of the cast member on the gate. It’s especially useful during the afternoon when lines tend to get longer, but with young children you may be best considering avoiding the rides with bigger queues in the afternoon anyway.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Disney World Rider Switch
While Rider Switch is a fantastic tool for families, there are some common mistakes that can trip you up if you’re not careful.
One of the biggest mistakes is not asking for the Rider Switch pass at the right time. The key is to request it when you first approach the ride entrance, not after you’ve already gone through the line. If you forget to ask early on, you might miss out on using Rider Switch altogether. So, make it a habit to check in with the Cast Member as soon as you arrive at the ride.
Assuming that every ride offers Rider Switch is another error some families make. While many of Disney’s most popular attractions do participate, not all of them do. Before you head to the park, take a few minutes to research which rides offer this service. This way, you won’t be caught off guard when you discover that a ride you were counting on experiencing doesn’t actually have Rider Switch available.
Finally, don’t make the mistake of assuming Rider Switch works the same way at every park or ride. The process varies slightly depending on the attraction, so it’s always a good idea to double-check with a Cast Member to ensure you’re following the correct steps.
FAQs
How Many People Can Use the Rider Switch Pass?
Typically, Rider Switch allows up to two people to return and ride in the second group, including the waiting adult. This is perfect if you have older kids who want to ride again with the second adult. However, this number can vary depending on the specific attraction, so always check with a Cast Member.
Does Rider Switch Work on All Disney Rides?
No, it isn’t available on every ride, but is offered at many of the most popular attractions. These include thrill rides and some of the more intense experiences that might not be suitable for younger guests. Always check the latest list of attractions offering Rider Switch before your visit.
What Happens if One Parent Doesn’t Want to Ride?
You can just arrange to meet the near the ride in a little while and the parent who doesn’t want the ride experience can head somewhere else with the child unable to ride. Splitting up is fine, Disney World’s Rider Switch is there to help the families who want to ride but who have a minor who doesn’t want to or doesn’t meet the height requirement.
Conclusion
It’s designed to make your visit smoother, allowing everyone in your group to enjoy the magic of Disney without the stress of long lines or missing out. Whether you’re visiting with toddlers, older kids, or a mix of both, Rider Switch ensures that everyone gets a chance to experience the rides they love.
Now that you’ve got all the insider info, go ahead and make the most of your Disney World trip! If you’ve got any Rider Switch tips or experiences to share, drop them in the comments below.