How the Disney Rider Switch Program Works
You’re looking at four thrill seekers and a girl in a Pluto hat who used Rider Switch to sit out of Tower of Terror.
If you're heading to Disney World with little ones, you'll run into a few rides with height requirements your child doesn't meet just yet. It's tricky when one kiddo is tall enough and another isn't, but here's the good news: nobody has to miss out, and no adult has to wait in line twice.
That's exactly what Rider Switch is for.
Here's everything you need to know about how it works, when to use it, and what to expect.
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What Is Rider Switch?
Rider Switch (you'll also hear it called "child swap") is a free service that lets one adult wait with a child or non-rider while the rest of the group rides. When the first group finishes, the waiting adult gets to ride next without heading back through the full line.
How to Use Rider Switch
Head to the attraction entrance together with your whole group and tell the Cast Member you'd like to use Rider Switch.
The Cast Member will scan the MagicBands or tickets of everyone riding second. This group is called "Party 2."
The first group ("Party 1") rides as usual while Party 2 waits nearby.
Your return time shows up in the My Disney Experience app. Party 2 can usually ride within an hour of Party 1's start time.
Once the first ride wraps up, Party 2 enters through the Lightning Lane for their turn. One person from Party 1 can hop back on with Party 2, which is perfect for an older kid who wants to ride twice.
When in doubt, just ask the Cast Member at the front of the ride. They'll happily walk you through it.
A couple of things to know:
The official rule is that only one child can ride again with the second group, so if you have a few older kids who all want to re-ride, that can be a hiccup. It never hurts to ask, though. Cast Members sometimes make exceptions.
Always bring your whole group to the Cast Member at the same time. They need to see the non-rider.
Using Rider Switch with Lightning Lane
Already bought a Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass? You can still use Rider Switch.
Everyone who's riding (both Party 1 and Party 2) needs a valid Lightning Lane selection for that attraction. When you arrive, just let the Cast Member know you're planning to use Rider Switch too.
While they are riding → do this.
Magic Kingdom
The Barnstormer (35") → Casey Jr Splash N Soak, Dumbo
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (40") → Ride the WDW Railroad
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (40") → Ride the WDW Railroad
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (38") → Carousel, Under the Sea, Mad Tea Party
Space Mountain (44") → Peoplemover
Tomorrowland Speedway (32" to ride, 54" to drive) → Peoplemover
Tron Lightycycle Run (48") → Peoplemover, WDW Railroad
Animal Kingdom
Avatar Flight of Passage (44") → Na'vi River Journey, Explore Pandora
Expedition Everest (44") → Maharajah Jungle Trek, Finding Nemo Show
Kali River Rapids (38") → Maharajah Jungle Trek, Zootopia: Better Zoogether!
Hollywood Studios
Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run (38")→ Explore Galaxy's Edge, Batuu Bounty Hunting (Play Disney Parks app)
Star Tours (40") → Vacation Fun - An Original Animated Short, Meet Olaf, Frozen Show
Rise of the Resistance (40") → Explore Galaxy's Edge, Batuu Bounty Hunting (Play Disney Parks app)
Rock'n'Roller Coaster (48") → Villains Show
Tower of Terror(40") → Beauty and the Beast Show
Slinky Dog Dash (38") → Toy Story Mania
Alien Swirling Saucers (32") → Toy Story Mania
Epcot
Frozen Ever After → Meet Anna and Elsa, Gran Fiesta Tour
Guardians of the Galaxy (42") → Green Landing Playground
Mission Space (Orange - 44", Green 40") → Mission Space Playground, Green Landing Playground
Soarin' (40") → Living with the Land
Test Track (40") → Green Landing Playground
