This is an entry for “rider switch service” in our Disneyland 101 Glossary: Disneyland Resort definitions in under 101 words, from Mouse Brief. For frequently asked questions about rider switch service at Disneyland Resort, keep reading after the glossary entry.
If a member of your group cannot (or chooses not to) ride an attraction—and is unable to wait alone for the rest of your group—you can request a “Rider Switch” from a cast member at the entrance to the attraction. With a Rider Switch, an adult can supervise a non-rider while the rest of the group waits in the queue and experiences the attraction. When that riding-group reunites with the non-riders, the adult who has not yet experienced the attraction may use the Rider Switch to return with a riding-companion and bypass the standby queue to the attraction.
Thank you for reading this entry from our Disneyland 101 Glossary.
For general tips for visiting with young children, check-out our 5 Tips for Visiting Disneyland Resort with Young Children. And for help selecting rides for young children see Too Afraid to Ride: How to Handle Scary Disneyland Rides and Is My Child Tall Enough for Disneyland? On Height Requirements. That last article has an extensive section with instructions for using Rider Switch. We suggest reading that one if you want to understand the process. For frequently asked questions about Rider Switch service, keep reading.
Rider Switch at Disneyland Resort FAQs
When should I use Rider Switch at Disneyland Resort?
You may have a member of your party who is too short to ride an attraction or cannot or does not want to ride for other reasons. If that person is a young child or someone else who cannot wait alone, you can request a Rider Switch pass at the attraction entrance. The Rider Switch pass may also be used by groups visiting with service animals.
On their website, Disney says:
Rider Switch is appropriate in the following situations:
- A Guest in the party either does not meet the boarding requirements or does not plan to ride but cannot wait outside the queue alone.
- A Guest has a service animal that cannot board the attraction, or they do not wish to use a provided kennel.
- A Guest is unable to experience the queue based on the nature or condition of the queue at a particular attraction in light of the circumstances and the Guest’s specific needs.
Why would I use Rider Switch?
If you have someone in your group who will not ride an attraction that the rest of the group wishes to ride, the Rider Switch allows someone to wait with the non-rider and then experience the ride later with a shortened wait. That person is also allowed to bring a companion with them for the ride.
Of course the person who first stayed with the non-rider could simply wait in the standby queue instead of using Rider Switch, but this can effectively double the collective wait time of the group. Using Rider Switch allows your group members to experience an attraction and then reunite more quickly for the next experience.
How does Rider Switch work at Disneyland Resort?
In our experience, this is how Rider Switch works at Disneyland Resort (just keep in mind that Disney does occasionally tweak the service, so please follow the instructions of cast members when you are using Rider Switch):
At an attraction where you plan to use Rider Switch, approach a cast member at the queue entrance and explain that you would like to use the service. The cast member will ask who will be riding first (party 1) and who will be staying behind (party 2). The cast member will use a mobile device to scan the ticket of the supervising adult in party 2. In doing this, the cast member will add a Rider Switch pass to that ticket.
Party 1 will enter the queue to wait for and then ride the attraction. While this is happening, party 2 is able to experience other parts of the park. When party 1 exits the attraction, they will rejoin party 2.
Now, the member of party 2 with the Rider Switch pass can choose one other person, and those two will return to the attraction. They will scan the Rider Switch pass and enter an accelerated priority queue, which should have them riding and rejoining the rest of their group quickly. Often, the location where they scan the pass and enter the queue will be the same as those used for Lightning Lanes passes.
We hope this explanation was helpful, if you want to see it play out with a specific example (and even see some more FAQs), read our article Is My Child Tall Enough for Disneyland? On Height Requirements
Do I need to use a Rider Switch pass immediately after the first group is done riding?
In our experience, a Rider Switch pass can be used anytime after it becomes valid with two conditions: (1) it must be used on the same day it was obtained and (2) if you get another Rider Switch pass before using the first one, that first one will disappear.
A Rider Switch pass is not usually available immediately but is timed to become active around the time the first party has completed their ride. This time is an estimate and not exact.
If I am using a Rider Switch pass, do I need to wait right at the attraction while the other part of my group rides?
No, you do not need to wait at the attraction for the rest of your group. You can go have a snack, meet characters or even experience another attraction. We think this is the best part of Rider Switch: folks who will not be experiencing an attraction are not stuck in a waiting area; they get to have their own fun experiences!
Can I get multiple Rider Switch passes?
You can continue to get and use Rider Switch passes all day. Just keep in mind that—in our experience—you can only hold one Rider Switch pass at any given time. This means if you obtain a Rider Switch pass while another Ride Switch pass is already linked to your ticket, the first pass will disappear and be replaced by the second.
So, you should be able to get multiple Rider Switch passes in one day, and even multiple ones for the same attraction, but just be sure to use them as you get them.
Thanks for reading this Disneyland 101 Glossary post on Rider Switch.
For even more information on Rider Switch (and height requirements), be sure to check-out Is My Child Tall Enough for Disneyland? On Height Requirements. For help determining which rides are right for your travel party, we also suggest Too Afraid to Ride: How to Handle Scary Disneyland Rides and Ask These Questions Before You Visit Disneyland. Finally, please consider our 5 Tremendous Tips for Visiting Disneyland Resort with Young Kids and Step-by-Step Disneyland Prep for more general advice. Thanks again for reading!