Mastering Rider Switch: The Complete Guide for Disney World Guests

So, you’ve made it to the most magical place on earth – Walt Disney World! But what happens when your little one is too small to ride an attraction, or another member of your party simply does not want to ride the attraction? Enter Rider Swap, the perfect solution for families, especially those with younger children.

With Rider Switch, one adult can wait with the non-rider (or riders) while the rest of the party enjoys the attraction. When the other adult returns, they can supervise the non-riding Guests, and the waiting adult can board the attraction without having to wait in the regular line again!

Fortunately for guests, Rider Switch is available at select attractions at all 4 Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.

How to Utilize 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.

Please note that if the person in party 2 waited alone with the child or non-riding Guest, one Guest may join the person that waited alone. As a reminder, all Rider Swap participants for this attraction are required to be in a Virtual Queue boarding group or to have an eligible Lightning Lane Single Pass prior to boarding.

Attractions Offering Rider Switch

The following is a complete list of attractions at Walt Disney World Resort where you can use Rider Switch:

Magic Kingdom Park
The Barnstormer
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Space Mountain
Tomorrowland Speedway
TRON Lightcycle / Run

EPCOT
Frozen Ever After
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Mission: SPACE
Soarin’
Test Track

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Alien Swirling Saucers
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Slinky Dog Dash
Star Tours® – The Adventures Continue
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park
Avatar Flight of Passage
DINOSAUR
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain®
Kali River Rapids
Na’vi River Journey

Combining Rider Switch with Lightning Lane or Virtual Queue

Rider Switch isn’t just for the standby lines; you can also utilize this service in combination with Lightning Lanes and Virtual Queues. Combining these services can help you get through the lines even faster, giving you more time for other family attractions.

You can use Rider Switch for rides where you have a Lightning Lane reservation. Everyone who wants to ride will need to have the appropriate Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Lightning Lane Single Pass. It might seem like each parent would have a short wait anyway and there’s no need to use Rider Switch. But remember that Rider Switch offers an opportunity for one kid to ride with both parents.

What you can’t use Rider Switch for: having only one parent get a Lightning Lane and then having the second one use the Rider Switch to get in the Lightning Lane. Cast members will check, and it won’t work.

Rider Switch and DAS

Rider Switch and Disability Access Service can be used together. All riders must be included in the party when the DAS return time is obtained. When you’re ready to ride, the DAS holder must be in the first group. Otherwise, the process is the same. The DAS holder is eligible to be the “returning guest” in the second group if that situation applies.

Ultimately, rider switch ensures that no one misses out on any of the fun. It’s a fantastic and convenient system that truly enhances the overall Disney experience for families visiting the parks. From popular rides like Space Mountain to family favorites like Peter Pan’s Flight, Rider Swap is a game-changer for parents looking to navigate the parks with little ones in tow.

Say goodbye to FOMO and hello to stress-free family adventures in the parks!