Rider Switch- A Disney Parent’s Best Friend

Disney’s rider switch is a program available to all Guests. With Rider Switch, Guests can wait with member(s) of their party who aren’t riding due to any of the reasons listed below. Once the first Guest returns the waiting Guest can board the attraction without having to wait in the regular line again! And while all of that sounds lovely, what you really need to know is that rider switch is your new bff and the only way you and your partner will be able to experience everything the parks have to offer, while you’re there with kids.

Rider Switch is available for Guests who meet one of the following:

• Does not meet the boarding requirements
• Has a service animal that cannot board the attraction or does not want to use a provided kennel
• Meets boarding requirement and does not want to ride but cannot wait outside queue on their own

Rider Switch is available at most attractions throughout Walt Disney World Resort. Here’s how guests can utilize rider switch:

1. Upon arriving at the selected attraction, approach the greeting Cast Member with your entire group and inform them you are interested in the Rider Switch option. Members will be divided into 2 parties: “Party 1” will board the attraction first, while “Party 2”(a maximum of 2 people from the rest of your party) waits.
2. A Cast Member will scan the admission media or tickets of Guests in Party 2.
3. After Party 1 completes the experience, any Guests from Party 2 who have waited to ride should return to the appropriate attraction entrance as directed by the issuing Cast Member to have their admission media/tickets re-scanned by a Cast Member for the Rider Switch entitlement. At this point, the riding Guests of Party 2 may enter the appropriate attraction return line and board without waiting in the regular queue. Meanwhile, Party 1 waits with the non-riding Guests.

Another option, if just one parent wants to ride an attraction and the whole rider switch thing isn’t necessary, guests can choose to be in the single rider line.

Single Rider is a program available to all Guests. Single Rider queues are often shorter than the standby queue and contain fewer sensory elements than the standby queue. Single Rider is a service that allows groups to split up and experience select attractions individually. Keep in mind, you will likely not ride the attraction with a member of your party, but enjoy the attraction with other Guests with a shorter wait.

Single Rider is available for a Guest who meets any of the following:

• Prioritizing shorter wait times rather than riding with their party
• Meets the minimum age requirement

How to Use Single Rider

A Cast Member can direct you to the designated queue, where your party will be separated to fill remaining seats that aren’t occupied by Guests utilizing stand by lines. Please note:

• Immediate boarding or choice of seat is not guaranteed
• Single Riders must meet all boarding requirements
• Special seating requests may not be accommodated
• Participating attractions and wait times may vary
• This service is subject to availability, and not available at every attraction

As you can see, Walt Disney World Resort offers a variety of programs that assist Guests in accessing attraction queues. Some of the programs listed below are available to all Guests and help maximize the time spent in the parks. My husband and I will forever be grateful for rider switch and single rider line. Hey, we’ll take the magic any which way we can get it!