Using Disney’s Rider Switch
By: Dana Munoz
February 22, 2022
On my most recent trip to Walt Disney World in November 2021, I was able to use a Disney feature for the first time - rider switch! Rider switch allows adults (or kids of the correct height) to experience attractions with their loved ones, even when someone in the family has a baby, toddler, or small child. I traveled to Disney with my husband and 2 year old son. He is tall enough for many rides, but still too short for some of the larger, more thrilling rides.
On one of the days of our trip, we went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and met up with friends from our former neighborhood. We were so excited to see them - but I was nervous to take my toddler to this park. While there are a few attractions here he can experience, many are high thrill, and are experiences he is too tiny for! We knew we wanted to ride Star Wars Rise of the Resistance, Rock and Roller Coaster, and Tower of Terror with our friends.
Our first rider switch experience was on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. We had paid for an individual lightning lane return time, and showed up as a full group of 8. When you arrive to the attraction, you must tell the cast member that you would like to use rider switch. The cast member was so helpful, and made the process easy. I was able to stay off the ride with my son, and choose someone in the party that would get to ride with me when it was my turn. My husband was the lucky winner, and got to ride twice! When he got off the ride with the rest of the party, he and I went to the entrance, they scanned our MagicBands, and we were able to ride with no issues, even though it was past our return time. It was a great experience! The process for Tower of Terror and Rock and Roller Coaster were similar - I waited off the line with my son, and when it was my turn to ride, I was taken with my husband back toward the front of the line to get my turn.
Taking a toddler or small child to a park where they cannot ride much can be daunting or intimidating, but the rider switch feature was so helpful. We were able to still have a really fun day. Disney works hard to make the experience positive for every guest - big or small! My son also enjoyed some fun snack breaks and character cavalcades while I was waiting my turn for rides. I would not hesitate to use this feature again!
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In the trip discussed, I was traveling on a commercial rate.