The Rider Switch program at Walt Disney World Resort is a fantastic resource, particularly for families with young children and individuals who prefer less intense rides. Essentially, Rider Switch allows part of your group to enjoy all the rides while others can comfortably wait with those who don’t wish to (or can’t) participate. This program is designed to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable visit for everyone in your party.
Now, let’s explore Rider Switch!
How Rider Switch Works at Walt Disney World
Here’s a quick rundown of the Rider Switch program: Part of your group joins the traditional queue while the rest wait with the non-riders. Once the first group exits the attraction, those who are waiting can enter the queue. However, instead of using the standard queue, the second part of the party will enter through the Lightning Lane, making the wait much quicker. This system ensures that everyone in your group gets a fair chance to enjoy the rides they want without feeling left out or rushed.
Arranging Rider Switch at Walt Disney World
If you would like to use Rider Switch, first speak to a Cast Member near the front of the attraction. Many rides now have a dedicated area for discussing Rider Switch, indicated by a sign. If you see this, approach the Cast Members there. If there’s no sign, talk to a Cast Member near the attraction’s entrance, and they will direct you where to go.
Have your Magic Bands, phones, or tickets ready, as the Cast Member will scan the tickets of those waiting back first. This process adds a Rider Switch return to your account, allowing you to scan into the Lightning Lane once the initial group has returned to take over supervision of the non-riding guest.
Walt Disney World Rider Switch Benefits
If you have small children who don’t want to (or are unable to) ride the big attractions, Rider Switch allows them to enjoy other parts of the park, have a snack, or rest while others in your party ride. Once the first group finishes, the second part of the Rider Switch enters through the Lightning Lane, making a speedy arrival to the front of the line. This efficient system ensures that everyone has an enjoyable time engaging in activities suited to their preferences.
Walt Disney World Attractions Offering Rider Switch
Many of the rides you may use Rider Switch for have a height requirement, but not all. To assist in your planning, I’ve gathered a list that includes the rides offering Rider Switch and their height requirements.
Magic Kingdom Park
- Tomorrowland Speedway: 32 inches
- The Barnstormer: 35 inches
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: 38 inches
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: 40 inches
- Space Mountain: 44 inches
- TRON Lightcycle / Run*: 48 inches
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure*: 40 inches
EPCOT
- Mission: SPACE: 40 inches
- Soarin’ Around the World: 40 inches
- Test Track: 40 inches
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind*: 42 inches
- Frozen Ever After: no height requirement
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Alien Swirling Saucers: 32 inches
- Slinky Dog Dash: 38 inches
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run: 38 inches
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue: 40 inches
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: 40 inches
- Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith: 48 inches
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: 40 inches
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
- Kali River Rapids: 38 inches
- DINOSAUR: 40 inches
- Avatar Flight of Passage: 44 inches
- Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain: 44 inches
- Na’vi River Journey: no height requirement
*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.
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