Rider Switch at Disneyland

If you're visiting Disneyland with little ones, particularly any who don't meet the height requirements on attractions, you're going to want to know about Rider Switch. This handy tool will help you get everything done you want to around the parks while keeping an eye on your youngest visitors. Here's where they offer it, how it works and how it can work for you and your family.

What is Rider Switch?

Rider Switch is a free service that allows a party to be split in 2 so that one half can enjoy an attraction while the other stays with those who are too short to ride. After they return, the parties switch places and those who were waiting can skip the stand-by line to reduce the total wait time. At Disneyland, Rider Switch is offered at any attraction with a height requirement and utilizes either the FastPass queues or attraction exits.

What Attractions Offer Rider Switch?

Any attraction with a height requirement offers Rider Switch:

DISNEYLAND PARK

• Autopia (Tomorrowland)
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Frontierland)
• Gadget's Go Coaster (Mickey's Toontown)
• Indiana Jones Adventure (Adventureland)
• Matterhorn Bobsleds (Fantasyland)
• Rise of the Resistance (Galaxy's Edge)
• Splash Mountain (Critter Country)
• Star Tours (Tomorrowland)
• Space Mountain (Tomorrowland)
• Smuggler's Run (Galaxy's Edge)

DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE

• Goofy's Sky School (Paradise Gardens Park)
• Grizzly River Run (Grizzly Peak)
• Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! (Avengers Campus)
• Incredicoaster (Pixar Pier)
• Jumpin' Jellyfish (Paradise Gardens Park)
• Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters (Cars Land)
• Mater's Junkyard Jamboree (Cars Land)
• Radiator Springs Racers (Cars Land)
• Silly Symphony Swings (Paradise Gardens Park)
• Soarin' (Grizzly Peak)

How Does it Work?

As you approach the attraction, here's how you set up Rider Switch for your party:

1. Talk to the Cast Members at the entrance of the attraction and let them know you'd like to use Rider Switch. They will direct you to the correct CMs to speak with if they cannot personally set it up.
2. Your party will be split in 2 - Party 1 will wait in the stand-by line and experience the attraction and Party 2 will include at least one adult or teenager (at least 14 years old) along with the others who cannot ride.
3. Party 2 will have their tickets scanned to set up the Rider Switch service and will be shown where they can wait for the rest of their group.
4. Once Party 1 returns, the adults or teens can literally switch out (no more than 3 people) and enter the queue through either the FastPass entrance (if there is one) or the attraction exit.

That's it! Simple, right?

Do You Need Anything When You Return?

Each person utilizing Rider Switch will need their tickets out ready to scan when they return. Make sure they were scanned by a CM at the entrance before the first group entered the line to ensure everything has been set up properly.

How Many People Can Return to the Attraction?

After the first group has returned, a group of no more than 3 people can use the Rider Switch service to avoid the stand-by line. This can be any 3 people so it could even include 2 who were in the first group. If that's how you want it, make sure those individuals get their park tickets scanned before they enter the stand-by line the first time.

Can the 2nd Group Go on Another Ride While They Wait?

Officially, no. CMs will show you where the 2nd group needs to wait for their party. However, it's not unheard of for groups waiting to use Rider Switch to wander around and find themselves elsewhere for a while.

How Does it Work With Virtual Queues?

Disneyland still offers Rider Switch even the virtual queue system, or boarding groups, are in use as with Rise of the Resistance. The only thing that's different is that every member of your party must be in the same boarding group. Once your group is called, let the CMs know as you approach the attraction that you intend to use Rider Switch and they will direct you from there.