Walt Disney World officially reopened to guests back in July, and we’ve been running around the theme parks checking out all the new updates and info ever since!
Magic Kingdom
We’ve seen select pre-shows be eliminated from line queues and high-touch areas like Dumbo’s Play Area be closed to guests. Many guests were curious about how the Rider Switch process will work under all the new health and safety protocols.
When Universal Orlando reopened, we reported that the theme park was still using the Rider Swap service. We were interested to see if Disney World would be following suit. While touring Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, we discovered that the Rider Switch is BACK. Plus, the process is the same as it was prior to Disney World’s closure.
Space Mountain Rider Swap
If you’re not familiar with Rider Swap, it’s where one person waits in line, and the other stays outside with a guest who isn’t able or doesn’t want to ride the attraction. Guests will visit a Cast Member at the attraction where they will scan your MagicBands. The first person will ride the attraction and once finished, swap with the second person.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The second person will enter through an expedited entrance and skip most of the line. The separate queue is generally the designated FastPass line. The FastPass line was open at Disney World today, but only for Rider Switch guests. We checked with Cast Members at Expedition Everest, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Space Mountain to confirm that Rider Switch is still operating normally across both theme parks.
Expedition Everest Rider Swap Entrance
We’ve learned a ton about the new processes in Disney World and we’ll continue to discover more as we stake out the parks. We’ve got more updates coming your way so keep following along with us!
Want to know what it’s like to order and eat at a newly reopened Disney World? Check out the new quick-service process here!
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Will you be using the Rider Switch service at Disney World? Let us know below!
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We were wondering about this one. We will be traveling in November with a 3 month old…especially for MK and HS rides.
We are planning on keeping an eye on the wait times for rides like Flight of Passage. (I would like to ride but my husband is unable to ride due to the motion). I’m considering rope drop in hopes that the wait is under 1 hour.
Thanks for finding this out for us! We were also curious as we are going in December with our two month old!
I tried to use rider swap on 10/31 @ Slinky Dog because my 8 yo hates roller coasters. I was told that because she was tall enough to ride I could not use rider swap and everyone would have to wait in line.
RW, I’m sorry to hear this. Rider Switch should apply to anyone of any age who does not wish to ride. Disney’s language says it applies if a “Guest does not wish to board a particular attraction” in addition to children too short to ride.
Is rider switch only at the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parks? What about Hollywood Studios and Epcot? We will be there in February and my husband and I are trying to decided who gets to ride with our oldest kid on the Star Wars rides and Soarin while the other stays with the baby. If rider switch is available at the other parks then we don’t have to be altruistic!
Leah, Rider Switch is available at all four Parks.