How Rider Switch works with FastPass+

With the official rollout of MyMagic+ over the past year, a lot of questions have arisen from guests who are visiting under the new system. How does My Disney Experience work? Will my ride photos really show up on my Memory Maker account? And, how does Rider Switch work with the new FastPass+ system?

If you are unfamiliar with Rider Switch, click here for a fantastic overview. In a nutshell, it is a system that allows guests with little ones to ride attractions without waiting in the standby lines twice. Naturally, with the new FastPass+, guests are wondering how it all works.

I can tell you, I am a tried and true veteran of Rider Switch. I have a 42 inch four year old and a 33 inch two year old. My big kid is a wild child and even forced me onto the Tower of Terror (true story…I was not brave). But I digress.

Here’s how Rider Switch with FastPass+ works (we will use Seven Dwarfs Mine Train as an example). Schedule your FastPass+ for all members of the party who want to ride. When it is time to ride, all parties who have FastPass+ head to the queue, along with the little ones. You must swipe your MagicBand at the entrance, as you would for any FastPass+ ride. The cast member will then issue a Rider Switch return ticket, very similar to the old paper FastPass, for up to three people. At least one adult-ish member of your party exits the queue with those who are too small to ride.* Once you have ridden Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (and captured epic video on Memory Maker) it’s then the others’ turn. Because the pass allows up to 3 riders, your kid(s) who are big enough to ride can go back for another trip through the Mine. Bonus!

DIStracted Tips:

All parties must have the original FastPass+. You cannot use the Rider Switch to “double up” on FastPass+ (i.e.: one adult gets a FastPass+ for Splash Mountain and another for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad).
As of the time of this writing, you do not have to return within the original hour of your FastPass+. You can return anytime until the park closes on the day listed on the return pass. This comes in quite handy when your four year old suddenly has to go POTTY! and then your two year old wants to eat.
* If you are waiting with a little one, head over to a character meet and greet. For example, we love visiting with Woody and Jessie while the big kids are on Splash Mountain.