Sometimes, not everyone in your party can ride the same rides. Maybe you’ve got little ones that don’t meet the height requirements, or maybe you’ve got some family members that hate roller coasters. In either case, that doesn’t mean eager riders have to miss out! Disneyland offers a system called Rider Switch, which enables guests to ride attractions, even with little ones in your party.
To use the Rider Switch system, simply ask a cast member at that location. The cast member will split your party into 2 groups: Party 1 and Party 2. These groups do not include your non-riding group members.
Party 1 (no rider limit) rides the attraction first, while Party 2 (a maximum of 3 riders) waits with the non-riding members of your group. Party 1 will wait in line and ride the attraction like any other guest. As they wait in line, the cast member will lead Party 2 to a designated waiting area for rider switch (usually by the exit). Party 2 will wait in this area until Party 1 finishes getting through the line and rides the attraction.
After Party 1 rides, they swap places with Party 2, and Party 2 will be escorted onto the attraction without waiting in the original line (since they already waited!). Party 1 can then exit the attraction with the non-riding group members.
Not every attraction offers Rider Switch, but the list of participants is lengthy:
DISNEYLAND
- Autopia
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Gadget’s Go Coaster
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Space Mountain
- Splash Mountain
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Grizzly River Run
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
- Incredicoaster
- Jumpin’ Jellyfish
- Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
- Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
- Radiator Springs Racers
- Silly Symphony Swings
- Soarin’ Around the World
For more information about Rider Switch, visit the official page here.