Doing our part to not be SG's

[melikell]

Hi! My name is Melissa, and our little family of 3 will be making our visit to WDW at the end of May. I'm doing what I can to make sure that statement is just a fact and not a warning to all you great CM's on here!
We were down there last October, but with a slew of other family members, so we had extra help with our now 3 year old daughter and had someone to watch her if my husband and I went on a ride together or what-have-you.
What I want to know is if the "rider swap" is a big PITA for you CM's working the attractions. Would it be better for you (and possibly our daughter, too, depending on the length of the ride) if say, while DH waits/rides alone while I take DD to a kid-friendly attraction, and then switch off? Or is it just better to do the rider swap?

Don't worry- we do have the general being polite, common sense, and gratitude for what you all do so that we can have an enjoyable trip sort of attitude about us! We truly do appreciate the jobs that you guys do, and are sorry for all the SG stupidity you encounter so often!

[Theme Park Where]

Speaking from my own point of view, rider swap is not only a PITA for me, but an excellent opportunity for me to allow your family to get optimum enjoyment out of my attraction. Since most Disney attractions with rider switch have your family swap outside of the ride area, it's still an opportunity for one member of your party to enjoy another activity with your child while the rest ride. I've seen parents sit outside and wait with a cranky child, and that's not necessarily the best use of the system. There's usually something to do around the attraction, and approximate wait times are usually posted, so plan a meeting place/time and go do something fun while the other members of your family ride, then switch places. Fun can even be a nearby play-in fountain, a gift shop, an ice cream cone, a show that the other people in your party don't mind missing, or even another attraction that your child will enjoy riding twice, once with each parent. Here's a simple list explaining how child swap works (I love using that term, it allows me to tell guests who ask about it to swap their child for a taller one! :D :) :

• Your party aproaches the attraction together and either gets fastpasses or heads toward the standby line if the wait isn't long.
• If you already have fastpasses, the party goes to the fastpass entrance. If you don't already have your fastpasses, everyone gets a fastpass except the person waiting out and the child, which allows you to fastpass a child-friendly attraction while your're waiting.
• If you have fastpasses - Upon your fastpass return time you approach the fastpass entrance together. You tell the cast member there that you will be doing a rider swap. The person who's waiting out gets a rider swap ticket. If you are doing standby - you approach the standby line together and tell THAT cast member that you are doing a rider swap, getting a ticket for the person waiting out with the child.
• The other members of the party get into line (fastpass line with fastpasses, or standby without).
• The child and the parent waiting go off and have fun.
• The riders ride.
• Upon meeting up again, the parent who waited and up to 2 other riders approach the fastpass entrance and give their rider swap ticket to the cast member there.
• The other parent goes off an has fun with the child, on another attraction, in a shop, or playing on a playground for instance.
• The parties meet up again at the attraction at a designated time and continue their day together.
• Without a fastpass entrance, check with the cast member at the main attraction entrance about what you should do in a rider swap situation. They will direct you to any special admission policies.

[CMGUY89]

Hi! My name is Melissa, and our little family of 3 will be making our visit to WDW at the end of May. I'm doing what I can to make sure that statement is just a fact and not a warning to all you great CM's on here!
We were down there last October, but with a slew of other family members, so we had extra help with our now 3 year old daughter and had someone to watch her if my husband and I went on a ride together or what-have-you.
What I want to know is if the "rider swap" is a big PITA for you CM's working the attractions. Would it be better for you (and possibly our daughter, too, depending on the length of the ride) if say, while DH waits/rides alone while I take DD to a kid-friendly attraction, and then switch off? Or is it just better to do the rider swap?

Don't worry- we do have the general being polite, common sense, and gratitude for what you all do so that we can have an enjoyable trip sort of attitude about us! We truly do appreciate the jobs that you guys do, and are sorry for all the SG stupidity you encounter so often!

Rider swap isn't a problem at all as long as you communicate well with the Greeter. They will hand you a swap pass that will work as a fast pass once the other person waits in line. Most rides with a height restriction won't even let the child who is not tall enough wait in the line. If it is a fear-related switch most attractions have a "chicken exit" that can be utilized in the boarding area. Just make sure to let the CM know. Being polite, having common sense, and being gracious will make you a perfect guest that we love making magic for. If you are there after the 20th come look for me over at Living with The Land or Soarin'!
Have a great trip.

BTWs Welcome to SGT!!!
I'm sure the marsupials will be along eventually.

[melikell]

We'll be there the days following Memorial Day (Tuesday through Saturday), so we'll keep an eye out for you!

[melikell]

Thanks to both of you for being so helpful, too. I'm such a planner... it's nervewracking for me to not know what to expect with something! LOL

Thanks again!

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Hey welcome!!!

Since you like to plan a lot. (AS do I) Don't be afarid to ask questions here. Not only do we have a LOT of experienced DLR and WDW guests, but a large number of CM's here that will go out of their way to give you help in making your experience at DLR or WDW a magical one! Plus we have "sooper secret information" that no one on ANY board has!!! (hehehehe)

[Zazu]

Plus we have "sooper secret information" that no one on ANY board has!!! (hehehehe)

Yup. Some of it's even correct!

[KidAtHeart]

Yup. Some of it's even correct!

Unless it comes from Zazu. Then you're taking your chances on whether it's truth, or just a great story he'd heard previously and wants to pass on! :twisted:

Either way, it would prove to be fun. Trust me!

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Yup. Some of it's even correct!

Yep, that too. :hysteria:

[melikell]

The only thing more fun than weeding out the rumors from the truth is finding someone to believe outrageous stories!
I really do love having fun with gullible people. Once when I was in highschool, we went with a group to WDW. I had a friend of mine convinced the gulls were animatronic, and not only that but remote-controlled. He was trying his hardest to find out who the employees working the RC Gulls were, but alas, they're really so good at hiding the controllers. :p: