Disneyland Rider Switch Hack (2024 Update)

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Rider Switch is a little known perk at the Disneyland Resort (and other Disney parks) that allow those with small children or adults in need of supervision the chance to ride a particular attraction without having to wait in line twice. (Updated January 23rd, 2024.)

This service is also referred to as baby switch, child swap, and parent swap as it’s mostly used by parents with small children who are unable to ride an attraction due to the height requirement or if they simply don’t want to.

This guide is going to cover how to use rider switch, which attractions offer it, specific rules you’ll need to know and a whole lot more. So let’s get into it.

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Side Note: Since Rider Switch is directly related to attractions, you’ll want to check Disneyland’s refurbishment schedule before heading to the parks. Read my 2024 Disneyland Refurbishment Guide here.

Who Can Use Rider Switch?

Rider Switch can be used by any and all guests with small children or adults in need of supervision who’re unable (or unwilling) to ride particular attractions. In other words, if you’re a group of able-bodied adults or a couple, you won’t be able to use it.

The next question on your mind is probably, ‘How much does it cost’? Ready for this? NOTHING! That’s right, the Rider Switch benefit is included with your ticket and costs nothing extra.

To give some context, let’s go over a brief explanation and scenario. Let’s assume you’re the parents of two children. One of them is 14 who likes thrill rides and the other is 8 who doesn’t and isn’t tall enough to ride them anyway.

Here’s what you do…

How To Use Rider Switch

So your 14 year old has made it clear he wants to ride Space Mountain and your 8 year old isn’t tall enough to ride it. To make matters worse, both you and your husband also want to ride it and you can’t exactly leave your 8 year old to frolic around Tomorrowland on their own.

Here’s what you do…

• As a group, you’ll approach the attraction as if you’re going to queue up for it and look out for a Cast Member.

• Go up to said Cast Member and explain to them you wish to use Rider Switch.

• At this point, your tickets will be scanned by the CM and you’ll be split into two parties; Party A and Party B.

• Party A will move on to get into the queue of the attraction. Party B (must consist of a supervising adult) will be directed to a waiting area (likely near the exit).

• When Party A is finished riding the attraction, they’ll proceed to where Party B is. The supervising adult from Party B will then be able to proceed up the exit (or Lightening Lane) and enjoy the attraction with a minimal wait (must have their ticket).

• Note that the supervising adult from Party B will be able to bring ONE other person to ride the attraction with them. This other person can be from Party A if they wish to ride again.

Which Attractions Feature Rider Switch

There are a number of attractions at the Disneyland Resort that allow you to take advantage of Rider Switch and we’ve broken them up into their respective parks below. Keep in mind that Disney may suspend or eliminate Rider Switch from a particular attraction at any time.

Disneyland Park

• Autopia

• Alice in Wonderland

• Astro Orbitor

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

• Casey Jr. Circus Train

• Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster

• Davey Crockett’s Explorer Canoes

• Disneyland Monorail

• Disneyland Railroad

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant

• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

• Haunted Mansion

• Indiana Jones Adventure

• it’s a small world

• Jungle Cruise

• King Arthur Carousel

• Mad Tea Party

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

• Matterhorn Bobsleds

• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

• Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run

• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

• Peter Pan’s Flight

• Pinocchio’s Daring Journey

• Pirates of the Caribbean

• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin

• Snow White’s Enchanted Wish

• Space Mountain

• Star Tours - The Adventure Continues

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

• Storybook Land Canal Boats

• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Disney California Adventure

• Goofy’s Sky School

• Golden Zephyr

• Grizzly River Run

• Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!

• Incredicoaster

• Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind

• Jumpin’ Jellyfish

• Jessie’s Critter Carousel

• The Little Mermaid - Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

• Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters

• Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

• Monsters Inc: Mike and Sulley to the Rescue!

• Pixar Pal Around

• Radiator Springs Racers

• Silly Symphony Swings

• Soarin’ Around the World

• Toy Story Midway Mania

• WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

Rider Switch Controversy

As with most of Disney’s policies, there seems to be a point of contention between park-goers as it pertains to the Rider Switch benefit and whether it’s considered legal line cutting or not.

While we understand how some may feel this way (we don’t have children but we have no issue going to the parks as adults), the general consnsus is that this policy pertains to such a small percentage of guests that it rarely causes problems.

In fact, we would argue that Disney’s policy of allowing celebrities to literally shut attractions down - and sometimes even kick everyone out of the queue who’ve been waiting - is far more of a problem than a mother or father who simply want to enjoy the ride with their child.

That said, give some people an inch and they’ll take a mile. With the advent of social media, Disney centric Youtube channels, and websites offering hacks to Disney park-goers, it’s really only a matter of time before it’s abused and Disney takes it away.

Recently, for example, a woman on TikTok publicized a hack to get a free t-shirt from Disney. She advertised that if you show up with a shirt with inappropriate wording or graphics (or was too revealing), Disney would provide you with a shirt to cover it up. For the most part, this worked.

That particular TikTok blew up and made headlines across the internet. Before long, everyone was eyeing a free shirt. Disney, however, caught onto this and ended this policy. Now if you arrive in something inappropriate, you’re told to either change or leave. No more free shirts.

Hopefully this benefit won’t be abused as it enables everyone in their respective parties to ride the attraction they wish to ride. Out of all the times we’ve visited the park, we can’t think of a single time that we’ve even noticed somebody utilizing this service.

So how do we feel about it?

We’re all for it. As stated, it pertains to such a small percentage of guests that you barely even notice it. It would be unfortunate if one party were forced to wait in the same line twice. That would certainly put a damper on the amount of attractions you could ride in a day.

The downside to those who use it, especially for those with more than two children, is the person cashing in the Rider Switch can bring only one other person with them while the adult in the first party can ride it with as many as they wish.

So if Party A had two kids in the group, the adult in Party B would either need to ride the attraction solo or will have to decide which kid to ride with and explain to the other why they can’t go a second time. We can sympathize with this dilemma, but it's done, in part, to prevent abuse.

*TIP: Refer to my 2024 Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar post with the latest on ride closures, upcoming projects, and more.