Rider Switch

Sharon Smith Manley
Sep 21
2 min read

If you're planning a trip to Disneyland with young children, you might be wondering how to enjoy all the big attractions that the littles may not want to ride.

Rider Switch is a super convenient service offered at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park that allows adults to take turns riding certain attractions when a guest in their party can’t or doesn’t want to ride—most commonly young kids who don’t meet the height requirement.

Rider Swap is perfect for:

Families with young children who don’t meet height requirements.

Guests with medical issues or sensory sensitivities.

Groups where someone just doesn’t want to ride.

Here's how it works:

Party A rides first while Party B stays with the non-rider.

Once Party A finishes the ride, Party B can then ride without waiting in the full line, often entering through the Lightning Lane entrance.

In most cases, Party B can bring one additional guest with them—so someone from Party A can ride again!

As long as one person is staying behind to supervise someone who can’t ride, you’re eligible to use Rider Switch.

Step by Step Instructions for Using Rider Switch

Make sure the attraction offers Rider Swap (most rides with a height requirement do - see below) and that someone in your party doesn't plan to ride.
Speak to a Cast Member at the ride entrance. Let them know you want to use Rider Swap. The Cast Member will confirm who is riding first (Party A) and who is waiting (Party B). They will then scan the ticket of the person waiting to give them a Rider Swap entitlement. Make sure you have your entire party with you when you speak with the cast member.
Party A rides the attraction.
After Party A has ridden, Party B can enter through the Lightning Lane entrance often with one additional guest allowing a guest that rode with Party A to ride again.

Height Requirements - Disneyland

32" or taller