What Is Rider Switch at Walt Disney World Resort?
Rider Switch at Walt Disney World Resort is a convenient service designed to help families enjoy attractions even when someone in the group cannot ride. Instead of missing out or waiting in line twice, adults can take turns riding while someone stays with the non-riding guest. This service is especially helpful when traveling with young children who do not meet height requirements or with guests who prefer not to ride certain attractions. Rider Switch is available at select attractions across all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.
How Rider Switch Works
If someone in the party cannot or chooses not to board an attraction, Rider Switch makes it easy for everyone else to enjoy the ride. One adult waits with the non-rider while the rest of the group enters the queue and experiences the attraction. Once the first group returns, the waiting adult can then ride without standing in the regular queue again. The returning adult supervises the non-riding Guests while the second rider boards the attraction. This system allows everyone in the group to experience the ride while keeping younger Guests comfortable and supervised.
Rider Switch Attractions and Height Requirements
Magic Kingdom
- 35" — The Barnstormer
- 38" — Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- 38" — Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- 44" — Space Mountain
- 40" — Tiana's Bayou Adventure
- 32" (54" to ride alone) — Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
- 48" — TRON Lightcycle / Run
EPCOT
- Any height — Frozen Ever After
- 42" — Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- 40" — Mission: SPACE
- 40" — Soarin'
- 40" — Test Track
Hollywood Studios
- 32" — Alien Swirling Saucers
- 38" — Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- 48" — Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
- 38" — Slinky Dog Dash
- 40" — Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
- 40" — Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- 40" — The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Animal Kingdom
- 44" — Avatar Flight of Passage
- 44" — Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
- 38" — Kali River Rapids
- Any height — Na'vi River Journey
Step-by-Step Instructions for Using Rider Switch
Using Rider Switch is simple and only takes a few moments to set up.
1. Confirm the attraction offers Rider Switch
Check the park map or speak with a Cast Member to confirm that the attraction offers the Rider Switch service.
2. Visit the attraction entrance together
Bring the entire party to the attraction entrance and speak with a Cast Member. They will assign a Rider Switch entitlement to the adult who will ride later along with the Guests who are waiting.
3. First group rides the attraction
The first group enters the queue and rides while the second group waits in a designated area with the non-riding Guests.
4. Second group rides without waiting again
Once the first group finishes the attraction, they switch places with the waiting adult. The second rider can then board the attraction without going through the regular queue again.
Good to Know About Rider Switch
The Rider Switch entitlement must be validated by a Cast Member for the second rider to bypass the queue. If the second rider waited alone, one additional Guest may accompany them when boarding the attraction. This helpful service makes it easier for families to enjoy more attractions together while ensuring that younger Guests or non-riders remain comfortable and supervised throughout the day.
