ne of the worst parts about travelling somewhere like Disneyland or Disney World with young kids is that you can’t do all the rides that they’re too small for! This is especially challenging when you have an older kid and a younger one. Disney has the answer: Rider Switch. (Sometimes it’s also called Child Swap or Rider Swap.)
What is Rider Switch?
Basically, Ride Switch is something unique to Disneyland. If for whatever reason one person in your party has to be supervised, like a young child or special needs person, and someone who would be riding has to stay and supervise that person, you can switch out who is riding and who is supervising so everyone gets a turn.
It’s different than just waiting in line a second time because Rider Switch lets you jump back into the FastPass line.
How it works
Let’s say you’re like us and travelling with 2 adults and 3 kids, like we did on our recent Disneyland trip. The twins, though, were less than 44″ so they couldn’t ride Indiana Jones. Now, us adults and the 9 year old did want to ride Indie. What do you do?
Rider Switch.
So one adult stays with the kids who can’t ride, the other one goes on with the kid. Before you go on you ask a Cast Member for a Rider Switch pass. Then when the adult and the kid come off the ride, give the other adult the Rider Swap card, and they can ride again with the older kid. That way everyone gets to ride!
Facts:
Cast members near the Rider Switch rides have them in their pockets so you’ll have to ask!
Passes are good for up to 3 people to ride the second time.
They’re a great way for older kids to ride multiple times if they want, just as long as you have a legitimate reason for asking for one.
There’s no limit to the amount of Rider Switch passes you can use in a day but each pass is only good once.
What Disneyland rides support Rider Switch?
Disneyland, California
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (40″)
Indiana Jones Adventure (44″)
Matterhorn Bobsleds (42″)
Space Mountain (40″)
Splash Mountain (40″)
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue (40″)
Disney’s California Adventure
California Screamin’
Grizzly River Run
Radiator Springs Racers
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
Incredicoaster
Some of our best moments were spent waiting for “big kids” to ride.
Which Walt Disney World rides support Rider Switch?
Magic Kingdom Park
The Barnstormer (35″)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (40″)
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (38″)
Space Mountain (44″)
Splash Mountain (40″)
Stitch’s Great Escape (40″)
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway (32″/54″)
Epcot
Frozen Ever After
Mission: SPACE (40″/44″)
Soarin’ (40″)
Test Track (40″)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Alien Swirling Saucers (32″)
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring (48″)
Aerosmith
Slinky Dog Dash (38″)
Star Tours® – The Adventures Continue (40″)
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (40″)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park
Avatar Flight of Passage
DINOSAUR (40″)
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain® (44″)
Kali River Rapids (38″)
Primeval Whirl (48″)
You can also take advantage of Rider Switch on certain WDW Waterpark attractions.
If you’re visiting Disneyland or Disney World with young kids it’s definitely a good idea to take advantage of the Rider Switch (Rider Swap) program!
I thought now would be a great time to talk about the already real-life Magic Carpets of Aladdin ride at Disney Parks.
For 90s kids Aladdin is one of the big staples of our childhood and we’ll always hold a special place for it in our memories. This ride encompasses as much charm as any Disney Park ride and somehow manages to bring the movie to life through both the design and surrounding area.
This ride and me go way back to 2004 when I took a ride visiting Disneyland Paris. It will always hold a special place in my heart as one of the only two rides my mother has ever been willing to go on with me (she hates rides). Anyway, here it is:
10 facts about Disney’s The Magic Carpets of Aladdin Ride
In case you’re wondering, the ride operates similar to the Dumbo ride and basically just allows you to fly on a carpet for a minute and a half while moving up and down.
1. You won’t find it The Magic Carpets of Aladdin Ride at Disneyland.
That’s right – this awesome Aladdin themed ride is only available at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Paris’ Walt Disney Studios Park, and Tokyo Disneyland’s DisneySea Park.
2. It goes by 3 different names.
In Disney World it’s “The Magic Carpets of Aladdin”. In Disneyland Paris “Flying Carpets Over Agrabah” (Or “Les Tapis Volant” literally “Flying Carpets”) and at Tokyo Disney you’ll find “Jasmine’s Flying Carpets”. They’re all essentially the same ride though.
3. The camel in Walt Disney World actally spits.
Better look out as you walk by because the camel spits water at passer bys. Seriously. There’s apparently no motion sensor though, it just moves its head through animatronics and randomly spits.
4. People think the camel in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is being remote controlled.
One of the more popular Magic Kingdom myths is that a cast member controls the camel to purposefully spit (or not spit) on park guests. There’s even articles out there suggesting that near-by cast members dressed up as Photopass photographers are the ones responsible.
5. The area around the Magic Carpets of Aladdin ride is different in each park.
In Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom you’ll find yourself taken to Agrabah and can even shop in the Bazaar nearby. Pretty cool!
Paris, on the other hand, themes their version to the “Disney Studios” park theme and has you included on the Genie’s big film debut with a movie set of Agrabah in the background.
Lastly, Tokyo’s “DisneySea” park has it located in the “Arabian Coast” section which features Middle Eastern architecture.
6. There are 2 sets of controls.
Remember how I said my mom hates rides? We we went on The Flying Carpets of Agrabah in Disneyland Paris I put her in the front for the carpet so that she’d be able to control the up and down motion. Only after did we realize the back seat controls the forward and backward tip. I might have touched them… A bit.
7. The ground is different under all 3 versions of the ride.
Although the basic ride is the same there are variations on design between the parks, mainly the water underneath.
Disney World Florida has water underneath the ride to make you feel like you’re flying over the sea, but its Paris counterpart has no water at all. Going with the movie set theme (Genie even says “action!” when the ride starts) you’re flying over just regular ground. After all, it’s a set.
Tokyo DisneySea park by far is the most impressive, and also the newest, with its water. Small fountains are inter spaced throughout the water which make it look a lot more high class, especially with its updated colour scheme.
8. The camels in Disney World used to have a different purpose.
They were originally part of Aladdin’s Royal Caravan at Disney MGM (now Hollywood Studios) and were later re-purposed when the Magic Carpets of Aladdin ride went in. Between the two they stood guard outside the Soundstage Resturaunt.
9. It’s a great place to get Aladdin character’s autographs.
Usually characters like to hang around their respective “homes” and this ride is no exception. If you’re looking to spot Jasmine and Aladdin characters then the Magic Carpets of Aladdin ride is the place to be.
10. It was the first ride to be added to Adventureland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom since Pirates of the Caribbean.
Nearly 28 years passed in between the Pirates of the Caribbean ride opening up in 1973 and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin in 2001.
Well, did you learn something new about this attraction? Next time you’re in one of these parks consider hitting up this attraction. It’s not the biggest thrill of the park but usually has great views, short lines, and the fact that it seats 4 is great for families. Have fun!
Packing your own food can save you money but it also poses unique challenges. But, can you actually bring your own food to Disneyland or Walt Disney World? The answer is yes!
You can’t just bring whatever you want into the Disney parks and each one has their own set of guidelines. Here’s what is and isn’t officially permitted, and what you can probably get away with.
“[..] with the exception of food items for Guests with specific dietary restrictions, outside food or beverage items are not permitted in either of the Disneyland Resort theme parks.”
There is a picnic area with umbrellas and tables where you’re encouraged to enjoy your brought-in meal. It’s located across from the lockers so you don’t need to carry your meal around with you while in the park, which is convenient. Disneyland is also a pretty small park so planning to walk back to this picnic area for a meal isn’t incredibly cumbersome. You’re probably wondering at this point what you’re supposed to do about things like snacks or bottled water. While officially you’re not able to bring those items into the park most people agree that they won’t be removed if you have them into your bag. There’s no sneaking anything in, either – a bag check is done upon entrance. If you attempt to bring snacks into the park follow these guidelines:
Be reasonable. Having one bottle of water in each person’s bag isn’t too bad, multiples are a bit excessive. You can always refill it inside the park.
Stay away from glass. Glass containers are not permitted inside Disney Parks.
Soft coolers only. Hard coolers are also not permitted in the parks so stick with something soft it you want to keep perishables cool.
If you’re travelling with a big family maybe try separating the food between family members. It might be overwhelming to see 10 sandwiches all together for them at the gate even if it is only one per person.
A couple snacks are probably going to be permitted into the park but entire meals are likely not.
Disney World
Unlike Disneyland, Disney World is a lot more relaxed on their food restrictions. You’re allowed to bring any food items into the park with the exception of alcohol. The only restriction is what you put your food in.
Glass containers, except baby food jars, are not allowed.
Coolers are also not permitted. Small, soft sided coolers should be ok though (we used one).
Special Exceptions for Babies
Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World have special facilities designed to help parents with babies. What you’ll find there (food-wise):
Access to a sink
Microwave for heating baby food or formula
Shop that sells formula, baby food, etc
Food rules can change at any time so make sure to check before travelling. If you have special dietary restrictions you can also inform restaurants and have special food made.
Did you bring your own food to Disney Parks? We did!
