Hi Emily! Thanks for stopping by planDisney. Traveling to the Disneyland Resort with both a preschooler and a little one in tow definitely adds a few extra moving pieces to the puzzle, but with a little planning (and a little Lightning Lane magic), your family can absolutely have a smooth and fun-filled day together.
I’m happy to share that
Rider Switch can indeed be used together with
Lightning Lane Multi Pass! This is one of my favorite tools to suggest to families visiting with younger children because it allows everyone to enjoy attractions without needing the entire party to wait through the queue twice.
Here’s how it works. Your party will split into two groups for the attraction. Group 1 rides first while Group 2 waits with the child who isn’t riding. Once Group 1 finishes, the adults swap places so Group 2 can experience the attraction afterward.
Now for the extra pixie dust: if only one person is riding during the second Rider Switch return, that Guest may bring along one additional rider. In your case, that means your four-year-old could potentially ride a second time with the other parent while the baby waits nearby.
When Lightning Lane Multi Pass enters the picture, everyone who plans to ride and is age 3 or older will need a Lightning Lane reservation for that attraction. As long as all eligible riders have a valid Lightning Lane booked, both Rider Switch groups will typically access the attraction through the Lightning Lane entrance during their turn to ride.
If you use Rider Switch without Lightning Lane reservations for that attraction, the process changes slightly. The first group would enter through the regular standby queue, while the second Rider Switch group would generally receive Lightning Lane access for their return ride.
When your family is ready to ride, simply approach the attraction entrance together and let the Cast Member know you’d like to use Rider Switch. They’ll walk you through everything and get your party set up.
Here’s one more Lightning Lane Multi Pass Q-Tip for your upcoming adventure: you can hold multiple Lightning Lane selections at the same time. After making a reservation, you may book another experience either once you redeem your current selection or after two hours have passed since booking it (whichever comes first). For example, if you secure a late-afternoon return time for
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway early in the morning, you can still continue stacking additional Lightning Lane selections throughout the day. I always recommend setting a quick phone reminder so you don’t miss your next booking opportunity.
Emily, if more questions come up while planning your visit, please come see us again at planDisney. We’d love to keep helping your family prepare for a magical trip.
I hope your crew has an unforgettable Disneyland adventure!
David