Welcome to planDisney, Sullienid!
Watching our kids grow is pure magic, isn't it? It's a joy to watch them evolve, face their fears, and take on new adventures - especially at Walt Disney World! My 9-year-old recently gathered the courage to take on Rock 'n' Rollercoaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and she was SO proud to have conquered her first upside-down rollercoaster! That's a magical, proud-mama moment I will never forget!
It's always fun to experience thrill rides with your big kids, but it can be a bit tricky when you have younger kids in tow. As a mom of mixed-height kids myself, I've had lots of practice navigating height requirements in Disney World, so let's jump right in!
First, I love that you're considering
Lightning Lane passes for your upcoming visit. Lightning Lane is always so convenient, especially when you have young kids! Sullienid, you should know that the way you'll approach Lightning Lane depends on the ages of your kids. If your little ones are under three, you won't need park tickets or Lightning Lane passes for them at all. When you use Lightning Lane passes to access an attraction, your kiddo will be considered a "Guest of Mickey" and can go along for the ride without a Lightning Lane pass of their own.
Now, if your younger kids are older than three, you'll need to purchase Lightning Lane passes for all of you. When you make your initial selections (3 days before ticket start date for off-site guests and 7 days before check-in for on-site guests), you'll book the same 3 attractions for the whole family. If that includes an attraction your younger kids can't ride, you can modify afterwards using your My Disney Experience app. My friend Amy recently explained
how to modify Lightning Lane selections to another guest, and I think you'll find the process pretty simple.
Now that we've covered the basics, let's talk about
Rider Switch. This service is a lifesaver for families with growing kids, especially since it works with Lightning Lane! To use Rider Switch, tell a Cast Member that you'd like to use the Rider Switch option before using the Lightning Lane to enter the attraction. Then, one adult will wait with your younger kids while the other enjoys the attraction with your big kid. Afterward, the adult who didn't ride can board through the Lightning Lane, bringing another guest along with them. The best part? That guest can be the older kid, even though they've already ridden!
Here's an example: my family booked Lightning Lanes for Slinky Dog Dash. First, my daughter and I spoke with a Cast Member, letting them know that we intended to use Rider Switch. Then, we used our Lightning Lane passes to ride while my husband and son enjoyed some ice cream nearby. When we were finished, it was my husband's turn to ride - and my daughter dashed again!
I hope this information was helpful, Sullienid! If you have any other questions, come back and find us here at planDisney!
See ya real soon,
Allison