Hi Patti!
Welcome to planDisney!
In order for your whole group (other than the newborn, of course!) to ride
Guardians via the Lightning Lane, everyone will need a
Lightning Lane Single Pass for that ride, even if you’ll be using Rider Switch.
When using the
Rider Switch service without Lightning Lanes, the first group would need to enter through the standby queue, then the second group would enter through the Lightning Lane.
However, if you want your entire party to be able to enter through the Lightning Lane when using Rider Switch, everyone will need to have a Lightning Lane booked.
With that being said, my husband and I usually won’t use Rider Switch if we make it to our Lightning Lane with plenty of time to spare. If we’re close to the end of our return time, though, then we’ll make sure to set up Rider Switch with the Cast Member at the entrance to the Lightning Lane just to be safe.
For the group that’s waiting with the baby while the others enjoy the ride, there are a few places close to Guardians that make that wait time fly by! You can do some souvenir shopping at
Creations Shop, let the kids get some energy out at the play area next to Creations Shop or at the
exit of Mission: SPACE, taste test different sodas at
Club Cool, or even grab a bite to eat at
Connections or one of the nearby food booths if Food & Wine Festival happens to be going on during your trip.
While we don’t know the dates for the
Food & Wine Festival in 2025 yet, it ran from August 29 to November 23 in 2024, so there’s a chance you’ll get to enjoy it!
It’s also good to note that the
Baby Care Center at Epcot is just a short walk away from Guardians if the littlest one in your party needs to be changed or fed…or just needs some time away from the heat and crowds. The Baby Care Centers were game changers when we took our littlest guy to the parks when he was just 8 weeks old!
It sounds like you have quite the trip coming up, and I’m so excited for you! If you have any other questions as you continue to plan, feel free to visit us again. We’re always happy to help!
Jenn J.