Hi there Shannon, welcome to planDisney! I’m so glad you reached out with this great question. It sounds like you’re planning an exciting trip to
Walt Disney World and I know how important it is to make the most of every moment, especially when you're coordinating rides for your group. Rider Switch can be a huge help, and I’d love to walk you through how it works at the end of the day and during Extended Evening Hours so your whole party can enjoy the fun without the stress.
Rider Switch is a service Disney offers to help groups with guests who can’t or don’t want to ride certain attractions such as small children, guests with sensory sensitivities, or someone who simply chooses not to ride. It allows one part of the group to wait with the non-rider while the other part experiences the attraction. Then, once the first group returns, the waiting group gets a chance to ride without having to wait in the full standby line.
If the first group enters the queue before the park’s official closing time, they will be allowed to complete the ride even if they do not board until after the park has closed. As long as they were physically in line before the posted closing time, they are permitted to ride.
The second group, who is waiting with the non-riding guest, will still be able to use Rider Switch after the first group finishes, even though the official park closing time has passed. This is because the switch was set up before the park closed, and Cast Members will continue to honor it.
It’s important to note that new guests are not allowed to join a line after the official park closing time. However, as long as your group requested Rider Switch in advance and the first riders entered the queue on time, the second group will still be accommodated. You do not need to rush or worry if your ride finishes past closing, as long as the process was started before that point.
Extended Evening Hours are available on select nights for guests staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, or a few other select hotels. This is a special perk that allows those guests to stay in certain parks past the regular closing time and enjoy a smaller crowd and shorter wait times.
Rider Switch works during Extended Evening Hours in the same way as it does during the day. If the first group enters the standby line of a participating attraction before the end of the Extended Evening Hours period, the second group will still be allowed to ride afterward using Rider Switch. The Cast Members managing attractions during Extended Evening Hours are aware that this service still applies, and they will honor it.
The key point is that the first group must be in the line before the end of the operating window, whether that’s standard park hours or Extended Evening Hours. If that condition is met, the second group will be allowed to ride even if their boarding time comes after the window has officially closed.
Shannon, I hope you find this information helpful as you prepare for an exciting visit to Walt Disney World Resort! Thank you again for visiting planDisney. Have a magical day!
Kay