Hiya David!
Welcome again to planDisney! I see you are eagerly planning your upcoming Walt Disney World Resort trip and I am glad you came to planDisney for help!
Rider Switch is one of my favorite services in the Parks as my kids have either not met the height requirement for a particular ride or have been too scared to join us for so many years. To help keep everyone happy, Rider Switch has been our magical tool. Let me explain it to you step by step:
1. When you arrive at the eligible Rider Switch attraction (see list on Rider Switch page) head straight to the Cast Members at the front of the attraction with the entire family. They will want to see which adult and guests will be riding the attraction first and who will be the adult remaining behind with the child who is unable to experience the attraction. The Cast Members will ask for your
Disney Band or ticket to set it up.
2. The first group can ride the attraction by entering the Standby queue or if they have a
Lightning Lane reservation they can use that queue. The second group with the little one and adult will remain behind outside of the attraction. I suggest this is the best time to bring out the bubble wands and toys as it can sometimes be an emotional moment when siblings leave. I also suggest using your
My Disney Experience Mobile App to find a nearby play area or show they can enjoy as a distraction. When my husband and son rode
Space Mountain I headed with my daughter to the Rockettower Plaza Stage near this attraction to see Buzz Lightyear who was going to appear soon.
3. The first group returns and finds their party outside of the attraction and now the adults can switch while the first who already rode remains behind and the second adult heads to the attraction. This second group will be allowed to enter the attraction using the Lightning Lane queue entrance and can bring one member of their party with them so they are not alone!
To answer your question succinctly, yes, you will have to switch or swap outside of the attraction and queue separately from the other adult in your party. My good friends
Kaitlin and
Elizabeth just made an awesome
video series that discusses Rider Switch that I think you should check out. My favorite video is where they explain what is a must-have for Park bags and tips for meeting characters. Kaitlin got to meet Sorcerer Mickey at my favorite meet-and-greet which is at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Look for
"Meet Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams" on your My Disney Experience Mobile App to get a chance to experience the same thing! Bonus fun with this experience is you also meet Minnie Mouse dressed as a starlet in her pretty pink dress which my daughter adored.
I hope this helps and you have a magical time! We are here for you so feel free to come back!
Happy Planning!
-Nimmy