So much for my theory
Here's the chat I just had with a CM:
Thank you for choosing to chat with us. A Disney Cast Member will be with you shortly.
Info at 11:24, Jul 2:
You are now chatting with Katelin.
Katelin at 11:24, Jul 2:
Thank you for contacting Disney's Guest Services. How may I assist you?
You at 11:24, Jul 2:
Good morning. I have a question about the new Rider Switch system.
You at 11:25, Jul 2:
Does everyone in the party need to have a Fastpass, or only the first group to ride the attraction?
Katelin at 11:25, Jul 2:
Hi XX! Only the first group is required to have a FastPass+.
You at 11:26, Jul 2:
Excellent. We are a group of 6, with one child too short to ride many attractions. Can 1 person from the first group ride again with the second group?
You at 11:27, Jul 2:
And last question, how does the return window work?
Katelin at 11:28, Jul 2:
Unfortunately, unless there was only 1 adult present, Guests may not be allowed to ride twice without a FastPass+.
You at 11:30, Jul 2:
So if 3 in our party ride with FPs in the first group and 2 adults wait with the too-short child, then only those 2 adults can ride in the second group? No one from the first group can ride again?
You at 11:31, Jul 2:
There is a LOT of conflicting info out there, including on the Disney park moms panel blog
Katelin at 11:31, Jul 2:
You may speak to an attraction attendant but it is not designed to allow Guests to ride multiple times, only to swap the Guests.
You at 11:31, Jul 2:
I understand, just trying to make sure I know all the rules
You at 11:32, Jul 2:
how does the return window work? does it have a start and an end time?
Katelin at 11:33, Jul 2:
Yes, the attraction attendant will issue you the return time.
You at 11:34, Jul 2:
I read something about the return window depending on the standby wait, is this correct?
Katelin at 11:36, Jul 2:
One moment please while I verify this.
Katelin at 11:40, Jul 2:
The return window will last one hour and will begin at the current standby wait minus 10 minutes. For example, if the standby wait at an attraction is 65 minutes, the return window will begin in 55 minutes.
You at 11:41, Jul 2:
Great. Thank you for checking. I really appreciate your help.
Katelin at 11:42, Jul 2:
My pleasure! Are there any other questions I can answer for you today?
You at 11:43, Jul 2:
If you can have "the powers that be" add all this information on the Rider Switch page, that would be wonderful