Waiting in lines is inevitable at Walt Disney World. However, there are many ways to help reduce your waiting time. You can pay to skip the standby line with Disney Lightning Lane passes, which replaced the Disney Genie+ service as of July 24, 2024. You can also arrive early by "rope dropping" (or utilizing early entry (if you're a Disney hotel guest), or even attend a separately ticketed Disney After Hours event with shorter wait times after regular park hours. While most of these options require an additional cost, there is a free alternative at certain attractions — Single Rider lines.
Single Rider lines at Disney World help save you time in line and are toadally worth it if you don't mind splitting up your party when riding. If I'm ever traveling alone, it's the perfect way to get some rides done quickly and maximize my time. Here's everything to know about using Single Rider lines at Disney World!
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- What are Single Rider Lines?
- Attractions with Single Rider Lines
- Do the Rides Offering Single Rider Lanes at Disney World Ever Change?
- Can You Use Single Rider Lanes and Rider Switch?
- Tips for Using Single Rider Lines
What Are Single Rider Lines?
Single Rider lines are separate queues at select rides at Disney World. Cast members use those in the Single Rider line to help fill in odd-numbered groups so they can load as many people as possible on the attraction. It's perfect for solo travelers or those who wouldn't mind riding separately in different ride vehicles. Note that children must be at least seven years old to use the single rider line.
When you approach an attraction entrance, keep an eye out for the line labeled "Single Rider." If traveling with a group, you will stay together in the Single Rider line. However, once you get to the front, you'll be separated.
Your time in line can vary greatly, as there's no way to know when there will be an opening for a single rider. Just be patient and know that the wait time for single riders is typically shorter than waiting in the standby queue.
Attractions with Single Rider Lines at Disney World
Test Track is currently closed for refurbishment. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is closing, however, as of publication, no official date has been announced. Be sure to check back for updates!
Since Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Expedition Everest seat two people per row, you'll have to wait for an odd-numbered group. (In our experience, however, it's incredibly rare to wait more than ten minutes in the Expedition Everest Single Rider queue). With Test Track and Smugglers Run, there are six people per car, so there could be more opportunities for a single rider. Keep in mind single riders on Smugglers Run are usually engineers. Opt for the standby line and ask a cast member for the pilot role, if desired.
There's no guarantee that a Single Rider line will be offered. Stay flexible with your plans! Check out this guide for 15 key things to know if traveling to Disney World in 2025 to help you adjust your plans, if necessary.
Do the Rides Offering Single Rider Lanes at Disney World Ever Change?
Yes, they can and do! Disney has confirmed that the four rides mentioned above consistently offer Single Rider lines. However, we've seen them at Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT. Occasionally, they've been at Soarin' Around the World and Space Mountain.
You may run into a little magic on your visit! Sometimes, if it isn't crowded, a cast member may allow two guests to be seated together. Don't hold us to this, but it's Disney—and it's full of fun little surprises now and again!
Can You Use Single Rider Lanes and Rider Switch?
Rider Switch lets families enjoy rides with minimal wait. With it, one guest can enjoy the attraction while the other guest waits behind with the child(ren). Then, once one guest returns, the other can swap places with them and go on the ride. Because the lines for Single Rider usually go pretty fast, you cannot combine the two. It must be one or the other, considering you're a qualifying guest.
Tips for Using Single Rider Lines at Disney World
Here are our top tips for utilizing the Single Rider lines at Walt Disney World:
- We highly recommend Single Rider lines for those with teenagers or traveling with all adult frogs. You know your tadpoles best for whether they can ride on their own and wait for you afterward. If it's ever just me, Flora and Tad, I often go first and Tad second. This way, I can be waiting for Tad when he comes off and we can both wait for Flora together.
- Designate a meet-up spot before entering the line.
- For Test Track, a good meeting place is right outside the exit—they have benches! Or, if you want to explore, head on over to Mission: SPACE only a short walk away!
- For Smugglers Run, know that the ride exit can be confusing with its long hallways. It's hard to pick a meet-up spot inside, so we recommend meeting up as soon as you walk outdoors. However, keep this in mind, as a younger tadpole may easily get lost trying to navigate the hallways.
- For both Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Expedition Everest, the ride exits through a gift shop.
- Huge "Star Wars" fan? If so, you may want to use the regular queue for your first time on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. The queue is really interesting to walk through at least once! Plus, you will have a better chance of getting pilot or gunner if you wait in the standby queue.
- Single Rider lines may not be ideal for those with younger tadpoles or if you want to experience the attraction together, especially with Smugglers Run. Riding together may also be important to you if you want that coveted attraction photo together on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster or Test Track.
- Remember that Single Rider lines may not always be open, or they could only be available for portions of the day depending on demand.
Well, that's everything to know about Single Rider lines at Disney World! Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.
Related: Guide to Disney World Height Requirements and Rider Switch
Keep hopping!
