A single rider line is a separate line (typically with shorter waits) for parties of one, or guests who are willing to ride alone.
When odd-numbered parties leave an empty seat in the ride vehicle on select attractions, Disney cast members can fill those single seats with single riders to increase efficiency.
This is a common practice at many theme parks. And Walt Disney World offers a single rider queue on a few of their most popular rides.
This is great news because skipping the standby queue can be a great option for solo travelers. Guests can hop onto a ride faster than the posted wait time. It’s also a great alternative for those not traveling alone but willing to ride separately from their companions.
Taking advantage of single-rider lines can be a fantastic way to save a lot of time on busy days. Extroverts who love talking to strangers might even enjoy a temporary break from their friends and family.
It is, however, important to note that the use of single-rider lines is limited to those aged 7 and older, regardless of height.
For example, you may have a 5-year-old who is tall enough to ride Expedition Everest, but they wouldn’t be eligible to use the single rider line due to their age.
Young kids might not be comfortable riding with a group of strangers, especially if it’s their first time on the ride. So, the regular queue is probably going to be most appropriate for youngsters.
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Do single rider lines go faster?
Yes! Single rider lines typically take 1/3 to 1/2 of the posted wait time. Rides like Test Track and Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run post estimated wait times at the entrance for both the standby and single rider lines.
As with all posted wait times, they’re estimates. Your actual wait time could be considerably longer or shorter.
Read Also: 13 Best Rides at Disney World Orlando, Ranked
Do all Disney rides have single rider lines?
That would be nice, but no. There are only a handful of rides at Disney World that offer a separate single-rider line.
In fact, compared to many other theme parks, Disney World has very few rides with a single-rider line option.
Which rides at Disney World have a single rider line?
There are currently four rides at Disney World that offer a single-rider line.
Knowing ahead of time which rides have them can impact your strategy, particularly when considering whether to pay extra for Individual Lightning Lanes or Genie+.
Here are the rides which have a single rider option at Disney World in Orlando:
1. The Test Track (EPCOT)
This attraction gives riders the opportunity to design a vehicle then put it to the test. There’s a competitive element among riders within each car to see whose design has the most power, capability, efficiency and responsiveness.
The ride vehicle seats six passengers in two rows of three. There are empty seats in most ride vehicles, which makes the single-rider line go pretty fast.
Pro-tip: If you are the VERY first group in the Test Track single rider line, you may be able to ride together with your group in one car. Of course, this isn’t guaranteed.
The first group in the regular line stops to design their cars before boarding the ride vehicles. Since the single-rider line bypasses this part of the queue, the first group of solo travelers may arrive at the loading platform first.
This can be a great strategy for early-risers to check Test Track off their list first thing in the morning.
2. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (Hollywood Studios)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has several of my favorite attractions, so I love that two of them offer a single rider option.
In fact, it helps me prioritize other popular rides like Slinky Dog Dash or Star Tours.
The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is Disney World’s only roller coaster with inversions. There are multiple loops and a corkscrew twist that you’ll traverse as you listen to Aerosmith music.
The ride vehicle is themed as a super-stretch limo that’s carrying passengers through L.A. traffic with backstage passes to an Aerosmith concert in hand.
The only downside for single riders is that they skip the pre-show experience, which provides some backstory and context to the theme of the ride itself. If it’s your first time ever at this attraction, you may want to use the standby line to get the full experience.
The great news for those who choose the single-rider option is that you will reduce your waiting time for an amazing roller coaster.
3. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run (Hollywood Studios)
This is Disney’s newest attraction with a single-rider option. Pilots, gunners and engineers will take a seat in the cockpit of Han Solo’s iconic freighter for an interactive ride.
The success or failure of this risky mission to hijack a shipment of valuable coaxium depends on your crew.
The ride vehicle is a simulator with three rows of two, with pilots in front and engineers in the back. Since the vehicle is loaded from the front to the back, single riders will almost always be assigned the role of engineer.
So, if it’s important to you to be a pilot or gunner, the standby line will be your best bet.
4. Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom)
This roller coaster takes you to the top of Mount Everest, where you will face your fears. If you are afraid of Yetis, that is.
Expedition Everest has one of the cooler attraction queues in Disney’s theme parks. While you wait, you’ll wind your way throw museum-like exhibits showcasing pieces of evidence of the mythical Yeti’s existence.
And that experience builds anticipation for the ride itself. The single-rider line has a separate entrance that bypasses this queue. Therefore, it is important to keep this in mind if you’re considering which option is best for you and your traveling party.
Honorable mention: Avatar Flight of Passage
This ride was built for the capability of a single-rider line, but it has never been put to use. This is likely due to the sustained popularity of the ride since it opened in 2017.
We can hope that one day it might be an option, though.
Does Magic Kingdom have any single rider lines?
There are none. Sorry, folks.
Although Magic Kingdom has some very popular attractions like Space Mountain and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, none of them offer a single-rider option. Currently, the best way to save time on rides at Magic Kingdom is to take advantage of the Genie+ Lightning Lane option.
Walter Elias Disney himself famously said: “We believed in our idea – a family park where parents and children could have fun – together.”
So, that means there’s no splitting up parties for a faster ride at the Magic Kingdom. You’ll be having all your fun together.
Read Also: Lightning Lane vs Genie Plus at Disney, What’s the Difference?
Is there a single rider line for Ratatouille?
No, there is not. However, it does now have a Lightning Lane option through Disney Genie+.
The Individual Lightning Lane ride at EPCOT is now Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Does Slinky Dog Dash have a single rider line?
Again, no, but it also has a Lightning Lane option available through Disney Genie+.
Is there a single rider line for Guardians of the Galaxy?
I think you know the answer is no. Guardians of the Galaxy is one of the newest rides in the park and arguably the best. You can, however, purchase an Individual Lightning Lane for it.
What rides are currently on Individual Lightning Lane?
We touched on a handful already, but here’s a quick roundup of the Individual Lightning Lane options in the Disney parks. The Individual Lightning Lane allows you to purchase an expedited entry for Disney’s most popular rides.
At the time of this writing, Individual Lightning Lanes are available for:
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Hollywood Studios)
- Avatar Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom)
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Magic Kingdom)
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT)
Do you have any time-saving tips for Disney World? Do you use the single rider lines? Let us know in the comments below.
