Single Rider Lines at Disney and Universal: Tremendous Time-Saver or Total Flop?
There’s nothing better than a trip to Disney World or Universal Studios…and there’s nothing worse than spending over half of it just waiting in line. (Playing “I Spy” is only fun for so long.) It’s not unusual for lines to stretch out for an hour or more on certain rides. It all depends on ride capacity and popularity.
To combat the wait time, you can purchase Disney’s Lightning Lane Entrance or tack on an Express Pass to your Universal admission. Or, if you want to save on time and money, you can slip into the single rider lines.
While single rider lines aren’t completely flawless, they are free and boost the efficiency of your theme park visit! I’ll lay it all out for you so you can decide which way you want to fast track…
Single Rider Lines: Speedy Split Up
Before we get any further, I just want to be clear, the “single” in “single rider lines” doesn’t refer to your relationship status. You can still use this feature if you’re married or dating or even in the middle of that whole “on-again-off-again” drama.
You’re simply signing up to ride by yourself instead of being seated with your group.
Because a lot of people do tend to ride in groups and don’t wish to be split up, rides end up with an awkward number of empty seats. That’s where single riders come in! Folks in single rider lines get chosen to go fill out empty spaces, which keeps the ride at full capacity, and gets you onboard faster. So, it’s not like you’re really riding all by yourself, you’re simply sneaking into someone else’s party. (How mischievous!)
As a general rule, single rider lines tend to be shorter and move quickly, meaning you get to your ride sooner and have more time to explore the park. (Yay!) If you’re traveling on your own, or you’re the only one in the group who wants to experience a certain ride, or the group simply doesn’t mind being split up for the ride, this is a fantastic option. It’s usually just as speedy as an Express Pass or Lightning Lane – without the cost! We should note it’s not a guarantee that single rider lines will be faster than regular lines 100% of the time…but 95% of the time? Yeah, that’s a pretty safe bet.
However, if being split from your group on the ride doesn’t sound fun, then this option probably isn’t for you. I get it – sometimes I need a friend next to me onto those wild coasters! (Also, the prospect of socially interacting with a stranger might be even more terrifying than loop de loops.) Additionally, while children are often allowed to participate in single rider lines, parents may not wish to be separated from them (or vice versa) – again, very understandable!
It’s also worth considering that being a single rider means you’re volunteering for any free seat. Front row, back row, middle; it’s highly unlikely you’ll end up with the “best” seat on the ride. But if you’ve ridden before, or you’re just in a hurry, it could be worth sacrificing a better view in favor of a shorter wait time.
While there are concessions to be made when using a single rider line, many guests find the free fast pass is well worth the exchange. Ultimately, what sounds best to you is the way to go!
Single Rider Opportunities at Disney and Universal
Not every ride always offers a single rider option. In fact, at Disney World, only four rides offer this secret speed-up. This includes Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Hollywood Studios, and Test Track at EPCOT.1
Over at Universal Studios Orlando, there are even more attractions that offer single rider lines, including popular favorites from the Wizarding World.
At Islands of Adventure, you can speed your way through exciting rides like Jurassic World VelociCoaster, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Dr. Doom’s Fearfall, and The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman.
Then, in Universal Studios proper, you can single ride through Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Revenge of the Mummy, Men in Black Alien Attack, Transformers: The Ride – 3D, and Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket.2
Pros and Cons Quick List
Since single rider lines are all about speed, here’s a handy list for you to reference as you decide if you want to skirt the lines with single riders or spring for that special pass.
Pros
- Free!
- Decreased wait time
Cons
- Group is split up on ride
- Not available for every attraction
- “Good” seats usually taken
Overall, it really depends on your personal preference and how you like to experience the parks! What matters more, sitting together on each ride or experiencing as many rides as possible (or both)? Are you trying to keep to a budget? These kinds of questions can help you determine which option – single rider lines or paid passes – will be best for you and your group in your quest for a shorter queue!
Either way, may your wait be short!
Have you used single rider lines at Disney or Universal? If so, did you find them to be a good theme park “hack” or would you rather spring for a paid pass? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!
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