This is an entry for “Single Rider Lines” in our Disneyland 101 Glossary: Disneyland Resort definitions in under 101 words, from Mouse Brief. For more on how to use the Single Rider Service at attractions at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, keep reading after the entry.
Disneyland Resort cast members make a great effort to seat parties together on attractions; as a result, some seats can go unoccupied and lower hourly ride capacity. At some popular attractions, Single Rider Service exist to help fill these seats. If you choose to enter a Single Rider Line, it is likely that you will have a shorter wait than you would in a standby line, but you will not have your choice of seats or have the option to sit with your party. The names of attractions offering Single Rider Lines are available on the Disneyland website and app.
Thanks for reading this entry on single rider lines at Disneyland Resort. For more quick Disney definitions, see our Disneyland 101 Glossary. For general help planning your Disneyland visit, go to Step-by-Step Disneyland Prep, and for frequently asked questions about Single Rider Lines at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, keep reading.
Single Rider Lines at Disneyland Resort, FAQs
How does the Single Rider Service work at Disneyland Resort?
Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park use the Single Rider Service in order to more efficiently fill seats on select popular attractions. Disneyland Resort cast members prioritize seating groups together on attractions. When the number of group members does not match the number of seats on an attraction vehicle, cast members try to fill those remaining seats with parties of one or sometimes two. The Single Rider Service allows them to do this easily.
On attractions offering a Single Rider Line, you should see a sign for that option at the ride entrance. If you would like to use the Single Rider Service, enter this marked line entrance and proceed through the line. When you reach the front, wait for a cast member to ask for the next guest from the Single Rider Line. That cast member will direct you to a particular seat. Now ride as usual!
Keep in mind that the flow of the Single Rider Line will probably be stop and go. Guests in the other line have priority, and guests are only taken from the Single Rider Line when seats are left open. Thus, the flow of the Single Rider Line will depend on the size of the groups in the other line and the process the cast members are using. In most cases, the Single Rider Line offers a shorter overall wait than standby.
Example of the Single Rider Line in action:
Imagine you want to ride Radiator Springs Racers but you notice that the standby wait is a daunting ninety minutes. You could choose to purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass, but you decide to save your money and use the Single Rider Service. At the Radiator Springs Racers entrance, you enter the queue lane marked “Single Rider” and proceed through that line.
You reach the front of the line and notice a party of six at the front of the standby line. The Radiator Springs Racers ride vehicles have two rows of three seats, so this party gets a whole car to themselves, and off they go. The next standby group is a party of three, so they get the first row of the next vehicle to themselves, and following them is a group of two. A cast member now directs you to fill the last remaining seat in that second row. You will be seated with that party of two, and the cast members have filled all seats in order to keep this very popular attraction operating at maximum capacity.
You buckle-up and enjoy the ride!
For more help understanding the ride -boarding process at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, please explore this post: What It’s Like to Board a Ride at Disneyland
Do I need to enter the Single Rider Line alone? Can I wait with a friend?
Even though the line is called “Single Rider Line” you do not need to wait in it by yourself. You can enter the line with a friend or family member; there is no rule against this, and it can make the wait more pleasant!
Just keep in mind that you will probably not get to ride the attraction with your friend. You will each be seated when there is a “spare” seat. You may not get on the ride in quick succession, so make plans to meet at the exit or another designated location.
Do all Disneyland Resort attractions have the option for Single Rider?
No. Not all rides at Disneyland Resort have Single Rider Lines.
You can ride any attraction as a party of one, but not all attractions have the option of a special line for this. You can find a current list of Disneyland Resort attractions with Single Rider Lines here at the Disneyland website. Keep in mind that attractions with Single Rider Lines may occasionally close those lines based on operational policies.
Is the Lightning Lane Single Pass the same as the Single Rider Line?
A Lightning Lane Single Pass is not the same as a Single Rider Line. A Lightning Lane Single Pass is a paid service that provides guests with the opportunity to enter a priority accelerated queue for a fee. You can read about that and all Lightning Lane services at Disneyland Resort here: Disneyland Lightning Lanes: How to Super-Charge Your Visit.
Note that the Lightning Lane Single Pass has “single” in its name because it applies to a single attraction. You may actually buy a Lightning Lane Single Pass for everyone in your group and ride together. Single Rider Service has “single” in the name, because you should expect to ride without your party.
How much does it cost to use Single Rider Line at Disneyland Resort?
Single Rider Service is free to Disneyland Resort guests with valid park admission. In other words, you must pay for a ticket or Magic Key in order to enter the theme parks and ride the attractions, but you do not need to pay an additional fee to use the Single Rider Line.
Other Services for Saving Time in Line at Disneyland Resort:
For information on virtual queues, another free-with-admission service, visit our post here: Disneyland Virtual Queue Guide. And, for information on the paid services for saving time in line, click here for our guide to Lightning Lanes. There is also a free service for pre-ordering food at Disneyland Resort that will save you time in line at quick service restaurants; you can read about that here: Disneyland Mobile Ordering Guide.
Finally, for overall tips on saving time at Disneyland Resort, please explore our Maximize Your Disneyland Experience: Beat the Lines & Save Time, which is part of our free and complete Step-by-Step Disneyland Prep. Thanks again for reading!