Go through the line but not on the ride?

[heymoonkid]

I know there are options like a rider switch for parties with little kids who don’t want to ride a ride, but I’m asking about my husband who has back/neck problems. He can’t go on any of the bigger rides or things that are fast/jerky. But he would like to experience the themeing of the queue.
Can he walk through the line with us on rides like Smuggler’s Run or Indiana Jones to get a feeling of what it’s like and then exit without actually riding while the rest of us get on the ride? I imagine they have some kind of exit for people who change their mind when they see people boarding?
Are there any rides that don’t allow this?

 

[cruisehopeful]

I don't know of any rides that don't allow it. My husband has walked through the queue with me on several rides where he wasn't going to ride. When you get to the part where they ask you how many, just say, "one, he isn't going," and he will be directed on how to get out.

 

[Indiana Scott]

Sure he can. All rides have a place for riders who have changed their minds to turn back.
So sorry to hear about your H's back problems, he'll be missing out on so much but I certainly understand.
Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[BrianL]

Yes, you always have the option to not board a ride vehicle - they will not force you. It can be helpful to tell the grouper when they ask how many are in your party. Just say "X to ride and 1 to exit" and they will gladly show him the way out. On some rides it may be required that he step through the ride vehicle itself (such as BTTMR where you exit on the opposite side of the car), though I think there are usually alternate ways as well. The CM's will help you.

 

[Mommb]

I haven't tried at Disneyland, but at Walt Disney World while pregnant I walked through the queues for Kilimonjaro Safari, Star Tours, Dinosaur, and Tower of Terror and just told each castmember we passed that I would need to exit before the ride boarded. The last castmember before boarding directed me to the exit. I have no doubt your husband can walk through Indiana Jones and Smuggler's Run to see the theming, then exit shortly before you board. Of course, if you use a FastPass, he will need one too to enter the queue.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Imagine the litigation nightmare if someone who decided they didn’t want to ride was forced to ride and was injured in some way. Without exception, everyone has the option of deciding not to ride.

 

[figment_jii]

As others have said, it's pretty easy to experience the queue and then forgo riding the attraction. Just tell the loading CM that you don't want to ride and they'll direct you on how to exit the attraction. I had to do that a few times when the child I was with decided he did not want to ride at the last minute. The only exception, and this won't apply to you, is that if you're with a child that does not met the height requirement for an attraction; they won't allow the child into the queue.

 

[redleader74]

For some rides, the queue is is so well themed and presented that in many ways it's part of the ride itself. For example, Indian Jones. In fact, if it's your first time ever on that ride and you have the great fortune of no lines, you may in fact find yourself slowing down just to appreciate all the tiny details throughout the queue. And yes of course, you can always back out as like others have said, on some rides it means simply walked through the ride carriage/car/vehicle to get to the exit side. You can also probably wait on the other side, closer to the exit corridor to wait as your party returns and exits the ride.

 

[RobertaMomof2]

I have to walk through for Star Tours and Roger Rabbit. I will wait with the kids and then go through and wait after they are done. I just cant do those rides anymore, even with my Bonine. I can get away with Star Tours ONCE a day, but my kids love it and like to go a few times a day, lol. Every ride has a way out before you get on the ride. I have seen enough kids freak out at the last minute to know this is possible on all rides. Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[DisSurfer878]

Yes they will even let you do it for fastpass if you're nice about it.

I can't ride Space Mountain due to epilepsy and light sensitivity, but since I was about 13 my friends and family have fastpasses it and I've politely told the CM at the fastpass entrance I won't be riding due to a medical condition and will just be stepping through.

Only this last visit (of 30+) did I have an issue, but once I told the CM in no uncertain terms I have epilepsy and will 100% not be riding this attraction, he let me through.

 

[BrianL]

Yes they will even let you do it for fastpass if you're nice about it.

I can't ride Space Mountain due to epilepsy and light sensitivity, but since I was about 13 my friends and family have fastpasses it and I've politely told the CM at the fastpass entrance I won't be riding due to a medical condition and will just be stepping through.

Only this last visit (of 30+) did I have an issue, but once I told the CM in no uncertain terms I have epilepsy and will 100% not be riding this attraction, he let me through.

I'm just curious, what did the CM say to you to try to prevent you from exiting? That is pretty unusual.

 

[DisSurfer878]

I'm just curious, what did the CM say to you to try to prevent you from exiting? That is pretty unusual.

Not exiting, but entering the line. He just said "Wait. Stop. I'm not sure about that." And then I explained and he was like "ok fine whate er go"

 

[BrianL]

Not exiting, but entering the line. He just said "Wait. Stop. I'm not sure about that." And then I explained and he was like "ok fine whate er go"

Oh, he must've been new. Still kinda weird though.

 

[Malcon10t]

Can he walk through the line with us on rides like Smuggler’s Run or Indiana Jones to get a feeling of what it’s like and then exit without actually riding while the rest of us get on the ride?

All rides will allow it. A suggestion for Indy, when you approach the stairs, before the queueing for the ride itself, there is a gate. Tell the CM there you are exiting and you can go down the short hallway and there is a rock bench you can wait on. If you go up the stairs, you will cross and be in the middle of the ride and will have to wait to step back across the ride vehicle.

Oh, he must've been new. Still kinda weird though.

I *think* she may have been going thru the FP line without a FP (because she wasn't riding.)

 

[BrianL]

I *think* she may have been going thru the FP line without a FP (because she wasn't riding.)

Ohhh, well then that makes perfect sense. Now I'm surprised that he was the only CM who ever questioned it. Technically you need an FP to enter the FP queue.

 

[sgrap]

I can't ride rough rides, so I do this with my family sometimes. The Guardians of the Galaxy ride (formerly Tower of Terror) has a very cool queue, and it is very easy to exit and not ride.

I'm curious about Smuggler's Run . . . has anyone done just the queue for that?

 

[Malcon10t]

I can't ride rough rides, so I do this with my family sometimes. The Guardians of the Galaxy ride (formerly Tower of Terror) has a very cool queue, and it is very easy to exit and not ride.

I'm curious about Smuggler's Run . . . has anyone done just the queue for that?

Yes, I have done it a couple times. It is great to be able to look around.

 

[DisSurfer878]

Oh, he must've been new. Still kinda weird though.

Yeah it was definitely weird. Like I mentioned I've been doing this for about 10 yrs now and not one CM had ever said anything besides him, so I was kinda like "..wut?"
I actually kinda blankly stared at him for a moment because I was so surprised lol

 

[DisSurfer878]

Ohhh, well then that makes perfect sense. Now I'm surprised that he was the only CM who ever questioned it. Technically you need an FP to enter the FP queue.

Not really. I've been doing it for ten years and have a medical condition listed on the sign not to ride with. I tell them "Hey, I have epilepsy, can't ride, per the warning." They have literally never cared until that guy.
I don't always go through anyways, it started when I was younger on school trips and with friends because it wasn't really wise for us to try to split up or allowed on school trips, and now I only do it for a party of 2. Never big groups, I always just wait at the bathrooms.

 

[tlcdoula]

Yes, I have done it a couple times. It is great to be able to look around.

@Malcon10t Where do you exit? I am not sure I can do this ride because of motion sickness but would like to walk through with my party