Question about waiting for rides

[Tamara NZ]

Hi, I have been planning a once in a lifetime trip to Disneyland, for myself and my 2 children. I was going to have a friend come with us, so when Miss 12 wanted to go on something that Miss 5 is too short for, Miss 12 would have someone with her in the line. However that person has pulled out.

Now I know I can do everything else myself but my one concern is can we (myself and Miss 5) line up with Miss 12 so she is not in line by herself get her on the ride and then pick her up at the end. I emailed Disney Guest services and they said she could get a single rider pass but that would mean she is still in the line by herself, in a different country where we don't know anyone.

Or do those who regularly visit have any suggestions on what we can do to make sure Miss 12 gets to go on the rides she wants while still keeping Miss 5 supervised.

thanks

 

[scoutingbear]

When we encountered that situation with my younger brother, he would wait in line with everyone (for example, for Screamin') and then just walk through and off the ride and wait at the exit. For some rides though, single rider might be your and her best bet. Just wait along side the line, know where the exit is, and have everyone wear a watch to know where to meet if you do become separated.

 

[Girimama33]

Most of the time, they will not allow someone who is not riding (especially when they are not tall enough to ride) in the queues at all.
You can try and line up with DD 12 so she doesn't have to wait by herself, but you both need to keep in mind that sometimes, you will not be allowed to do this, and you will have to make a choice at that time whether she should line up by herself in order to ride or skip it. There is really no black or white answer with this...sorry. It will be based on CM discretion.

 

[TinkSassy]

Most of the queues at DL are outside and very tight so you could see her the whole time. Some of the rides like Space Mountain are enclosed so those you will have to rely on the CM on duty for directions to the exit area.

 

[DHSbutcher]

How tall is your 5 year old? If she is tall for her age, she might meet the height requirement for some rides but just not have any interest, or be too scared to go on them. As long as she meets the height requirement it should be no problem for her to wait in the cue. However for others, most of the large, scarier attractions your 12 year old might be interested in might have a fastpass. If she were the only one going to use the fast pass, she could even use your's and your 5 year old tickets to get multiple fastpasses at one time. For example she could pull a FP for space mountain using her ticket, pull a FP for indy using yours, and pull a FP for star tours using your other daughter's ticket, easiy knocking out a bunch of rides that have height requirements using a FP. The FP lines are always the shortest and do not require much waiting at all!

 

[lindyv321]

From what I have read people with children who are too small to go on certain rides are able to do a rider switch. It seems this should be considered a similar situation. I would ask the first Cast member you see at each attraction how it should be handled.

 

[Malcon10t]

If the 5yo is too short, she will not be allowed in the line. If she is tall enough, but does not want to ride, then you can wait through the line, then exit.

 

[Tamara NZ]

Thanks for your suggestions, Miss 5 is vertically challenged, she is the smallest in her class at school. I did see the rider swap option but I will be the only adult with them, the joys of juggling as a single parent.

I think we will still be able to do this trip and maybe Miss 12 will have to miss out of a few rides. Who knows we might find a friendly family who will be willing to keep an eye on her in the line.

 

[T0rrent]

Honestly, if there was any place that's going to be safe for a short time, it's a line at disneyland. Especially rides like Space Mountain where there is not a lot of room to move, the worst you have to worry about really is someone stepping on your foot. That and along with most of the rides that she would be by herself have a single rider line, the wait wouldn't be that long. Obviously the only person who knows your 12yo is you, but if you feel she's mature and smart and knows to not wander off and wait at the exit when she gets off, she should be good.

 

[aidensmom31]

It can be hard travel as a single parent. Maybe you can make a list of the rides where this may be an issue and then pick her top 3 or something and then look into those when you get there and see what can be done or how she feels about being in the line by herself. Some of the lines she would be able to see you so it may be ok. There is so much to do though you guys will have tons of fun no matter what

When are you going?

 

[elphaba91]

As kids, we went with a single parent and they allowed a rider swap so that my older sister (10) and I (8) could ride and then wait with my sister (5) while our mum went on. So that is (probably still) an option if that's something you'd be comfortable with.

 

[Tamara NZ]

It can be hard travel as a single parent. Maybe you can make a list of the rides where this may be an issue and then pick her top 3 or something and then look into those when you get there and see what can be done or how she feels about being in the line by herself. Some of the lines she would be able to see you so it may be ok. There is so much to do though you guys will have tons of fun no matter what

When are you going?

I am hoping for January, thats when the summer holidays are here so I wont have to worry about them missing school. And also the temperature at that time over there will be closer to what we are use too. No point in going in your summer, we would never survive anything over 25°c (77°f)

 

[BringingUpDisney]

I am hoping for January, thats when the summer holidays are here so I wont have to worry about them missing school. And also the temperature at that time over there will be closer to what we are use too. No point in going in your summer, we would never survive anything over 25°c (77°f)

As you get closer to your time, I would post to see if any other single parents are going to be in the park the same time as you. I am a single mum too and it helps to find someone else in the same situation!

 

[Susie63]

I understand your concerns. My daughter who is almost 12 doesn't even get to ride the bus to school. I know....sad. However in Disneyland, something in me changes. My husband and I cannot ride Space Mountain, but she loves it. So she goes by herself. We drop her off at the entrance and meet her at the exit. She also does single rider by herself on the Matterhorn. I will sit close by while staking out a spot for the parade and she just goes. She checks back in every time she gets off the ride and if time allows, goes again.
I think if she is comfortable(after doing a few rides as a family) and wants to try one by herself, she will be okay.
When are you travelling? I have a daughter who would love to hang out with a kid her own age at DL.

 

[alex881]

I agree with the others that the lines in DL are safe. We have let our 7 yr old do single rider on some things all by herself (though not often). Like another person said, you know your daughter but with most rides you can see the line / entrance and exit to watch for her to exit.

 

[Rubygoose]

I emailed Disney Guest services and they said she could get a single rider pass but that would mean she is still in the line by herself, in a different country where we don't know anyone.

Getting a single rider pass is probably the best way to go. (Other posters have suggested rider swap, but this doesn't work in your situation.) With single rider, she will not have to wait in the regular line up and will not have to wait very long. Also, on many rides she will wait right next to a CM, which should ease your worries a bit. I've done single rider when my kids couldn't ride, and it works differently on different rides. On Screamin, I told the CM at the entrance that I wanted to do single rider. They gave me a card and sent me through the exit. I waited next to a CM at the loading area until they had an empty seat for me to fill. I waited less than 2 minutes. I haven't done SR on splash, but I think it works the same way. For RSR, here is a SR line that is much shorter than the regular queue. As long as you set up a meeting point in case you get separated, I think your 12 year old will be fine. I told my little ones (3 and 6) to go to the mickey and walt statue if they were really lost, since both parks have that statue.

 

[JasonShannon76]

Wait in line with her, but then just don't go on the ride. Have fun.

 

[sonnyjane]

Wait in line with her, but then just don't go on the ride. Have fun.

As has already been mentioned, if the 5 year old isn't tall enough, they won't be able to enter the line, even if she doesn't plan to ride.

 

[starshine514]

How tall is your 5 year old? My youngest is a little on the short side, but was tall enough for all the rides except Indy and Screamin by her fifth birthday. I'm guessing it won't be as much of an issue as you fear. If she's 40", but not yet 42", she'll be missing Goofy's Sky School (has single rider and you can easily see the whole queue) and Grizzly River Run (which I refuse to ride in January anyway - it's too cold to get wet) in addition to the other two. She'll likely meet the 40" height requirement with her shoes on. She'll grow between now and January as well!

If she meets the height requirement but doesn't want to ride, the only queue I'd be hesitant to take her in would be Tower of Terror (though my youngest has loved that ride ever since she rode it the first time a few days before her fifth birthday - her 8 year old sister is still scared of it) as there is a spooky movie that may frighten her. The good news is that TOT does have Fastpass, so your older daughter won't have long to wait alone.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think we will still be able to do this trip and maybe Miss 12 will have to miss out of a few rides. Who knows we might find a friendly family who will be willing to keep an eye on her in the line.

Since you have to travel such a long way, I'm guessing you have a longer stay at DLR. So I say, do the rides where you can all go, and see how the 12 year old's comfort level is. See what your comfort level is like. At some point during your stay, see if she would be comfy (you, too) going into some lines on her own.

My son hasn't gone all the way through the line alone, but has ridden Radiator Springs as a Single Rider since he was 7 (maybe a new 8). He went all the way through the ToonTown coaster's line by himself. This isn't at Disneyland, but out east at Universal Orlando, he goes in two different coaster lines all by himself happily. (and we're happy too because we don't have to ride those coasters umpteen times in a row!)

Now we haven't let him ride California Screamin' alone, but when he's 12, oh sure! Especially if he has had a few days to warm up to the idea.

So if you have more than a few days, take those first couple days to get used to the place, and then see IF it's OK for you and her to let her go in some of the lines on her own.

Honestly, if there was any place that's going to be safe for a short time, it's a line at disneyland.

Agreed. Especially for a 12 year old, once she's comfortable overall with being in the park.