Single rider line

[kermit116]

I'm going to be in DL with a friend for a one day trip. I've never used the single rider lines because I'm usually with family and don't want to risk splitting our party.

I'm wondering if using the single rider line for some rides (Radiator Springs) would be a good way to maximize the number of rides we can do in our one day.

My questions are:

1. What rides have single rider lines?
2. How does the whole single rider thing work in terms of splitting up a party of two? Will we likely be in adjacent vehicles but not sitting in the same row? Or is it common for one person to go and the next person to wait a while for a spot.

I don't really care if we're in the same row or siting right near each other on the single rider rides, but I'm concerned we'll get into a situation where one of us gets on the ride, and the other one has to wait another 10+ minutes to get on the ride, which would kind of defeat the time saving purpose for us.

 

[mysteriouspnai]

Using SR for RSR is definitely a smart thing and it's highly recommended by the boards. Most people come in groups of 2 and 4 and the ride sits 3 across so there's often an extra seat for a single rider. Unless the ride breaks down with one of you on it, you shouldn't be waiting more than a few minutes for the next car; in fact, you are almost always on the same cycle of cars.

Other SR rides include California Screamin', Goofy's Sky School, GRR, IJ, Soarin' and Splash. On all of these, you will likely be split up far more than you'd like.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I know that at WDW sometimes the CM suspends the single rider line if it gets too long. It is usually just temporary but it can take an hour or so before the single rider line re-opens.

Anyone know if this happens at DLR as well?

 

[goooof1]

Single rider is really fast for RSR...with two people you are often front and back or in the next car. the only wait we had was for the next grouping...like a minute. It is definitely the way to go! Indy is also pretty quick as each row has 4 seats across so often empty spaces. Also did the Matterhorn and that seemed a bit slower last week, but previously it was quick. It probably depends on the crowds as well (it was spring break). Those are the ones I am familiar with and used. Great option!

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Single rider is really fast for RSR...with two people you are often front and back or in the next car. the only wait we had was for the next grouping...like a minute. It is definitely the way to go! Indy is also pretty quick as each row has 4 seats across so often empty spaces. Also did the Matterhorn and that seemed a bit slower last week, but previously it was quick. It probably depends on the crowds as well (it was spring break). Those are the ones I am familiar with and used. Great option!

I second this!!!!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I think the one attraction where you might have a wait between filling in seats would be on Soarin' Over California. Our group was split up and we were sent to two different screens, with shows that started at different times.

 

[mysteriouspnai]

I know that at WDW sometimes the CM suspends the single rider line if it gets too long. It is usually just temporary but it can take an hour or so before the single rider line re-opens.

Anyone know if this happens at DLR as well?

This happens at RSR during busy days, but DBF and I haven't encountered that problem yet. I haven't heard of it happening anywhere else on the resort though.

 

[Julie711]

It's just DH and myself going next week so if we do single ride line and for some reason going to get split into a different row or car can we ask to wait to be seated together, or is this the chance you take with single ride lane?

 

[lalasmama]

It's just DH and myself going next week so if we do single ride line and for some reason going to get split into a different row or car can we ask to wait to be seated together, or is this the chance you take with single ride lane?

No, you can't ask to be seated together. That's why its called the single rider line. For groups of 2 or more, you'll be split up one way or another.

 

[lana772]

No, you can't ask to be seated together. That's why its called the single rider line. For groups of 2 or more, you'll be split up one way or another.

No disrespect, but you just made me laugh out loud and slightly spit my soda.

Definition of single rider line is that you will be riding single.

Lana

 

[Julie711]

No disrespect, but you just made me laugh out loud and slightly spit my soda.

Definition of single rider line is that you will be riding single.

Lana

Well the reason I asked is because I saw each row seats 3, so I wasn't sure if their could be switching done . I've seen this before at other places, sorry new to DL.

 

[lalasmama]

No disrespect, but you just made me laugh out loud and slightly spit my soda.

Definition of single rider line is that you will be riding single.

Lana

Glad you got a laugh from it! (Sorry about the soda!)

Well the reason I asked is because I saw each row seats 3, so I wasn't sure if their could be switching done . I've seen this before at other places, sorry new to DL.

Yes, there are three seats per row, but there are also three lines--the "Stand-by" line (which is the "walk up and wait" line), the "Fast Pass" line (for people who have obtained a fast pass for the line), and the "Single Rider Line" (for people who aren't in a group, or don't mind riding on their own). Generally what happens is that they will take people from the regular lines (standby and fast pass), and fill up the ride vehicle as best they can (may be all one party, or several parties) and then will fill in extra spaces with people from the single rider line. Generally, they will ask for people with x number of people in a group to fill up a car before drawing from the single rider line. Most other amusement parks don't have the three lines going at once, so it's a different beast at DL!

 

[DoughR]

If I'm remembering this correctly (and please someone correct me if I'm wrong), when dealing with groups of 4, CMs will always put 2 and 2 together. In such a case they typically will pull two people from the single rider line to fill in the extra spaces, even when there is a party of 2 in the regular stand-by line as to not split them into different rows. The same happens when they initially seat 2 parties of 2. The chances of you and your DH sitting in the same car are pretty good unless the initial seating of a car reaches 5 before you get on. Under no circumstances will they make exceptions for two people from the single line to be seated directly next to each other. They'll travel deep into the stand-by to find groups that will fit before that happens.

I once saw a lady and her son get into the single rider line and when she got to the front, she would not allow her son to ride on his own. She didn't seem like she spoke much English so maybe the implications of the single rider were lost on her but I think because she was being rather stubborn about it, they had to wait until there was already a car of 4 seated before getting on with her son.

 

[Freesia123]

Yes DL does close the single rider line when it gets busy. It was closed on all rides when I was there last summer on a Saturday night.

 

[bumbershoot]

...I'm concerned we'll get into a situation where one of us gets on the ride, and the other one has to wait another 10+ minutes to get on the ride, which would kind of defeat the time saving purpose for us.

If the SR line wait time is 10 minutes slower than the main line's wait, then yes it's defeating the purpose. But if you're waiting half an hour vs 90 minutes, then you're still going faster.

And you meet new people (sometimes standby people want to chat) and get to have different experiences that allow you to talk about the different rides, which is fun.

With RSR in my experience it's pretty steady, being seated from the SR line. People travel in odd groups, or groups of 4, quite often, which is what makes the SR line a good thing. Now if it's "travel in groups of 6" day, then you might have a long time between SR seating, but I have never heard of such a theme day.

If I'm remembering this correctly (and please someone correct me if I'm wrong), when dealing with groups of 4, CMs will always put 2 and 2 together. In such a case they typically will pull two people from the single rider line to fill in the extra spaces, even when there is a party of 2 in the regular stand-by line as to not split them into different rows.

And then the standby people will rearrange themselves with no regard for the CM, making the SR people ride next to each other instead of 1 and 1 (which of course is great if you happen to be together...but with the 3 of us we're normally sent to totally different vehicles from each other). And other times, vice versa. Those standby people...

 

[kermit116]

Thanks for all the good info - very helpful!

 

[SMD]

If I'm remembering this correctly (and please someone correct me if I'm wrong), when dealing with groups of 4, CMs will always put 2 and 2 together. In such a case they typically will pull two people from the single rider line to fill in the extra spaces, even when there is a party of 2 in the regular stand-by line as to not split them into different rows. The same happens when they initially seat 2 parties of 2. The chances of you and your DH sitting in the same car are pretty good unless the initial seating of a car reaches 5 before you get on. Under no circumstances will they make exceptions for two people from the single line to be seated directly next to each other. They'll travel deep into the stand-by to find groups that will fit before that happens.

I once saw a lady and her son get into the single rider line and when she got to the front, she would not allow her son to ride on his own. She didn't seem like she spoke much English so maybe the implications of the single rider were lost on her but I think because she was being rather stubborn about it, they had to wait until there was already a car of 4 seated before getting on with her son.

That's basically the way it works on RSR and Matterhorn, since most groups seem to be 2 or 4, that leave an extra seat since those cars hold 3 in each row/vehicle. If there is a party of 4, and you are in the single rider line with a person in front of you, one member of your party will probably be in the car with the other single rider and the other will end up in the next vehicle.

On Matterhorn, my sister and I were once separated by about 6-7 minutes. However, we ended up waiting less than 20 minutes when the line was over 90, so even with having to wait, single rider was still worth it.

And, I have seen parties insist on being seated together on Indy and Splash, I have never seen them accommodated. On Indy I was forced to wait while a CM (I assume a lead) was brought over to tell them no. On RSR I saw a kid cry when he realized he had to ride alone. A CM walked them out of the queue and showed them the exit. I almost exclusively use single rider on rides that have it, and have been seated with my party exactly twice. On RSR a mother flipped out at the idea of her kids riding next to a stranger and switched places with my sister so their party ended up 3 and 1. On Matterhorn a woman got to the front of the line and said she had a party of 10 but was holding a spot for them and they hadn't reached the front of the line. While she argued with the CM another one came over and filled the cars with single riders. I would say the odds of sitting next to your party are about 1 in 100. The odds of being separated by 1 vehicle are about 2 out of 3. On RSR only I'd say it's about 50/50 that you'll be in the same vehicle, and if not, then it's about 50/50 that you'll at least race each other.

Also, just a tip, on Indy you may end up on different sides of the platform, so you might want to agree to meet up at the temple exit or somewhere that it's easier to find each other. All other single rider rides use the same exit.

 

[rms123]

When we were there last month they shut down the IJ SR lane. We've also been seated next to each other on Soarin with SR. So nice when standby was 60 min! I also saw a CM work to make sure single riders on RSR were Not seated next to each other. Rearranged everybody just for that. I think they were being whiny, but interesting to see.

 

[anonymousegirl]

At Rockin'Roller Coaster at WDW, I use the single rider line a lot, even if I have a friend with me and last summer, three out of four times we did SR, we ended up seated next to each other in the same row of two. Weird.

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

On our last visit, DF and I rode RSR several times via the single rider line and never got to sit together, but did get to race each other for all but one trip. That can be quite a lot of fun, too. (She won every time!)