Single Rider Lines

[hyperminimalism]

I've been wondering this for a little while now, and I'm sure the information is around here somewhere, but I'm just going to ask you guys since you're the experts.

I'm not new to the parks, but as a park-goer I never really went on rides alone--like, ever. And since the years have gone by, I now only really go with my friend, so it's just the two of us. He's not too big on the idea of splitting up and going into the single rider lines, but I don't mind the idea. I was curious as to how they work, how many people get pulled at a time (although I know it's rather random to fill empty seats). What is your guys' experience with them? Do you get into single rider lines on certain rides and still get paired up with friends and family? Is there a bigger chance it'll happen on a certain ride as opposed to another? What are your suggestions for "working the system" if you will, for trying to get on the ride with a friend?

 

[FryingPansWhoKnew]

It's possible to get paired up with who you came with, but I would say it's uncommon. They are usually pulling from the single rider line to fill a single seat, otherwise they would ask for two from the line.

 

[superlarz]

It really depends on the ride and the CM working the line. It is not that uncommon to be on the same ride vehicle in RSR or Indy, but it is not something you can count on. It happens sometimes on the Matterhorn, not very often though... although it has happened more than once for me. You should never get pushy, or try to work the system. You should go and patiently wait for your turn. If you get lucky then good for you. If not, you still typically get on the ride pretty quickly and you and your friend will usually be on the ride withing a few vehicles of each other.

Personally I like riding RSR single rider with friends. I would prefer not to be in the same car and hopefully race each other.

 

[FreshBakedDisney]

You won't ever get paired with your friend in the strict sense. Single rider, by definition, means one seat. Matterhorn, for example, has sleds with 3 people per sled. You will fill the third seat if it's empty, and only the third seat. They will never put you and another single in a sled that has two empty seats. They'll take those two from the stand-by line.

There are though some occasions where you might be in the same vehicle, just not together. In the Matterhorn example, if there are two sleds where both have a single empty seat, you could each get one. Same ride vehicle, different sleds.

 

[sonnyjane]

As mentioned, sometimes you'll get lucky and be in the same vehicle, but it's the exception I'd say, not the rule. You have to be prepared that you'll more likely be very much separate and that it could be several minutes in between rides. The longest separation I had was between my sister and I when we both rode Splash as single riders. It was a full 8 minutes (I know because I was curiously keeping track) from when they chose her and when they chose me.

I have to say though, the amount of time you save by riding single rider FAR outshines the downside of not sitting next to a friend, at least in my opinion.

 

[hyperminimalism]

It really depends on the ride and the CM working the line. It is not that uncommon to be on the same ride vehicle in RSR or Indy, but it is not something you can count on. It happens sometimes on the Matterhorn, not very often though... although it has happened more than once for me. You should never get pushy, or try to work the system. You should go and patiently wait for your turn. If you get lucky then good for you. If not, you still typically get on the ride pretty quickly and you and your friend will usually be on the ride withing a few vehicles of each other.

Personally I like riding RSR single rider with friends. I would prefer not to be in the same car and hopefully race each other.

Oh goodness, I would never ever get pushy! I didn't necessarily mean work the system in that I'd throw a hissy fit and get my way, but would the system ever provide better results or be consistent on certain rides as opposed to others. I mean, I can see it happening on Indy or RSR because of the amount of seats they have to fill in each car.

However, like I said, it's not that big a deal for me, but I don't want to abandon my friend and make him mad. xD I was just curious as to which rides pairing from single rider lines is more likely to happen, though of course I'm not expecting it to happen. I understand there's a process and I'm definitely going to be patient and wait for my turn. I've never been the kind of person who throws a tantrum just because I think it's going to get me somewhere or something faster.

BUT! Thank you for all your replies. I'm glad I now have an idea of a back-up plan of sorts for when we head out. We'll be there for three days, so it's not like we don't have time to enjoy both parks with some leisure. It's just that sometimes you wanna bypass those rides at the sacrifice of possibly not riding next to your friends.

 

[rootbeer]

I'm not trying to insult OP, or say you're in any way unethical, but I for one think it's not (Quite) honest to use the single rider line when you're with someone. Even if you are willing to ride separate. If you're a couple, then get a FP or get in line like everyone else. Kinda burns me up when I get to a loading area and see groups in the single rider line talking, etc, obviously together, when we just waited 45 mins. Rant over.

 

[Aaeolien]

I'm not trying to insult OP, or say you're in any way unethical, but I for one think it's not (Quite) honest to use the single rider line when you're with someone. Even if you are willing to ride separate. If you're a couple, then get a FP or get in line like everyone else. Kinda burns me up when I get to a loading area and see groups in the single rider line talking, etc, obviously together, when we just waited 45 mins. Rant over.

I don't see a problem with it. If folks are just out to experience the ride and don't care to ride with their friends and family then so be it. My wife and I have done it on a few rides and have never been on the same ride vehicle but no biggy. Most of the rides you are going to do single rider on you aren't carrying on a conversation with the person next to you anyway.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...Do you get into single rider lines on certain rides and still get paired up with friends and family? Is there a bigger chance it'll happen on a certain ride as opposed to another? What are your suggestions for "working the system" if you will, for trying to get on the ride with a friend?

Disney is aware of people using single rider lines and requesting to sit together to try to avoid the wait. (Not saying this is your intent.) Due to a high level of guests doing this previously, they have become pretty firm (yet Disney polite) about not allowing people in the single rider line to make any requests or attempts to shuffle the line to end up riding together. If you go through single rider lines, you and your friend must be willing and totally okay with riding apart. You might get lucky and sit together, but odds are, you won't.

I'm not trying to insult OP, or say you're in any way unethical, but I for one think it's not (Quite) honest to use the single rider line when you're with someone. Even if you are willing to ride separate. If you're a couple, then get a FP or get in line like everyone else. Kinda burns me up when I get to a loading area and see groups in the single rider line talking, etc, obviously together, when we just waited 45 mins. Rant over.

In the OP's defense, there is nothing unethical about a group of people getting in the single rider line together as long as they are all willing to be split up however the cast member chooses. You are welcome to do so, as well. It IS unethical to use the single rider line and have an expectation or even demand to sit together, neither of which did the OP say was the plan.

- Dreams

 

[rootbeer]

Disney is aware of people using single rider lines and requesting to sit together to try to avoid the wait. (Not saying this is your intent.) Due to a high level of guests doing this previously, they have become pretty firm (yet Disney polite) about not allowing people in the single rider line to make any requests or attempts to shuffle the line to end up riding together. If you go through single rider lines, you and your friend must be willing and totally okay with riding apart. You might get lucky and sit together, but odds are, you won't.



In the OP's defense, there is nothing unethical about a group of people getting in the single rider line together as long as they are all willing to be split up however the cast member chooses. You are welcome to do so, as well. It IS unethical to use the single rider line and have an expectation or even demand to sit together, neither of which did the OP say was the plan.

- Dreams

Yes, I understand it's Disney's policy, and is acceptable. That's why I started my post saying what I did about the OP. Not trying to start anything here.

 

[MermaidMommy]

I'm not trying to insult OP, or say you're in any way unethical, but I for one think it's not (Quite) honest to use the single rider line when you're with someone. Even if you are willing to ride separate. If you're a couple, then get a FP or get in line like everyone else. Kinda burns me up when I get to a loading area and see groups in the single rider line talking, etc, obviously together, when we just waited 45 mins. Rant over.

Single rider lines aren't designed for people who are "single," meaning they are alone and not with anyone else. Their purpose is to have single riders who can fill in open seats in vehicles. There's absolutely no reason at all that anyone who is willing to split from their party shouldn't take advantage of the single rider line.

 

[HydroGuy]

I'm not trying to insult OP, or say you're in any way unethical, but I for one think it's not (Quite) honest to use the single rider line when you're with someone. Even if you are willing to ride separate. If you're a couple, then get a FP or get in line like everyone else. Kinda burns me up when I get to a loading area and see groups in the single rider line talking, etc, obviously together, when we just waited 45 mins. Rant over.

Actually, ethics aside, lets look at this pragmatically. The reason single rider lines exist is that without them then ride vehicles would be sent with empty seats on them. If a couple or group is willing to be split up - which is what the single rider line is about - then it makes the regular line move faster. Because they are not in that line. So it actually helps guests who want to ride together (in the regular line) to get on the ride faster.

 

[sonnyjane]

Actually, ethics aside, lets look at this pragmatically. The reason single rider lines exist is that without them then ride vehicles would be sent with empty seats on them. If a couple or group is willing to be split up - which is what the single rider line is about - then it makes the regular line move faster. Because they are not in that line. So it actually helps guests who want to ride together (in the regular line) to get on the ride faster.

Yup!

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

I love the single-rider lines! DF and I don't like the same kinds of rides, and there are some things that she'll only go on once a trip. I use it mostly for Indy and California Screamin'. (Though for CS, I only use it when the regular line is more than 45 minutes long, because the single rider line there can take a long time.)


We also use the single rider line together on RSR sometimes, because we don't care if we ride together. Once or twice, we've ended up in the same car (one in front of the other), but, even better, we've several times ended up racing each other! That is super fun.

 

[superlarz]

You won't ever get paired with your friend in the strict sense. Single rider, by definition, means one seat. Matterhorn, for example, has sleds with 3 people per sled. You will fill the third seat if it's empty, and only the third seat. They will never put you and another single in a sled that has two empty seats. They'll take those two from the stand-by line.

There are though some occasions where you might be in the same vehicle, just not together. In the Matterhorn example, if there are two sleds where both have a single empty seat, you could each get one. Same ride vehicle, different sleds.

I wouldnt say you are NEVER paired with your friend. I have had it happen to me a few times on the Matterhorn. Its just not to be expected. It really depends on the cast member and how hard they want to look for a party of two. I have seen cast members ask at the front of the line and not get what they need and pull two singles. I have also seen them go so far back in the line looking for people to fill in the seats that they almost missed loading. So it does happen, just dont expect it.

 

[mydisneyfix]

Actually, ethics aside, lets look at this pragmatically. The reason single rider lines exist is that without them then ride vehicles would be sent with empty seats on them. If a couple or group is willing to be split up - which is what the single rider line is about - then it makes the regular line move faster. Because they are not in that line. So it actually helps guests who want to ride together (in the regular line) to get on the ride faster.

Exactly true and why Disney has a SR line! Well said Hydroguy

 

[SMD]

On Indy the CMs will actually point out that the single ride slip says you will be separated. The loading system there is terrible, the cars often leave with empty seats because the CMs can't slot people in as fast as the ride loads. (It may also be a weight distribution thing on the empty seats, but since the cars pull forward before half the riders have seat belts on, I tend to think it's speed.) Then in the rush the far side platform almost never pulls from the SR holding area, and can be so many SRs waiting they'll suspending handing out passes. Forget fixing the eyes of Mara or the fires, they need to fix the way the ride loads. Anyway, I've been an SR on that ride with an empty seat next to me while other SRs wait, but I've rarely seen 2 be allowed in the same car.

On Matterhorn, I did end up with a friend once in the same car, but basically a party of 10 from a tour barreled through the exit, pushed aside a the GAC party waiting with a wheelchair and immediately started hassling the CM, so the CM cleared out the SR queue to have somewhere to put them. Another time my sister and I were split, then the kid behind me ended up in the other car paired with mine. But for the 2 times that's happened, I'd say there's been 4 times where I've gotten off the ride to the person behind me still waiting to ride.

On Splash I have never seen 2 SRs ride together.

On Goofy's it's pretty unlikely because there would have to be 2 single riders that went through the line together for there to be 2 empty seats in to vehicle.

On Screamin you might be on the same train, but like Indy and Matterhorn the CMs would rather pull a party of 2 from the middle of the line than go to the SR line to fill spots.

I haven't done Soarin enough to know your chances, it's a horrible ride for SR. They hold you around the corner where the ride loaders can't see you, and by the time they call you over the ride may be loaded and you have to go back. I didn't feel like it saved any time the times I've done it, so I stopped. And I've never done GRR, so no advice there.

RSR is probably the best chance that 2 SRs have to ride together, though it's just as likely to be the stranger in front of you instead of your friend behind you. At the very least there are usually 2-3 SRs in each batch of 4 cars, so you're at least likely to be on the ride at the same time or in quick succession.

 

[awinangie]

Very helpful info, SMD. Thanks much!

 

[rootbeer]

Actually, ethics aside, lets look at this pragmatically. The reason single rider lines exist is that without them then ride vehicles would be sent with empty seats on them. If a couple or group is willing to be split up - which is what the single rider line is about - then it makes the regular line move faster. Because they are not in that line. So it actually helps guests who want to ride together (in the regular line) to get on the ride faster.

Well, yes that does make sense. I humbly stand corrected.

 

[Astylla]

I'll share my personal experience doing Single Rider for the ones we use it on.

RSR - DH and I have several times ended up in the same car but not the same row. We have also been in separate cars too. We never ask to stay together or expect to - it's luck of the draw,CM or perhaps capacity too. It was fun racing against him last time..oh and winning

Matterhorn - We never do anything BUT single rider now. Every time we end up in the same "set" of sleds so far. For example our last trip I was in the last seat of the first car and he was in the first seat of the second attached car.
On this ride it always seems the SR line is ridiculously short - as in less than five minutes.

I love the SR option and don't feel the least bit guilty about using it because I EXPECT to be split up , if we aren't it's just a "Oh hey cool" moment.