Solo rider- which rides will I be seated with other people?

[msmileyface]

I plan to use the single-rider line for Test Track, so obviously I know I will be sitting with others. I also expect to be in a car with others for Space Mountain. However, if I am riding solo on some of the following attractions where you sit beside someone (whether on a seat, in a clam shell, or whatever), will I be sitting with a stranger or will they give me my own seat? Just curious about some of these rides.. BTMRR, Haunted Mansion, Ariel, Peter Pan?

 

[jrdgtr]

You will be able to sit by yourself on all of those rides. I do it all the time.

 

[msmileyface]

That's great! I wasn't looking forward to the awkwardness.

 

[heybravo626]

I've been all of those solo rider when I've been in Orlando for work. You'll be alone. Others ones that you could get a person with you are EE and RnR coasters but they are sort of separate bucket seat so it isn't real awkward.

I've even eaten alone at WDW when traveling for work. It's not so bad either.

 

[siskaren]

As well as the ones you've mentioned, I've always gotten a row to myself on Splash Mountain. Off the top of my head, the only rides I can think of where I haven't had a seat to myself are the ones that have bench seating - PoTC and IASW, for instance.

 

[disnut8]

I plan to use the single-rider line for Test Track, so obviously I know I will be sitting with others. I also expect to be in a car with others for Space Mountain. However, if I am riding solo on some of the following attractions where you sit beside someone (whether on a seat, in a clam shell, or whatever), will I be sitting with a stranger or will they give me my own seat? Just curious about some of these rides.. BTMRR, Haunted Mansion, Ariel, Peter Pan?

I've done single trips, I've done trips with only my husband, I've done family trips where I might be a solo rider due to the number of people boarding and the wants of the youngsters.I've done single riders lines.

My experience? It's all about you. If you go onto the platform and are paired with someone else and you feel it's awkward because you think it will be awkward, , it will be awkward. But if you get paired with someone else just reach out a bit and say something like "have you ever been on this before?" that can change a lot. They could ignore you, so ignore them. Or, in my experience, they can say "no", and you say "you will love it!" and then you can sit back and watch their experience. Or, they could say, "yes, many times" to which you could say something like "oh, that's great, so have I but I'm on a solo trip so it's great to have company for the ride".

I'm not the most social person in the world (or World) but I find just that 30 seconds ofcontact makes all the difference.

 

[foxtrotter]

As a solo rider I was not able to sit alone on BTMR, RnR, EE, Splash. With those rides I think it depends on how busy it is/if there's anyone in the single rider line (if it has one). It was really uncomfortable on BTMR because I kept seeing the chatty guy who sat with me close by for the next few hours. He was either following me or it was a coincidence, I don't know which.

 

[karly05]

All my solo trips have been at lower crowd times, but I've never been seated with anyone else on the rides you mention (or any others that are usually "one party per vehicle or row"). On Winnie the Pooh, I have one seat in the Hunny Pot with someone else in the seat in front or behind. I've never been seated next to anyone on Toy Story (where you'd think they might want to fill every spot). Was not seated next to anyone on Splash in 2012; it's been closed my last 2 trips.

Several times on bench seat boat rides (Maelstrom, Gran Fiesta Tour, IASW) I've had a row to myself (usually front or back where the bench is narrower). Again, this has been in lower crowds.

 

[disney queen]

disnut8, thanks for the positive feedback. i will be on my second solo trip in a few weeks and was a little nervous about the rides. great suggestions for "ice breakers".

 

[LBIJim]

As a solo rider I was not able to sit alone on BTMR, RnR, EE, Splash. With those rides I think it depends on how busy it is/if there's anyone in the single rider line (if it has one). It was really uncomfortable on BTMR because I kept seeing the chatty guy who sat with me close by for the next few hours. He was either following me or it was a coincidence, I don't know which.

I've never been asked to share a seat with another single on BTMR, even during mid-day when lines were long. And in every instance there were one or two other solo riders on the same train. (Either truly solo or part of an odd sized group).

I wouldn't mind sharing the seat, but perhaps the other solo might feel awkward. Or maybe the loading CM is afraid I might whisper "Thunder Mountain" into the other person's ear.

Jim

 

[msmileyface]

I've done single trips, I've done trips with only my husband, I've done family trips where I might be a solo rider due to the number of people boarding and the wants of the youngsters.I've done single riders lines.

My experience? It's all about you. If you go onto the platform and are paired with someone else and you feel it's awkward because you think it will be awkward, , it will be awkward. But if you get paired with someone else just reach out a bit and say something like "have you ever been on this before?" that can change a lot. They could ignore you, so ignore them. Or, in my experience, they can say "no", and you say "you will love it!" and then you can sit back and watch their experience. Or, they could say, "yes, many times" to which you could say something like "oh, that's great, so have I but I'm on a solo trip so it's great to have company for the ride".

I'm not the most social person in the world (or World) but I find just that 30 seconds ofcontact makes all the difference.

Absolutely! Great point. I am shy but will definitely try to talk to fellow travelers. I was more concerned about the awkwardness of, say, physically sliding into someone on BTMRR, so I am really relieved to know that the non-bucket seat rides allow you to sit solo.

 

[sky13]

I've been solo in Disneyland and in Disneyland Paris (and will be on a solo trip in WDW this June). Have been seated a number of times with other people (including DLP's version of Space Mountain and Rock and Roller Coaster) - and it's never been too awkward.

It's usually either make a little conversation (e.g. this is a great ride - and once, on DLP's RnRC when I was waiting with another guest for the front row, him trying to tell me that we would have a great view from the front row in French. Unfortunately I don't speak French so his friends (behind us) had to translate!), or smile and nod, or no response - all depends on what the other person is like and what my mood is like! But never been awkward and have always enjoyed the ride!

Also - not WDW, but I've always been alone on rides like Haunted Mansion (DLR), Phantom Manor (DLP), Buzz (DLR/DLP) and TSMM (DLR). In DLR's BTM (where you can slide around on the seats and may hit the next person) I was always alone, whereas in DLP's BTM (where you can't slide around) I've been next to other people.

But as others have said I expect that things may vary depending on how crowded/busy it is!

 

[stormer]

On BTM I think it depends on the guests behind you. I was riding with my two boys and we asked for two rows as now that they are getting bigger we are too squished in one row. My older DS went in one row and I went behind him with my other DS. When we climbed in the car the people behind my DS just started to climb in with him. It was two grown women so I explained to them we asked to ride separately so as to not be squished and if two adults sat with him he would be squished. They looked at me like I had three heads but went back behind the line to wait for the next car.

 

[Allison]

As a solo rider I was not able to sit alone on BTMR, RnR, EE, Splash. With those rides I think it depends on how busy it is/if there's anyone in the single rider line (if it has one). It was really uncomfortable on BTMR because I kept seeing the chatty guy who sat with me close by for the next few hours. He was either following me or it was a coincidence, I don't know which.

Splash is single seating. How did you not sit alone on that? I have never experienced BTMRR like that either.

 

[aVASTGrl]

Splash is single seating. How did you not sit alone on that? I have never experienced BTMRR like that either.

I think you're thinking of Disneyland...at WDW seating is two across. It depends on how busy they are...I've ridden by myself, and with a stranger (party of 3). I don't really find it awkward though, and being seated with a stranger is rare.

 

[georgina]

I think I would refuse to ride with a stranger on BTMR. Isn't there a lot of sliding from side to side on that one? No thank you! I've done single rider lines and am fine with those, HM would be strange too.

I guess I would be OK if it was a child who didn't want to ride alone, but would you want your kid riding with a stranger?

 

[aVASTGrl]

Anything with separate ride vehicles (HM, Little Mermaid, etc..) you'll be by yourself...that would be so awkward!!