What if they don't want to ride???

[Fia]

Hi we are planning a Disney World Trip for September. While I know there are lots of fun things to do that do not involve rides. What do you do if a member of your party doesn't want to ride a ride but he doesn't want to wander around and wait by himself? Can he wait in line with you and then not ride?

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes, as long as they meet the height restriction you can all wait the line and the non rider can use the "chicken exit" and meet you after you ride.

 

[Fia]

Awesome thanks!

 

[rangerxenos]

Yes, as long as they meet the height restriction you can all wait the line and the non rider can use the "chicken exit" and meet you after you ride.

Wow, I never knew this. When I used to go with my Mom, she'd just wait somewhere nearby and people watch.

 

[loves to dive]

And the chicken exit usually dumps into the dump shop so some shopping/browsing can happen while the person waits. Personally, I wouldn't want to wait in line then have to use the chicken exit, I'd just go to the shop to start with or grab something to drink and people watch outside.

 

[BarbieGal457]

Also don't be embarrassed to ask for the chicken exit! Every single time I have or a friend has, they have been more than happy to help us and never made us feel weird for asking. However at Haunted Mansion they still feel pretty stone-faced but that's just the norm there. I like knowing there is a chicken exit around because sometimes I don't decide until the last second, and knowing I can get out right then is reassuring. On Soarin' this past June my boyfriend was ready to buckle himself in and had a panic attack since he hates heights AND flying, and literally jumped from the vehicle when it was still parked and the lights were on and the CM happily helped him. He said it happens a lot there hahaha

 

[calismic]

Also don't be embarrassed to ask for the chicken exit! Every single time I have or a friend has, they have been more than happy to help us and never made us feel weird for asking. However at Haunted Mansion they still feel pretty stone-faced but that's just the norm there. I like knowing there is a chicken exit around because sometimes I don't decide until the last second, and knowing I can get out right then is reassuring. On Soarin' this past June my boyfriend was ready to buckle himself in and had a panic attack since he hates heights AND flying, and literally jumped from the vehicle when it was still parked and the lights were on and the CM happily helped him. He said it happens a lot there hahaha

Wholeheartedly agree about Haunted Mansion! My daughter lost it in the stretch room this past April and the CM who escorted us out stayed "in character" the entire time. I don't think I'll get my daughter back on that ride until she's 20! =P

 

[BarbieGal457]

Wholeheartedly agree about Haunted Mansion! My daughter lost it in the stretch room this past April and the CM who escorted us out stayed "in character" the entire time. I don't think I'll get my daughter back on that ride until she's 20! =P

My boyfriend always tries to get them to laugh and has yet to succeed! I am so amazed by how great they are at holding the mood. I saw someone back out in front of me once and she seemed nervous that the woman looked annoyed at her (you know how crowded it gets after the stretching room!) and I told her "no it's okay they're just always like that, you didn't do it!" and she seemed a bit relieved haha! When I backed out on ToT the bellhop was very nice, since the exit there is actually an elevator and as soon as the doors shut he smiled and said "it's okay I promise you this doesn't drop, just a normal one!" I must've looked quite scared seeing as I was totally backed into the corner hanging on to the handrail things!

 

[Fia]

Thanks for the great info BarbieGal457. My Husband is not a big fan of rides but he doesn't want to miss out on the time with everyone. And lets face it some of the most fun and memorable moments can happen while waiting in line. This way he doesn't have to miss out on that and doesn't have to get on the ride.

 

[BarbieGal457]

Thanks for the great info BarbieGal457. My Husband is not a big fan of rides but he doesn't want to miss out on the time with everyone. And lets face it some of the most fun and memorable moments can happen while waiting in line. This way he doesn't have to miss out on that and doesn't have to get on the ride.

You're welcome! I think it's so nice because a lot of the lines are so fun and have such great themes it's almost an attraction in itself. The Haunted Mansion standby line comes to mind, it's amazing! So much to do and see to pass the time. Plus I find that my party usually has a lot more quality/down time in line since we aren't running here and there and catching buses and such. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[Fia]

Thanks! Just 9 months 4 days and so much planning to go!

 

[Stubbzilla]

I had to use the chicken exit recently with my preschooler, who had a last minute call of nature right before boarding. I can confirm that you can get out of the line at the last minute...even while half running, holding a small child, and saying, "you can hold it you can hold it you can hold it just a bit more..."

 

[disnut8]

I call them alternative exits but the best one is at Twilight Zone. I had to go through all the exits for a few years after I broke my neck and while Twilight Zone normally freaks me out, the alternative exit is just as bad as the entire attraction. The attention to detail on this one is amazing.

The thing about alternative exits is the one who is not riding just has to wait for the length of the actual RIDE portion. They get to see everything up to the point where the seater person asks how many in the party right before going onto the ride vehicles. At that point, the person in the lead just says, "X to ride and X to exit" and that's it. One hint - know where that "meeting spot" is after the people ride because sometimes it's not where you think it will be. You can ask at the ride entrance and then go and see for yourself before boarding.

And, as mentioned, the only exception to this is if someone is not tall enough to ride the attraction. They can't even enter the queue line thanks to some people in the past trying to sneak smaller kids onto the ride itself.

 

[jessicadisneygirl]

On a previous trip to WDW I was heavily pregnant. Like obviously pregnant. It was a "baby moon" trip with my husband, and I didn't want him to miss out on the thrill rides, but I also didn't always want to just wander around by myself. So I would stand in line with him and just use the alternative exit right when he was boarding. Nobody said a word or made me feel awkward for leaving the line, but then on the other hand, nobody said anything about me getting in the line in the first place - I at least expected to get a few side eyes but nope!

 

[GPC0321]

How does Test Track work for non-riders? I've never ridden it, but my dad and I plan to on our upcoming trip. It'd be neat if Mom could hang out with us while doing the designing part and all. We'll (hopefully) have a fastpass for it.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

Wholeheartedly agree about Haunted Mansion! My daughter lost it in the stretch room this past April and the CM who escorted us out stayed "in character" the entire time. I don't think I'll get my daughter back on that ride until she's 20! =P

Ahh my husband got me back on and I swear I have some mild PTS from riding it at 5. As soon as the ride started, I was freaking out from the music. I made him put his arm around me and I was squeezing his hand. I was literally scared at 25!

I'm so glad you didn't make your daughter "toughen up" because it was terrifying to me and I remember I spent half the day trying to make sure the hitchhiking ghost would leave us alone.

We aren't taking my daughter on it for a while, but we like that it has Fastpass now, so my husband can ride by himself. It's still his favorite ride.

 

[Accident]

Also don't be embarrassed to ask for the chicken exit!

I just want to second this, if anyone behind you even notices all they see if less wait for them!

 

[GPC0321]

I have a question. If my dad and I are Fastpassing a ride (Tower of Terror and Test Track will be the two), and we'd like Mom to be able to go through the line with us, do I need to get her a FP too even though she won't actually ride? Is it even worth having her go through it with us if we're FastPassing? I've never ridden Test Track, so I have no idea what to expect, and the one time I rode ToT 17 years ago we certainly didn't have FP. If it's not worth it, she'll happily hang out nearby while we ride, but I thought it'd be neat for her to at least go through the ToT pre-ride stuff.

 

[disnut8]

I have a question. If my dad and I are Fastpassing a ride (Tower of Terror and Test Track will be the two), and we'd like Mom to be able to go through the line with us, do I need to get her a FP too even though she won't actually ride? Is it even worth having her go through it with us if we're FastPassing? I've never ridden Test Track, so I have no idea what to expect, and the one time I rode ToT 17 years ago we certainly didn't have FP. If it's not worth it, she'll happily hang out nearby while we ride, but I thought it'd be neat for her to at least go through the ToT pre-ride stuff.

Yes, you will need to get her a Fastpass for the ride since she will be with you right up until when you board the vehicle. As I stated in an earlier post, the queue AND the alternative exit for Twilight Zone is well worth the entire experience - your mother will not be disappointed and tell her to watch out for those interesting things in the alternative exit that you and your dad will never see - she can PM me for details but not going to spoil it here for others. I haven't done the exit for Test Track but when you design your ride vehicle, it will be a party of three so she can help out with that and that is enough to enjoy the queue with both of you.

At Twilight Zone, she'll be waiting for you right after you exit *your* elevator so there's almost a zero chance of missing you. At Test Track, that one exits into a gift shop so she can walk through that and then wait either in the shop or just outside of it.

 

[GPC0321]

Yes, you will need to get her a Fastpass for the ride since she will be with you right up until when you board the vehicle. As I stated in an earlier post, the queue AND the alternative exit for Twilight Zone is well worth the entire experience - your mother will not be disappointed and tell her to watch out for those interesting things in the alternative exit that you and your dad will never see - she can PM me for details but not going to spoil it here for others. I haven't done the exit for Test Track but when you design your ride vehicle, it will be a party of three so she can help out with that and that is enough to enjoy the queue with both of you.

At Twilight Zone, she'll be waiting for you right after you exit *your* elevator so there's almost a zero chance of missing you. At Test Track, that one exits into a gift shop so she can walk through that and then wait either in the shop or just outside of it.

Great! Thank you so much!