While Disneyland Singer Rider is a convenient service that allows you to minimize your wait time on multiple attractions across the Disneyland Resort, there are some rides it works better for than others.
Single Rider allows you to split up from other members of your party and fill the remaining spots in ride vehicles that aren't occupied by groups in the standby line. You'll wait in a separate line, then you will ride the attraction individually. While you can't ask to ride with another member of your party or make specific row requests, the Single Rider service is a great way to cut down your wait time, especially for popular attractions.
While Single Rider is our go-to choice for certain attractions (see more details below), we will share the Single Rider line we recommend avoiding and why. I felt like I had to write this up based on my recent trip where I made this mistake AGAIN!
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Avoid This Single Rider Line!
The Single Rider service works well on a majority of attractions offered across the two parks, allowing you to enjoy a much shorter wait than you normally would in the standby line. The service is offered for popular attractions at the two parks including the Incredicoaster, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Space Mountain, and more. You can read all of them in our guide to Disneyland Single Rider.
However, the Single Rider service won't always work equally as effectively for all attractions where it is offered. We recommend avoiding the Single Rider line at Soarin', as you can end up waiting for multiple theaters to go by for one Single Rider spot. This recommendation is based on a number of times we have made this mistake over the last 15+ years. Each time it seems like a great idea.
During a recent trip, we made the mistake again. We asked the Cast Member at the front and we were walked into the Single Rider line. We immediately were guided down the ramp and sent down to line up for one of the theaters. There was only a handful of us in the single rider area. It seemed like it was going well, but I had already fallen into the trap.
When my friend and I got to the front of the line they took him first and loaded him into one of the theaters. I agreed that we would meet after the ride. Then I waited and watched two more groups be loaded. Finally when I wasn't put in the theater on the third time I gave up and just went outside to meet my friend without riding the attraction.
By the time that I would have been on for the single rider line I might have even been better off just standing in the normal line.
The waiting is made even worse because there is no cell service in this spot and there's nothing engaging in this part of the queue. This is one of the toughest queues to get through even in the regular line, much less waiting on your own without anyone to talk to.
We recommend avoiding the Single Rider line for this experience and going with Genie+ Lightning Lane entry instead or utilizing our Disney California Adventure morning strategy to get on the attraction.
Single Rider at Disneyland
Not all attractions are created the same when it comes to Single Rider, but for some rides, it's a very effective way to save time—earlier in the same day, I rode Incredicoaster using Single Rider and waited about 15 minutes vs the 45-minute queue.
This is also our go-to option for certain attractions and the best way to skip the line, especially for Radiator Springs Racers without purchasing Individual Lightning Lane entry. We also find that it works quite well for WEB SLINGERS as well, and due to the interactive elements of the ride, it is not so much a different experience than if you rode with other members of your party.
Generally the attractions that are constantly loading work far better than the Soarin' single rider experience.
See our guide to Single Rider at Disneyland for more information about the attractions that offer this service and tips for utilizing it!
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