Avoid An Embarrassing Etiquette Breach When Using This Time-Saving Disney Ride Hack
Waiting in long lines for rides and attractions is arguably the worst part of any Disney trip. You're packed in with strangers, usually in the California or Florida heat, bored out of your mind, wishing you could just get on the ride already. And sometimes, by the time you get on, the ride breaks down, and the hour-plus you waited amounts to nothing. But if you pay attention, there are hacks you can utilize to skip the line and get on rides faster. However, the hack that may get you on the fastest will require your party to split up.
Some rides at both Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida offer a single-rider line that helps solo guests or guests who don't mind splitting up bypass long wait times. This option is designed to fill empty seats so employees can optimize the loading process and keep lines moving smoothly. However, this means you will be seated by a stranger, and may not even be in the same ride vehicle as the rest of your party.
Some guests try to take advantage of this system by going through the single rider line and trying to get employees to sit their parties together, sometimes claiming they didn't know they were in that line, even though it's usually clearly marked and hard to miss. Whether you made a genuine mistake or did this on purpose, you will be met with the same response: the employee will point you to the exit and ask that you wait in the regular standby line. It's one of the many rookie mistakes to avoid at Disney World and Disneyland. So unless you're okay with splitting up your party, save the embarrassment and wait in standby while you try to make the most of long lines.
Don't want to wait? Pay to skip the lines
Utilizing the single rider line isn't the only way to bypass long wait times, though it's one of the only methods that won't require you to pay extra. But if you have the cash and are set on not waiting in long lines, it could be worth buying Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass. This is a paid service allowing guests to book times for shorter waits that skip the standby lines. Disney parks on both coasts offer this service, though they work differently, so be sure to research Lightning Lanes in your destination before arriving.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows guests to access an expedited line for multiple rides offering it, and the pass can only be used once per ride. The price starts at $15 per person at Disney World and can go up to $39 per person depending on the park and day. At Disneyland, prices start at $32 per person and can reach $39 per person. Lightning Lane Single Pass operates similarly to Lightning Lane Multi Pass, but only includes a specific ride not included in the latter. This is usually the most popular rides in the parks such as Rise of the Resistance or TRON Lightcycle Run. These cost $13 to $25 per person per attraction at Disney World and $18 to $35 per person per attraction at Disneyland. All Lightning Lane passes are subject to availability, and passes for popular attractions tend to run out quickly, so it's best to come up with a strategy beforehand.
Parks on both coasts also offer Premier Lightning Lane, an even more premium service allowing guests access to the Lightning Lane whenever they please without having to book a slot. This pass can be used once per attraction. It costs $129-$499 per person in Disney World and $300-$400 per person at Disneyland.
Don't want to pay? Take advantage of low wait times!
After paying for park tickets, hotels, flights, food, and more, you probably don't want to shell out hundreds just to get on a ride faster. There are a few ways you can avoid long lines at your favorite rides without paying extra. If that's what you want, then "rope-dropping" is the ultimate hack for tourists at Disney. This means showing up to a park before it opens and being one of the first guests to get in line for coveted attractions. If you're staying at a Disney or "good neighbor" hotel, you can access the parks 30 minutes before they open.
Not a morning person? Then take advantage of nighttime hours. The wait times typically tend to drop during nighttime parades, fireworks, and shows, so it's the perfect time to get on rides that typically have longer waits during the day. Some parks also stay open for a few hours after nighttime events.
While most of the crowd is heading toward the exits, you can use this time to quickly knock off a few attractions. It takes research and planning, but the effort is worth it. But remember, getting stuck in long lines isn't the end of the world, and it definitely isn't worth potentially putting yourself in an embarrassing situation or making an employee's job harder. Disney parks are for making lasting memories, so try to make the most of your day no matter what it looks like.