How to Skip the Lines at Disneyland (Without Buying Lightning Lane Passes)

In this post:

Sections:

You don't have to pay for Lightning Lane Passes to skip the lines at Disneyland! Singler Rider lines are your ticket to low or nonexistent wait times at some of your favorite rides. Here are the rides that offer Single Rider lines at Disneyland and California Adventure.

• California Adventure Rides
• Disneyland Rides
• Other things to know about Single Rider

 

Photo by Aubrey Odom on Unsplash

Rope-dropping is a tried and true strategy for low ride wait times at Disneyland Resort. But there's another way to skip the lines—and it isn't buying Lightning Lane Passes.

Single Rider lines often have a very short wait—or no wait at all—and there are quite a few rides that offer it at Disneyland Resort. And if you combine Single Rider lines with rope dropping, you'll have the chance to ride your favorite rides multiple times before most people even set foot in the parks.

ROPE DROP + SINGLE RIDER LINES = AN INCREDIBLE DAY

Single Rider lines don't have posted wait times, so don't let the Disneyland app fool you—the Single Rider line waits are often much shorter than what is posted, or even nonexistent! On my last three trips to Disneyland, the Single Rider lines were basically empty before 11 a.m.

My favorite strategy is to rope-drop the parks (and use that Early Entry benefit for Disney hotel guests) and head to my favorite rides that don't offer a Single Rider line, like Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. After one or two thrilling rescue missions with no wait, it's then time to hit some of those Single Rider lines!

Breezing through the Radiator Springs Racers Single Rider line.

On my last trip, after hitting Guardians, my group cruised on over to Radiator Springs Racers around 8:30 a.m., where the posted wait time was over an hour long already. But by using the Single Rider line, we waited less than five minutes, then hopped right back in line to go again with no wait! Less than 15 minutes later, we were headed over to Incredicoaster for a walk-on ride through its Single Rider line.

Because we had also purchased Lightning Lane Multi Passes for the day, we were also making reservations for these same rides for later in the afternoons. By using Single Rider lines and Lightning Lanes, we saved so much time and got to ride our favorite rides together multiple times throughout the day.

WHICH RIDES OFFER SINGLE RIDER?

At California Adventure, you can find Single Rider lines at: 

• Incredicoaster
• Radiator Springs Racers
• Grizzly River Run
• WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
• Soarin' Around the World
• Goofy's Sky School

At Disneyland, Single Rider lines are available at:

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Space Mountain

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SINGLE RIDER LINES

When using the Single Rider lines, there are also a few things to keep in mind. 

If you're traveling with a group, you will get separated from your party, so don't expect or ask to be seated together if you're in the Single Rider line. Riders must also be over 7 years old.

The Single Rider line pass at Grizzly River Run.

You also may not get your preferred seat, as cast members will assign you to the available empty seats.

It's also not guaranteed that the Single Rider line will have a shorter wait, so don't expect to completely skip the line every time—just get excited when it does happen!

And finally, Single Rider lines may not always be available. If the line is long, they may close it off for a while. But sometimes the lines are just hidden behind cast members or are located near the ride exits, so definitely look around before giving up.

To maximize your rides and time at the parks, don't miss the Single Rider lines on your trip to Disneyland!