Skip the Wait with Disneyland Single Rider Lines

Have you heard of the Disneyland Single Rider lines? Find them at some of the most popular rides at Disneyland and California Adventure!

The current Single Rider list at Disneyland Resort includes:

• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Space Mountain 
• Incredicoaster
• Goofy’s Sky School
• Grizzly River Run
• Radiator Springs Racers
• Soarin’ Around the World 
• WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure

Keep reading to learn about the best rides to use Single Rider, how long you’ll wait and more tips for this well-loved Disneyland hack.

Disneyland Single Rider Lines Q&A

Single rider lines are one of those not-so-secret secrets that still hold their weight and can allow you to skip long wait times when done right.

 

What is the Disneyland single rider line?

Single Rider is an option on several attractions at Disneyland and California Adventure. When you choose to ride as a Single Rider, it means you will be used to fill an empty seat whenever a single spot opens up on an attraction.

You can stand in line with your group while you wait BUT please, no saving spots in the Single Rider Line. You can’t “catch up” to your group because once you enter the Single Rider Line you are essentially a solo park attendee. 

While you’re welcome to wait with your group in line, you will not sit with your group. Be ready to ride as the odd ball in another group– sometimes even appearing in photos with families that you don’t belong to.

Now how great is that? It’s like the ultimate photo bomb!

 

 

For example, Matterhorn Bobsleds are made up of two bobsleds, holding 3 passengers each. If a group of 5 boards, cast members need to fill one empty seat.

That’s where you come in! If you choose to be a Disneyland Single Rider, you take the chance that an empty seat might not open up for a while.

What is the Disneyland single rider line age requirement?

Guests ages 7 and up can use Disneyland Single Rider lines. I’ve outlined which attractions work best to try for a new, young single rider and which ones to avoid here. 

 

What rides have single rider lines at Disneyland? 

Disneyland offers single rider lines for:

• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Space Mountain (added again in March 2023)

Attractions are often added and subtracted throughout the year. Check here for the most current list of Single Rider lines at Disneyland Resort.

 

 

Please note that not all of these attractions have their single rider line open throughout the day. In fact, I’ve seen all of these attractions close their single rider line during busy times like summer and the holidays.

They might also close the single rider line if it’s a slower day at the park. For that reason I don’t depend on single rider lines, but they are great to use when they’re available.

What rides have single rider lines at Disney California Adventure?

California Adventure offer single rider lines for:

• Incredicoaster
• Goofy’s Sky School
• Grizzly River Run
• Radiator Springs Racers
• Soarin’ Around the World (returned May 2023)
• WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure

 

 

Does Soarin’ have a single rider line? 

Yes, at Disney California Adventure, Soarin’ brought back the Single Rider line in May 2023 which hasn’t been around for years! So glad it’s back. Soarin’ also  has stand-by and Genie+.

 

 

Does Guardians of the Galaxy have a single rider line? 

No, at Disney California Adventure, Guardians used to offer single rider back when it was Tower of Terror, but when it switched to Guardians it eliminated that line and now only has stand-by and Genie+.

Does Indiana Jones have a single rider line?

No, at Disneyland Park, Indiana Jones used to offer single rider until early 2022. I often see it run without full cars which is a shame. I think Disney is using this as a way to encourage guests to upgrade since it now only has stand-by and Genie+.

 

 

Does Space Mountain have a single rider line?

Yes, as of March 2023 Space Mountain at Disneyland Park has brought back Single Rider after being gone for about a year.

Wait Times Disneyland Single Rider Lines

Wait times vary for each attraction, and often times are considerably shorter than the stand-by line, usually about 20 minutes or less. If you do not have a Disney Genie+, Single Rider lines at Disneyland might be your ticket.

Here’s my experience for which rides have the shortest wait times when using Single Rider line.

1. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run often the shortest wait times for Single Riders in the entire resort.

2. Goofy’s Sky School is usually super short because they only allow a handful of people to use it at a time making it ideal for Single Riders.

3. Incredicoaster and Grizzly River Run tie in 3rd place because Incredicoaster can be hit or miss, and Grizzly is usually short Single Rider if it’s not too hot outside (but then again so will the regular wait).

4. WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure is still a newer Single Rider option and tends to go by pretty quickly if the line outside the doors is short, you’ll usually go right in.

 

 

5. Matterhorn Bobsleds and Space Mountain can be 20 minutes or longer, but it can still save you time vs standby.

6. Radiator Springs Racers ranks 6th place for wait time but it’s first place for value because I’d much prefer to spend my time in the Single Rider Line than standby or paying for Individual Lightning Lane.

7. Soarin’ Around the World seems to take forever, especially if you’re going Single as a group because the chances of being split into two different flights can dramatically increase your wait time. 

Where to Line Up

Here’s exactly where to go to get your spot in the Single Rider lines at Disneyland Resort.

Indiana Jones: No longer offers Single Rider option

If you’re hoping to skip the lines on this very popular Disneyland attraction and having Genie+ isn’t an option, Single Rider might work for you. Indiana Jones seats 4 to a row, so you’ll often be used to even out groups of 3.

Seek out a cast member at the entrance to the ride and you will get a Single Rider pass and be directed to enter through the exit. When you reach a circular type room, hand in your Single Rider pass and you’ll be directed towards the elevator and eventual loading station.

 

 

Matterhorn Bobsleds Single Rider Entrance

Matterhorn Bobsleds seats 6 total in 2 connecting bobsleds, so the chances for needing a Single Rider seem to be good, but sometimes it just moves super slowly. 

 

 

 

Incredicoaster Single Rider Entrance

This is one of the easiest and sometimes quickest rides to single rider, depending on the time of day. You’ll enter on Pixar Pier as you approach from the Adorable Snowman side. Notice the people lining the walkway on the left?

 

 

That’s your spot, under the Pixar umbrellas. Incredicoaster seats two by two so any time there’s a group with an odd number of people, they fill in from the single rider line.

Goofy’s Sky School

When offered, this is the best attraction to single rider. Take a trip with a “Goofy” sort of feel to it, hop in line all the way to the left of standby and Lighting Lane to claim your spot. 

 

 

Bonus: Kids age 7 and up can use the single rider queue and you can watch them from the sidelines while they wait.

Grizzly River Run Single Rider Entrance

If you’re trying to single ride this on a hot day, good luck. They often close this one off because too many people in the single rider line violates fire code since you’re standing in the exit area. 

 

 

However, if you have a poncho and are ready to get drenched no matter the weather, this opp is golden!

After getting a single rider ticket from a cast member at the entrance, head in through the exit. You may even get to sit in the same raft as your party as we’ve done on several rides through the rapids.

Radiator Springs Racers Single Rider Entrance

Still one of the most popular rides in all of the Disneyland Resort, don’t let the long lines or lack of Genie+ deter you. You want to ride this ride!

I have used single rider on Radiator Springs Racers almost every time I’ve been on it. If the Single Rider line is close to where you enter the queue, plan on a 45-60 minute wait. If the Single Rider line is close to Stanleys Oasis Fountain rockwork, you’re looking at about 20-30 minute wait time.

 

 

Once we went in the single rider line and on a day where the standby wait was 2+ hours and we waited 30 minutes. It was totally worth it; we both loaded about the same time and were done within seconds of each other.

Tell us about how you use the Disneyland Single Rider lines and which ones you think should return.