single rider vs. fast pass

[hkkatie]

I'm just wondering, if you have the choice between getting a fast pass or going in the single rider line, which would you choose? do you think the waits end up being about the same? Or will the single rider line usually still be longer than if you use a fast pass?

Is there anywhere here or on the Disneyland website where it shows all the rides that have a single rider line?

I'm going by myself for a day and want to maximize my time.

Thanks!

 

[bfost87]

I would personally do a FastPass but that's if I'm with someone.

• California Screamin’
• Goofy’s Sky School
• Grizzly River Run
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• Radiator Springs Racers
• Soarin’ Over California
• Splash Mountain

 

[bumbershoot]

SR with Soarin' can take SO long. Don't do it.

 

[SMD]

SR with Soarin' can take SO long. Don't do it.

It's actually gotten better since they reopened. Now instead of holding everyone at the point where the line splits they send SRs down both sides so the CMs loading know you're there and don't have to wait to load the ride for the SRs to run down at the last minute to fill spots. But it's still a crap shoot, since you can get sent down the side that doesn't end up needing any SRs for awhile.

Matterhorn also has SR.

 

[jeffg4]

RSR definitely faster with FP in most cases. Matterhorn SR is the only way to go. The rest are a crap shoot - too difficult to predict. Splash and GRR may be slightly shorter with SR.

 

[Girimama33]

Use both.

 

[jkolkemo]

I find RSR to be way faster with single rider, but if you want to ride as a group Fast Pass. Just have to play it both ways. Same with Splash.

 

[figment_jii]

If you're going by yourself, then I would do a mixture of SRL and FPs. For Matterhorn, you don't have a choice because there is no FP for that attraction, but there is a single rider line. For me, I use the SRL when I'm going to ride by myself (and it's an option) and we use the FP when we want to ride as a group. Another "benefit" to the FP, over SRL, is that you can sometimes request where you want to sit, which doesn't matter for most things, but some people like a specific part of the attraction vehicle (e.g., the back of the coaster, etc.).

 

[tarheelalum]

Fast Pass.

 

[HydroGuy]

As others have said, it depends on the ride. I would always get a FP is you can.

Traditionally Soarin SR has been a poor choice and it was nice to read it may be better now.

The other rides with FP/SR are:

RSR
CA Screamin
GRR
Splash
Indy

I hope that list is complete! My experience is that RSR FP is much faster than RSR SR.

 

[Angrose]

If you're going by yourself, then I would do a mixture of SRL and FPs.

This.
What's nice about SRL is that you don't have to worry about NEEDING to get FPs for all the rides so you can concentrate on getting FPs for the rides that don't have SRL. So what if you have to wait 30min instead of 15min at RSR? In exchange you can collect more FPs for the other rides like Tower of Terror or Soarin'. Same over at DL, do SRL on Splash and Indy, so you can hold more FPs for Space, Star Tours, etc. Doing a combination will just give you more options and, in my opinion, will make your day more efficient

 

[IdahoMike]

When we went in June, we didn't use single rider for RSR, but the line was always REALLY long. With FP we never waited more than 10 minutes. I will agree that SR for soarin always seemed to take a long time (didn't do it this past trip.) SR for Matterhorn appeared to move very quickly, I think I would definitely do it that way if I was the only one riding.

 

[ktlm]

We were there July 11 to 15. RSR is DD's favorite ride. We did single rider for RSR a bunch. The longest we ever waited in the single rider line was 20 minutes. It moves pretty fast. One afternoon, we rode 3 times in a row because the single rider line was taking less than 5 minutes. The only bad thing about single rider there is that your whole party is not in the ride picture.

 

[bumbershoot]

My experience is that RSR FP is much faster than RSR SR.

Of course, that's forgetting about the time you took earlier that day to be at the RSR FP machines. SR line eliminates that part of the equation.

 

[RKKUNK]

I would also suggest using both SRL and FP. My family always uses SRL for RSR and it has never taken longer then the FP line. It's just the 3 of us. Maybe we have been lucky. We also use SRL for Indy most of the time. My son and I did SR for Soarin last month and it took a really long time. We decided we wouldn't do that again. Not sure if they are still doing the FP's for Haunted Mansion. But, between the SRL and FP you will make the most of your time in the parks. If you are doing DCA and want to ride TSMM, I suggest that you do that first thing as there is no SRL for that and the line gets long. Enjoy your time!

 

[SMD]

Of course, that's forgetting about the time you took earlier that day to be at the RSR FP machines. SR line eliminates that part of the equation.

Yes, this. I don't consider it maximizing my time to have to get the FP and then return to use it when I can just go through SR and move on. It's not worth figuring out 15 minutes vs. 20 minutes or even a 10 minute difference for relatively few rides that offer both. With all the extra walking a filling time trying to shorten a wait I'd just as soon go through the standby queue if that's what's available.

 

[RKKUNK]

I don't believe that the OP stated when they would be at the parks, but if they are going this time of year the SRL and FP's will make all of the difference. The standby lines are usually so long this time of the year that it doesn't make sense to wait in the long line if you can do SR or FP. Now if they are going in the fall after school starts, then those things would not be as important. IMHO.

 

[hkkatie]

OP here.... I'll be going at the end of September.

Thanks for all the input!

 

[Blondie Mom]

How old does a child have to be to do the single rider line?

 

[HydroGuy]

How old does a child have to be to do the single rider line?

I believe a child has to be 7 to ride alone or use SR. But remember a child will be put in a ride vehicle with strangers. I would not let my 7 year old do that. Maybe at 10 or 12.