Waiting in a long Disney World line when you don’t have to is a whole new level of pain.

There’s a little-known trick that allows solo guests to skip ahead on certain popular rides — and no, it has nothing to do with Lightning Lanes. We’re talking about rides that don’t even have an official Single Rider line, but still give solo guests a major advantage. If you’re flying solo or don’t mind splitting from your group, this tip could save you tons of time in the parks — and we’ve got all the details.

Getting Pulled Ahead on Select Rides

Okay, here’s the deal: even if a ride doesn’t have a Single Rider line, Cast Members sometimes need single riders to help fill in empty spots, especially on large-capacity attractions. If you’re by yourself (or tell them you’re willing to ride alone), you can often get pulled ahead of the main standby line to fill in those gaps. It’s not guaranteed every time, but it works more often than you’d think — especially on certain rides.

Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom)

Let’s start with one of the biggest offenders when it comes to long wait times — Flight of Passage in Pandora.

This ride groups guests into pre-show rooms and then loads them into individual “link chairs.” The number of guests has to be just right for each ride cycle, and when the math doesn’t add up, Cast Members will look for a solo rider to balance it out.

If you’re in the standby line by yourself, you’ve got a solid shot at being pulled forward. We’ve seen it happen so many times — enough that we’re confident calling this a real tip, not just a fluke.

Soarin’ Around the World (EPCOT)

Another great example: Soarin’ might not offer a single rider line, but it’s one of the most consistent places where Cast Members grab solos to fill seats.

Each row on the ride system holds a set number of guests, and rather than leave an empty spot, Cast Members will ask if there’s a party of one waiting. If you’re a solo guest and you’re relatively close to the front, don’t be surprised if you’re asked to skip ahead and help fill a theater.

Mission: SPACE (EPCOT)

Mission: SPACE doesn’t offer a Single Rider line either, but since each ride pod seats four, it’s not uncommon for Cast Members to pluck solos from the line to complete a group.

It won’t happen every time, but it happens enough that if you’re alone, it’s worth standing out a bit so a Cast Member knows you’re available to fill a spot.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Hollywood Studios)

Full disclosure, this ride does have a single rider line, but we’ve seen Cast Members grab additional solo riders from the standby line, especially when they’re short on “pilots” or “engineers” to round out a crew.

If you’re willing to take any role and go it alone, let the Cast Member at the merge point know — there’s a good chance you’ll get bumped up.

What You Can Do to Make This Work

Here’s how to boost your chances of getting picked:

• Let the Cast Member at the front of the line know you’re a solo rider and happy to fill in if needed.
• Be ready to move fast if they call you forward.
• Don’t expect it, but definitely hope for it.

And no, you don’t need to lie or sneak around. This isn’t a cheat or a hack — you’re just making yourself available when Cast Members are looking for someone to help operations run more smoothly.

Is This Worth It If You’re With a Group?

If you’re in a group but willing to split up, one of you might get pulled forward while the others wait it out. It’s a great strategy if you’ve already done the ride and just want to do it again without everyone waiting. That said, this works best for true solo guests. Most Cast Members are looking for exactly one person to plug into a gap — not two, not three.

The Bottom Line

This is one of those weird, unofficial Disney World tips that can genuinely save you time without needing to buy anything extra or plan six months in advance. It won’t work for every ride or every time, but if you’re traveling solo or okay riding alone, it’s absolutely worth a shot. Keep your eyes open, make yourself available, and you might just find yourself skipping the line on some of the most popular rides in the park.

Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World tips!

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What tips or tricks do you have for saving some time on the ride queues at Disney World? Let us know in the comments!