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Universal Studios Orlando Single Rider Lines: When to Use Them (Pros and Cons)

Single Rider Lines at Universal Studios are easy and free ways to reduce your wait and maximize the time in your day.

However, using these single guest lines do have some drawbacks, so it’s not always an easy decision to jump in the single rider queue.

Here are all of the details you need to know before using the Universal Studios Orlando single rider lines.

What Are Single Rider Lines at Universal Orlando?

Single rider lines are a separate line for guests who do not need to ride with other members of their party or who are traveling alone.

Theme park vehicles hold a certain number of guests. It is important to get the maximum number of guests on a ride vehicle each time so that the lines are shorter and the capacity is near 100%, making theme park management happy. (I know, because I used to work that position where you were always striving towards 100% loading capacity to meet your hourly goals.)

In order to get 100% capacity, you will need to fill in the single empty seats that happen when you load a family of 5 in a six-person vehicle. Or you have a party of three and a party of two in a six-seat ride vehicle.

As the ride loader, though, you don’t have time to walk through the queue line asking for parties of one or who would be willing to split up and sit by themself.

So, single rider lines are created for guests who want to ride the attraction but don’t mind separating from their group to do so in exchange for a shorter wait time (usually).

IMPORTANT: You cannot use the Single Rider line and request to sit with your group or near your friends. You just CAN’T!

Does Every Universal Studios Ride Have a Single Rider Line?

No, not every Universal Orlando ride has a single rider line.

Not every attraction with a single rider line has it in operation continuously. If it is a slow day, or if there are enough people already in the Single Rider line, it can be closed. You will see a rope blocking entry to the line if it has been closed or is not in operation at that time.

You can check the Universal app to see if a Single Rider Line is being offered for each attraction.

What Universal Orlando Rides Have Single Rider Lines?

There are more single rider lines at Islands of Adventure vs. Universal Studios Florida, with two more single rider lines at IOA. Here are the attractions using single rider lines, in alphabetical order:

Universal Studios Florida

  • Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
  • Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
  • Men in Black Alien Attack
  • Revenge of the Mummy
  • Transformers: The Ride – 3D

Islands of Adventure

  • The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
  • Dr. Doom’s Fearfall
  • Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
  • Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
  • The Incredible Hulk Coaster
  • Jurassic Park River Adventure
  • Jurassic World VelociCoaster

Many of these attractions are among the worst rides at Universal Studios for motion sickness. So check the list to make sure you want to spend time in your day trying to get on these attractions.

There are no Single Rider lines at Volcano Bay water park.

How To Use the Universal Orlando Single Rider Lines

It is very easy to utilize the Universal Studios single rider lines. The only thing you need to do differently is decide whether or not you are okay with splitting from your group if you are not traveling solo.

  • At the attraction entrance, choose the Single Rider Line
  • Wait until you are called. You will be given a row number to sit in.

Keep in mind, you cannot use the Single Rider Line option with the Universal Child Swap option if traveling with children.

You will not be able to request a certain seat or row when using this option. You will need to sit where they seat you.

Best Reasons to Use Universal’s Single Rider Lines

  • If lines are long, using the Single Rider line is one of the best ways to cut down on your wait times
  • Single Rider lines are the budget-friendly version of using Express Passes. If you cannot afford the high cost of an Express Pass to save time in lines, this strategy is a pretty smart way to cut down wait times without paying extra money.
  • You can use the lines multiple times over and over again, unlike one of the Express Passes which allows you only one use per ride.
  • After experiencing the entire queue line and pre-show of an attraction once, this is a great way to continue the thrills and ride again and again without the extra fluff of the queue lines.

Where Can I Find the Single Rider Lines to Get In?

If there is a single rider line at an attraction, you will find the entrance near the other entrances. There will be 3 lines, including the Standard line, the Express Pass line and the Single Rider line.

These lines are not as easy to see, though, so if you can’t find one be sure to ask a Universal Team Member at the entrance of the attraction line.

Are Single Rider Lines Always Shorter?

No, not always.

But usually.

Being in the single rider line means that you are able to fill in empty seats faster, which means that you will get through the line faster.

However, if there is not a need for a lot of single seats to be filled as the vehicles are being loaded, it could take you longer in the Single Rider line to get seated than in the Standard line. This sometimes happens, but is usually not the case.

In general, if the ride vehicle has a 2-seat configuration, such as VelociCoaster or Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, it can take longer in the Single Rider line because those seats are easier and quicker to fill from the Standard and Express Pass queues.

roller coaster ride high in the sky with people in a ride vehicle coming down the tracks and Jurassic Park VelociCoaster sign in foreground

If the standby line has a short queue, it makes sense to use the standard line to experience all of the details in the line.

For instance, when Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey had a 15 minute wait, there really is no reason to separate from your party and get in the single rider line unless you are traveling solo. In this case, you might only save a few minutes, but your experience will be different.

Will I Get to See the Regular Queue Line and All of the Details?

No, you will not be walking through the standard queue lines which are generally very well themed with lots of photo opportunities, storylines and backstory and hidden details, known as Easter eggs.

You will also miss the pre-shows, if there are any.

These are the theme park rides where you will miss the most details and/or pre-shows:

  • Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
  • Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
  • Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey
  • Men in Black Alien Attack
  • VelociCoaster

Pros and Cons of Using a Single Rider Line

While waiting in shorter lines seems like a great idea, there are benefits and drawbacks of using Single Rider lines.

Pros

  • Usually have a shorter wait time
  • Free option to reduce your wait times
  • Can use the lines over and over again

Cons

  • You won’t be able to ride and laugh or scream with your family or friends
  • You will miss the themed queue lines and any interactive experiences, which are sometimes as much fun as the ride itself
  • Lines are not guaranteed to be shorter than the standard standby line
  • Every attraction does not have a Single Rider line
  • Single Rider lines can be closed unexpectedly and are not guaranteed
  • Adults and children will be split up

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See a real life test of whether single rider lines are worth it or not in this YouTube video:

Planning your Universal Studios Orlando vacation? Be sure to see more of our helpful guides, including: