The Secret To Riding Top Disney Attractions Without Wasting Time Waiting In Line

A Walt Disney World vacation is filled with magic, excitement, and unforgettable experiences. But there’s one challenge every Guest faces: waiting in line. Short wait times are easy to handle, but when the queues stretch beyond an hour, they can quickly test your patience—especially when traveling with kids, braving the Florida heat, or running low on energy.

Fortunately, there are ways to experience some of Disney’s most popular attractions without wasting hours in line or paying extra. Here’s how to maximize your visit while minimizing wait times.

Why Are Some Disney Attractions Always Packed?

Walt Disney World boasts some of the world’s most beloved rides and attractions. While all theme parks have long lines at peak times, certain rides consistently see wait times exceeding 60 minutes. Weather disruptions and ride breakdowns can sometimes create brief windows of lower wait times, but more often than not, these attractions maintain high demand throughout the day.

These are some of the rides that frequently see long lines:

Magic Kingdom:

• Space Mountain (Tomorrowland)
• Peter Pan’s Flight (Fantasyland)
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Frontierland)
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Fantasyland)
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Frontierland, replacing Splash Mountain in 2024)

EPCOT:

• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (France Pavilion, World Showcase)
• Frozen Ever After (Norway Pavilion, World Showcase)
• Test Track (World Discovery – currently undergoing a reimagining, reopening date TBD)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)
• Slinky Dog Dash (Toy Story Land)
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (Sunset Boulevard – currently undergoing refurbishment, reopening summer 2025)
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Animation Courtyard)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

• Na’Vi River Journey (Pandora – The World of Avatar)
• Avatar Flight of Passage (Pandora – The World of Avatar)

Maximizing Early Theme Park Entry

One of the best ways to get ahead of the crowds is by staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. One major perk is Early Theme Park Entry, which allows resort Guests to enter any Disney theme park 30 minutes before the official opening time.

Current Early Entry times:

• Magic Kingdom & EPCOT: 8:30 a.m. (general park opening: 9 a.m.)
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 8:00 a.m. (general park opening: 8:30 a.m.)
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 7:30 a.m. (general park opening: 8 a.m.)

These 30 extra minutes can make a huge difference, especially if you’re targeting the most popular attractions. If you arrive early and head straight to a high-demand ride, you can often experience it with a significantly shorter wait before the bulk of the crowds arrive.

Using Lightning Lane Wisely

Disney’s Lightning Lane system allows Guests to bypass the standard standby line for many attractions. The service includes two components:

1. Lightning Lane Multi-Pass – Lets you select multiple attractions throughout the day to use Lightning Lane access.
2. Lightning Lane Single Pass – Requires a separate fee for some of Disney’s most in-demand attractions.

Popular attractions available through Lightning Lane Multi-Pass:

Magic Kingdom:

• Space Mountain
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

EPCOT:

• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Frozen Ever After
• Test Track (when operational)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

• Slinky Dog Dash
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (when operational)
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

• Na’Vi River Journey

Attractions Requiring a Lightning Lane Single Pass:

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Magic Kingdom)
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Hollywood Studios)
• Avatar Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom)
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Magic Kingdom, replacing Splash Mountain)

Purchasing Individual Lightning Lane passes can save time, but the cost can increase quickly. Another secret can help you ride top attractions without a long wait if you want to avoid these fees.

The Best Kept Secret: Riding at Park Close

One of the most effective (and completely free) ways to ride Disney’s most popular attractions with minimal wait time is to get in line right before the park closes.

Why It Works

• Disney allows Guests to enter the queue until the official park closing time.
• You’re guaranteed to ride once you’re in line, no matter how long the posted wait time is.
• Most Guests leave early to catch nighttime shows or return to their hotels, meaning wait times often decrease in the final hour of the day.

How to Make This Strategy Work for You

• Plan Ahead: Be in the land where your chosen attraction is located at least 10 minutes before closing.
• Pick Your Ride: This strategy works best for rides with long wait times throughout the day (e.g., Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Rise of the Resistance, and Flight of Passage).
• Enjoy the Nighttime Atmosphere: Once you finish your ride, you’ll find the park significantly emptier, making for an enjoyable, leisurely stroll to the exit.

Additional Tips for Reducing Wait Times

1. Single Rider Lines: Attractions like Test Track, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and Expedition Everest offer shorter wait times if you don’t mind riding separately from your group.
2. Mobile Order Meals: Avoid meal rushes by using the Mobile Order feature on the My Disney Experience app.
3. Midday Breaks: Ride in the early morning and late evening, then take a hotel break during peak afternoon hours.

Final Thoughts

Waiting in line is part of the Disney experience, but it doesn’t have to define your trip. By taking advantage of Early theme park entry, Lightning Lane, and strategic ride times, you can maximize your time and enjoy more attractions without the frustration of long waits. Whether staying on property, planning to ride at a park close, or strategically using Lightning Lane passes, a little planning goes a long way.

On your next trip to Walt Disney World, try these tips and see how much time you can save. Happy planning!