Disney World is Permanently Removing the Single Rider Line from Expedition Everest

Single Rider can be a good way to save some time at Disney World if you don’t care who you sit next to. However, one of the rides that has offered it for years is now getting rid of the option.

Disney confirmed, according to WDW Magic, on Sept. 18 that the Single Rider line at Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom will close after Sept. 20. The change officially takes effect on Sept. 21.

Disney has been testing a different loading process on the coaster for the past several months and says the new process brought down average waits in the regular standby line.

It also changed how useful the Single Rider line was. Disney said it was no longer providing the experience guests normally expect when they choose Single Rider.

Disney Has Been Loading the Ride Differently

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Expedition Everest has two seats in each row, and Cast Members have been sorting groups into odd and even numbers before they reach the loading area.

That gives Cast Members a better idea of where everyone will fit before it is time to get on the ride. It also means they don’t need as many people from the Single Rider line to fill empty seats.

The system has apparently worked well enough that Disney decided to keep using it. Starting Sept. 21, Expedition Everest will no longer offer Single Rider.

There Were Already Signs Something Was Changing

The Single Rider line has been a little unpredictable at Expedition Everest this summer. Disney temporarily removed its Single Rider sign in July before putting it back several days later.

The line was also unavailable at times while Disney tested the new loading process. Now the change is permanent, but that isn’t the only thing happening at Expedition Everest.

At D23 in August, Disney announced that it is finally planning to get the ride’s Yeti animatronic moving again. The Yeti has barely moved for years, while strobe lights create the effect that it is moving as riders pass by. Fans started calling it “Disco Yeti.”

Disney even got in on the joke at D23. Gloria Gaynor performed “I Will Survive” as a send-off before Disney announced that the Yeti is coming back to life. Disney hasn’t said when that will happen yet.

Single Rider Is Staying on Other Disney World Rides

Expedition Everest may be losing the option, but Disney isn’t getting rid of Single Rider completely.

Disney says it will remain available at select rides where it still helps fill open seats. The current Disney World Single Rider page lists other attractions, including Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.