Arrive before opening
The first hour is the quietest of the day at almost every park. Be at the gates before opening and head straight to the most popular ride your family wants to do.
Rider switch (baby swap)
If a child is too small to ride, many parks let one adult wait with them while the rest of the group rides, then the waiting adult rides without queuing again. Disney calls it Rider Switch. Ask a team member at the ride entrance how it works at that park.
Single rider lines
Teens and adults happy to ride apart can use single rider queues where offered. They’re often much shorter.
Accessibility passes
Visitors with disabilities or conditions that make queuing difficult may be eligible for access services. Merlin parks use the Ride Access Pass, which you apply for online in advance, and Disney has its own Disability Access Service. Check each park’s accessibility pages well before your visit.
Are paid fast passes worth it?
Paid queue-jump tickets (Fastrack, Express, Lightning Lane and others) can help on very busy days, but they add up for a family. Try the free tips above first, and pick a quieter date. That’s the cheapest queue-buster of all. More in our theme parks guide.
Last updated: 14 October 2026
