Alton Towers can be pretty busy throughout the year, but one way to beat the queues is to making use of Single Rider Queues.
What is a Single Rider Queue?
A Single Rider Queue allows single riders to use up available space on ride carriages. This therefore gives you quicker access to the rides if you are willing to slot into single gaps. So for instance Sonic Spinball offers carriages for 4 people – if a party of three wish to ride together, you take the spare seat and bypass the main queue.
What are the main pro’s & con’s of the Single Rider Queue?
The upside is a shorter wait but of course the downside is you won’t experience the the thrill of the ride with your friends!
Where are Single Rider Queues available?
They are generally available on;
- Thirteen
- Air
- Nemesis
- Sonic Spinball
- Oblivion
- Rita
Where are Single Rider Queues most effective?
I would say they are most effective on Rita, Air & Sonic Spinball if you are looking to shorten your queues times. In fact, Sonic Spinball will often allow pairs from the single rider queues to fill up space on the carriages; the queues on Sonic make it more difficult for ride attendants to identify pairs in the main queue.
What is more effective a Fastrack or a Single Rider Queue?
Fastrack tickets will generally get you on a ride in 5/10 minutes but clearly at a price. The Single Rider Queue is another string to the bow for those trying to reduce wait times without forking out for fastrack.
Check out Early Ride Time for another way to reduce you queues at Alton Towers.
Liz
September 22nd, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Thanks for that – good to get to some feedback. Interesting point about Rita – wonder what other single riders think about this? I’ve certainly heard this said for Thirteen where the main queue has been quicker than the single rider – it’s the luck of the draw with this sometimes!
September 22nd, 2010 at 1:52 pm
I check with all our holiday cottage guests how many rides they get onto. Those that take advantage of the single rider queue definitely score highest on this so this is another top tip from TopDogDays.
Bit of feedback – One knowledgeable family figured out that the singe rider queue on Rita was slower than the main queue – because it is a ride for two people and there are not many singles/thirds in the main queue. (hope I remembered the right ride!)