Single rider loading on Space Mountain

[osian]

I was in WDW this February for the first time since 2019 and I sensed that there was a new strategy to loading riders for Space Mountain. Perhaps they've always done it that way and I haven't noticed before, or perhaps there was no strategy and I was just extremely unlucky, but as I was one my own I always seemed to be put in either the very front seat or the very back seat. It's a problem on Space Mountain because as I'm sure you're aware, those seats are the most brutal! I rode seven times one day and that was always the case. Actually, I rode in the second row once because I asked the person next to me if they'd like to swap.

It's not even as if I was sent down the special single rider line, this was after queuing as normal. If I was at the head of the line when the next train was about to be called, I would be put into the front seat straight away. Otherwise, they would actively pass me by and call out for groups from further down the line before sending me to a loading bay, which invariably meant I ended up in the back row.

I understand it's all about efficiency of loading, however it was frustrating. It's like they fill the seats with the largest groups possible first then fill in the remainder with single riders (and it's OK if a single rider is first because you've still got five seats left, you're not likely to get a group of six next in line) but that's how specific single rider lines work and you accept that when you use the single rider lines (I always get a right hand seat on Test Track!). This was the normal queue line, which they were using as though it was a single rider line, keeping the single riders back and only using them to fill in.

So I'd like to ask if this experience is common, have other single people noticed this? And is it OK on Space Mountain to ask for a specific seat? I would feel guilty about doing that on Space Mountain because it always seems so hectic and noisy there on the loading platform, and it's difficult to actually do this if they immediately turn their attention to the rest of the line once I tell them there's only one in "my party".

 

[JIMINYCR]

On any ride you can request the front seat which I do. But you can also request not to be seated in the front seat as well. The CMs are trying to be as efficient as they can to load those rides as fully as they can and have no open seats. When there’s a single rider line they use those guests to fill in single seats or sometimes more seats that are open. Open seating just makes more waiting for others in line. That’s why they sometimes ask if there’s a group of xxx number of guests riding together to fill in seating.
But to answer you… Yes you can request not to be seated in front. You can ask for another seat but as a single rider they may have you wait and give a seat to someone else that’s in line. CM s are good at trying to accommodate riders.

 

[osian]

On any ride you can request the front seat which I do. But you can also request not to be seated in the front seat as well. The CMs are trying to be as efficient as they can to load those rides as fully as they can and have no open seats. When there’s a single rider line they use those guests to fill in single seats or sometimes more seats that are open. Open seating just makes more waiting for others in line. That’s why they sometimes ask if there’s a group of xxx number of guests riding together to fill in seating.
But to answer you… Yes you can request not to be seated in front. You can ask for another seat but as a single rider they may have you wait and give a seat to someone else that’s in line. CM s are good at trying to accommodate riders.

Yep, I know the reasons for it, and I know what to expect with single rider lines, however this isn't a single rider line. But yes, thank you for comfirming the cast members wouldn't be too put out by seat requests on that particular ride!

 

[Raxel7851]

We do the same when we ride POC. We would rather not have the front seat and the CMs there are always very friendly and accommodating.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

Yes, this is how they normally load SM and have for quite a few years. In general, I think you could ask to not be front/last row, and they should be able to accommodate, as long as you are willing to wait for the next good opportunity.

We are usually tempted to do the opposite. We don't mind breaking up our group in any way that is helpful.

 

[DisneyFanatic12]

On a little side note, always be on the lookout in the switchback area for the loading bay asking for a single rider. You can pop through one of the exit gates in the railing to get on the ride sooner.

I wish they had a traditional single rider line for Space Mountain though… they always seem to have 1-2 seats on average empty in a rocket.

I know that the front row is different from the other two rows, but in what way is the third row of the cars more brutal than the second? Just curious.

 

[osian]

On a little side note, always be on the lookout in the switchback area for the loading bay asking for a single rider. You can pop through one of the exit gates in the railing to get on the ride sooner.

I wish they had a traditional single rider line for Space Mountain though… they always seem to have 1-2 seats on average empty in a rocket.

I know that the front row is different from the other two rows, but in what way is the third row of the cars more brutal than the second? Just curious.

Sixth row, not the third. Much more whiplash and abrupt airtime going over the drops, it's like a bucking bronco. It's got the full weight of two cars in front of it pulling it over and down. It's not too bad once, but seven times gets a bit wearing! You have the equal-and-opposite effect in the front row where you get the abrupt airtime on levelling out at the top of a rise, rather than abrupt airtime at the beginning of a drop from being level.

Yep, I'm continuous alert for single riders being called out, have slipped though those little gates on more than one occasion.

 

[DisneyFanatic12]

Sixth row, not the third. Much more whiplash and abrupt airtime going over the drops, it's like a bucking bronco. It's got the full weight of two cars in front of it pulling it over and down. It's not too bad once, but seven times gets a bit wearing!

Ahh, gotcha. I like the front car the most because of that. Too tall for the first seat, but the further up the less bruising I endure