Expedition Everest Single Rider Line Closing September 21
Published September 18, 2026
Walt Disney World is closing the Single Rider line at Expedition Everest in Disney’s Animal Kingdom starting September 21. The final day to use the dedicated queue will be September 20, after which the option will be removed from the park and the My Disney Experience app.
As of Friday, September 18, reports indicate the change follows a summer of testing a new standby loading process that successfully lowered average wait times. Earlier this summer, Cast Members began sorting guests into odds and evens before reaching the loading platform. This new process provides a built-in supply of paired riders to fill empty seats, eliminating the operational need for a dedicated single-rider backfill line.
With the main queue moving faster, the separate Single Rider line no longer offers the significant time savings guests expect. Consequently, physical signage at the attraction entrance will be removed on September 21.
This closure is specific to Expedition Everest and does not signal a resort-wide end to the Single Rider concept. The option remains available at other select attractions across Walt Disney World where it is still needed to maximize ride capacity. Disney has not confirmed if this odds-and-evens loading process will be implemented at other attractions to replace existing Single Rider lines.
What we know
Updated Friday, September 18 with new reporting.
- Attraction: Expedition Everest (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
- Last Day Available: September 20
- Removal Date: September 21
- Reason: A new odds-and-evens loading system improved standby efficiency, removing the need for single riders to fill empty seats.
- Digital Updates: Expedition Everest will be removed from the Single Rider listings in My Disney Experience and on the Walt Disney World website.
- Standby line — A new loading procedure has reportedly lowered average standby wait times for the attraction.
- Other single rider lines — Disney reportedly noted that the single rider system will remain available at other select rides to help fill empty vehicles.
What our data shows
- SupaPark’s forecast model puts Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain Single Rider’s typical predicted wait around 0 minutes across the day (checked 2026-09-18).
- Measured average wait over the last 7 tracked days: about 0 minutes.
What it means for your trip
- Plan for standby or Lightning Lane: If you previously relied on Single Rider to bypass the main queue, you will now need to use the standby line or book a Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection.
- Groups must wait together: Solo travelers and groups willing to split up can no longer use this shortcut; factor the standard wait time into your Animal Kingdom morning strategy.
- Watch for wait drops: With Single Rider gone, keeping an eye on live wait times is more important. You can set a SupaPark live alert to ping you the moment the standby wait for Expedition Everest drops to a walk-on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Single Rider line closing at other Disney World rides?
No, the change is specific to Expedition Everest; Single Rider lines remain available at other select Walt Disney World attractions.
When is the last day to use Single Rider at Expedition Everest?
The last day to use the Single Rider line is September 20 before it is permanently removed on September 21.
Why is the Single Rider line closing?
A new sorting process in the standby queue successfully fills empty seats with standard guests, removing the operational need for a separate Single Rider line.
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SupaPark tracks live wait times and crowd forecasts, and pings you the second a hard-to-get reservation opens or a ride goes walk-on — free to start at supapark.com.