Hi Dawn!
Welcome to planDisney.
The short answer is yes! Commonly known as "chicken exits" (which I think is a totally inappropriate name because we all have our limits) these are available for guests to exit every ride and attraction before riding. You can enjoy the queue with your family, and then tell the Cast Member (at the boarding point) that you wish to exit. They will direct you out of the queueing area to somewhere you can wait for your group by the exit - quite often this will be inside the building which is a nicer, cooler place to wait than outside in the heat.
I have done this myself so I could stay with my group longer than if I had to wait for them to queue
and ride the attraction. I must say I'm braver than I used to be, but there are still a few rides I will never enjoy - but we are all different and what floats my boat, may not be someone else's cup of tea. I love
Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, but will not go near Spaceship Earth, or Mad Tea Party!! Who knows why?!!
Some of the queues and pre-shows are too good to miss - I particularly love the queueing areas for
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Haunted Mansion, and the pre-show for
Avatar Flight of Passage. I love those rides too, but I could exit them before riding if I wanted to.
I hope this means you can make the most of your time at the parks with your family, and maybe even try a few rides that you didn't think you would!
Please come back and visit us if you have any further questions, and
you can send me a direct question if you wish, especially if you want my opinion on any of the attractions. We will be happy to help you plan your magical holiday at Walt Disney World!
Sue