Hi there, Anna, and welcome to planDisney!
Your friend sounds a lot like my very hesitant husband. Although he always has a blast riding
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which is equal parts music and thrills, sometimes he sits it out because, well, he’s just not in the mood to be spun around. Anna, I would love to give you a breakdown on what you can do if you end up riding solo.
First, let’s talk about the Lightning Lane. If you’re familiar with the former FastPass System, it is very similar. However, with the Lightning Lane, you’ll want to purchase Disney Genie+ or an Individual Lightning Lane to access Lightning Lane queues throughout the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. You can learn more about how it all works
here on this Lightning Lane webpage.
Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane purchases are non-refundable and non-transferable. Virtual Queue reservations are meant to be used by the Guest who is listed as a rider. Although the friendly Cast Members at these attractions do not check for identification, I strongly encourage that everyone is sure that they want to ride before you make your ride selections or make your purchases.
Another option is for your friend to walk through the attraction queues with you. Sometimes the ride is just half of the experience. For example, if
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is on your buddy’s “I’m-not-too-sure-about-this” List, he can at least scan in with you and enjoy the eerie 1930s-inspired scene that is set inside the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Then, like I had to do once when I was pregnant, he can use the exit that is nearby right before you drop into the 5th dimension.
AN EXTRA GEM: I, for one, don’t like to spoil new ride experiences for myself. However, if there’s an attraction that my kids or husband are not sure about riding, we will watch on-ride videos online a million times over to see if everyone feels comfortable with riding the attraction before our trip. This may help settle your friend’s nerves. I’d also like to offer some peace of mind to your friend. I used to be so afraid to ride any attraction with anything more than the tiniest of drops or turns. But I keep a couple of things in mind: 1) This theme park is for everyone to enjoy and every attraction ends in triumph and has an obvious (or not-so-obvious; I’m looking at you, Haunted Mansion) spirit of joy. 2) With the exception of TRON Lightcycle / Run and Avatar Flight of Passage, you can ride all attractions, even the thrilling ones, with your belongings in tow. So, the ride can’t be too wild, right? Either way, he should definitely do what makes him feel comfortable and happy.
Anna,
please let us know if you have any other questions about your upcoming vacation. And—oh boy!—that vacation will be here very soon! Before I go, I have to say that you must try the culinary delights at the
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. In between all of those thrill rides, you’ll love taking it easy while snacking throughout the park. Enjoy!
Magic always,
LeAndra