Welcome back to planDisney, Jamie!
Your visit to
Walt Disney World is right around the corner--you must be so excited!
I am a
thrill ride fan, but there are some in my family who are not, so I totally understand your situation. Rest assured, you can stay with your family right up to end of the queue in most cases--there is an exit nearby just before they board.
As you noted for
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, guests are able to enjoy the entire spooky vibe with the family as they queue up to the most memorable elevator ride they've ever experienced. Right as the family boards that electrifying elevator, they'll be able to scoot out an exit door that's just off to the side. (I finally convinced my husband to stay with us through the entire queue, knowing he could escape prior to entry. The exit location is perfect!)
As you enter other thrill rides, simply ask the Cast Member at the entrance where the last exit is located for that particular ride. There will always be one near the loading area, so you'll be able to be together until that last moment when they head off for some intense experiences. We've had folks exit at the last moment on
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind,
Soarin',
Mission: SPACE,
Test Track,
Space Mountain, and even
Avatar Flight of Passage. Never a problem. Win-win for one and all!
Jamie, as you put together your pixie-dusted plans for your visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth, be sure to send additional questions our way. We love to help!
Andrea H