There’s a Disneyland Resort ride queue perk you’re likely not taking advantage of, and we’re here to fix that!
A trip to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure can be a blast, but chances are you’ll likely have to deal with long waits at some point. You could pay extra for Lightning Lane Multi Pass to skip the standby lines, but if you’ve ever wished there was a secret way to skip the long lines FOR FREE, you need to check out the Buddy Pass!
So what exactly is a Buddy Pass, and why is it secret? Well, a Disneyland Buddy Pass is a free skip-the-line pass offered primarily at Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! in Disney California Adventure. This pass allows a small group (usually one or two people) to enter through the ride’s exit queue — rather than the standby line.
This laminated card kind of looks like and works similarly to a Single Rider pass, but instead works for a small group.
According to the Cast Member we spoke to, these laminated passes are generally handed out when the wait time is over 20 minutes and are handed out at the discretion of Cast Members. As for its secrecy, Disney doesn’t really advertise it or post any information about it. It makes sense — if everyone asked to use it, the pass would lose its purpose.
You can get one by simply asking a Cast Member at the front of the queue! If you’re lucky enough to get a Buddy Pass, you’ll use the alternate entrance and be placed in a ride vehicle that needs a small group to fill. Wait times with this pass usually range between only 5 and 10 minutes.
It’s also sometimes available for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride in Disneyland Park, and is known as the Roo Pass over there. That’s good to know, as Monsters, Inc. is set to be demolished in 2026 to make room for a new Avatar-themed land.
These passes are not guaranteed, and you won’t know their availability until you ask. Remember, it never hurts to ask! If you’re traveling alone, as a couple, with another friend, or in a teeny-tiny group, you could wind up saving tons of time!
We’ve used the Buddy Pass in the past and have talked to Cast Members and Guest Relations over the years about them.
One of Disney’s best-kept secrets, the Buddy Pass is now something YOU can take advantage of FREE OF CHARGE. Give it a go during your next visit and let us know how it went! In the meantime, continue to follow us here at AllEars for all the latest Disneyland tips, tricks, updates, and more!
Why Haven’t They Banned These Disneyland Ride Hacks Yet?
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My friend and I used the buddy pass