Disney in a Minute: What is a Chicken Exit?

In Disney vernacular, a “chicken exit” is the unofficial term for a way for guests to leave an attraction without boarding the ride itself. Here’s the cool thing about chicken exits: you can almost always walk through the entire queue (including pre-shows) without committing to actually riding the attraction. Which means you still get to enjoy the detailed storytelling Disney is famous for, even if you want to opt out at the last second.

There are a lot of reasons a guest might use the chicken exit. Maybe the attraction seems too intense once they get closer to boarding. They may suddenly feel overwhelmed by the darkness, or loud noises, or seeing some of the drops up close. Parents may use them when one of the littles changes their mind at the last moment (From personal experience, I’m looking at you, Tower of Terror.) Disney designs these exits so no one has to feel trapped into riding or pressured into an experience they don’t want. And although they are called “chicken” exits, they are also used by guests who avoid riding for medical reasons or motion sickness, but still want to see the queue or wait with their party.

A chicken exit is typically located right at the end of a ride’s queue, just before you would board. Many chicken exits are well-marked. But if you don’t see one, you can always let a Cast Member know that you don’t want to ride. They’ll guide you to a pathway out of the attraction. Don’t be shy – Cast Members are used to these requests! And in my experience, they handle them quietly and without judgment.

Not all attractions have the same style of chicken exit. Some are integrated into the theming of the attraction, so you still feel like you’re “in the story” while heading back outside. Disney World’s Haunted Mansion has a chicken exit that’s a good example of this. If you have littles who are spooked by the elevator, leaving before it closes brings you to an area at the ride exit with the same punny theming as the standby queue. (The Haunted Mansion actually has two chicken exits: one before the elevator and one before the ride!) For some others, the exit is a short hallway leading directly back to the unloading area or outside.

Bottom line: a chicken exit at Walt Disney World is a built-in safety and comfort feature. It ensures every guest has the freedom to choose their experience right up to the last moment. It’s another way Disney prioritizes your well-being as a guest while keeping the magic of your experience intact. And to help you plan, we have Ride Chicken reviews for some of Disney’s most thrilling rides; you can see the whole collection here.

Disney in a Minute is a series of short posts designed to help you better understand a Disney term or planning topic. Do you have a Disney term that you think needs a little more explanation? Let us know in the comments!